[collegestudent1738]

I did an acid-base extraction using a strong base (NaOH) to separate two solid compounds. Then I identified the solids, one of them being benzoic acid. The problem is, I thought carboxylic acids were strong, but then how did i get a strong acid like benzoic acid if I extracted it with a strong base. Shouldn't I have gotten a weak acid? Im confused on whether benzoic acid is a strong or weak acid.

[Dan]

I did an acid-base extraction using a strong base (NaOH) to separate two solid compounds. Then I identified the solids, one of them being benzoic acid.

Please provide a full account of what you did. Which layer did the benzoic acid come from, for example?

The problem is, I thought carboxylic acids were strong, but then how did i get a strong acid like benzoic acid if I extracted it with a strong base. Shouldn't I have gotten a weak acid?

Can you explain your logic?

Im confused on whether benzoic acid is a strong or weak acid.

What is the definition of strong and weak acids? How does benzoic acid fit these definitions (pKa = 4.2).