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Acids: Classification, Naming, and Formulas in GOB Chemistry

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Acids in Chemistry

Introduction to Acids

Acids are chemical compounds that typically begin with a hydrogen ion (H+) and are bonded to either a nonmetal or a polyatomic ion. In GOB Chemistry, acids are classified based on their composition and the type of ions they contain.

  • Covalent Compound: A compound that contains only nonmetals bonded together.

  • Hydronium Ion: The ion formed when a hydrogen ion bonds with water, written as H3O+.

Common Acids and Acetic Acid

Common acids and acetic acid are frequently encountered in introductory chemistry courses. Their formulas and names are essential for understanding acid-base chemistry.

Common Acids

Acetic Acid

HCl, HNO2, H2SO4, H3PO4, HClO2

HC2H3O2 or CH3COOH

Binary Acids

Definition and Formation

Binary acids are covalent compounds containing the H+ ion bonded to a nonmetal anion that is not oxygen.

  • Binary Acid Formation:

Rules for Naming Binary Acids

  1. The prefix will be hydro- to represent the H+ ion.

  2. Use the base name of the nonmetal.

  3. The suffix will be -ic acid.

  • For sulfur, use sulfur as the root; for phosphorus, use phosphor.

Example:

Compound

Name

HCl

Hydrochloric acid

H2Se

Hydroselenic acid

HF

Hydrofluoric acid

  • Practice: H2S is named hydrosulfuric acid.

  • Practice: HCN is named hydrocyanic acid.

Oxyacids

Definition and Formation

Oxyacids are covalent compounds containing the hydrogen ion bonded to a polyatomic ion containing oxygen.

  • Oxyacid Formation:

Rules for Naming Oxyacids

  1. If the polyatomic ion ends with -ate, change the ending to -ic acid.

  2. If the polyatomic ion ends with -ite, change the ending to -ous acid.

  • Memory Tool: "I ate an acid and it was icky" (for -ate to -ic acid).

  • Memory Tool: "I only bite into things that are delicious" (for -ite to -ous acid).

Example:

Compound

Name

HNO3

Nitric acid

HNO2

Nitrous acid

  • Practice: H2CO3 is carbonic acid.

  • Practice: H3PO4 is phosphoric acid.

  • Practice: H2SO4 is sulfuric acid.

  • Practice: Hypobromous acid is HBrO.

  • Practice: Cyanic acid is HOCN.

Summary Table: Acid Naming Rules

Type of Acid

Naming Rule

Example

Binary Acid

hydro- + nonmetal root + -ic acid

HCl: Hydrochloric acid

Oxyacid (-ate ion)

polyatomic root + -ic acid

HNO3: Nitric acid

Oxyacid (-ite ion)

polyatomic root + -ous acid

HNO2: Nitrous acid

Key Terms and Concepts

  • Acid: A substance that donates hydrogen ions (H+) in solution.

  • Binary Acid: An acid composed of hydrogen and one other nonmetal element.

  • Oxyacid: An acid composed of hydrogen, oxygen, and another element (usually a nonmetal).

  • Polyatomic Ion: An ion composed of two or more atoms covalently bonded.

Additional info: The notes provide systematic approaches for naming acids, which is foundational for understanding chemical nomenclature and acid-base reactions in GOB Chemistry.

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