Question

6. The acid strength of the oxyacids of chlorine is as follows:

HCIO4 > HCIO3 > HCIO2 > HCIO
Which statement best explains this trend?
(A) The electrons in the H-O bond are pulled away from
the hydrogen by the more electronegative oxygen, mak-
ing the bond weaker. Additional oxygen atoms intensify
this effect, making the H-O bond even weaker and
increasing the degree of ionization.
(B) Oxygen is less electronegative than hydrogen. Addi-
tional oxygen atoms provide greater repulsion of the
electrons and cause them to be even closer to the hydro-
gen atom, making the H-O bond weaker and increasing
the degree of ionization.
(C) Extra electrons are always attracted to the central atom
in a molecule. With more oxygen atoms, additional elec-
trons are transferred to the chlorine atom. This weakens
the H-O bond and increases the degree of ionization.
(D) Oxygen has six valence electrons. Each oxygen atom
needs two additional electrons to fulfill its octet. These
electrons are pulled from the H-O bond and cause the
acid to ionize. More oxygen atoms require more elec-
trons, so the degree of ionization increases.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement that best explains the trend in the acid strength of the oxyacids of chlorine is (A). The electrons in the H-O bond are pulled away from the hydrogen by the more electronegative oxygen, making the bond weaker. Additional oxygen atoms intensify this effect, making the H-O bond even weaker and increasing the degree of ionization. The trend in acid strength is due to the increasing electronegativity of oxygen and the corresponding weakening of the H-O bond in the acid.