The reaction between barium hydroxide and hydrobromic acid produces __. a. two weak electrolytes b. a molecular compound and a weak electrolyte c. a molecular compound and a strong electrolyte d. two strong electrolytes e. two molecular compounds
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct answer: c. a molecular compound and a strong electrolyte
When barium hydroxide (Ba(OH)₂) reacts with hydrobromic acid (HBr), the reaction is a neutralization reaction between a strong base and a strong acid. The chemical equation for the reaction is:
Ba(OH)₂ (aq) + 2 HBr (aq) → BaBr₂ (aq) + 2 H₂O (l)
In this reaction:
- Ba(OH)₂ is a strong base and dissociates completely in water into Ba²⁺ and OH⁻ ions.
- HBr is a strong acid and dissociates completely in water into H⁺ and Br⁻ ions.
- When they react, H⁺ from the acid and OH⁻ from the base combine to form water (H₂O), which is a molecular compound and does not dissociate in solution.
- The resulting salt, barium bromide (BaBr₂), is soluble in water and dissociates completely into Ba²⁺ and Br⁻ ions, making it a strong electrolyte.
Therefore, this reaction results in the formation of water (a neutral molecule) and a strong electrolyte (BaBr₂) in solution.
It is important to recognize that strong acids and strong bases always produce a salt and water in aqueous solution. Water, being neutral and covalently bonded, does not conduct electricity well and is thus a molecular compound. On the other hand, the salt formed is fully dissociated in solution, contributing to electrical conductivity and qualifying as a strong electrolyte.
Hence, the correct description of the products is a molecular compound (H₂O) and a strong electrolyte (BaBr₂).
