Strong weak and weak weak acids/bases

[Bailey Herbert 2L]

I don't really understand the concept of strong weak and weak weak acids/bases. How can an acid/base be both strong and weak?
Thanks!

[Barbara Soliman 1G]

We are not saying that they are both strong and weak. We are saying that some weak acids/bases are weaker than others, so they are considered weak weak acids/bases and those that are stronger than other weak acids/bases would be strong weak acids/bases. A major difference between a strong acid and a weak acid is that a strong acid dissociates 100%, while a weak acid does not. A strong weak acid could dissociate about 75%, still making it a weak acid, but stronger than an acid that dissociates 15%. Hope this helps!

[Michael Vigman 2D]

I agree with Barbara-- quantitatively, go by the Ka and Kb values, dissociation constants (or pH), in order to determine their order of strength relative to each other. Stronger acids dissociate more, weaker acids less so. Same for bases.

[Patrick Herbig 1E]

The difference between strong and weak acids and bases is that they don't all ionize or dissociate to the same extent. Another way to understand this is that acids and bases have a wide spectrum of levels of H+ and OH- ion production. Whether an acid or base is strong or weak also depends on their ability to conduct electricity in solution.