Write the formula for chlorous acid and indicate the oxidation state of the halogen.

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Identify the chemical formula for chlorous acid. Chlorous acid is an oxyacid of chlorine, and its formula is HClO2.

Step 2: Understand the structure of chlorous acid. It consists of one hydrogen (H) atom, one chlorine (Cl) atom, and two oxygen (O) atoms.

Step 3: Determine the oxidation state of chlorine in HClO2. Start by assigning oxidation states to the known elements: hydrogen is +1 and oxygen is -2.

Step 4: Set up an equation to find the oxidation state of chlorine. Let the oxidation state of chlorine be x. The sum of oxidation states in a neutral compound is zero, so: 1 (for H) + x (for Cl) + 2*(-2) (for O) = 0.

Step 5: Solve the equation for x to find the oxidation state of chlorine. This will give you the oxidation state of chlorine in chlorous acid.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Chemical Formulas

A chemical formula represents the composition of a compound, indicating the types and numbers of atoms present. For chlorous acid, the formula is HClO2, which shows that it contains one hydrogen atom, one chlorine atom, and two oxygen atoms. Understanding how to derive and interpret chemical formulas is essential for identifying compounds and their properties.

Oxidation States

The oxidation state, or oxidation number, of an element in a compound indicates the degree of oxidation of that element. It is a theoretical charge that an atom would have if all bonds were ionic. In chlorous acid (HClO2), the oxidation state of chlorine is +3, which can be determined by considering the overall charge of the molecule and the known oxidation states of hydrogen and oxygen.

Acids and Their Properties

Acids are substances that can donate protons (H+) in a solution, and they often have specific formulas that reflect their composition. Chlorous acid is a weak acid derived from chlorous ion (ClO2-), and its properties, such as acidity and reactivity, are influenced by the presence of the chlorine atom and its oxidation state. Understanding the behavior of acids is crucial for predicting their reactions and applications in chemistry.