14.5 Strengths of Acids & Bases

• Strong base – Base that ionizes 100% in water to give OH-
• Group IA and heavier IIA hydroxides
• LiOH, NaOH, KOH, RbOH, CsOH
• Ca(OH)2, Sr(OH)2, Ba(OH)2
• Weak base – Ionizes only a small percentage, usually < 5%
• Other hydroxides
• Also, ammonia (NH3) is a very common weak base

NH3(g) + H2O(l) ⇄ NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq)