The Acidic Environment > 3. Acids >
Describe the difference between a strong and a weak acid in terms of an equilibrium between the intact molecule and its ions
- For strong acids, ionisation equilibria are not established, as complete ionisation occurs.
- For example, the ionisation of hydrochloric acid does not form an equilibrium:
- For weak acids, ionisation equilibrium are established, as only partial ionisation occurs.
- For example, the ionisation of acetic acid forms an equilibrium:
