Given below are two statements: Statement I: Boron is extremely hard indicating its high lattice energy. Statement II: Boron has highest melting and boiling point compared to its other group members. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below

Step-by-step solution

Boron is extremely hard as it exists as B 12 icosahedral molecular units which accounts for its high lattice energy. So, statement-I is correct. Due to small atomic size boron forms strong covalent bonds with the neighbouring atoms. Thus, boron atoms are closely packed in its solid, thus boron has high melting and boiling points. So, statement-II is also correct.