Ka

Ka, or the acid dissociation constant, measures the strength of an acid in a solution. It quantifies how much an acid releases hydrogen ions (H⁺) when it dissolves. A higher Ka value means the acid more readily gives up its H⁺ ions, making it a stronger acid. Conversely, a lower Ka indicates a weaker acid that partially ionizes. Understanding Ka helps chemists compare acid strengths and predict how acids will behave in reactions, which is important in fields like chemistry, biology, and medicine.