Question

Name each acid. a) \(\mathrm{HF}(\mathrm{aq})\) b) \(\mathrm{HNO}_{3}(\mathrm{aq})\) c) \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{4}(\mathrm{aq})\)

Short answer

a) Hydrofluoric acid. b) Nitric acid. c) Oxalic acid.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the type of acid: Binary or Oxyacid

To name the acid, first determine if the acid is a binary acid or an oxyacid. A binary acid consists of hydrogen and one other nonmetal, while an oxyacid consists of hydrogen, oxygen, and another element.

Name the binary acid (Part a)

For binary acids like \(\mathrm{HF(\mathrm{aq})}\), use the prefix 'hydro-', followed by the root name of the other element, fluorine in this case, and add the suffix '-ic acid'. Thus, \(\mathrm{HF(\mathrm{aq})}\) is named hydrofluoric acid.

Name the oxyacid with nitrogen base (Part b)

For the oxyacid \(\mathrm{HNO_3(aq)}\), based on its constituent polyatomic ion NO\(_3^-\), which is nitrate, replace '-ate' with '-ic acid'. Therefore, \(\mathrm{HNO_3(aq)}\) is named nitric acid.

Name the oxyacid with oxalate base (Part c)

For the oxyacid \(\mathrm{H_2C_2O_4(aq)}\), based on its constituent polyatomic ion C\(_2\)O\(_4\)^2-, which is oxalate, replace '-ate' with '-ic acid'. Therefore, \(\mathrm{H_2C_2O_4(aq)}\) is named oxalic acid.

Key concepts

Binary Acid

Binary acids are a simple class of acids composed primarily of hydrogen and one other non-metal element. The structure of binary acids makes naming them straightforward. These acids are typically represented in the formulaic structure of HX, where X represents the nonmetallic element. The naming convention for binary acids is standard:

• Start with the prefix "hydro-"
• Follow with the root name of the non-metal element
• Add the ending "-ic acid"

For example, hydrofluoric acid (\(\mathrm{HF(aq)}\)) is a binary acid. Here, the root name for "fluorine" is modified, resulting in the name "hydrofluoric acid". Hydrofluoric acid is unique due to its diverse usage in both industrial and chemical applications.

Oxyacid

Oxyacids, also known as oxoacids, are acids that contain hydrogen, another element, and oxygen. They differ from binary acids in composition and naming. Oxyacids usually have a polyatomic ion as part of their structure. Here is a simple guideline for naming oxyacids:

• Identify the polyatomic ion
• If the ion ends in "-ate", the acid name will end in "-ic acid"
• If the ion ends in "-ite", the acid name will end in "-ous acid"

For example, nitric acid (\(\mathrm{HNO_3(aq)}\)) contains the nitrate ion (NOe nn_3^-), which follows the naming pattern leading to "nitric acid". The presence of oxygen in these acids leads to diverse acidity levels and properties.

Hydrofluoric Acid

Hydrofluoric acid is a binary acid with the formula \(\mathrm{HF(aq)}\). As the name suggests, it is composed of hydrogen and fluorine, making it a classic example of binary acid nomenclature where "hydro-" is the prefix. Despite its relatively simple composition, hydrofluoric acid is highly corrosive and can cause severe chemical burns.
It is widely used in industrial applications such as glass etching, metal cleaning, and even in the production of some refrigerants. Due to its potency, handling hydrofluoric acid requires rigorous safety measures.

Nitric Acid

Nitric acid is another well-known acid with the chemical formula \(\mathrm{HNO_3(aq)}\). It stands as a prime example of oxyacid. The naming is derived from its constituent nitrate base (NOe nn_3^-), following the rule where "nitrate" converts to "-ic acid", forming "nitric acid".
Nitric acid is a powerful oxidizing agent and is used in a variety of applications, ranging from the manufacturing of fertilizers to explosives. It's also notable for its role in chemical synthesis and laboratory settings. Using nitric acid requires careful handling due to its highly corrosive nature.

Oxalic Acid

Oxalic acid is recognized as an oxyacid, characterized by its composition of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, and the oxalate ion represented as Ce nn_2Oe nn_4^{2-}. The name "oxalic acid" comes from the oxalate ion, following the naming pattern where "-ate" polyatomic ions convert to "-ic acid" in their acid forms.
Oxalic acid's chemical formula is \(\mathrm{H_2C_2O_4(aq)}\). This acid occurs naturally in many plants and vegetables, contributing to their sour taste. It is commonly used in cleaning agents, removing rust, and as an important reagent in the synthesis of other chemicals. Despite being common, oxalic acid can be toxic, especially when consumed in large quantities.