Assuming acid strength relates directly to number of \(\mathrm{O}\) atoms bonded to the central atom, rank \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{~N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{2}\left[\mathrm{or}(\mathrm{HON})_{2}\right], \mathrm{HNO}_{3}\) (or HONO \(_{2}\) ), and \(\mathrm{HNO}_{2}\) (or HONO) in order of decreasing acid strength.

Short Answer

Expert verified
\text{HNO}_{3} > \text{HNO}_{2} > \text{H}_{2}\text{N}_{2}\text{O}_{2}.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the Central Atoms

Identify the central atom in each of the given acids: - \(\text{H}_{2}\text{N}_{2}\text{O}_{2}\) has nitrogen as the central atom \(\text{N}\).- \(\text{HNO}_{3}\) has nitrogen as the central atom \(\text{N}\).- \(\text{HNO}_{2}\) also has nitrogen as the central atom \(\text{N}\).
02

Count the Number of Oxygens

Count the number of oxygen atoms bonded to the central atom in each compound: - \(\text{H}_{2}\text{N}_{2}\text{O}_{2}\) has 2 oxygen atoms.- \(\text{HNO}_{3}\) has 3 oxygen atoms.- \(\text{HNO}_{2}\) has 2 oxygen atoms.
03

Rank the Acids

Since acid strength is directly related to the number of oxygen atoms, rank the acids in order of decreasing acid strength:1. \(\text{HNO}_{3}\) - 3 oxygens (strongest)2. \(\text{HNO}_{2}\) - 2 oxygens3. \(\text{H}_{2}\text{N}_{2}\text{O}_{2}\) - 2 oxygens (weakest)
04

Establish Final Ranking

Finalize the order of decreasing acid strength: \(\text{HNO}_{3}\) > \(\text{HNO}_{2}\) > \(\text{H}_{2}\text{N}_{2}\text{O}_{2}\).

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Central Atom Identification
In any given compound, the central atom is the one to which all other atoms are bonded. Identifying the central atom is the first and crucial step in understanding the structure and behavior of a molecule.
In the exercise provided, we have three different acids: \(\text{H}_{2}\text{N}_{2}\text{O}_{2} \( \text{or}(\text{HON})_{2}\)\), \(\text{HNO}_{3} \( \text{or}\text{HONO}_{2}\)\), and \(\text{HNO}_{2} \( \text{or}\text{HONO}\)\). For each of these acids, the central atom is the one that forms bonds with oxygen atoms.
For example: \ - In \(\text{H}_{2}\text{N}_{2}\text{O}_{2}\), the central atom is nitrogen (N).
\ - In \(\text{HNO}_{3}\), the central atom is also nitrogen (N).
\ - In \(\text{HNO}_{2}\), the central atom remains nitrogen (N).
This identification is necessary to further analyze how the molecule interacts and to count the number of bonds with other atoms.
Number of Oxygen Atoms
The strength of an acid can often be determined by the number of oxygen atoms bonded to the central atom. This is because oxygen atoms are highly electronegative and can stabilize the negative charge that arises when the acid loses a proton \(\text{H}^{+}\).
By counting the oxygen atoms, we can get a good indication of the acid's strength. In our given examples:
\- \(\text{H}_{2}\text{N}_{2}\text{O}_{2}\) has 2 oxygen atoms.
\- \(\text{HNO}_{3}\) has 3 oxygen atoms.
\- \(\text{HNO}_{2}\) has 2 oxygen atoms.
From this analysis, \(\text{HNO}_{3}\) has the highest number of oxygen atoms bonded to its central atom, indicating it potentially has the highest acid strength.
Ranking Acids by Strength
Once we've identified the central atom and counted the number of oxygen atoms, we can rank the acids by their strength. The general rule is: the more oxygen atoms bonded to the central atom, the stronger the acid.
In our examples, we see:
\- \(\text{HNO}_{3}\) with 3 oxygens is the strongest.
\- \(\text{HNO}_{2}\) with 2 oxygens is next.
\- \(\text{H}_{2}\text{N}_{2}\text{O}_{2}\) with 2 oxygens is the weakest among the given acids.
Even though \(\text{HNO}_{2}\) and \(\text{H}_{2}\text{N}_{2}\text{O}_{2}\) both have 2 oxygen atoms, \(\text{HNO}_{2}\) is typically considered stronger than \(\text{H}_{2}\text{N}_{2}\text{O}_{2}\) due to the specific arrangement and bonding of atoms which influences the molecule's overall stability when it loses a proton.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The bond angles in the nitrite ion, nitrogen dioxide, and the nitronium ion \(\left(\mathrm{NO}_{2}^{+}\right)\) are \(115^{\circ}, 134^{\circ},\) and \(180^{\circ},\) respectively. Explain these values using Lewis structures and VSEPR theory.

The main reason alkali metal dihalides \(\left(\mathrm{MX}_{2}\right)\) do \(\mathrm{not}\) form is the high \(\mathrm{IE}_{2}\) of the metal. (a) Why is IE \(_{2}\) so high for alkali metals? (b) The IE \(_{2}\) for Cs is \(2255 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}\), low enough for \(\mathrm{CsF}_{2}\) to form exothermically \(\left(\Delta H_{i}^{\circ}=-125 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}\right) .\) This compound cannot be synthesized, however, because CsF forms with a much greater release of heat \(\left(\Delta H_{\mathrm{f}}^{\circ}=-530 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}\right) .\) Thus, the breakdown of \(\mathrm{CsF}_{2}\) to CsF happens readily. Write the equation for this breakdown, and calculate the enthalpy of reaction per mole of CsF.

Alkaline earth metals are involved in two key diagonal relationships in the periodic table. (a) Give the two pairs of elements in these diagonal relationships. (b) For each pair, cite two similarities that demonstrate the relationship. (c) Why are the members of each pair so similar in behavior?

Zeolite \(\mathrm{A}, \mathrm{Na}_{12}\left[\left(\mathrm{AlO}_{2}\right)_{12}\left(\mathrm{SiO}_{2}\right)_{12}\right] \cdot 27 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O},\) is used to soften water because it replaces \(\mathrm{Ca}^{2+}\) and \(\mathrm{Mg}^{2+}\) dissolved in the water with \(\mathrm{Na}^{+}\). Hard water from a certain source is \(4.5 \times 10^{-3} \mathrm{M}\) \(\mathrm{Ca}^{2+}\) and \(9.2 \times 10^{-4} \mathrm{M} \mathrm{Mg}^{2+},\) and a pipe delivers \(25,000 \mathrm{~L}\) of this hard water per day. What mass (in kg) of zeolite A is needed to soften a week's supply of the water? (Assume zeolite A loses its capacity to exchange ions when \(85 \mathrm{~mol} \%\) of its \(\mathrm{Na}^{+}\) has been lost.)

Rank the halogens \(\mathrm{Cl}_{2}, \mathrm{Br}_{2},\) and \(\mathrm{I}_{2}\) in order of increasing oxidizing strength based on their products with the metal rhenium (Re): \(\operatorname{ReCl}_{6}\), ReBr \(_{5}\), ReI \(_{4}\). Explain your ranking.

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