Question

The common oxidation states exhibited by VA group elements are:

• A. +3 and +5
• B. +3 and +4
• C. +1 and +3
• D. +3 and -5

Answer 1

The correct option is A +3 and +5

The common oxidation states exhibited by VA group elements are $+3$ and $+5$.

The valence shell electronic configurations of VA group elements are $n{s}^{2}n{p}^3$. This suggests common oxidation states of VA group elements as $+3$, $+5$ and $-3$.

Due to inert pair effect, on moving down the group, the stability of $+3$ oxidation state increases and that of $+5$ oxidation state decreases.

Option A is correct.