Problem 75 - Chemistry: The Central Science in SI Units, Global Edition

Question

Give the name or chemical formula, as appropriate, for each of the following acids: \((\mathbf{a}) \mathrm{HBrO}_{3},(\mathbf{b}) \mathrm{HBr},(\mathbf{c}) \mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{PO}_{4},(\mathbf{d})\) hypochlorous acid, (e) iodic acid, (f) sulfurous acid.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(a) Bromic acid, (b) Hydrobromic acid, (c) Phosphoric acid, (d) \(HClO\), (e) \(HIO_3\), (f) \(H_2SO_3\).

Step 1: (a) Naming HBrO₃

HBrO₃ is an oxyacid containing a hydrogen (H), bromine (Br), and oxygen (O) atoms. The correct name for this acid is "bromic acid."

Step 2: (b) Naming HBr

HBr is a binary acid containing a hydrogen (H) and bromine (Br) atom. The correct name for this acid is "hydrobromic acid."

Step 3: (c) Naming H₃PO₄

H₃PO₄ is an oxyacid containing hydrogen (H), phosphorus (P), and oxygen (O) atoms. The correct name for this acid is "phosphoric acid."

Step 4: (d) Chemical Formula of Hypochlorous Acid

Hypochlorous acid is an oxyacid containing hydrogen (H), chlorine (Cl), and oxygen (O) atoms. The chemical formula for hypochlorous acid is HClO.

Step 5: (e) Chemical Formula of Iodic Acid

Iodic acid is an oxyacid containing hydrogen (H), iodine (I), and oxygen (O) atoms. The chemical formula for iodic acid is HIO₃.

Step 6: (f) Chemical Formula of Sulfurous Acid

Sulfurous acid is an oxyacid containing hydrogen (H), sulfur (S), and oxygen (O) atoms. The chemical formula for sulfurous acid is H₂SO₃.

Key Concepts

Oxyacids

Oxyacids are a type of acid that contain hydrogen, oxygen, and another element, which is typically a nonmetal. These acids are named based on the polyatomic ion they contain. For example, if the polyatomic ion ends in "-ate," the acid name will end in "-ic." Some well-known oxyacids include:

• HBrO₃ - Bromic Acid: Contains hydrogen, bromine, and oxygen.
• H₃PO₄ - Phosphoric Acid: Contains hydrogen, phosphorus, and oxygen.
• HClO - Hypochlorous Acid: Contains hydrogen, chlorine, and oxygen.
• HIO₃ - Iodic Acid: Contains hydrogen, iodine, and oxygen.
• H₂SO₃ - Sulfurous Acid: Contains hydrogen, sulfur, and oxygen.

When naming oxyacids, understanding the ending of the polyatomic ion is crucial. "-ate" becomes "-ic," and "-ite" becomes "-ous." This basic rule helps in mastering the naming conventions of various oxyacids.

Binary Acids

Binary acids consist of hydrogen and one other element, generally a nonmetal, and they usually dissolve in water. One of the key features of binary acids is their naming convention, which involves using the prefix "hydro-", followed by the nonmetal's root name, and ending with "-ic." For example, the acid HBr is a binary acid. It consists of hydrogen and bromine. By following the naming rules, it becomes "hydrobromic acid." Binary acids typically have the formula:

• HX: where H is hydrogen and X is a nonmetal.

Binary acids are often used in various chemical reactions, and they are important in the study of chemistry due to their unique properties and simple composition.

Chemical Formulas

Chemical formulas represent the types and numbers of atoms in a molecule of a compound. In the context of acids, the chemical formula reveals the arrangement of hydrogen and other elements in the acid molecule. To write a chemical formula:

• Identify the atoms present in the compound.
• Determine the number of each type of atom.
• Use subscripts to represent the number of each atom.

For instance:

• HClO: This formula indicates one hydrogen atom, one chlorine atom, and one oxygen atom, which makes it the formula of hypochlorous acid.
• HIO₃: This shows the presence of one hydrogen atom, one iodine atom, and three oxygen atoms, identifying it as iodic acid.

Understanding chemical formulas is fundamental in chemistry, as they provide insight into the molecular structure and composition of compounds, facilitating further chemical analysis and reactivity prediction.