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How can one strong acid be stronger than another strong acid (e.g hydrochlorid acid vs hydroiodic acid - both monoprotic acids) if they both fully ionize and acid stregnth is a measure of how much an acid ionizes in water. Both acids would dissosciate completely right?
Accepted Answer
The strength of an acid is not only determined by the degree of ionization but also by the stability of the conjugate base. In the case of HCl and HI, both acids ionize completely in water. However, the conjugate base of HI, I-, is a weaker base than the conjugate base of HCl, Cl-. As a result, HI is a stronger acid than HCl.
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