What is a characteristic of strong acids compared to weak acids?

Strong acids are defined by their ability to completely ionize in solution. When a strong acid is dissolved in water, it dissociates entirely into its constituent ions. This means that for every molecule of a strong acid present in solution, there is an equivalent number of hydronium ions produced, which leads to a high concentration of H⁺ ions in the solution.

This complete ionization contrasts with weak acids, which only partially ionize, resulting in an equilibrium between the undissociated acid and its ions. Consequently, strong acids are characterized by low pH values due to the high concentration of hydrogen ions, while weak acids have higher pH values.

The complete ionization of strong acids also enables them to conduct electricity efficiently because the presence of free ions in solution allows for better electrical conduction. Thus, understanding this fundamental distinction between strong and weak acids is crucial in the study of acid-base chemistry.