Question

chlorous acid express your answer as a chemical formula.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall chlorous acid's formula

Chlorous acid is an oxyacid of chlorine. The chlorite ion is $\ce{ClO2^-}$, and in an acid, the cation is $\ce{H^+}$. So to balance the charges, we need one $\ce{H^+}$ for each $\ce{ClO2^-}$.

Step2: Write the formula

Combining $\ce{H^+}$ and $\ce{ClO2^-}$, the formula for chlorous acid is $\ce{HClO2}$.

Answer:

$\ce{HClO2}$