Briefly explain each of the following observations.

Question

a) H₂SO₄ is a stronger acid than HSO₄^1-

b) H₃PO₄ is a stronger acid than H₃AsO₄

Answer 1

a. H+ is held more tightly in the anion HSO4^1-

It doesn't want to give up its H+ and wants to get another H+

b. In the case of oxyacids, the acidic strength increases with increasing the electronegativity of the central atom. Here the size of an atom is not applicable because the negative charge is not present on either P or As. Here negative Charge is present on the Oxygen atom.