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2.4: Strong Acids and Strong

Bases

2.3: Self-Ionization of … 2.5: Weak Acids and … 

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 Learning Objectives

Give the names and formulas of some

strong acids and bases.
Explain the pH scale, and convert pH and
concentration of hydronium ions.
Evaluate solution pH and pOH of strong
acids or bases.

Acids and bases that are completely ionized

when dissolved in water are called strong acids
and strong bases There are only a few strong
acids and bases, and everyone should know
their names and properties. These acids are
often used in industry and everyday life. The
concentrations of acids and bases are often
expressed in terms of pH, and as an educated
person, you should have the skill to convert
concentrations into pH and pOH. The pH is an
indication of the hydrogen ion concentration,
[H + ] .

Strong Acids
Strong acids are acids that are completely or
nearly 100% ionized in their solutions; Table
2.4.1 includes some common strong acids.
Hence, the ionization in Equation 2.4.1 for a
strong acid HA can be represented with a single
arrow:

HA(aq) + H 2 O(l) → H 3 O+ (aq) + A − (aq)

Water is the base that reacts with the acid HA,

A − is the conjugate base of the acid HA, and the
hydronium ion is the conjugate acid of water. By
definition, a strong acid yields 100% of H 3 O+
and A − when the acid ionizes in water. Table
2.4.1 lists several strong acids.
Table 2.4.1 : Some of the common strong acids and
bases are listed here.
Strong Acids perchloric acid (HClO 4 )

Strong Bases lithium hydroxide (LiOH)

Strong Acids hydrochloric acid (HCl)

Strong Bases sodium hydroxide (NaOH )

Strong Acids hydrobromic acid (HBr )

Strong Bases potassium hydroxide (KOH)

Strong Acids hydroiodic acid (Hl )

Strong Bases calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH) 2 )

Strong Acids nitric acid (HNO 3 )

Strong Bases strontium hydroxide (Sr(OH) 2 )

Strong Acids sulfuric acid (H2 SO 4 )

Strong Bases barium hydroxide (Ba(OH) 2 )

For a strong acid, [H + ] = [A − ] = concentration of

acid if the concentration is much higher than
1 × 10−7 M . However, for a very dilute strong
acid solution with concentration less than
1 × 10−7 M , the pH is dominated by the
autoionization of water

H 2 O ⇌ H + + OH− (2.4.2)

 Example 2.4.1

Calculate the pH of a solution with

1.2345 × 10−4 MHCl , a strong acid.

Solution

The solution of a strong acid is completely

ionized. That is, this equation goes to
completion

HCl(aq) ⟶ H(aq) + Cl− (aq)

Thus, [H + ] = 1.2345 × 10−4 .

pH = − log(1.2345 × 10−4 ) = 3.90851

? Exercise 2.4.1

What is the pH for a solution containing 1.234

M [HCl] ?
Answer

 Example 2.4.2

Calculate the pH of a stock HCl solution that

is 32% by mass HCl .

Solution
The density of such a solution is needed
before we can calculate the pH. Since the
density is not on the label, we need to find it
from the Material Safety Data Sheet, which
gives the specific gravity of 1.150. Thus, the
amount of acid in 1.0 L is 1150 g.

The amount of HCl = 1000 × 1.150 × 0.32

1 mol
= 368 g ( ← molar
36.5 g
= 10.08 M
= [H + ]

pH = − log(10.08) = −1.003

Discussion

Yes, pH have negative values if [H + ] > 1.0

? Exercise 2.4.2

Check out the information on nitric acid, a

strong acid, and calculate the pH of a stock
nitric acid solution.

 Example 2.4.3

Calculate the pH of a solution containing

1.00 × 10−7 M of the strong acid HCl .

Solution

[H + ] = 1.0 × 10−7 M from the strong acid, and

if x is the amount from the ionization of water,
then we have the equilibrium due to the
autoionization of water. We can model this
with an ICE table.

