Question

An element X reacts with hydrogen, when heated, to form a covalent hydride H₂X. If H₂X has a smell of rotten eggs, the element X is likely to be ______.

Options

• carbon

• sulphur

• chlorine

• phosphorus

Answer 1

An element X reacts with hydrogen, when heated, to form a covalent hydride H₂X. If H₂X has a smell of rotten eggs, the element X is likely to be sulphur.

Explanation:

When sulphur is heated with hydrogen, it forms a covalent hydride known as hydrogen sulphide (H₂S). This gas has a highly distinctive, foul odour resembling rotten eggs. The chemical equation representing this specific interaction is:

\[\ce{H2 + S -> H2S}\]