Question

Statement -1 : $Pb{O}_2$ is an oxidising agent and reduced to PbO.
Statement - 2 : Stability of Pb (II) > Pb (IV) on account of inert pair effect.

• A. Statement - l is True, Statement - 2 is True; Statement - 2 is a correct explanation for Stetement - l.
• B. Statement - 1 is True. Statement - 2 is True; Statement - 2 is NOT a correct explanation for Statement - l
• C. Statement - l is True, Statement - 2 is False
• D. Statement - l is False, Statement - 2 is True

Answer 1

The correct option is A Statement - l is True, Statement - 2 is True; Statement - 2 is a correct explanation for Stetement - l.

Statement -1 : $Pb{O}_2$ is an oxidising agent and reduced to $PbO$.

$Pb\left(IV\right)$ in $Pb{O}_2$ gains electrons to form $Pb\left(II\right)$ in $PbO$. Hence it is an oxidizing agent
Statement - 2 : Stability of $Pb\left(II\right)>Pb\left(IV\right)$ on account of the inert pair effect.

The inert pair effect is the tendency of the electrons in the outermost atomic s-orbital to remain un-ionized or unshared in compounds of post-transition metals. That is the reason $Pb{O}_2$ acts as an oxidising agent and readily reduces to $PbO$.