Question

What are the strongest acids and bases found in nature?

Answer 1

Strong acids are the acids that completely dissociate into their constituent ions when present in an aqueous solution while the strong bases partially dissociate into their ions in their aqueous solutions.

Complete answer:
In chemistry, acids and bases have been defined differently by three theories. One is the Arrhenius theory, which says that acids are substances that dissociate in an aqueous solution to produce hydrogen $\left( {{\text{H}}^{+}} \right)$ ions while bases produce hydroxide $\left( \text{O}{{\text{H}}^{-}} \right)$ ions in solution.
Second is the Bronsted-Lowry theory that defines acids as substances that donate protons whereas bases are substances that accept protons.
The third and widely accepted theory is the one given by Lewis. It states that acids are electron-pair acceptors while bases are electron-pair donors.
Now, Strong acids and bases are those acids that completely ionize in an aqueous solution, dissociating into ${{\text{H}}^{+}}$ ions and $\text{O}{{\text{H}}^{-}}$ ions respectively along with additional anion and cation. Ex:
Strong Acids: $\text{HCl, HN}{{\text{O}}_{3}},\text{ }{{\text{H}}_{2}}\text{S}{{\text{O}}_{4}},\text{ HBr, HCl}{{\text{O}}_{4}}$ etc.
Weak Acids: $\text{C}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}\text{COOH, HCN, HF, }{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}\text{S, HCOOH}$ etc.
Conversely, weak acids and bases dissociate only slightly in an aqueous solution. Ex:
Strong bases: The hydroxides of the Group I and Group II metals such as $\text{LiOH, NaOH, KOH}$ etc.
Weak bases: $\text{N}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}\text{, C}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}\text{N}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}},\text{ NaHC}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}$ etc.
Naturally occurring strong acids include: Hydrochloric acid in the digestive juice of our stomachs. Nitric acid is produced in electrical storms when nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor are combined through the action of lightning. And sulfuric acid that may be formed from air pollution and acid rain. Sulfuric acid is also formed on the ground by the oxidation of sulfide minerals such as pyrites.
Naturally occurring strong bases include: Carbonates present in water, act as a strong base. Lime (calcium oxide) formed by volcanic heat reacts with water to make the calcium hydroxide mineral.

Note:
When poisonous gases emitted from automobiles go into the atmosphere and react with atmospheric water molecules, they transform into strong acids that fall back to the ground along with rain. This is known as acid rain and it has harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals, and infrastructure.