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What is the full name of HI?

Published in Chemistry 1 min read

The full name of HI is Hydrogen Iodide.

Hydrogen Iodide (HI) refers to a diatomic molecule formed by the combination of hydrogen and iodine atoms. However, it's important to distinguish between hydrogen iodide as a gas and its aqueous solution. When hydrogen iodide gas is dissolved in water, it forms hydroiodic acid (or hydriodic acid), a strong acid.

Here's a breakdown to clarify the terminology:

  • Hydrogen Iodide (HI): This refers specifically to the gaseous form of the molecule. Under standard conditions, it exists as a gas.

  • Hydroiodic Acid (or Hydriodic Acid): This refers to the aqueous solution of hydrogen iodide. The "hydro-" prefix indicates that it's dissolved in water. Because HI is a strong acid, it completely dissociates in water, meaning it releases H+ ions into the solution.

Therefore, while HI is the chemical formula for hydrogen iodide, context determines whether one is referring to the gas or the aqueous solution (hydroiodic acid).