What is the Difference Between Hydrogen Bromide and Hydrobromic Acid?

The main difference between hydrogen bromide and hydrobromic acid lies in their physical states and solubility in water. Here are the key points:

• Hydrogen bromide (HBr) is a simple inorganic compound with the chemical formula HBr. It is a diatomic molecular compound and can be categorized as a hydrogen halide. In its pure form, hydrogen bromide is a colorless gas with an acrid odor.
• Hydrobromic acid is the aqueous form of hydrogen bromide. When hydrogen bromide is dissolved in water, it forms hydrobromic acid. Hydrobromic acid is a strong acid, stronger than hydrochloric acid but less acidic than hydroiodic acid.
• Hydrogen bromide is soluble in water, alcohol, and some other organic solvents. It is highly water-soluble, and when it dissolves in water, it forms hydrobromic acid.

In summary, hydrogen bromide is a colorless gas with the chemical formula HBr, while hydrobromic acid is the aqueous form of hydrogen bromide, formed when HBr is dissolved in water. Both compounds are used mainly for the production of inorganic bromides, especially the bromides of zinc, calcium, and sodium.

Comparative Table: Hydrogen Bromide vs Hydrobromic Acid

Here is a table summarizing the differences between hydrogen bromide and hydrobromic acid:

The key difference between hydrogen bromide and hydrobromic acid is that hydrogen bromide is an inorganic compound made up of hydrogen and bromine, while hydrobromic acid is the aqueous form of hydrogen bromide, meaning it has dissolved in water to become an acid.