Wine Analysis Home

Acid strength

• Acid strength is measured by the degree of hydrogen ion dissociation. (see acid disassociation constant (K_a)
  
  
• Weak acids have their hydrogen ions strongly bonded to them and release only a few in a given solution.
  
  
• Strong acids almost totally disassociate, releasing and making nearly all their hydrogen ions available for bonding to other compounds.
  
  
• The pH of a solution is dependent on the final equilibrium established between all the acidic and basic compounds present.