Weak Acids

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Potions09
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Weak Acids

Post by Potions09 »

In my textbook, it says some weak bases are the anions of weak acids, for example F- in HF. But I thought that the conjugate base of weak acids are strong bases?
GrahamKemp
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Strength is relative.

Post by GrahamKemp »

Yes, in general the stronger an acid the weaker the conjugate base, and vice versa.

However, strength is relative. While there are acids stronger than hydroflouric, many are weaker.

At pKa=3.17, HF is a medium strength acid; and its conjugate F- is a very weak base at pKb = 10.83.

pKa + pKb = 14

http://chemed.chem.wisc.edu/chempaths/G ... s-958.html
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