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Strong Acids and Strong Bases

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State

A strong acid or base reacts with, or dissociates in, water essentially completely, leaving almost no starting compound intact.

Show

Hydrochloric acid and the ionic hydroxides, such as NaOH and Ba(OH)2, are strong because their reactions go essentially to completion.

Watch for

Assuming every acid dissociates completely, or treating "strong" as meaning concentrated or dangerous rather than fully ionized, misapplies the term.