Question

How do non-metals react with hydrogen? Explain with an example.

Answer 1

Non-metals react with hydrogen to form covalent hydrides. The non-metal hydrides are formed by the sharing of electrons; that is, non-metal hydrides are formed by covalent bonding.

Sulphur is a non-metal which combines with hydrogen to form a covalent hydride called hydrogen sulphide (H₂S).

\[\ce{\underset{Hydrogen}{H2_{(g)}} + \underset{(Non-metal)}{\underset{Sulphur}{S_{(I)}}} -> \underset{(Covalent hydride)}{\underset{Hydrogen sulphide}{H2S_{(g)}}}}\]

Hydrogen sulphide gas has a characteristic odour resembling rotten eggs.