Multiple Choice
What is the correct name for the acid with the formula H_2SO_4?
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3. Chemical Reactions
Naming Acids
Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct name for the acid with the formula H_2SO_3?
A
Hydrosulfuric acid
B
Sulfic acid
C
Sulfurous acid
D
Sulfuric acid
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the chemical formula given: \(\mathrm{H_2SO_3}\).
Recognize that this formula represents an oxyacid, which is an acid containing hydrogen, oxygen, and another element (in this case, sulfur).
Recall the naming convention for oxyacids: acids with sulfur and oxygen are named based on the number of oxygen atoms. If the acid has fewer oxygen atoms than sulfuric acid (\(\mathrm{H_2SO_4}\)), it usually ends with '-ous' instead of '-ic'.
Since \(\mathrm{H_2SO_3}\) has one less oxygen than sulfuric acid, its correct name is 'sulfurous acid'.
Confirm that 'hydrosulfuric acid' refers to \(\mathrm{H_2S}\) (hydrogen sulfide in aqueous solution), and 'sulfic acid' is not a correct name.
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