What is the primary factor that determines the acidity of a compound?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
What is the primary factor that determines the acidity of a compound?
Electronegativity
Molecular weight
Atomic radius
Bond length
Electronegativity is the primary factor; higher electronegativity of the atom bonded to hydrogen increases acidity.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: What is the primary factor that determines the acidity of a compound?
Solution: Electronegativity is the primary factor; higher electronegativity of the atom bonded to hydrogen increases acidity.
Steps: 5
Step 1: Understand what acidity means. Acidity refers to how easily a compound can donate a hydrogen ion (H+).
Step 2: Identify the role of electronegativity. Electronegativity is a measure of how strongly an atom attracts electrons.
Step 3: Recognize the connection between electronegativity and acidity. When an atom bonded to hydrogen has high electronegativity, it pulls the shared electrons closer to itself.
Step 4: Realize that this pulling effect makes it easier for the hydrogen atom to lose its H+ ion, thus increasing acidity.
Step 5: Conclude that the higher the electronegativity of the atom attached to hydrogen, the stronger the acid.
