Question

The atomic number of sulfur is 16. Sulfur combines with hydrogen by covalent bonding to form a compound, hydrogen sulfide. Based on the electron configuration of sulfur, we can predict that the molecular formula of the compound will be:

A. HS
B. HS₂
C. H₂S
D. H₃S₂
E. H₄S

Answer 1

Answer: Option C. H₂S

Explanation: sulphur combines with hydrogen according to the equation

S + H2 —>H2S

Sulphur needs two electrons to attain its octet structure and hydrogen needs one electron to attain its duplet structure. During bonding, sulphur share one electron each with two atoms of Hydrogen to produce hydrogen sulphide (H2S)