Question

Assertion: Both rhombic and monoclinic sulphur exists as $S_8$ but oxygen exists as $O_2$.
Reason: Oxygen forms $p\pi -p\pi$ multiple bonds due to small size and small bond length but $p\pi -p\pi$ bonding is not possible in sulphur.

• A. Assertion is correct but reason is wrong statement
• B. Both assertion and reason are correct statements, but reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
• C. Assertion is wrong but reason is correct statement
• D. Both assertion and reason are wrong statements.
• E. Both assertion and reason are correct statements, and reason is the correct explanation of the assertion

Answer 1

The correct option is E Both assertion and reason are correct statements, and reason is the correct explanation of the assertion

Analysing the assertion

Rhombic sulphur and monoclinic sulphur are allotropes of sulphur that exist as $S_8$, while oxygen exist as $O_2$.

The structure of $S_8$ is puckered and has a crown shape while the structure of $O_2$ is linear.

The assertion is correct as oxygen cannot exist in polyatomic forms like Sulphur.


Analyzing the reason

This is because due to small size of oxygen, it can form $p\pi -p\pi$ multiple bonds but due to larger size of sulphur it cannot form $p\pi -p\pi$ multiple bonds as orbital overlapping will be very weak and thus only single bond is present between sulphur atoms in $S_8$ molecules.

So, the reason is also correct.

Hence, assertion and reason both are correct, and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.

Hence, option (A) is correct.