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JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3ph185

HF is the weakest hydrohalic acid in water although the H-F bond is the most polar. The chief reason is

  1. AF is less electronegative than Cl
  2. Bthe H-F bond dissociation enthalpy () is much higher than that of H-Cl (), so ionisation is less favourable
  3. CHF cannot form hydrogen bonds with water
  4. Dthe F- ion is larger than the Cl- ion

Answer: B

Acid strength of HX in water is governed mainly by how easily the H-X bond breaks. The H-F bond is by far the strongest (574 against 431 kJ/mol for H-Cl), so HF ionises only slightly. F is more electronegative than Cl, F- is smaller than Cl-, and HF does form hydrogen bonds with water.
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