Binary acids show a trend where acidity increases left to right across a row due to what property?

Binary acids show a trend where acidity increases left to right across a row due to what property?

• A. Acidity increases up a column as atoms get smaller.
• B. Acidity increases left to right across a row because the atoms get more electronegative.
• C. Acidity decreases left to right.
• D. Acidity is unaffected by electronegativity.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that binary acid strength hinges on how stable the conjugate base is after proton donation. As you move across a row, the non-hydrogen atom becomes more electronegative, which helps stabilize the negative charge on the conjugate base (the X− ion) once the proton is removed. This stabilization makes dissociation easier and the acid stronger. The increasing electronegativity also makes the H−X bond more polar, further promoting ionization. So acidity rises left to right across the row because the atoms get more electronegative.

The main idea is that binary acid strength hinges on how stable the conjugate base is after proton donation. As you move across a row, the non-hydrogen atom becomes more electronegative, which helps stabilize the negative charge on the conjugate base (the X− ion) once the proton is removed. This stabilization makes dissociation easier and the acid stronger. The increasing electronegativity also makes the H−X bond more polar, further promoting ionization. So acidity rises left to right across the row because the atoms get more electronegative.