What are strong Bronsted acids?

1 Answer
Jun 23, 2016

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.