QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
Question: What is the formula for chlorous acid? Express your answer as a chemical formula.
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Answer
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Step 1:I'll solve this step by step:
Step 2:: Identify the components of chlorous acid
- Chlorous acid contains chlorine and oxygen - The base element is chlorine (Cl) - The acid will have hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O)
Step 3:: Determine the oxidation states
- Chlorine in chlorous acid has an oxidation state of + 3 - Oxygen typically has an oxidation state of - 2 - Hydrogen typically has an oxidation state of + 1
Step 4:: Balance the charges
\text{H}_{2}\text{ClO}_{2}
- To create a neutral molecule, we need: - 2 hydrogen atoms (each + 1) - 1 chlorine atom (oxidation state + 3) - 2 oxygen atoms (each - 2)
Step 5:: Verify charge balance
- Total charge: $$+2 + 3 - 4 = +1 - 4 = -1
- Chlorine: + 3
Final Answer
\text{HClO}_{2} (chlorous acid)
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