Periodic acid facts for kids
Periodic acid is a special kind of chemical compound and an acid. Think of it like a tiny building block of matter. Its chemical formula can be HIO4 or H5IO6. This means it's made up of hydrogen and periodate ions, which are like tiny charged particles.
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What is Periodic Acid Like?
Periodic acid usually looks like a clear, colorless liquid. It is a very strong oxidizing agent. This means it's good at taking electrons from other chemicals. It's similar to another strong acid called perchloric acid.
If you heat periodic acid, it starts to break apart. It turns into iodine pentoxide, oxygen gas, and water. It doesn't form a different compound called I2O7.
You can find periodic acid in two main forms. When it's mixed with a lot of water (a dilute solution), it's HIO4. When it's more concentrated, it's H5IO6. If you heat the H5IO6 form, it changes into HIO4.
How is Periodic Acid Made?
Scientists make periodic acid by mixing a chemical called a periodate with a strong acid. It's like combining two ingredients to create something new.
What is Periodic Acid Used For?
Periodic acid is a useful tool for scientists. They use it to study the structure of certain organic compounds. It helps them figure out how these complex chemicals are built and arranged.
Related pages
- Perbromic acid
- Sodium perbromate
- Iodic acid
See also
In Spanish: Ácido peryódico para niños
