Question #f6709

1 Answer
Jun 4, 2016

See explanation below:

Explanation:

When comparing two acids , we look at their conjugate bases stabilities and compare them.

A strong acid will give a stable conjugate base , so the reaction is favoured in the forward direction (acid dissociation).

For HF:

HF->H^(+)+underbrace(F^(-))_("conjugate base")

For CH_4:

CH_4->H^(+)+underbrace(CH_3^(-))_("conjugate base")

Looking at both conjugate bases, we can see that the negative charge is carried by fluorine for F^(-) and by the carbon atom of CH_3^(-).

Since fluorine is a more electronegative than carbon atom, the negative charge will be more stabilized on fluorine and thus F^(-) is a more stable conjugate base than CH_3^(-).

Therefore, HF is a stronger acid than CH_4.