Question

Give reason:

(i) BiH₃, is the strongest reducing agent amongst all the hydrides of group.

(ii) N₂ is less reactive at room temperature.

Answer 1

(i) As we move down a group, the atomic size increases and the stability of the hydrides of group 15 elements decreases. Since the stability of hydrides decreases on moving from NH₃ to BiH₃, the reducing character of the hydrides increases on moving from NH₃ to BiH₃

(ii) The two N atoms in N₂ are bonded to each other by very strong triple covalent bonds. The bond dissociation energy of this bond is very high. As a result, N₂ is less reactive at room temperature.