INSERT [SW_CI_03_ima]

There are several ways that a weak acid and a strong acid (of the same concentration) can be distinguished. Try the activity below.

INSERT [SW_CI_04_int]

[important core idea, here presented as an interactive rather than a list, to encourage thinking that these activities could be done practically in class, drawing out the differences]

The rate of reaction with a weak acid is slower than with a strong acid. What can you say about the stoichiometry of reactions with a strong acid compared with a weak acid?

The stoichiometry of these reactions is the same. For example, when a weak acid, such as ethanoic acid, reacts with the small proportion of H₃O⁺ ions, as the ions are used up, the position of equilbrium shifts to faviour more H₃O⁺ ions which can then react. This continues until all the acid molecules have ionised and all the H₃O⁺ ions are used up.

Several practical activities highlighting the differences in behaviour between strong and weak acids allow students to investigate by Comparing strong and weak acids. [EACIDS5]