NEETChemistryClassification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Antimony(V) oxide ( Sb₂O₅ ) is a stronger oxidizing agent than bismuth(V) oxide ( Bi₂O₅ ). Reason (R): The stability of the +5 oxidation state decreases and that of the +3 state increases down Group 15 due to the inert pair effect. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate a
Options
- ABoth (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- BBoth (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- C(A) is true but (R) is false
- D(A) is false but (R) is true
Correct answer
D. (A) is false but (R) is true
Step-by-step solution
Bismuth (Bi) is the heaviest element in Group 15. Due to the strong inert pair effect, the ns^2 electrons in Bi are reluctant to participate in bonding, making its +3 oxidation state much more stable than its +5 state. Because the +5 state of Bi is highly unstable, compounds like Bi₂O₅ readily accept electrons to get reduced to the more stable +3 state ( Bi₂O₃ ). This makes Bi₂O₅ a very strong oxidizing agent, much stronger than Sb₂O₅ . Therefore, Assertion (A) is false. The Reason (R) correctly states the general