Which statement correctly describes strong acids in terms of dissociation?

Prepare for the NCEA Level 3 Chemistry – Aqueous Chemistry (AS91393) Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Excel on your exam!

Strong acids are characterized by their ability to fully dissociate in aqueous solution. This means that when a strong acid is added to water, it breaks apart completely into its constituent ions. For example, hydrochloric acid (HCl) dissociates into hydrogen ions (H⁺) and chloride ions (Cl⁻) when placed in water, resulting in a high concentration of H⁺ ions in solution. This complete dissociation is what leads to the characteristic strong acidic behavior, such as a low pH and a high reaction rate with bases.

The concept of full dissociation underlines why strong acids are more effective at donating protons compared to weak acids, which only partially dissociate. In contrast, the other statements describe scenarios that do not align with the behavior of strong acids in solution. Therefore, the statement about strong acids fully dissociating in solution accurately reflects their nature and is the correct choice.

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