Rank H₃PO₄,H₂PO₄^-,and HPO₄^2- in order of increasing acid strength. A)HPO₄^2-

Question

Rank H₃PO₄,H₂PO₄^-,and HPO₄^2- in order of increasing acid strength. A)HPO₄^2- < H₂PO₄^- < H₃PO₄ B)H₂PO₄^- < HPO₄^2- < H₃PO₄ C)H₂PO₄^- < H₃PO₄ < HPO₄^2- D)HPO₄^2- < H₃PO₄ < H₂PO₄^- E)H₃PO₄ < H₂PO₄^- < HPO₄^2-

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct order of increasing acid strength is HPO42- < H2PO4- < H3PO4. This is because the more protons that are removed from an acid, the weaker the acid becomes. HPO42- has one proton removed, H2PO4- has two protons removed, and H3PO4 has three protons removed. Therefore, HPO42- is the weakest acid, H2PO4- is the intermediate acid, and H3PO4 is the strongest acid.

Rank H3PO4,H2PO4-,and HPO42- in Order of Increasing Acid Strength

Rank H₃PO₄,H₂PO₄^-,and HPO₄^2- in Order of Increasing Acid Strength