Describe how the weak monoprotic acid hydrofluoric acid, HF (used in aluminum processing) acts when it is added to water, including a description of the nature of the particles in solution before and after the reaction with water. If there is a reversible reaction with water, describe the forward and the reverse reactions

HF, Hydrofluoric acid happens to be a weak acid and as we know that a weak acid is partially dissociated in water.

So when we dissolve HF in water it would subsequently dissociate into H⁺ and F⁻ions. The solution now would contain hydronium ion that is H + ion.

The solution would also contain dissociated F⁻ ion and solvent H20 molecules.

The following reaction would take place:

HF+H₂O⇆H₃O⁺+F⁻

so the reaction in forward direction is the dissociation of HF into H₃O⁺ (that is H⁺) and F⁻ion.

The backward reaction would be the recombination of H₃O⁺ (that is H⁺) and F⁻ion to give back HF and H₂O