Strength of Acids and Bases

Today's lecture was over determining if the salt produced in an acid-base reaction is acidic, basic, or neutral. In order to determine this we have to look at the strength of the parent acid and parent base. When a reaction includes a strong parent acid and strong parent base, the resulting salt is neutral. Likewise, a weak parent acid and weak parent base produces a neutral salt. On the other hand, a strong parent acid and a weak parent base result in an acidic salt, and a weak parent acid and strong parent base produce a basic salt.

In order to determine if the parent acid and parent base are weak or strong you need to know the rule. For acids, the strength is determined by how many oxygens the compound contains. If the oxygen outnumbers the hydrogen present in the compound, then it is a strong acid. Important exceptions to this rule can be found in the acronym BrINCl, pertaining to acids that contain Bromine, Iodine, Nitrogen, and Chlorine. In order to determine if a base is strong or weak, you need to check if the cation is in group 1 or group 2 of the elements. If the cation is in group 1 or group 2 on the periodic table, then it is a strong base and any other cations mean a weak base.

I found this video helpful in remembering how to determine if the acid and base are strong or weak.