Which of the following is true regarding strong acids?

Prepare for the UCF CHM2045C Chemistry Exam 3. Test your knowledge with multiple choice questions, each one providing hints and explanations. Get ready to ace your exam!

Strong acids are characterized by their ability to dissociate completely into their constituent ions when dissolved in water. This means that in an aqueous solution, a strong acid will release all of its hydrogen ions (H⁺) into the solution, resulting in a high concentration of H⁺ ions. This complete dissociation is a hallmark of strong acids and is a key factor in their strong acidic properties.

For instance, upon adding hydrochloric acid (HCl) to water, it dissociates fully into H⁺ and Cl⁻ ions. This strong dissociation leads to a significant increase in the concentration of hydrogen ions, which in turn lowers the pH of the solution.

In contrast, the other statements do not accurately reflect the nature of strong acids. Strong acids do not exist only in solid form; many of them are liquids or gases at room temperature. Additionally, strong acids typically have low pH values due to the high concentration of H⁺ ions. Lastly, strong acids are defined by their ability to produce H⁺ ions; therefore, they do not fit the description of not producing H⁺ ions. This understanding clarifies why the statement regarding complete dissociation in aqueous solution correctly identifies a key property of strong acids.

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