Percentage Ionization
What is Percentage Ionization?
Percentage ionization is the fraction of an electrolyte (acid or base) that has undergone ionization in solution, expressed as a percentage: (concentration of ionized form / initial concentration) × 100%. For weak acids and bases, the percentage ionization depends on both the ionization constant (Ka or Kb) and the initial concentration; dilution increases percentage ionization (Ostwald's dilution law). Complete ionization (100%) characterizes strong electrolytes, while partial ionization characterizes weak electrolytes.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Percentage ionization is the fraction of an electrolyte (acid or base) that has undergone ionization in solution, expressed as a percentage: (concentration of ionized form / initial concentration) × 100%. For weak acids and bases, the percentage ionization depends on both the ionization constant (Ka or Kb) and the initial concentration; dilution increases percentage ionization (Ostwald's dilution law). Complete ionization (100%) characterizes strong electrolytes, while partial ionization characterizes weak electrolytes.