Acids

There are certain acid properties which were noted early in the history of chemistry. According to the Arrhenius acid-base concept, a substance is classified as an acid if it ionizes to form hydrogen(+) ions in aqueous solution. For example, hydrochloric acid reacts with water to form hydrogen ions which are transferred to a water molecule to form a hydronium ion.

Other systems classify substances as acids if they act as proton donors (Bronsted-Lowry theory) or as electron-pair acceptors (Lewis theory). These two classification methods are not limited to solutions in water.

Common Acids
Inorganic Compounds
Index

Acid Concepts

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Inorganic Compounds
Index

Periodic Table

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Common Acids

Some common molecules which are classified as acids.

Click on an acid for further details.
Inorganic Compounds
Index

Acid Concepts

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Acid Strength

An acid which ionizes almost completely in solution is said to be a strong acid, wheras one which has a small degree of ionization is a weak acid. Of the common acids, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and sulfuric acid are strong acids. Acetic acid is a weak acid.

The acidity of solutions is measured in terms of the pH of the solution, and strong acids will lower the pH more for a given molarity of solution.

Inorganic Compounds
Index

Acid Concepts

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