Weak acid

Template:Acids and Bases A weak acid is an acid chemical which does not dissociate (split into ions) completely when in a water solution. This means it does not give all its hydrogen ions into the water. Weak acids typically have a pH between 3 and 6.

Acetic acid (CH₃COOH) and oxalic acid (H₂C₂O₄) are examples of weak acids. If an acid is represented by HA, then there is a balance between molecules which are split (ionised), and molecules which are not:

[math]\displaystyle{ \mathrm{ HA_{(aq)} \, \leftrightarrow \, H^+\,_{(aq)} +\, A^-\,_{(aq)} } }[/math]