Question

With respect to acids, what do we mean by `"ionization"`?

Answer 1

Consider the ionization of hydrochloric acid:

`HCl(aq) + H_2O(l) rightleftharpoons H_3O^(+) + Cl^-`

Explanation:

The charge separation that the acid undergoes upon protonolysis, i.e. its donation of a proton to the solvent molecule, is the so-called `"ionization."`

For stronger acids, ionization (and protonolysis) is almost complete, and the equilibrium lies strongly to the right.