Question

What are strong and weak acids? In the following list of acids, separate strong acids from weak acids. Hydrochloric acid, citric acid, acetic acid, nitric acid, formic acid, and sulphuric acid.

Answer 1

Strong acid:

• The acids which dissociate completely in an aqueous solution are known as strong acids.
• Examples of strong acids are Hydrochloric acid$\left(\mathrm{HCl}\right)$ as well as Sulfuric acid$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$.

Weak acid:

• The acids which dissociate partially in an aqueous solution are known as weak acids.
• Examples of weak acids are Acetic acid$\left({\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\right)$ as well as Formic acid$\left(\mathrm{HCOOH}\right)$.

A list of strong acids, as well as weak acids, are:

Strong acids	Weak acids
Hydrochloric acid $\left(\mathrm{HCl}\right)$	Citric acid$\left({\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_8{\mathrm{O}}_7\right)$
Sulfuric acid $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$	Acetic acid $\left({\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}\right)$
Nitric acid $\left({\mathrm{HNO}}_3\right)$	Formic acid $\left(\mathrm{HCOOH}\right)$