Acid Strengths

• Weak acid: partial donation of protons to water.

• HF(aq) + H2O(l) ? H3O+(aq) + F-(aq)

  weaker weaker stronger stronger
  
  acid base acid base

• See next slide.

• The reaction reaches a state of equilibrium in which the relative acid strengths determine the degree of dissociation.

• By examining the position of equilibrium, we can rank acids and bases.

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