1.

Suggest a reason why HF is a weak acid, wheres binary acids of the all other halogens are strong acids.

Answer»

SOLUTION :The hydrogen halides are extremely soluble in water due to the ionisation.
`underset("(X = F, Cl, Br or I)")(X+H_(2)Orarr H_(2)O^(+)+X^(-))`
Solutions of hydrogen halides are therefore acidic and known as hydrohalic acids. Hydrochloric, hydrobromic and hydroiodic acids are almost completely ionised and are therefore STRONG acids but HF is a weak acid. For HF,
`HF+H_(2)OhArr H_(3)O^(+)+F^(-)`
`HF+F^(-)rarr HF_(2)^(-)`
At high concentration, the equilibrium involves the REMOVAL of fluoride ions is IMPORTANT. Since it affects the dissociation of hydrogen fluoride, therefore it is a weak acid..


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