Why is HF a weak acid?

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David Chibukhchian 2G
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Why is HF a weak acid?

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Post by David Chibukhchian 2G » Midweek Dec 02, 2020 xi:34 am

Hey guys, I was looking at a list of strong and weak acids and noticed that HF is considered to be weak. I was a bit confused because I know that HCl and HBr are both strong acids. I was wondering if anyone could explain why this particular acid is weak while other halogens that bind with hydrogen are considered to be potent. Is it considering the bond between hydrogen and fluorine is stronger? I'm non exactly sure, any data would really assist!

Marisa Gaitan 2D
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Re: Why is HF a weak acid?

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Post past Marisa Gaitan 2D » Wed December 02, 2020 xi:42 am

Because the HF bail is and then short, it is very potent and therefore makes it difficult for the bond to be broken. In other words it won't dissociate completely. Stronger acids such as HCl and HBr have weaker bonds and are more likely to dissociate completely.

Claire_Latendresse_1E
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Re: Why is HF a weak acid?

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Postal service by Claire_Latendresse_1E » Wednesday Dec 02, 2020 11:47 am

HF is a weak acid because it doesn't completely dissociate when mixed with water. Hither's the equation when HF reacts with h2o:
HF + H2O --> H3O(+) + F-
That equation looks a lot like the strong acid dissociations, but H3O+ and F- are very attracted to each other and form a bond. None of the stiff acids create hydronium-anion bonds like this. The hydronium tin can't act as an acrid when it'southward bonded to the fluoride ion, so HF is not a potent acid.

Melis Kasaba 2B
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Re: Why is HF a weak acrid?

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Post by Melis Kasaba 2B » Midweek December 02, 2020 2:55 pm

You're correct that HCl, HBr, and also HI are strong acids, while HF is weak. It'southward actually the only hydrohalic acid that isn't strong. Information technology's considered a weak acrid because it doesn't completely dissociate into its ions in h2o. However, very concentrated solutions of HF can behave like a potent acid due to chemic bonds forming in between a base of operations and conjugate acid.

BKoh_2E
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Re: Why is HF a weak acrid?

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Post by BKoh_2E » Wed Dec 02, 2020 iv:53 pm

HF is a weak acid considering the bond between Hydrogen and Fluorine is then curt. It is more difficult for the bond to be broken, so it will not completely dissociate in h2o.

David Chibukhchian 2G
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Re: Why is HF a weak acrid?

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Mail by David Chibukhchian 2G » Thu Dec 03, 2020 10:08 am

Okay, that definitely makes sense. I was assuming that HF doesn't dissociate completely considering the bail betwixt H and F is and then short and thus strong. That makes information technology easier to generally empathize the difference betwixt strong and weak acids. Also, I didn't know that very full-bodied solutions of HF can really behave like a stiff acrid. I'll definitely continue that in heed. Thank you all for your answers, they were very helpful!

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