Arrange the following hydrides of group 16 elements in order of increasing stability.

Options

A. `H_(2)S lt H_(2)O lt H_(2) Te gt H_(2)Se`
B. `H_(2)O lt H_(2)Te lt H_(2)Se lt H_(2)S`
C. `H_(2)O lt H_(2)S lt H_(2)Se lt H_(2)Te`
D. `H_(2)Te lt H_(2)Se lt H_(2)S lt H_(2)O`

Explanation

To arrange the hydrides of group 16 elements in order of increasing stability, we need to analyze the stability of each hydride based on the properties of the elements involved. The hydrides in question are H2O (water), H2S (hydrosulfuric acid), H2Se (hydroselenic acid), and H2Te (hydrotelluric acid).

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Hydrides**: The hydrides of group 16 elements we are considering are:
- H2O (water)
- H2S (hydrosulfuric acid)
- H2Se (hydroselenic acid)
- H2Te (hydrotelluric acid)

2. **Understand the Trend in Stability**: As we move down the group from oxygen to tellurium, the size of the atoms increases. This increase in atomic size leads to a decrease in the effective nuclear charge experienced by the bonding electrons, which results in weaker M-H bonds (where M is the group 16 element).

3. **Assess the Stability of Each Hydride**:
- **H2O**: Water is highly stable due to the strong O-H bonds.
- **H2S**: The stability decreases compared to H2O, but H2S is still relatively stable.
- **H2Se**: The stability further decreases as we move to selenium.
- **H2Te**: This hydride is the least stable among the four due to the larger size of tellurium and weaker Te-H bonds.

4. **Order of Stability**: Based on the analysis, we can arrange the hydrides in order of increasing stability:
- H2Te < H2Se < H2S < H2O

5. **Final Arrangement**: Therefore, the order of increasing stability of the hydrides is:
- H2Te < H2Se < H2S < H2O

### Conclusion:
The correct order of increasing stability of the hydrides of group 16 elements is:
H2Te < H2Se < H2S < H2O