Chapter 6, Problem 6.15P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

It is to be determined which acid between ${\text{CH}}_{\text{4}}$ and ${\text{PH}}_{\text{3}}$ is stronger.

Concept introduction:

As the atomic size of an element increases, its capacity to hold the negative charge increases. When two elements in the periodic table are compared, then the element that resides down and to the right in the periodic table accommodates the negative charge better than the element on the at the top and to the left. The least stable the conjugate base, the weaker is the acid.