Strong bases and acids double arrow
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Strong bases and acids double arrow
Since strong bases and acids undergo 100% ionization, do we write their forward reactions only or do we add the reversible arrow as well to indicate both directions?
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Re: Strong bases and acids double arrow
Because strong acids and bases fully ionize (or at least very close to fully), you only write the forward arrow. The substance has reacted completely, so there really isn't a reverse reaction. For weak acids/bases, we use a double arrow because they don't fully ionize, meaning it has not reacted completely.
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Re: Strong bases and acids double arrow
Right, you just use one forward arrow because you assume the reverse reaction is pretty negligible.
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Re: Strong bases and acids double arrow
Since strong acids/bases completely dissociate, you would express their reaction with just the forward arrow. However, weak acids and bases do not completely dissociate so a double arrow is used to show equilibrium and that the reaction is occurring both ways.
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Re: Strong bases and acids double arrow
We would only write the forward arrow since we assume the reaction essentially goes to completion
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Re: Strong bases and acids double arrow
You write the forward reaction only because the reverse reaction doesn't happen.
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Re: Strong bases and acids double arrow
Hi! Like the others said, it would be a forward arrow only, because they are being ionized to completion, because they are stable enough. That being said, weak acids and weak bases are only ionized partially, meaning that they are reversible and we would have to use the arrow that goes both directions.
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Re: Strong bases and acids double arrow
Strong acids/bases completely dissociate therefor their reaction can be expressed by solely a forward arrow. Weak acids/bases do not completely dissociate so they require a double arrow to show that the reaction occurs both ways.
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Re: Strong bases and acids double arrow
You would only write a forward arrow in the reaction since strong acids and bases completely dissociate.
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