Question

If hydrofluoric acid is a stronger acid than acetic acid, which statement is most likely true?

The conjugate acid of hydrofluoric acid is weaker than that of acetic acid.
The conjugate acid of hydrofluoric acid is stronger than that of acetic acid.
The conjugate base of hydrofluoric acid is weaker than that of acetic acid.
The conjugate base of hydrofluoric acid is stronger than that of acetic acid.

Answer 1

Option C. The most likely true statement is that the conjugate base of hydrofluoric acid is weaker than that of acetic acid.

Step-by-step explanation:

The conjugate base of a weak acid is stronger than that of a strong acid. Since hydrofluoric acid is a stronger acid than acetic acid, the most likely true statement is that the conjugate base of hydrofluoric acid is weaker than that of acetic acid.

Answer 2

Answer: The statement conjugate base of hydrofluoric acid is weaker than that of acetic acid is most likely true.

Step-by-step explanation:

A strong acid upon dissociation gives a weak conjugate base. This can also be said as stronger is the acid, weaker will be its conjugate base or vice-versa.

Hydrofluoric acid is a strong base as it dissociates completely when dissolved in water.

For example,
`HF \rightleftharpoons H^(+) + F^(-)`

The conjugate base is
`F^(-)` which is a weak base.

Acetic acid is a weak acid as it dissociates partially when dissolved in water. So, the conjugate base of acetic acid is a strong base.

`CH_(3)COOH \rightarrow CH_(3)COO^(-) + H^(+)`

Thus, we can conclude that the statement conjugate base of hydrofluoric acid is weaker than that of acetic acid is most likely true.