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Oxyacids: Oxygen and Strength of the Acid

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Several elements form oxyacids with different numbers of oxygens attached to the central atom. However, the strongest of these oxyacids are the ones that have the most oxygens attached. For example, HNO2 is a weak acid; whereas, HNO3 is a very strong acid. Likewise, H2SO3 is a weak acid and H2SO4 is a very strong acid. Using the idea of resonance, fully explain why the more oxygens there are in oxyacids, the stronger the acids.

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Solution Summary

This solution explains why more oxygen in oxyacids produces stronger acids.

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Resonance is another term for delocalization. Delocalization of charge means that the charge is not present on only one atom. It is spread through other regions ...

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