What does a high pKa value indicate about an acid?

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A high pKa value indicates that the acid tends to dissociate less in solution, which makes it a weak acid. The pKa value is a measure of the acidity of a compound; the higher the pKa, the lower the tendency of the acid to donate protons (H+ ions) in solution. This lack of tendency to lose protons reflects the stability of the protonated form of the acid in equilibrium. In contrast, strong acids have low pKa values, meaning they dissociate more easily in water. Therefore, a high pKa confirms that the acid is indeed weak, as it suggests a weaker ability to contribute protons in an aqueous environment.

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