Which of each pair of acids is stronger? Why? (a) HClO3, HClO4 (b) H2 S, H2 Se

Name: Problem 103, Chapter 15: Chemistry Principles and Practice
Uploaded: 2022-02-20T23:54:11-08:00
Duration: 2 min 1 s
Channel: Adriano Chikande
Description: Which of each pair of acids is stronger? Why? (a) HClO3, HClO4 (b) H2 S, H2 Se

step 1 In this question we've been given some pairs of acids and we've been asked to determine which of

Which of each pair of acids is stronger? Why? (a) HClO3,...

Key Concepts

Acid Strength

Acid strength refers to the tendency of a compound to donate a proton (H?) to a base. This property is largely determined by the stability of the resulting conjugate base and the bond strength between hydrogen and the atom to which it is attached. Factors such as electronegativity, resonance stabilization, and bond dissociation energies play key roles in determining acid strength.

Oxoacid Structure and Resonance Stabilization

In oxoacids, which are acids that contain oxygen atoms bonded to a central atom, the number of oxygen atoms can significantly affect acid strength. More oxygen atoms generally lead to greater electron-withdrawing effects, increasing the polarity of the O–H bond and allowing the conjugate base to be more effectively stabilized through resonance. This delocalization of negative charge makes the acid more willing to donate its proton. Consequently, between two similar oxoacids, the one with more oxygen atoms or better resonance stabilization will typically be stronger.

Periodic Trends in Hydride Acidity

For binary hydrides, which consist of hydrogen bonded to a non-metallic element, acid strength is influenced by periodic trends such as bond strength and polarizability. As one moves down a group in the periodic table, the central atom becomes larger and more polarizable, resulting in weaker H–X bonds. The weaker bond facilitates the release of the proton, thus increasing the acid strength. Therefore, when comparing hydrides of elements from the same group, the one with the larger central atom tends to be the stronger acid.

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