Which element is used to distinguish between binary acids and oxyacids in chemical nomenclature?

• A. Sulfur
• B. Hydrogen
• C. Oxygen
• D. Nitrogen

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that binary acids and oxyacids are two different types of acids classified based on their composition.
2. Binary acids consist of hydrogen and one other nonmetal element (e.g., HCl, HBr), and their names typically start with 'hydro-' followed by the root of the nonmetal and end with '-ic acid'.
3. Oxyacids contain hydrogen, oxygen, and another element (usually a nonmetal), and their names depend on the polyatomic ion present; they do not use the 'hydro-' prefix.
4. Recognize that the presence of oxygen in the acid molecule is the key factor that distinguishes oxyacids from binary acids.
5. Therefore, the element used to distinguish between binary acids and oxyacids in chemical nomenclature is oxygen.