Question

Account for the following :

1. H₂O is a liquid while H₂S is a gas.

2. H₂S is more acidic than H₂O

3. SF₆ is known while SH₆ is not known.

Answer 1

1. There is intermolecular hydrogen bonding in H₂O molecule but there is no hydrogen bonding in H₂S .

2. The S-H bond is weaker than O-H bond because size of S atom is greater than that of O atom. Hence H₂S can dissociate to give H ions in aqueous solution.

3. In the higher oxidation state, S can combine only with highly electronegative elements like F.