Borderline hydrides
Borderline hydrides are like toys that some kids can play with while others can't. Just like how some toys may be too advanced for some kids to play with, some elements may not easily combine with hydrogen to form hydrides. The elements that can easily combine with hydrogen are called "non-borderline elements," and those that have a harder time are called "borderline elements."
So what makes an element borderline? Well, just like how some kids may need a bit of help to understand how to use a toy, borderline elements need certain conditions to form hydrides. Specifically, they need a certain amount of electronegativity and electron affinity.
Electronegativity is like how much an element likes to hog electrons. Some elements, like fluorine, really like to take electrons from other atoms, while others, like cesium, don't really care. Electron affinity is like how much an element wants more electrons. Elements with high electron affinity really want more electrons, while those with low electron affinity don't care as much.
So when a borderline element combines with hydrogen, it's like two kids trying to share a toy. If the two kids both really want to play with the toy, they might have a hard time sharing it, but if one kid is okay with letting the other have the toy for a bit, they can play together happily. In the same way, if a borderline element has a high electronegativity and electron affinity, it might have trouble sharing electrons with hydrogen. But if it has lower values for these properties, it can combine with hydrogen to form a hydride.
Examples of borderline elements that can form hydrides include boron, carbon, and silicon. These elements have some characteristics of non-metallic elements and some of metallic elements, so they can have a hard time combining with hydrogen. But with the right conditions, they can still form hydrides and have lots of fun playing together!
So what makes an element borderline? Well, just like how some kids may need a bit of help to understand how to use a toy, borderline elements need certain conditions to form hydrides. Specifically, they need a certain amount of electronegativity and electron affinity.
Electronegativity is like how much an element likes to hog electrons. Some elements, like fluorine, really like to take electrons from other atoms, while others, like cesium, don't really care. Electron affinity is like how much an element wants more electrons. Elements with high electron affinity really want more electrons, while those with low electron affinity don't care as much.
So when a borderline element combines with hydrogen, it's like two kids trying to share a toy. If the two kids both really want to play with the toy, they might have a hard time sharing it, but if one kid is okay with letting the other have the toy for a bit, they can play together happily. In the same way, if a borderline element has a high electronegativity and electron affinity, it might have trouble sharing electrons with hydrogen. But if it has lower values for these properties, it can combine with hydrogen to form a hydride.
Examples of borderline elements that can form hydrides include boron, carbon, and silicon. These elements have some characteristics of non-metallic elements and some of metallic elements, so they can have a hard time combining with hydrogen. But with the right conditions, they can still form hydrides and have lots of fun playing together!