What is the name of the compound HF (aq)?
Options:
- Hydrofluoric acid
- Fluorous acid
- Fluoric acid
- Hydrogen fluoride
Answer (1)
The compound HF(aq) is known as 'Hydrofluoric acid.'
Let's break down why this is the correct choice:
Acid Naming Convention : In chemistry, acids that contain hydrogen and a nonmetal element dissolved in water are named following a specific convention. If a compound consists of hydrogen and a halogen (like fluorine), and is dissolved in an aqueous solution (indicated by the '(aq)'), it is named using the 'hydro-' prefix, followed by the base name of the nonmetal element with the '-ic' suffix, and the word 'acid' at the end.
Application to HF(aq) :
'H' stands for hydrogen.
'F' stands for fluorine, which is a halogen.
The '(aq)' denotes that it is in an aqueous solution.
When combined, following the naming rules, you get 'Hydrofluoric acid.'
Understanding these naming rules is crucial in chemistry to properly identify different types of acids. HF in gaseous form is called hydrogen fluoride, but once dissolved in water, it takes on its acidic name, hydrofluoric acid. Therefore, among the given options, 'Hydrofluoric acid' is the correct name for HF(aq).
