Hydrogen selenide (H2Se) reacts with water according to the following equation. In three to five sentences, identify the acid, base, conjugate acid, and conjugate base in this reaction. Use the periodic table to explain why each substance acted as the acid or the base in this reaction.

Answer 1

In the reaction of hydrogen selenide (H₂Se) with water, H₂Se acts as the acid, while water (H₂O) acts as the base. When H₂Se donates a proton (H⁺) to water, it forms hydroselenide ions (HSe⁻), which is the conjugate base of H₂Se. Water, after accepting the proton, is transformed into the hydronium ion (H₃O⁺), which serves as the conjugate acid.

The behavior of these substances can be explained using the periodic table: hydrogen is less electronegative than selenium, which allows H₂Se to readily donate a proton. Water, being a polar molecule with oxygen's high electronegativity, makes it a suitable base to accept a proton, reflecting its ability to stabilize the positive charge on the hydronium ion that forms after the reaction.