Question

Write the equations that represent the first and second ionization steps for hydroselenic acid (H2Se) in water. (Use H3O+ instead of H+.) First ionization step:

Answer 1

The equations are

1)
`H_(2)Se+H_(2)O--> H_(3)O^(+)+HSe^(-)`

2)
`HSe^(-) +H_(2)O--> H_(3)O^(+)+Se^(-2)`

Step-by-step explanation:

There are two ionization steps in the dissociation of hydroselenic acid.

In first dissociation the H₂Se loses one proton and forms hydrogen selenide ion as shown below:

`H_(2)Se+H_(2)O--> H_(3)O^(+)+HSe^(-)`

The next step is again removal of a proton from the base formed above.

`HSe^(-) +H_(2)O--> H_(3)O^(+)+Se^(-2)`