Answer:
The formula for selenic acid is H2SeO4.
Step-by-step explanation:
Selenic acid is an oxoacid of selenium, which means that it contains selenium and oxygen atoms bonded together in a compound that also contains hydrogen atoms. The selenate ion, which has the formula SeO42-, is an ion that contains selenium and oxygen atoms bonded together. Based on these facts, we can predict that the formula for selenic acid will contain selenium, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms.
To determine the specific ratio of atoms in the formula for selenic acid, we can look at the valences of the elements involved. The valence of an element is the number of bonds it can form with other atoms. Selenium has a valence of 6, oxygen has a valence of 2, and hydrogen has a valence of 1.
Since selenium has a valence of 6, it can bond with 6 oxygen atoms. This means that selenic acid will contain at least one selenium atom bonded to 6 oxygen atoms. In addition, selenic acid will contain hydrogen atoms, which can bond with oxygen atoms. Based on these considerations, we can predict that the formula for selenic acid will be H2SeO4, which contains one selenium atom bonded to 6 oxygen atoms and 2 hydrogen atoms.