Which of the Following Acids Are Weak? HI, HNO₃, HBr
Acids play a crucial role in chemistry, with their strength determining how completely they dissociate in water. Acids are classified as “strong” if they fully ionize in solution and “weak” if they only partially dissociate. So, where do the acids HI (hydroiodic acid), HNO₃ (nitric acid), and HBr (hydrobromic acid) fall on this spectrum? Let’s take a closer look.
HI (Hydroiodic Acid)
Hydroiodic acid is one of the strongest acids known. In aqueous solutions, it completely dissociates into hydrogen ions (H⁺) and iodide ions (I⁻), making it a strong acid.
HNO₃ (Nitric Acid)
Nitric acid is another example of a strong acid. Like HI, it fully ionizes in water, producing hydrogen ions (H⁺) and nitrate ions (NO₃⁻). Its strength and reactivity make it widely used in industrial and laboratory settings.
HBr (Hydrobromic Acid)
Hydrobromic acid also falls into the category of strong acids. It dissociates completely in water, yielding hydrogen ions (H⁺) and bromide ions (Br⁻).
None of the acids listed—HI, HNO₃, or HBr—are weak. They all belong to the group of strong acids, characterized by their complete dissociation in solution. If you’re searching for examples of weak acids, look at compounds like acetic acid (CH₃COOH) or carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), which only partially ionize in water.
Understanding the differences between strong and weak acids is fundamental in chemistry, helping to predict behavior in various reactions and solutions.