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Topic: How to use equilibrium  (Read 3208 times)

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JPen

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How to use equilibrium
« on: May 24, 2006, 10:10:22 PM »
I was wondering which combinations of acids and bases in a reaction use the equilibrium sign and which use the yield when making the conjugate acids and bases. For example, I'm under the impression a weak acid and a weak base will always use equilibrium. Is that what determines it? If that's the case, does a strong acid and strong base always use yield? Or am I completely misguided? Thanks for the help.

Offline mike

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Re: How to use equilibrium
« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2006, 10:24:47 PM »
In general you are correct. Weak acids and bases will undergo equilibrium and strong acids and bases will undergo complete dissociation. However it is good to remember that strong acids and bases also have an equilibrium, only it is so for to the dissociated side of the reaction that it is often not written as equilibrium.
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