Predict the stronger acid in each pair: (c) HBrO 3 or HBrO 2

Hi everyone for this problem, it reads which acid is stronger and we have two acids here and we can see that we have two oxy acids. And for oxy acids, we want to look at the number of oxygen atoms because that's going to give us the answer to which one is more acidic. Okay, so the rule of thumb is for oxy acids, the greater the number of oxygen's equals, the stronger the acid. Okay, so let's take a look at what we have. We have h c l 04 and here we see. We have four oxygen's and we have Hc L 02, which has two oxygen's. Okay, so out of the two, because we're looking at the number of oxygen's, the greater number, the greater the number of oxygen's, the greater the strength. So our HCL- 04 is going to equal the stronger acid. Okay, so that is the answer to this problem. I hope this was helpful.

Ch.16 - Acid-Base Equilibria

Brown - Chemistry: The Central Science 14th Edition

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Brown 14th Edition

Ch.16 - Acid-Base Equilibria

Problem 88c

Chapter 16, Problem 88c

Predict the stronger acid in each pair: (c) HBrO₃ or HBrO₂

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the acids in the pair: HBrO3 and HBrO2.

Recognize that both acids are oxyacids, which means they contain hydrogen, oxygen, and another element (bromine in this case).

Understand that the strength of oxyacids generally increases with the number of oxygen atoms bonded to the central atom, as more oxygen atoms can stabilize the negative charge on the conjugate base through resonance.

Compare the number of oxygen atoms in each acid: HBrO3 has three oxygen atoms, while HBrO2 has two oxygen atoms.

Conclude that HBrO3 is the stronger acid because it has more oxygen atoms, which allows for greater stabilization of the conjugate base.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Acid Strength and Structure

The strength of an acid is influenced by its molecular structure, particularly the electronegativity of atoms and the stability of the conjugate base. In oxyacids, the number of oxygen atoms bonded to the central atom typically increases acid strength, as more oxygen atoms can stabilize the negative charge on the conjugate base through resonance.

Oxyacids

Oxyacids are acids that contain oxygen, hydrogen, and another element (the central atom). The general formula is HnXOm, where X is the central atom. The strength of oxyacids often increases with the number of oxygen atoms attached to the central atom, as these additional oxygens can help stabilize the conjugate base formed after deprotonation.

Conjugate Base Stability

The stability of the conjugate base formed when an acid donates a proton is crucial in determining acid strength. A more stable conjugate base corresponds to a stronger acid. In the case of HBrO3 and HBrO2, the conjugate base of HBrO3 is more stable due to the presence of an additional oxygen atom, which allows for greater resonance stabilization.