Question

Do you expect the following reaction to favor reactants or products? HF + NO₃⁻ ↔ HNO₃ + F⁻ Explain your reasoning - how did you decide which direction the reaction favors?

a. Favors reactants
b. Favors products
c. No preference
d. Can't be determined

Answer 1

The reaction favors the reactants.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reaction can be represented as:

HF(aq) + NO₃⁻(aq) ↔ HNO₃(aq) + F⁻(aq)

To determine which direction the reaction favors, we need to consider the strength of the acids and bases involved. HF is a weak acid and HNO₃ is a strong acid. In this reaction, HF acts as an acid and donates a proton (H⁺) to NO₃⁻, which acts as a base. Due to the difference in acid strength, the reaction will favor the formation of the weaker acid (HF) and the stronger base (NO₃⁻), so the reaction favors the reactants.