Chapter 8, Problem 11STP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The two different oxyacids that contain hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen are to be identified. The difference between these two oxyacids on the basic of their names and formulas is to be explained.

Concept introduction:

The oxyacid is the combination of hydrogen and oxygen. The technique for the naming of oxyacid is written below.

• Identify the oxyanion present in the acid.
• The first name of the oxyacid acid is the prefix (per- or hypo-), root name, and suffix (-ic and −ous).
• If the root name of the oxyanion ends with −ate, the suffix −ic will be used. If the root name of the oxyanion ends with −ite, the suffix −ous will be used.
• The second name of oxyacid is acid.

Answer to Problem 11STP

The two different oxyacids are nitric acid $\left({\text{HNO}}_{\text{3}}\right)$ and nitrous acid $\left({\text{HNO}}_{\text{2}}\right)$. In oxyacids, the suffix “−ic” indicates the larger number of oxygen atoms whereas suffix “−ous” indicates the lower number of oxygen atoms.

Explanation of Solution

The two different oxyacids that contain hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen are nitric acid $\left({\text{HNO}}_{\text{3}}\right)$ and nitrous acid $\left({\text{HNO}}_{\text{2}}\right)$. These two oxyacids can be distinguished by number of oxygen atoms. In nitric acid $\left({\text{HNO}}_{\text{3}}\right)$, suffix “−ic” indicates the higher number of oxygen atoms. In nitrous acid $\left({\text{HNO}}_{\text{2}}\right)$, suffix “−ous” indicates the lower number of oxygen atoms.

Conclusion

The two different oxyacids are nitric acid $\left({\text{HNO}}_{\text{3}}\right)$ and nitrous acid $\left({\text{HNO}}_{\text{2}}\right)$. In oxyacids, the suffix “−ic” indicates the larger number of oxygen atoms whereas suffix “−ous” indicates the lower number of oxygen atoms.