Acids and Bases

Table 1: Common strong and weak acids and bases
Formula Name
Strong Acid
HCl(aq) hydrochloric acid
HBr(aq) hydrobromic acid
HI(aq) hydroiodic acid
HNO3(aq) nitric acid
HClO3(aq) chloric acid
HClO4(aq) perchloric acid
H2SO4(aq) sulfuric acid
Weak Acid
HF(aq) hydrofluoric acid
H3PO4(aq) phosphoric acid
H2CO3(aq) carbonic acid
CH3CO2H(aq) acetic acid
H2C2O4(aq) oxalic acid
H2C4H4O6(aq) tartaric acid
H3C6H5O7(aq) citric acid
HC9H7O4(aq) aspirin
Strong Base
LiOH lithium hydroxide
NaOH sodium hydroxide
KOH potassium hydroxide
Ba(OH)2 barium hydroxide
Ca(OH)2 calcium hydroxide
Sr(OH)2 strontium hydroxide
Weak Base
NH3 ammonia


Table 2: Common anions and their corresponding acids
Common Anions Corresponding Acids Strength
Cl, chloride ion HCl, hydrochloric acid strong
ClO, hypochlorite ion HClO, hypochlorous acid weak
ClO2, chlorite ion HClO2, chlorous acid weak
ClO3, chlorate ion HClO3, chloric acid strong
ClO4, perchlorate ion HClO4, perchloric acid strong
S2–, sulfide ion H2S, hydrosulfuric acid weak
SO32–, sulfite ion H2SO3, sulfurous acid weak
SO42–, sulfate ion H2SO4, sulfuric acid strong
NO2, nitrite ion HNO2, nitrous acid weak
NO3, nitrate ion HNO3, nitric acid strong