How to determine the strong base and weak base?
February 20th, 2023
The ##K_b## determines if a compound is a weak base or a strong base.
A strong base dissociates completely in solution (has a ##K_b ≫ 1##).
A weak base dissociates slightly in solution (has a ##K_b ≪ 1##).
A base can be a strong base, even if it contributes only a few ions to the solution.
Thus, ##”NaOH”## is a strong base because it dissociates completely:
##”NaOH(aq)” → “Na”^+”(aq)” + “OH”^”-“”(aq)”##
If you dissolve ##10^”-8″ color(white)(l) “mol of NaOH”## in 1 L of water, it will contribute only ##10^”-8″color(white)(l) “mol”## of ##”OH”^”-“## ions, but that is 100 % of what it has to give.
##”NaOH”## is a strong base. Its strength does not depend on its concentration.