Why does the acidic character increase from H2O to H2Te while it decreases from O to Te?
Dear Student,
Please find below the solution to the asked query:
The hydrides of group 16 are weakly acidic in character. The acidic character increases down the group.
The increase in acidic character from H2O to H2Te can be explained on the basis of size of the central atom. As the size of central atom increases in the order O < S < Se < Te, the distances between the central atom and hydrogen also increases. As a result of increase in bond lengths, the bond dissociation enthalpy decreases and bond cleavage becomes more and more easy. Therefore, the acidic strength of the hydrides increases down the group.
The second part of your question seems ambiguous and lacks clarity. Individual O and Te atoms can have no acidic character. Kindly check and post the logically valid question in a separate thread.
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