What best describes how weak acids or weak bases dissolve in water?

Answer 1

Weak acids and weak bases partially ionize when dissolved in water unlike strong acids and strong bases that completely ionize when dissolved. Ethanoic acid is a weak acid. At any one time, only about 1% of the ethanoic acid molecules have converted into ions. The rest remain as simple ethanoic acid molecules.

Answer 2

Weak acids or weak bases partially dissociate in water, meaning only a fraction of the molecules break apart into ions. This results in an equilibrium between the dissociated and undissociated forms of the compound. Weak acids donate protons (H+) to water, while weak bases accept protons from water.

Answer 3

Electrolytes dissolve in water when the individual components break down into ions. A thermodynamic process takes place when an electrolyte is placed in a solution like water.