Explain the difference between a weak acid and a dilute acid.

[--whiteskies]

hey guys omg i need help.

so i know the answer and i understand the theory behind it - but can anyone write for me a good response to that question i could put on paper.

i don't know how to word things properly

[Yacoubb]

hey guys omg i need help.

so i know the answer and i understand the theory behind it - but can anyone write for me a good response to that question i could put on paper.

i don't know how to word things properly

A weak acid only partially ionises in water. Water is added to dilute an acid, doing so by decreasing the ratio of hydronium ion concentration: hydroxide ion concentration, independent of whether the acid fully or partially dissociates in water.

^^ I could be wrong, could someone please check that?

[Limista]

if an acid is strong/weak, it is referring to the STRENGTH of the acid. Acid strength is measured by a K value, and this K value tells us about the extent of ionisation of the acid in a solution. A weak acid does only partially ionise in water. An example is acetic acid. When acetic acid dissolves in water, an equilibrium reaction takes place, primarily because it is a weak acid. If it was a strong acid, the reaction would go to completion. By "partially ionise", I mean that there will still be some ethanoic acid molecules in water after ionisation is complete. 

if an acid is saturated/unsaturated/concentrated/dilute, it is referring to the CONCENTRATION of the acid. So, this means the number of moles of the solute that has dissolved in the solvent. So if an acid is dilute, it will have a fewer number of mole of solute dissolved in the solvent, when compared to a concentrated acid. 

[jgoudie]

Look at the video below at around the 12 min 30 mark. 

hey guys omg i need help.

so i know the answer and i understand the theory behind it - but can anyone write for me a good response to that question i could put on paper.

i don't know how to word things properly :(