Weak Acids vs Weak Bases

[Samantha Toscano 2C]

Hi! To tell apart the strong acids from the weak acids, I looked at the list strong acids. What would be the easiest way to tell apart weak acids from weak bases?

[Ethan Famas 1H]

I think distinguishing weak acids from weak bases is easiest if you compare them to the strong acids and bases, and use the definition of Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry, and Lewis acids/bases. Here's one way to think about it: any other compound that can produce/donate H+ or accept an electron pair that is not a strong acid is a weak acid. An example is acetic acid, (CH₃COOH). Likewise, any other compound that produces -OH, accepts H+, or donates an electron pair that is not a strong base is a weak base. An example is ammonia (NH₃).

[Miranda Hess 3I]

I always immediately look for a solitary H to indicate acids. HCl, HBr, etc. Not always true so it doesn't work as a rule, but it's a good indicator just like OH is for bases

[Daniela G 2C]

Weak acids and Weak bases are not 100% ionized in aqueous solutions. Weak acids usually have an H in front of it, while weak bases tend to have an N or OH. The easiest distinguishment is between strong vs weak acids and bases. Once you identify the strong acids and bases, everything else apart from those is weak acids and bases.