Question

Rank the four acids in order of increasing Brønsted acidity.

1) HCl, HBr, HI, HF
2) HF, HI, HBr, HCl
3) HI, HBr, HCl, HF
4) HBr, HI, HF, HCl

Answer 1

The correct ranking is: HBr, HI, HF, HCl. Acidity increases as we move down a group in the periodic table due to the increase in size and electron cloud.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct ranking of the four acids in order of increasing Brønsted acidity is:

1) HBr, HI, HF, HCl

The acidity of an acid is determined by the strength with which it donates a proton (H+) to a base. In general, as we move down a group in the periodic table, acidity increases due to the increase in size and electron cloud of the atom carrying the proton. Therefore, HF is the weakest acid among the given options, while HCl, HBr, and HI increase in acidity.