Q.10.17 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Identify the weaker acid in each of the following pairs: 

a. $\mathrm{HCl} \mathrm{or} {{\mathrm{HSO}}_4}^{-}$

b. ${\mathrm{HNO}}_2 \mathrm{or} \mathrm{HF}$

c. ${{\mathrm{HCO}}_3}^{- }\mathrm{or} {{\mathrm{NH}}_4}^{+}$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

a. The weaker acid is ${{\mathrm{HSO}}_4}^{-}$.

b. The weaker acid is $\mathrm{HF}$.

c. The weaker acid is ${{\mathrm{HCO}}_3}^{-}$.

Step 1: Part (a) Given information

The given pair is $\mathrm{HCl} \mathrm{or} {{\mathrm{HSO}}_4}^{-}$.

Step 2: Part (a) Explanation

An acid is any hydrogen-containing substance that is fit for donating a proton (hydrogen ion) to another substance. A base is a particle or ion ready to acknowledge a hydrogen ion from an acid. Acidic substances are normally identified by their acidic taste. 

Weaker acids are the one that dissociates partially in an aqueous solution and has a stronger conjugate base.

${{\mathrm{HSO}}_4}^{-}$ is the weaker acid as it has a stronger conjugate base while $\mathrm{HCl}$is a stronger acid.

Step 1: Part (b) Given information

The given pair is ${\mathrm{HNO}}_2 \mathrm{or} \mathrm{HF}$

Step 2: Part (b) Explanation

An acid is any hydrogen-containing substance that is fit for donating a proton (hydrogen ion) to another substance. A base is a particle or ion ready to acknowledge a hydrogen ion from an acid. Acidic substances are normally identified by their acidic taste. 

Weaker acids are the one that dissociates partially in an aqueous solution and has a stronger conjugate base.

$\mathrm{HF}$ is the weaker acid as it has a stronger conjugate base.

Step 1: Part (c) Given information

The given pair is ${{\mathrm{HCO}}_3}^{- }\mathrm{or} {{\mathrm{NH}}_4}^{+}$.

Step 2: Part (c) Explanation

An acid is any hydrogen-containing substance that is fit for donating a proton (hydrogen ion) to another substance. A base is a particle or ion ready to acknowledge a hydrogen ion from an acid. Acidic substances are normally identified by their acidic taste. 

Weaker acids are the one that dissociates partially in an aqueous solution and has a stronger conjugate base.

${{\mathrm{HCO}}_3}^{-}$ is the weaker acid as it has a stronger conjugate base.