Arrange the following acids in order of decreasing acid strength in aqueous solution: HBr,HOCl,HOBr,and HOI.
A) HBr HClO HBrO HIO
B) HIO HBrO HClO HBr
C) HBr HIO HBrO HClO
D) HClO HBr HBrO HIO
E) HClO HBrO HBr HIO

Question

Arrange the following acids in order of decreasing acid strength in aqueous solution: HBr,HOCl,HOBr,and HOI.
A) HBr > HClO > HBrO > HIO
B) HIO > HBrO > HClO > HBr
C) HBr > HIO > HBrO > HClO
D) HClO > HBr > HBrO > HIO
E) HClO > HBrO > HBr > HIO

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

HBr is a strong acid, while the hypohalous acids (HOCl, HOBr, HOI) are weaker. Among hypohalous acids, acid strength decreases with increasing atomic size of the halogen, so HOCl > HOBr > HOI.

Arrange the Following Acids in Order of Decreasing Acid Strength