Question

(a) Complete the following chemical reaction equations:

(i) AgCl(s) + NH₃(aq) →

(ii) P₄(s) + NaOH(aq) + H₂O(l) →

(b) Explain the following observations:
(i) H₂S is less acidic than H₂Te
(ii) Fluorine is a stronger oxidising agent than chlorine
(iii) Noble gases are the least reactive elements

Answer 1

(a) (i) AgCl + 2NH3 → [Ag (NH₃)₂]⁺Cl^–

(ii) P₄+ 3NaOH + 3H₂O → PH₃ + 3NaH₂PO₂

(b) (i) This is because bond dissociation enthalpy of H–Te bond is less than H–S as the size of Te is larger than S.

(ii) Fluorine is a stronger oxidising agent than chlorine due to low dissociation enthalpy of F–F bond and high hydration enthalpy of F^– ions.

(iii) Noble gases are the least reactive elements due to fully filled outermost shells and zero electron gain enthalpy.