Question

the basic character of the hydrides of group 15 elements decreases with increase in atomic no. why?

Answer 1

Hybrides of group are lewis base as there is a lone pair of electron on the group 15 electrons in their hybrides . As the atomic number of central atom increases,the lone pair of one electron occupies a greater volume and its tendency to donate a pair of electrons decreases and hence its basic strength decreases with increase in atomic number.