Question

Write the formula of the acid formed when each of these acidic oxides reacts with water. (a) \(\mathrm{SO}_{2}\) (b) \(\mathrm{Cl}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) (c) \(\mathrm{P}_{4} \mathrm{O}_{6}\)

Short answer

Answer: The formulas of the acids formed are: (a) \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{SO}_{3}\), (b) \(\mathrm{HClO}\), and (c) \(\mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{PO}_{3}\).

Step-by-step solution

(a) Acid formed from \(\mathrm{SO}_{2}\) and Water:

Let's first write the reaction of sulfur dioxide (\(\mathrm{SO}_{2}\)) with water (\(\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O}\)). Since sulfur dioxide is an acidic oxide, it reacts with water to form an acid. In this case, it forms sulfurous acid: \(\mathrm{SO}_{2}\) + \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O}\) \(\rightarrow\) \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{SO}_{3}\) So the formula of the acid formed is \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{SO}_{3}\).

(b) Acid formed from \(\mathrm{Cl}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) and Water:

Now, let's write the reaction of chlorine oxide (\(\mathrm{Cl}_{2} \mathrm{O}\)) with water (\(\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O}\)). Chlorine oxide being an acidic oxide reacts with water to form an acid. In this case, it forms hypochlorous acid: \(\mathrm{Cl}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) + \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O}\) \(\rightarrow\) \(2\mathrm{HClO}\) So the formula of the acid formed is \(\mathrm{HClO}\).

(c) Acid formed from \(\mathrm{P}_{4} \mathrm{O}_{6}\) and Water:

Finally, let's write the reaction of phosphorous oxide (\(\mathrm{P}_{4} \mathrm{O}_{6}\)) with water (\(\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O}\)). Phosphorous oxide being an acidic oxide reacts with water to form an acid. In this case, it forms phosphorous acid: \(\mathrm{P}_{4} \mathrm{O}_{6}\) + \(6\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O}\) \(\rightarrow\) \(4\mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{PO}_{3}\) So the formula of the acid formed is \(\mathrm{H}_{3}\mathrm{PO}_{3}\).