Chapter 2: Q96P (page 40)

Assuming acid strength relates directly to a number of $O$ atoms bonded to the central atom, rank $H_{2} N_{2} O_{2}$ role="math" localid="1663308780600" $[or {(HON)}_{2}]$ ; ${HNO}_{3} (or {HONO}_{2})$ ; and ${HNO}_{2} (or HONO)$ in order of decreasing acid strength.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Acids are the chemical species or compounds which give $H^{+}$ in their aqueous solution, or we can say that the species which donates proton are called acid.

Different factors affect the acidic strength, like electronegativity, oxidation number, etc.

Electronegativity $\propto$ acidity

Oxidation number $\propto$ acidity

Step by step solution

Definition of Acids

Acids are the chemical species or compounds which give $H^{+}$ in their aqueous solution, or we can say that the species which donates proton are called acid.

Different factors affect the acidic strength, like electronegativity, oxidation number, etc.

Electronegativity $\propto$ acidity

Oxidation number $\propto$ acidity

Order of acidity of given acids

Acidic strength is increased with an increase in the number of oxygen bonded to a central atom as the number of oxygen atoms in ${HNO}_{3}$ are more so that it gives a large number of $H^{+}$ in the aqueous solution. In ${HNO}_{2}$ there is only one hydrogen that can be donated while in ${(HNO)}_{2}$ two hydrogens that can be donated, so that ${(HNO)}_{2}$ is more acidic than ${HNO}_{2}$ .