I know the more Oxygen atoms the stronger the acid but does it apply both ways?
2006-12-11 15:01:17 · 3 answers · asked by Myra G 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
The acidity of oxoacids can actually be predicted by using the formula (HO)nX(O)m.
Take, for example HNO3-- (HO)1N(O)2.
The larger the value of m, the more acidic the compound. This can be rationalized by saying that there are more electronegative atoms to delocalize the charge onto, therby stablilzing the conjugate base.
In short, the more oxygen atoms there are, the more acidic the molecule.
The reverse is true as well. Fewer oxygen atoms means that the charge will be more localized and the substrate have more electrons available to act as a base.
And the first two responses are not correct at all - acidity is determined by the strength of the conjugate base.
2006-12-11 15:48:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not a chemist so you need to check my response,however over the last few years I have had to deal with pH in relationship to agriculture..
\What I have learned is, pH is the negative logarithym of the Hydrogen ion. What that means is that pH is a measure of Hydrogen.
The more Hydrogen ions, the lower the pH and therefore the more acid. The reverse is the more hydroxyl ions (OH) the higher the pH and more alkaline.
Therefore, I am guessing that your statement regarding more oxygen means more acidity is incorrect!
Hope I am right
2006-12-11 23:16:00 · answer #2 · answered by cods 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
nop.... oxygen is not involved in the strength of acids or base... the more hidrogen ions the stronger the acid. and the more hidroxide ion the stronger the base... oxygen is actuallly a product of oxydatin' hidroxide ions...
i think i'm right....just in case check ur text book...
2006-12-11 23:27:40 · answer #3 · answered by apocalypse7489 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