In this reaction, hydrogen selenide (HSe) is the acid because it donates a proton (H+) to water. Water acts as the base because it accepts the proton from hydrogen selenide. The conjugate acid is water (HOt) because it gains a proton, and the conjugate base is hydrogen selenide (Set) because it loses a proton.
This classification is based on the patterns in the periodic table. Hydrogen is a nonmetal that can act as an acid by donating a proton (H+). Selenium is a nonmetal that is less electronegative than hydrogen, making it more likely to lose the proton and act as a base. Water, being an oxygen-based compound, has a high electronegativity and can easily accept a proton, making it a suitable base in this reaction.
Hydrogen selenide (HSe) reacts with water according to the following equation.
HoSe + H2O -> Set + HOt
In three to five sentences, identify the acid, base, conjugate acid, and conjugate base in this reaction. Use patterns in the periodic table to explain why the substances you identified acted as the acid and the base in this reaction.
1 answer
0 answers