+ −
H2 O ⇌ H(aq) + OH(aq)

ICE Table Initial

\(H_2O_{(l)}\) -

\(H^+_{(aq)}\) 1 × 10−7

\(OH^-_{(aq)}\) 0

ICE Table Change

\(H_2O_{(l)}\) -

\(H^+_{(aq)}\) +x

\(OH^-_{(aq)}\) +x

ICE Table Equilibrium

\(H_2O_{(l)}\) -

\(H^+_{(aq)}\) 1 × 10−7 + x

\(OH^-_{(aq)}\) x

Recall that K w = [H + ][OH− ] = 1 × 10−14 , due

to the ionization equilibrium of water in the
solution:

(1.00 × 10−7 + x)x = 1 × 10−14

x2 + 1.00 × 10−7 x − 1.00 × 10−14 = 0

Solving this equation for x from the quadratic

equation results in

−1.00 × 10−7
−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−
± √1.00 × 10−14 + (4)(1)(1.00 × 10−14 )
x=
2
−7
= 0.61 × 10

only the additive root is physical (positive

concentration); therefore

[H + ] = (1.00 + 0.61) × 10−7 M

pH = − log(1.61 × 10−7 )
= 6.79

Discussion

If you require only 1 significant figure, the pH

is about 7.

Strong Bases
Strong bases are completely ionized in solution.
Table 2.4.1 includes some common strong
bases. For example, KOH dissolves in water in
the reaction

KOH → K+ + OH−

Relative to the number of strong acids, there are

fewer number of strong bases and most are
alkali hydroxides. Calcium hydroxide is
considered a strong base, because it is
completely, almost completely, ionized. However,
the solubility of calcium hydroxide is very low.
When Ca(OH)2 dissolves in water, the ionization
reaction is as follows:

Ca(OH)2 → Ca2+ + 2 OH−

Because of the stoichiometry of calcium

hydroxide, upon dissociation, the concentration
of OH− will be twice the concentration of Ca2+ :

[OH − ] = 2[Ca2+ ]

 Example 2.4.4

Calculate the pOH of a solution containing

1.2345 × 10−4 M Ca(OH)2 .

Solution

Based on complete ionization of

Ca(OH)2 → Ca+2 + 2 OH−

[OH− ] = 2 × 1.2345 × 10−4

= 2.4690 × 10−4 M
pOH = − log(2.4690 × 10−4 )
= 3.6074

? Exercise 2.4.4

The molar solubility of calcium hydroxide is

0.013 M Ca(OH)2 . Calculate the pOH.
Answer

Calculating pH in Strong Acid or…

Calculating pH in Strong Acid or Strong Base

Solutions: https://youtu.be/NNTptn7hV2s

Questions
1. What is the pH of a solution containing 0.01 M
HNO 3 ?
2. What is the pH of a solution containing 0.0220
M Ba(OH)2 ? Give 3 significant figures.
3. Exactly 1.00 L solution was made by
dissolving 0.80 g of NaOH in water. What is
[H + ] ? (Atomic mass: Na , 23.0; O , 16.0; H ,
1.0)
4. What is the pH for a solution which is 0.050 M
HCl ?
5. Which of the following is usually referred to as
strong acid in water solution?

HF , HNO 2 , H 2 CO3 , H 2 S , HSO− −

4 , Cl , HNO 3 ,
HCN

Solutions
1. Answer 2
Hint...
You do not need a calculator to evaluate
− log(0.01) = 2
2. Answer 12.64
Hint...
Ba(OH)2 → Ba2+ + 2 OH−
3. Answer 5.0 × 10−13

Hint...
0.80
[OH − ] = = 0.020 M;
40
+ 1.0 × 10−14
[H ] = = 5 × 10−13 M . The pH is
0.020
12.30.

4. Answer 1.3
Hint...
This solution contains 1.83 g of HCl per liter.
[H + ] = 0.050 .
5. Answer HNO 3
Consider...
All others are weak acids

Contributors and Attributions

Chung (Peter) Chieh (Professor Emeritus,
Chemistry @ University of Waterloo)

2.4: Strong Acids and Strong Bases is shared under a

CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed,
and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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