Question

Assertion :Increasing order of covalent character among given compounds is $Hg{Cl}_2<Cd{Cl}_2<Zn{Cl}_2$. Reason: Order of size of cations is ${Zn}^{2+}<{Cd}^{2+}<{Hg}^{2+}$

• A. Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion
• B. Both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion
• C. Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect
• D. Assertion is incorrect but Reason is correct

Answer 1

The correct option is D Assertion is incorrect but Reason is correct

The ionic size increases in the order ${Zn}^{2+}<{Cd}^{2+}<{Hg}^{2+}$.
With increase in the size, the covalent character increases as the effective nuclear charge increases. Zinc chloride and cadmium chloride are ionic in nature whereas mercuric chloride is covalent in nature. Thus, assertion is incorrect but Reason is correct.