In terms of pH, how is the strongest acid characterized in relation to its conjugate base?

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $4.99 payment

Enhance your knowledge and skills for the UCF CHM2046 Chemistry Fundamentals II Test 3. Dive into multiple choice questions with explanations and get confident for success in your exam!

The strongest acid is characterized by having the lowest pH. This is because pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) in a solution. Strong acids dissociate completely in water, releasing a high concentration of H⁺ ions, which in turn leads to a lower pH value.

When comparing acids and their conjugate bases, the strength of the acid is inversely related to the strength of its conjugate base. A strong acid will have a weak conjugate base, which means the ability of the conjugate base to accept protons (H⁺) is diminished. Therefore, the presence of a strong acid in solution is directly associated with the low pH, confirming that it does indeed exhibit one of the fundamental properties of strong acids.

As a result, the relationship between acidity and pH is central to understanding acid-base chemistry, particularly in relation to the strength of acids and their behavior in aqueous solutions.