Question

What of an acid and a base is determined by how completely they dissociate in water
?

Answer 1

The strength of an acid and a base is determined by how completely they dissociate in water.

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Strong acids (like stomach acid) break down or dissociate in water. Weak acids maintains their protons in water.

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

• If an acid is strong in nature then upon dissolving in water it will completely dissociate into ions.

For example, HCl is a strong acid and when we dissolve it in water then it will dissociate into hydrogen (
`H^(+)`) and chlorine (
`Cl^(-)`) ions.

`HCl + H_(2)O \rightarrow H^(+) + Cl^(-)`

• And, if an acid is weak in nature then it will partially dissociate into ions.

For example, acetic acid is a weak acid and it will dissociate as follows when dissolved in water.

`CH_(3)COOH + H_(2)O \rightleftharpoons CH_(3)COO^(-) + H^(+)`

• Similarly, if a base is strong in nature then it will completely dissociate into ions.

For example, NaOH is a strong base and when it is added to water it will dissociate as follows.

`NaOH + H_(2)O \rightarrow Na^(+) + OH^(-)`

• And, when a base is weak in nature then it will partially dissociate upon dissolution in water.

For example, ammonia is a weak base and it will dissociate as follows when added to water.

`NH_(3) + H_(2)O \rightleftharpoons NH^(+)_(4) + OH^(-)`