Acids

Related Examples and Practice Problems

Additional Worked Out Examples/ Practice

  • Identifying classification types: Differentiation between elements, compounds or mixtures and homogeneous and heterogenous mixtures

  • Separation techniques: Selected and explaining limitation of appropriate separation

  • Relating Properties to Composition: Predicting classification based on descriptive properties

    and more …

Topic Summary & Highlights
and Help Videos

Core Concept

Acids that do NOT contain oxygen (Binary acids) 

hydro______ic acid

The acid name comes from the root name of the anion name. The prefix hydro- and the suffix -ic are then added to the root name of the anion. 

Examples:

  • HBr (aq) → hydrobromic acid

  • HI (aq) → hydroiodic acid

  • H₂S (aq) → hydrosulfuric acid

Acid that DO contain oxygen (Oxyacids):

 ______ic acid      or        _______ous acid      or       hypo ______ous acid

⚠️ You need to know your polyatomic ions well. See list here for reference.

Suffixes are used based on the ending of the original name of the oxyanion. If the name of the polyatomic anion ends with: -ate, change it to -ic for the acid

-ite, change it to -ous in the acid  … if contains 1 fewer oxygen than “-ate” ion

-ite, change to hypo___ous acid … if contains 2 fewer oxygen than “-ate” ion

Examples:

  • H₂SO₄ (sulfate is SO₄²⁻) → sulfuric acid

  • H₂SO₃ (sulfite is SO₃²⁻) → sulfurous acid

  • HNO₃ (nitrate is NO₃⁻) → nitric acid

  • HNO₂ (nitrite is NO₂⁻) → nitrous acid

  • Note: Oxyacids do not use the “hydro-” prefix.

Practice Tips

  • Memorize Common Polyatomic Ions: Knowing these will make naming oxyacids easier.

  • Practice with the Endings: Remember, “-ate” becomes “-ic” and “-ite” becomes “-ous.”

  • Watch for Binary Acids: Recognize binary acids by the “hydro-” prefix.

 LABORATORY 

 DEMONSTRATIONS 

 ACTIVITIES 

 VIRTUAL SIMULATIONS 

Video Resources