Question

What are strong Bronsted acids?

Answer 1

These are acids for which the following equilibrium lies strongly to the right: `HA+H_2OrightleftharpoonsH_3O^+ + A^(-)`

Explanation:

Examples of strong Bronsted acids include `HCl`, `HBr`, `HI`, `H_2SO_4`, and `HClO_4`. Solutions of these acids are stoichiometric in `H_3O^+` and `X^-`.

Of course, when we write the acidium species in water, `H_3O^+`, this is more of a conceptual representation than the reality. `H_3O^+` in water is probably a cluster of 4-5 water molecules with an extra proton associated to give, say `H_9O_4^+`. If we treat acid as `H_3O^+` or even as `H^+`, we are nevertheless able to do calculations and measurements successfully.