MHT CET Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution

Step-by-step solution

The given acids are oxoacids of chlorine. The chemical formulas and oxidation states of chlorine in these acids are: Hypochlorous acid: HClO (Oxidation state of Cl = +1) Chlorous acid: HClO_2 (Oxidation state of Cl = +3) Chloric acid: HClO_3 (Oxidation state of Cl = +5) Perchloric acid: HClO_4 (Oxidation state of Cl = +7) The acidic strength of oxoacids of the same halogen increases with an increase in the oxidation number of the halogen atom. This is because a higher oxidation state of the central atom leads to greater polarization of the O-H bond, making it easier to release an H^+ ion. Alternatively, the stability of the conjugate base increases with the number of oxygen atoms due to greater resonance stabilization. Thus, the order of acidic strength is HClO Hypochlorous acid is the weakest acid among the given options.