Four acids are analyzed and their Ka values are determined. Which of the following values represents the strongest acid?

Ka = 2.2 × 10−13

Ka = 6.2 × 10−8

Ka = 1.7 × 10−5

Ka = 1.2 × 10−2

Question

Four acids are analyzed and their Ka values are determined. Which of the following values represents the strongest acid?

Ka = 2.2 × 10−13

Ka = 6.2 × 10−8

Ka = 1.7 × 10−5

Ka = 1.2 × 10−2

jfraser · Answer

KA values are equilibrium constants, which are $ratios$ just like any other equilibrium constant. A large value for KA indicates a high product/reactant ratio, meaning the reaction generates lots of products.

Strong acids generate lots of H+ ions, so their product/reactant ratios should be very high