Identify the correct order of thermal stability of hydrides of 16 group elements from the following.

Step-by-step solution

The thermal stability of Group 16 element hydrides is determined by the E–H bond strength, where E represents the central atom. Bond strength decreases down the group due to increasing atomic size, which lengthens the bond and lowers the bond dissociation enthalpy. Weaker bonds dissociate more readily, reducing thermal stability. The Group 16 elements in order of increasing atomic size are O H–S > H–Se > H–Te, and thermal stability follows the same decreasing order: H ₂ O > H ₂ S > H ₂ Se > H ₂ Te . Expressed in in