Are Amines Considered Strong or Weak Acids and Bases in Mastering Chemistry?

Thread starter Cmertin
Start date Feb 2, 2011
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Acids Bases Weak

In summary, the difference between a strong acid and a weak acid lies in their ability to completely or partially dissociate into ions in a solution. A strong acid will have a lower pH and a higher concentration of hydrogen ions, while a weak acid will have a pH closer to 7 and a lower concentration of hydrogen ions. It is also possible to identify a strong or weak acid by looking at its dissociation constant (Ka). A strong acid cannot be a weak base due to their opposite properties, but some compounds can act as both depending on conditions. The strength of an acid affects its corrosiveness, with a strong acid being more corrosive due to its higher concentration of hydrogen ions. However, other factors such as temperature and environment also play

Feb 2, 2011

Cmertin

So, it's for Mastering Chemistry and I need to sort out the strong acids weak acids strong bases and weak bases. It says that two are wrong though I've looked them all up and don't know which ones are wrong.
[PLAIN]http://bit.ly/fREfFS

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Feb 2, 2011

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Amines are not acids, at least not unless there is another functional group present making the molecule an acid.

1. What is the difference between a strong acid and a weak acid?

A strong acid is a compound that completely dissociates into ions in a solution, while a weak acid only partially dissociates. This means that strong acids have a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in solution compared to weak acids.

2. How can you identify a strong or weak acid?

A strong acid will have a low pH, typically below 3, and will also have a high concentration of hydrogen ions. On the other hand, a weak acid will have a pH closer to 7 and a lower concentration of hydrogen ions. Additionally, you can also look at the acid's dissociation constant (Ka) – a stronger acid will have a higher Ka value.

3. Can a strong acid also be a weak base?

No, an acid and a base have opposite properties. A strong acid will have a high concentration of hydrogen ions, while a weak base will have a low concentration of hydroxide ions (OH-). However, some compounds can act as both an acid and a base, depending on the conditions.

4. How does the strength of an acid affect its corrosiveness?

A strong acid is more corrosive than a weak acid because it has a higher concentration of hydrogen ions, which can react with and corrode metals, for example. However, the concentration and type of acid are not the only factors that determine corrosiveness – temperature and other environmental factors also play a role.

5. Can a strong base be more dangerous than a strong acid?

Yes, a strong base can be more dangerous than a strong acid because it can cause severe skin burns and tissue damage. Strong bases have a high concentration of hydroxide ions, which can react with and destroy living tissues.