Hydrobromic Acid Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

Hydrogen (H) has unique kind properties that are not like some other component on our planet, close to 66% of our Universe’s mass is made out of this unique component. It is both electropositive as well as electronegative, as it structures hydrogen particles (H⁺)as well as hydride particles (H^–) Hydrogen compounds are the main oxidants for some synthetic substances in the air and are associated with the patterns of numerous substance families. Hydrogen is utilized to make ammonia (NH₃). Br is the compound name of Bromine and is essential to the periodic table. The bromine substance Br₂ is a rosy earthy colored fluid natural liquid and is never ordinarily found in its basic design yet rather in inorganic mixtures called bromides and in organo-bromine compounds. These are ordinarily found in soils, salts, air, and seawater.

What is Hydrobromic acid?

Hydrobromic acid is a diatomic molecule that consists of hydrogen and bromine atoms. It has a covalent bond between hydrogen and bromine. It is also known as Hydrogen bromide with the chemical formula HBr. 

It is a very strong acid as the covalent bond between them can be easily ionized due to the high electronegativity of the Bromine atom. It is stronger than hydrochloric acid. The chemical or molecular formula of Hydrobromic Acid is HBr.

The Hydrobromic acid is formed by combining the 1 molecule of Hydrogen and Bromine gas to from 2 molecules of it as,

H₂  +  Br₂   ⇢  2HBr

Structure of Hydrobromic acid

This is a diatomic molecule with a single covalent bond that connects the bromine and hydrogen atoms. Because of Br’s high electronegativity, this bond can easily ionise (releasing H⁺). As a result, HBr is a very powerful acid.

Preparation of Hydrobromic acid

• Hydrobromic acid can be prepared by the reaction of bromine, sulfur dioxide, and water, which gives sulfuric acid as a by-product.

Br₂ + SO₂ + 2 H₂O → H₂SO₄ + 2 HBr

• Hydrobromic acid can also be prepared by reacting diluted sulfuric acid with potassium bromide.

H₂SO₄ + KBr → KHSO₄ + HBr

Physical Properties of Hydrobromic Acid

• The molecular weight of Hydrobromic acid is 80.91 g/mol.
• The Density of Hydrobromic acid is 1.49 g/cm³.
• The Boiling point of Hydrobromic acid is 122 °C and the Melting point of Hydrobromic acid is −11 °C.
• The pKa value of HBr acid is –9. It is a colorless or very pale yellow liquid. 
• In its anhydrous form, it appears as a colorless gas and it has a pungent odour like smell. 
• In its aqueous form, it appears as a colorless to faint yellow liquid and has an acrid odour. 
• It is corrosive and a strong mineral acid. It is obtained by dissolving the diatomic molecule i.e hydrogen bromide in water.

Chemical Properties of Hydrobromic Acid

• Hydrobromic acid is a very strong acid and it is a stronger acid than hydrochloric acid. It reacts with bases to form bromide salts. Hydrobromic acid is highly reactive and corrosive to most metals. Hydrobromic acid when reacted with sulfuric acid gives sulfur dioxide, bromine, and water.

2HBr + H₂SO₄ → Br₂ + SO₂2+ 2H₂O

• Hydrobromic acid when reacted with propene gives 2-Bromopropane. 

HBr + C₃H₆ → C₃H₇Br

Uses of Hydrobromic Acid

• It is used in industries for the production of various useful inorganic bromides and organobromine compounds, such as zinc bromide, allyl bromide, and bromoacetic acid. 
• It is also used as a common reagent in organic chemistry used for oxidation and catalysis. 
• It is used in the extraction of certain metal ores.

Sample Questions

Question 1: Is hydrobromic acid an acid or base? 

Answer:

Hydrobromic acid is a strong acid because it is a highly corrosive or reactive to many of the metals.

Question 2: What are the health hazards of hydrobromic acid?

Answer:

It can cause severe tissue damage. By inhaling his it can irritate and damage eyes, mucous membranes and the respiratory system. Eye or skin contact of the acid can cause severe burns.

Question 3: Is Hydrobromic acid soluble in water?

Answer: 

As it is a strong base it can  easily dissolves in water giving hydrogen and bromine.

HBr + H₂O  →   H₂O⁺ +  Br ^–

Question 4: What happens when hydrobromic acid reacted with metals

Answer: 

When hydrobromic acid reacted with metals it releases hydrogen gas.

Zn + 2HBr  → ZnBr₂ + H₂

Mg +2HBr → MgBr₂ + H₂

Question 5: What happens when hydrobromic acid reacts with a metal oxide or hydroxide?

Answer: 

When it reacts with metal oxide or hydroxide to form salt and water.

NaOH + HBr → NaBr₂+ H₂O

MgO + 2HBr→  MgBr₂ + H₂O

Ca(OH)₂ +2HBr  → CaBr₂+ 2H₂O