Protonic acids are substances that can donate protons (H⁺ ions) to other molecules in a chemical reaction. This ability to release protons is what makes them acidic. Common examples of protonic acids include hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid, which are widely used in laboratories and industries. In aqueous solutions, protonic acids increase the concentration of H⁺ ions, leading to a decrease in pH. The strength of a protonic acid is determined by its ability to dissociate in water; strong acids, like nitric acid, fully dissociate, while weak acids, such as acetic acid, only partially dissociate.