question_answer 1)

What do you expect the nature of hydrides if formed by elements of atomic numbers 15, 19, 23, 44 with dry dihydrogen? Compare their behaviour towards water.

Answer:

Element with Z = 15 is phosphorus. It is a non-metal and forms a covalent hydride. It behaves as a weak base. Element with Z = 19 is potassium, l e., an alkali metal. It is highly electropositive and forms an ionic hydride (KH). It reacts with water and evolves\[{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}\]. Element with Z = 23 is vanadium, i.e., a transition metal. It forms an interstitial hydride \[(V{{H}_{16}})\]. Element with Z = 44 is ruthenium, i.e., a transition metal of group 8. It does not form any hydride.