What distinguishes strong acids from weak acids?

The distinguishing feature of strong acids is that they completely dissociate into their ions when dissolved in water. This means that when a strong acid is added to water, it donates all of its hydrogen ions (H⁺) to the solution, resulting in a high concentration of H⁺ ions. This complete dissociation results in a lower pH and indicates a greater level of acidity compared to weak acids, which only partially dissociate in solution.

Weak acids, in contrast, establish an equilibrium in solution, which means that not all of the acid molecules release their hydrogen ions. Consequently, weak acids typically have a higher pH than strong acids when equal concentrations are compared since the concentration of H⁺ ions is lower.

The other options do not accurately represent the distinguishing characteristics of strong and weak acids. For example, the idea that weak acids are more acidic than strong acids is incorrect since strong acids, by definition, are more effective at donating protons compared to weak acids. Additionally, strong acids are not limited to being in liquid form, as many can also be solids or gases under certain conditions. Finally, the molecular weight of the acid does not determine its strength; a weak acid can have a higher molecular weight than a strong acid and still