Write the formula for each of the following compounds: g. hydrobromic acid
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Formula for Hydrobromic Acid:
The chemical formula for hydrobromic acid is HBr.
Explanation:
Hydrobromic acid is a strong acid formed when hydrogen bromide (HBr) gas is dissolved in water. In its aqueous form, it dissociates completely into hydrogen ions (H⁺) and bromide ions (Br⁻), making it a highly effective proton donor. Its complete dissociation in water is why it’s classified as a strong acid, similar to hydrochloric acid (HCl) or sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).
Composition and Bonding:
Hydrobromic acid consists of:
- One hydrogen atom (H): This is the acidic proton in the compound.
- One bromine atom (Br): A halogen, bromine is in group 17 of the periodic table and tends to gain one electron, forming the Br⁻ ion. The bond between hydrogen and bromine in HBr is a polar covalent bond, meaning the bromine atom pulls the shared electrons more strongly than hydrogen, making the bond polar.
Properties:
- pH: Since hydrobromic acid is a strong acid, solutions of HBr in water have a low pH, typically below 1 for concentrated solutions. The pH is an indication of the high concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution.
- Reactivity: HBr readily reacts with metals and metal oxides, producing bromide salts and liberating hydrogen gas in some reactions.
- Industrial Uses: Hydrobromic acid is used in organic and inorganic chemical synthesis. For example, it is utilized in the production of bromides, as well as in the pharmaceutical and dye industries.
Comparison with Other Acids:
Hydrobromic acid is comparable in strength to hydrochloric acid (HCl), but it is stronger than hydrofluoric acid (HF), another halogen-based acid. This is due to bromine’s larger atomic size, which weakens the bond between H and Br, making it easier for HBr to release H⁺ ions into the solution.