HF forms two series of salts but HCl does not. — p Block Elements Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Hydrolysis of silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4) involves the nucleophilic attack of water molecules on the silicon atom, which has vacant 3d-orbitals to accept electron pairs. Step 2: Chlorine atoms are successively replaced by hydroxyl groups, leading to the formation of orthosilicic acid: SiCl4 + 4H2O -> Si(OH)4 + 4HCl. Step 3: Si(OH)4 is silicic acid, which corresponds to option (b).