Hydrogen selenide, also known as selenoethane or selenhydric acid, is a chemical compound with the formula H2Se. It is a colorless gas with a foul odor, similar to that of hydrogen sulfide. H2Se is an important compound in the field of semiconductor materials and is also used in the production of metal selenides.

The chemical equation for the formation of H2Se can be represented as:

Input interpretation:

H2 + Se → H2Se

This equation shows that hydrogen gas (H2) reacts with selenium (Se) to form hydrogen selenide (H2Se).

Balanced Chemical Equation:

To balance the chemical equation for this reaction, we need to ensure that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation. This can be done by following the steps below:

Step 1: Write the unbalanced equation for the reaction:

H2 + Se → H2Se

Step 2: Assign stoichiometric coefficients (c) to each of the reactants and products:

c1H2 + c2Se → c3H2Se

Step 3: Write down the number of atoms of each element in the reactants and products:

H: 2c1 = c3

Se: c2 = c3

Step 4: Choose an arbitrary value for one of the coefficients. Let's choose c1 = 1.

Step 5: Use the system of equations to solve for the remaining coefficients:

c1 = 1

c2 = 1

c3 = 1

Step 6: Substitute the coefficients into the chemical equation to obtain the balanced equation:

H2 + Se → H2Se

The balanced equation shows that one molecule of hydrogen gas reacts with one atom of selenium to form one molecule of hydrogen selenide.

Oxidation-Reduction Reaction

The reaction between hydrogen and selenium is an example of an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction. This is because electrons are transferred from one reactant to another. In this case, selenium is reduced because it gains electrons, while hydrogen is oxidized because it loses electrons. The balanced equation for the redox reaction can be written as:

Se0 + 2 H0 → H2Se + 2 e-

This equation shows that selenium is reduced from its elemental state (Se0) to Se-II, while hydrogen is oxidized from its elemental state (H0) to HI. The electrons that are lost by hydrogen are gained by selenium to form the H2Se molecule.

In conclusion, the chemical equation for the formation of hydrogen selenide (H2Se) is H2 + Se → H2Se. This equation can be balanced by ensuring that the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides of the equation. The reaction between hydrogen and selenium is an example of an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction, where selenium is reduced and hydrogen is oxidized.