(a) Arrange the hydrides of group 16 in increasing order of the acidic character. Justify your answer. (b) Draw structure of `XeOF_(4)`.

Explanation

(a) `H_(2)O lt H_(2)S lt H_(2)Se lt H_(2)Te`. This increase in acid strength can be easily explained on the basis of their bond dissociation energy. As the atomic size increases down the group, the bond length increases and hence the bond strength decreases. Consequently the cleavage of E-H bond becomes easier. As a result, the tendency to release hydrogen as proton increases.