hydrogen ion +
ethanoic ionCH3CO2H(aq)
H+(aq)
+ CH3CO2-(aq)Strong and Weak Acids Make the Same Amount of Product.
A weak acid and a
strong acid of the same concentration will
produce the same amount of
product from the
same amount of reactant
but the weak acid will take longer
to do it.
The ionisation of a strong acid is complete. A weak acid is only partly ionised.
The ionisation of a weak
acid (for example ethanoic
acid) is reversible.
ethanoic acid (in
water)
hydrogen ion +
ethanoic ion
CH3CO2H(aq)
H+(aq)
+ CH3CO2-(aq)
The number of hydrogen ions produced by a weak acid is
small.
When they have reacted with (for
example) magnesium
more of the ethanoic acid molecules
will ionise to produce
more hydrogen ions and ethanoic ions (see Le Chatelier's Principle).
Eventually all of the
ethanoic acid molecules
ionise and react with magnesium
and so the same amount of product (hydrogen gas) will be
produced.
Headings
Acids Search Questions 
gcsescience.com Contents The Periodic Table Index Quizzes gcsescience.com
Copyright © 2011 Dr. Colin France. All Rights Reserved.