Three separate 0.10 M aqueous solutions are prepared
CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · A Level · Chemistry · Acids and bases · Acids and bases
Problem
Three separate 0.10 M aqueous solutions are prepared, each containing one of the following hypohalous acids: hypochlorous acid (HOCl), hypobromous acid (HOBr), and hypoiodous acid (HOI). Students investigate how molecular structure influences the extent of proton donation to water.
Answer the following questions about these acids.
(a) Rank the three acids in order of increasing acid strength (weakest to strongest).
(b) Write the chemical equilibrium equation and corresponding equilibrium–constant expression for the dissociation of hypobromous acid in water.
(c) Using atomic-level reasoning that references both periodic properties and stabilization of the conjugate base, explain the ranking you provided in part (a). Be explicit about how electron distribution in the O–H bond is affected by the identity of the halogen.