Acids & Bases
What You’ll Learn
The strength of an acid or base is determined by the extent to which it dissociates or ionizes in water. Strong acids and bases completely dissociate in water, producing a high concentration of H+ or OH- ions, while weak acids and bases only partially dissociate, producing a lower concentration of ions. The strength of an acid is quantified by its acid dissociation constant (Ka), with stronger acids having higher Ka values, while the strength of a base is quantified by its base dissociation constant (Kb). The strength of an acid or base also affects the pH of the solution, with strong acids and bases producing lower or higher pH values respectively, while weak acids and bases produce more moderate pH values.