Question

Hydrogen selenide (H2Se) reacts with water according to the following equation.

H2Se + H2O → SeH– + H3O+

Identify the acid, base, conjugate acid, and conjugate base in this reaction

(4 points)
H2Se is a(n)



H2O is a(n)


SeH– is a(n)

H3O+ is a(n)

Answer 1

In the reaction you provided:

\[ \text{H}_2\text{Se} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{SeH}^- + \text{H}_3\text{O}^+ \]

we can identify the following:

1. **H2Se is a(n)**: Acid (specifically, it acts as a Brønsted-Lowry acid because it donates a proton, H⁺).

2. **H2O is a(n)**: Base (it acts as a Brønsted-Lowry base because it accepts a proton, H⁺).

3. **SeH– is a(n)**: Conjugate base (it is the species formed when H₂Se donates a proton).

4. **H3O+ is a(n)**: Conjugate acid (it is the species formed when H₂O accepts a proton).

So, to summarize:
- H2Se is an acid.
- H2O is a base.
- SeH– is a conjugate base.
- H3O+ is a conjugate acid.