WHY IS H- [HYDEOGEN ANION] UNSTABLE ?
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because the other atom has the electron less often it is less with a single positive charge
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Let's first think about it this way. A H+ ion will contain no electrons while a H- electron will contain more than 1 electrons. I would say 2 electrons probably.
The amount of electrostatic repulsion from H- is just staggering. To give you an idea of the size, the electrostatic radius of H- (hydride) is about the size of methane. THAT'S HUGE!!!
This is because the proton in the hydrogen atom can only stabilize 1 electron. As a result, having 2 electrons is a recipe for an extremely reactive base.
Regarding the H+ ion, since it will only exist almost always (or always) in solution, it can be stabilized by other ions with a negative charge (e.g. HO-, Cl-). It also does not have the same ridiculous electrostatic repulsion brought on by two electrons.
Hence, you will find that the H+ ion is much more common than the H- ion.
The amount of electrostatic repulsion from H- is just staggering. To give you an idea of the size, the electrostatic radius of H- (hydride) is about the size of methane. THAT'S HUGE!!!
This is because the proton in the hydrogen atom can only stabilize 1 electron. As a result, having 2 electrons is a recipe for an extremely reactive base.
Regarding the H+ ion, since it will only exist almost always (or always) in solution, it can be stabilized by other ions with a negative charge (e.g. HO-, Cl-). It also does not have the same ridiculous electrostatic repulsion brought on by two electrons.
Hence, you will find that the H+ ion is much more common than the H- ion.
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