> See also: > - Reference # Factors that Stabilize Negative Charges A useful technique to determine the relative acidity of products/reactions in a reaction is to the look at the **stability of the conjugate base** for each potential acid. - Recall that a **strong acid** will lead to a **weak base**, meaning that the base will be less willing to accept any protons. The following four factors (**A.R.I.O.**) can be used to determine the stability of the conjugate base structure, and as a result, the strength of the acid in question: > [!info]+ **Factor 1 - Atom’s Properties** > Contents > There are two trends to be considered when comparing atoms: > [!info] Review > You can review the concepts in the following notes to > - [[Atomic Trends]] > - [[Electronegativity]] When comparing atoms within the same group (column), the **more electronegative** anion will be [[Electronegativity]] is a measure of how willing an atom is to accept a new electron. - Highly electronegative atoms with a negative charge will be more stable than a negative charge on carbon. A.R.I.O. --- > [!info]+ **Factor 2 - Resonance Structures** > [[Resonance Structures]] > > [!info]+ **Factor 3 - Induction** > Contents > > [!info]+ **Factor 4 - Orbitals (Hybridization)** > Contents 1. Remove the hydrogen and determine the stability of the potential conjugate base (the acid after it has donated the proton) --- - Leveling Effect - Solvating Effect ### Exceptions to A.R.I.O. A carbon atom with an sp hybridization (triple bond) will be good at stabilizing a negative charge