Chapter 21, Problem 19TE

Are hydrogen sulfide, ${\text{H}}_2\text{S}$ and oxygen, ${\text{O}}_2$ , molecules very different in size or about the same size?

To determine

The size of hydrogen sulfide, ${\text{H}}_2\text{S}$ , and oxygen, ${\text{O}}_2$ , molecules are same or different.

Answer to Problem 19TE

The hydrogen sulfide, ${\text{H}}_2\text{S}$ , and oxygen, ${\text{O}}_2$ , molecules are of the same size.

Explanation of Solution

The sulfur atom is larger than the oxygen atom. But it is not larger than the oxygen molecule, ${\text{O}}_2$ . The molecular mass of

The hydrogen sulfide, ${\text{H}}_2\text{S}$ , is made up of the hydrogen as well as sulfur atoms. The hydrogen atoms are basically small. So, the hydrogen sulfide, ${\text{H}}_2\text{S}$ , and oxygen, ${\text{O}}_2$ , molecules are of a similar size.

Because of this, the hydrogen sulfide can mimic the oxygen molecule in the body. But it cannot work as the oxygen molecule. So, the cells shut down if they try using hydrogen sulfide in place of an oxygen molecule.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the hydrogen sulfide, ${\text{H}}_2\text{S}$ , and oxygen, ${\text{O}}_2$ , molecules are of the same size.