MHTCET 15 Apr 2026 Shift 2 Paper

Concept:For oxyacids of the same central atom, acid strength increases as the number of oxygen atoms increases.Explanation:The given acids are oxyacids of chlorine: $\mathrm{HOCl}$, $\mathrm{HClO}_2$, $\mathrm{HClO}_3$, $\mathrm{HClO}_4$.More oxygen atoms pull electron density away from the $\mathrm{O-H}$ bond and better stabilise the conjugate base.Hence, the acid strength order is:$\mathrm{HOCl} < \mathrm{HClO}_2 < \mathrm{HClO}_3 < \mathrm{HClO}_4$.Therefore, the acid with the fewest oxygen atoms is the weakest.Answer:Hypochlorous acid (Option A).