Is HF the Strongest Acid?

 HF or hydrofluoric acid is not strong, but it can corrode glass.

In water HF dissociates into H+ and F- ions.

H+ is very small and sneaky, and can react very quickly. That's what makes acids so violent.

Video 1 - Sulfuric acid vs a stainless steel spoon
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HoX0IHIP3HssHC_en9avXJLZn0bePv9R/view?usp=drive_link

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Acid are quickly reacting chemicals, however they are not that quick as shown on some fake videos. The spoon here is made of gallium, which is a more reactive metal

Video 2 - Strong acid vs highly reactive gallium spoon/ fake spoon
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18vBR-auexfU5KyoMXQ7s7xlUKi2BS4lN/view?usp=drive_link

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HF has the pKa of approximately 3. It is not that strong. But it is very toxic, so do not touch it anyways!

However, the other part, the F-, is very agressive, and it can destroy glass!
On the video, note that it acts not that quickly. That's because  the F- is much bigger than H+. But eventually it does the job that H+ cannot do - it breaks even the glassware. Other acids cannot dissolve glass, and can be stored in glass bottles.

Video 3  - HF destroying glass
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZW9tZv88ow1J4WQ-fJA3tXk9qzMgVznf/view?usp=drive_link

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Higher-order thinking task:
1. Ask ChatGPT about the reaction mechanism of the reaction between glass and HF.
2. Read, and understand the answer, and then
3. present it to the class in your own words.