Question

classify each of the following as a strong acid or a weak acid and indicate how each should be written in aqueous solution. 1. hypochlorous acid 2. nitrous acid 3. sulfurous acid in solution this acid should be written as:

Explanation:

Step1: Recall acid - strength definitions

Strong acids completely dissociate in aqueous solution, while weak acids only partially dissociate.

Step2: Analyze hypochlorous acid ($HClO$)

Hypochlorous acid is a weak acid. In aqueous solution, it exists in an equilibrium with its ions: $HClO
ightleftharpoons H^{+}+ClO^{-}$. So it should be written as $HClO$.

Step3: Analyze nitrous acid ($HNO_{2}$)

Nitrous acid is a weak acid. In water, it has the equilibrium $HNO_{2}
ightleftharpoons H^{+}+NO_{2}^{-}$. So it should be written as $HNO_{2}$.

Step4: Analyze sulfurous acid ($H_{2}SO_{3}$)

Sulfurous acid is a weak acid. In aqueous solution, it has the equilibria $H_{2}SO_{3}
ightleftharpoons H^{+}+HSO_{3}^{-}$ and $HSO_{3}^{-}
ightleftharpoons H^{+}+SO_{3}^{2 -}$. So it should be written as $H_{2}SO_{3}$.

Answer:

1. Weak acid, $HClO$
2. Weak acid, $HNO_{2}$
3. Weak acid, $H_{2}SO_{3}$