Final answer:
The pH of a 0.1 M CF₃COOH solution is about 1 because trifluoroacetic acid is a strong acid due to the electron-withdrawing effect of the fluorine atoms, which leads to greater ionization in water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is about the trifluoroacetic acid (CF₃COOH) and its pH level in a solution. The pH of about 1 indicates a high concentration of hydrogen ions (H⁺) present in the solution. Trifluoroacetic acid is a stronger acid compared to acetic acid (CH₃COOH) due to the electron-withdrawing effect of the three fluorine atoms, which stabilizes the negative charge on the acetate ion after ionization, leading to a greater degree of ionization and hence a lower pH.
Therefore, when dissolved in water, CF₃COOH ionizes to a greater extent resulting in more H⁺ ions and a corresponding pH of approximately 1. Drawing the Lewis structure of CF₃COOH would show the presence of these electron-withdrawing fluorine atoms attached to the central carbon atom.