Generally the formula for an acid is a hydrogen atom bonded with either another atom that is an anion, such as Cl- (chlorine anion) or another molecule that is an anion, such as SO42- (sulfate anion). What makes an acid an acid is that the hydrogen cation can fall off the molecule, known as protonation, leaving behind a relatively stable anion. This anion is known as the acid\'s conjugate base. A strong acid, such as HCl, has a weak conjugate base. A weak acid, such as HF, would have a strong conjugate base. A strong acid is dictated by how much it protonates in water, that is, how much the H+ cation dissociates from the anion in water. In HCl\'s case, the acid protonates almost completely, making it a strong acid. The acidity of an acid is measured by the well known pH scale. As you go upwards in difficulty of chemistry, molecules with multiple hydrogens can have different acidities because when different hydrogens leave, they can form a more or less stable anion behind. I hope this helps! Solution Generally the formula for an acid is a hydrogen atom bonded with either another atom that is an anion, such as Cl- (chlorine anion) or another molecule that is an anion, such as SO42- (sulfate anion). What makes an acid an acid is that the hydrogen cation can fall off the molecule, known as protonation, leaving behind a relatively stable anion. This anion is known as the acid\'s conjugate base. A strong acid, such as HCl, has a weak conjugate base. A weak acid, such as HF, would have a strong conjugate base. A strong acid is dictated by how much it protonates in water, that is, how much the H+ cation dissociates from the anion in water. In HCl\'s case, the acid protonates almost completely, making it a strong acid. The acidity of an acid is measured by the well known pH scale. As you go upwards in difficulty of chemistry, molecules with multiple hydrogens can have different acidities because when different hydrogens leave, they can form a more or less stable anion behind. I hope this helps!.