Rank the following in order of decreasing acid strength: H₂O,H₂S,H₂Se,H₂Te A)H₂Te H₂Se H₂S H₂O B)H₂O H₂S H₂Se H₂Te C)H₂Se H₂Te H₂S H₂O D)H₂S H₂Te H₂Se H₂O E)H₂Se H₂S H₂Te H₂O

Question

Rank the following in order of decreasing acid strength: H₂O,H₂S,H₂Se,H₂Te A)H₂Te > H₂Se > H₂S > H₂O B)H₂O > H₂S > H₂Se > H₂Te C)H₂Se > H₂Te > H₂S > H₂O D)H₂S > H₂Te > H₂Se > H₂O E)H₂Se > H₂S > H₂Te > H₂O

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The strength of the acid depends on the stability of the conjugate base. The larger and more electronegative the atom that accepts the negative charge, the more stable the conjugate base is, and therefore the stronger the acid. In this case, Te is larger and more electronegative than Se, which is larger and more electronegative than S, which is larger and more electronegative than O. Therefore, H₂Te is the strongest acid and H₂O is the weakest acid.

Rank the Following in Order of Decreasing Acid Strength: H2O,H2S,H2Se,H2Te

Rank the Following in Order of Decreasing Acid Strength: H₂O,H₂S,H₂Se,H₂Te