What is NOT true about the given chemical reaction,

HF(aq) + H2O(l)
⇌
F-(aq) + H3O+(aq)

Question

What is NOT true about the given chemical reaction,

HF(aq) + H2O(l) 
⇌
 F-(aq) + H3O+(aq)

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

First, let's restate the given information and the reaction in question to set the stage for evaluation. The reaction shown is HF(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ F-(aq) + H3O+(aq). This is a typical acid-base equilibrium where HF is the weak acid and water acts as a base.

Now, consider the statement provided as the answer: 'H2O is an acid and F- is its conjugate base.'

- On the role of H2O: In this reaction, water donates a lone pair to HF, leading to the formation of F- and H3O+. This behavior characterizes water acting as a base (a Bronsted-Lowry base), not as an acid. As an acid, water would have to donate a proton to something else, which is not what occurs here.

- On the identity of F-: F- is the conjugate base of HF, not the conjugate base of water. When HF donates a proton to water, HF becomes F-, which is indeed the conjugate base of HF. The conjugate base of water (in this reaction) would be OH-, which is not formed in this system; instead, hydronium (H3O+) is formed when water acts as a base and accepts a proton.

- Summarizing the logical flaw: The statement incorrectly assigns acid-base roles to the species in this equilibrium. Water is acting as a base (it accepts a proton from HF to form H3O+), and F- is the conjugate base of HF (not the conjugate base of water). Therefore, the statement 'H2O is an acid and F- is its conjugate base' is not true in the context of this reaction.

If there were additional answer choices, a similar line-by-line check would be applied to each: identify the actual acid-base roles in the equilibrium, compare them to the proposed statements, and explain why each alternative is either consistent with or inconsistent with the observed proton transfer.

CHM-1020-LD01.2025SU Exam 2

What is NOT true about the given chemical reaction, HF(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ F-(aq) + H3O+(aq)

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

In the reaction, HSO4– + HS– ⇌ H2S + SO42–, which one of the sets below lists both of the acid species involved in the equilibrium?

Let's assume that an arginine side chain has a pKa of exactly 12. Which one of the following best represents the deprotonated:protonated ratio at a pH of 11?

Imagine that we are using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation, as we frequently saw it written, to understand the protonation status of an alpha-amino group. Which one of the following best describes what [A-] represents when we're thinking about our alpha-amino group?

At what pH is a functional group expected to be ~90% deprotonated if its pKa is 4?

If a functional group has a pKa of 3, then what is the (approximate) likelihood that this functional group will be protonated at pH 5?

What is the approximate predicted level of bicarbonate for well water that has a pH of 8.0?

In an acidic solution at 25°C, which of the following is not true?

In a buffer solution, if [A−] = [HA], which of the following must be true?

More Practical Tools for International Students

Homework AI Solver

Stylized Writing Assistant

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation Assistant

In-Class Translation Assistant

Class Notes Assistant

Quiz Search Assistant

Past Exam Questions by School

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler