Question
Chemistry Question on Acids and Bases
Which of the following is the strongest acid?
A
HClO4
B
HClO3
C
H2SO3
D
H2SO4
Answer
HClO4
Explanation
Solution
HClO4 is the strongest acid among these.
Between HClO 3 and HClO4
HClO 4 is strong as it has a greater number of oxygen atoms. The more the number of oxygen atoms, the more the electronwill be pulled away from the O-H bond, making it weak.
Between H 2SO4 and H2SO3
Due to the same reason (the number of oxygen atoms), H 2SO4 is stronger acid than H2SO3.
Between H 2SO4 and HClO4
HClO4 is a strong acid as the perchlorate ion formed by the removal of a hydrogen atom is more stabilized than the sulfate ion, in other words, the negative charge in the perchlorate ion is more dispersed as compared to the sulfate ion.
Therefore, HClO4 is the correct answer.