Question

Given below are 2 statements: one Assertion and the other Reason. Which of the following options is correct?
Assertion: Sulphur dioxide and Hydrogen peroxide can act as both oxidising and reducing agents but Nitric acid can act as only an oxidising agent.
Reason: Sulphur and Oxygen can exhibit more than one stable oxidation states while Nitrogen does not.

• A. Assertion is correct but Reason is wrong.
• B. Both Assertion and Reason are wrong.
• C. Both Assertion and Reason are correct.
• D. Assertion is wrong but Reason is correct.

Hint:

The ability of an element to exhibit multiple oxidation states depends on the availability of vacant orbitals for electron participation in bonding. Sulphur and oxygen have more flexible bonding capabilities, allowing multiple oxidation states, while Nitrogen's bonding is more restrictive.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Analyze the assertion.
Sulphur dioxide (SO\(_2\)) and hydrogen peroxide (H\(_2\)O\(_2\)) are known to exhibit both oxidising and reducing properties. SO\(_2\) can act as an oxidising agent when it reacts with oxygen, and as a reducing agent when it reacts with chlorine. Similarly, hydrogen peroxide can act as both an oxidising and reducing agent. However, Nitric acid (HNO\(_3\)) is typically an oxidising agent and does not act as a reducing agent under normal conditions. Thus, the assertion is correct.

Step 2: Analyze the reason.
Sulphur and Oxygen can indeed exhibit multiple oxidation states. Sulphur can exhibit oxidation states ranging from -2 to +6, and Oxygen typically exhibits -2 but can also exhibit other oxidation states in certain compounds. On the other hand, Nitrogen, while it can exhibit multiple oxidation states, does not exhibit as wide a range of oxidation states as Sulphur and Oxygen. Hence, the reason is incorrect.

Step 3: Conclusion.
Therefore, the correct answer is (A) — Assertion is correct, but Reason is wrong.