Question

Use patterns in the periodic table to explain why the substances you identified acted as the acid and the base in this reaction.

Answer 1

Answer and explanation

H2Se is an acid because it can lose the hydrogen ion, H2Se is an acidic hydride because it is found on the right of the periodic table, in vertical row of the periodic table, acidity usually increases with increasing atomic number.

H2O is a base because it can accept the hydrogen ion, this is a hydride found on the left side of the periodic table. Base strength inreases as you go up the periodic table, also increases as you go from group 7 to 4, as the groups decrease. The opposite occurs with acids.