Question

Assertion: Separation of Zr and Hf is difficult.
Reason: Because Zr and Hf lie in the same group of the periodic table.

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

Answer 1

The correct option is A Both assertion and reason are true, and reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.

These elements have similar radii or size and given that these transition metals can exhibit variable oxidation state, they tend to have nearly similar chemical properties as well. This makes it doubly hard to separate the two! Hence both the assertion as well as the reason are correct and the reason sufficiently explains the assertion!