Multiple Choice
Which of the following is typically found in the formula of an acid?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Naming Acids
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What is the correct name for the aqueous acid with the formula HCN?
A
cyanous acid
B
hydrocarbonic acid
C
hydrocyanic acid
D
cyanic acid
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the chemical formula given: HCN.
Recognize that HCN is a weak acid known commonly as hydrocyanic acid.
Understand that acids with hydrogen and a polyatomic ion often have names ending in '-ic' or '-ous' depending on the ion, but HCN is a special case as a molecular acid.
Recall that 'cyanous acid' and 'cyanic acid' refer to different species related to cyanate ions, not HCN itself.
Conclude that the correct name for HCN in aqueous solution is 'hydrocyanic acid' because it is a binary acid formed from hydrogen and the cyanide ion (CN⁻).
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