Relative Acid-Base Strength and the Net Direction of Reaction

The net direction of an acid-base reaction depends on the relative strengths of the acids and bases involved. A reaction proceeds to the greater extent in the direction in which a stronger acid and stronger base form a weaker acid and weaker base. If the stronger acid and base are written on the left, the net direction is to the right, so 1. You can think of the process as a competition for the proton between the two bases, in which the stronger base wins. 

In the same sense, the extent of acid (HA) dissociation in water depends on a competition for the proton between the two bases, A and H2O. Strong acids and weak acids give very different results. When the acid HNO3 dissolves in water, it transfers an to the base, H2O, forming the conjugate base of HNO3, which is NOs , and the conjugate acid of H2O, which is H30  

SAMPLE PROBLEM 18.5 Predicting the Net Diredbn of an Acid-Base Reaction 

Problem Predict the net direction and whether K. is greater or less than I for the following reaction (assume equal initial concentrations of all species)  

Stronger acid + stronger base weaker acid + weakei base 

Relative Acid-Base Strength and the Net Direction of Reaction 

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The net direction of an acid-base reaction depends on relative acid and base strengths A reaction proceeds to the greater extent in the direction in which a stronger acid and stronger base form a weaker acid and weaker base. 

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