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Ionization Constant

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What is Ionization Constant?

The ionization constant (Ka for acids, Kb for bases) is the equilibrium constant for the ionization of a weak acid or base in water. For a weak acid HA, Ka = [H⁺][A⁻]/[HA], measuring the extent to which the acid donates protons to water. Larger values of Ka indicate stronger acids; pKa = −log(Ka) is a more convenient logarithmic scale used to compare acid strengths.

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Term Ionization Constant

Frequently Asked Questions

The ionization constant (Ka for acids, Kb for bases) is the equilibrium constant for the ionization of a weak acid or base in water. For a weak acid HA, Ka = [H⁺][A⁻]/[HA], measuring the extent to which the acid donates protons to water. Larger values of Ka indicate stronger acids; pKa = −log(Ka) is a more convenient logarithmic scale used to compare acid strengths.

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