Write the order of thermal stability of the hydrides of group 16 elements.

Explanation

(i) The thermal stability of hydrides of group 16 elements is directly proportional to the bond dissociation enthalpy of H-E bond
(ii) On moving down the group, bond dissociation energy decreases and hence, E-H bond breaks easily.
(iii) Thus, the thermal stability of hydrides of group 16 elements decreases down the group . Hence the order of thermal stability is,
`H_(2)O gt H_(2)S gt H_(2)Se gt H_(2)Te gt H_(2)Po`