HBr is mixed with water. Which is the best
description of what you would expect to find
in the solution?
1. H3O+, Br1−, and water molecules
2. HBr molecules, H3O+, Br1−, and water
molecules
3. Br+, OH1−, and water molecules
4. HBr molecules and water molecules
5. H2Br+, OH1−, and water molecules
6. Br1−, OH1−, and water molecules
H3O+, Br1−, and water molecules
When HBr (hydrogen bromide) is mixed with water, it undergoes a process known as ionization. This means that HBr molecules dissociate or break apart into ions in water. Based on this information, the best description of what you would expect to find in the solution is:
2. HBr molecules, H3O+ (hydronium ions), Br1− (bromide ions), and water molecules.
To determine the best description of what you would expect to find in the solution when HBr is mixed with water, let's break down the process and understand the behavior of HBr and water molecules.
HBr is an acid, and when it is mixed with water, it dissociates into its ions, H+ and Br-. Water molecules can also act as both acids and bases through self-ionization, creating H3O+ (hydronium) ions and OH- (hydroxide) ions.
Now, let's analyze the options:
1. H3O+, Br1−, and water molecules
This option correctly includes H3O+ ions, Br- ions, and water molecules. When HBr is mixed with water, HBr dissociates into H+ and Br- ions, and water molecules can produce H3O+ and OH- ions through self-ionization. So, this is a valid description.
2. HBr molecules, H3O+, Br1−, and water molecules
This option includes all the relevant components. HBr molecules, H3O+ ions, Br- ions, and water molecules are all present in the solution. Therefore, this is a valid description as well.
3. Br+, OH1−, and water molecules
This option includes Br+ ions, OH- ions, and water molecules. However, HBr does not produce Br+ ions in solution. Hence, this is an inaccurate description.
4. HBr molecules and water molecules
This option only includes HBr and water molecules. While HBr molecules are present in the solution, HBr also dissociates into H+ and Br- ions in water. Therefore, this description is not comprehensive enough and does not include the ions formed.
5. H2Br+, OH1−, and water molecules
This option includes H2Br+ ions, OH- ions, and water molecules. However, HBr does not produce H2Br+ ions in solution. Therefore, this is an inaccurate description.
6. Br1−, OH1−, and water molecules
This option includes Br- ions, OH- ions, and water molecules. While water molecules can produce OH- ions through self-ionization, HBr does not produce Br- ions in solution. Thus, this description is incomplete and inaccurate.
Therefore, the best descriptions are options 1 and 2: "H3O+, Br1−, and water molecules" and "HBr molecules, H3O+, Br1−, and water molecules".