Question

Assertion (A): Non-metals are generally good oxidizing agents.

Reason (R): Electron affinity decreases with an increase in the non-metallic character of the elements.

• A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
• B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
• C. A is true and R is false.
• D. A is false and R is true.

Answer 1

The correct option is C

A is true and R is false.

Explanation of the correct option:

Assertion:

• Non-metals are generally characterized by the tendency to accept electrons.
• Oxidizing agents are those that themselves get reduced by accepting electron(s) and oxidizing the other species.
• So, non-metals are good oxidizing agents.

Thus, the Assertion statement is correct.

Reason:

• Electron affinity is the amount of energy released when an electron is added to the isolated gaseous atom in its ground state.
• Non-metallic character is also characterized by the tendency to accept electrons.
• So, with the increase in non-metallic character electron affinity should also increase.

Thus, the given Reason statement is false.

Hence, the correct option is (C).