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Question

March List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:

List I

(Element)

List II

(Highest Valency)

A. Sulfur

1. Five

B. Phosphorous

2. Six

C. Lead

3. Two

D. Silver

4. Four

This question was previously asked in
NDA I 2016 GAT Previous Year Paper (17-Apr-2016)
The correct answer is

A – 2, B – 1, C – 4, D – 3

Matching Elements with Their Highest Valency

This question asks us to match elements from List I with their highest common valencies from List II. Valency represents the combining capacity of an element with other elements. The highest valency an element can exhibit is often related to its group number in the periodic table and the total number of valence electrons it can potentially use for bonding.

Let's analyze each element in List I and determine its typical or highest valency:

  • Sulfur (S): Sulfur is in Group 16 of the periodic table. It commonly shows valencies of 2, 4, and 6. The highest valency sulfur can exhibit is 6, such as in sulfuric acid (\(H_2SO_4\)) or sulfur hexafluoride (\(SF_6\)).
  • Phosphorus (P): Phosphorus is in Group 15 of the periodic table. It commonly forms compounds with valencies of 3 and 5, such as in phosphine (\(PH_3\)) and phosphorus pentoxide (\(P_4O_{10}\)). The highest valency is 5.
  • Lead (Pb): Lead is in Group 14 of the periodic table. It is a post-transition metal and typically shows valencies of 2 and 4. Lead(IV) compounds exist, such as lead dioxide (\(PbO_2\)) and lead tetrachloride (\(PbCl_4\)), although lead(II) is often more stable. The highest common valency is 4.
  • Silver (Ag): Silver is in Group 11 of the periodic table. It is a transition metal but most commonly exhibits a valency of 1, such as in silver nitrate (\(AgNO_3\)). Higher valencies are rare and less stable.

Now let's match these highest valencies to the options in List II:

  • Sulfur (S) has a highest valency of 6. This matches option 2 in List II. So, A matches 2.
  • Phosphorus (P) has a highest valency of 5. This matches option 1 in List II. So, B matches 1.
  • Lead (Pb) has a highest valency of 4. This matches option 4 in List II. So, C matches 4.
  • Silver (Ag) has a highest valency of 1. This matches option 3 in List II. So, D matches 3.

Based on this analysis, the correct matching is A - 2, B - 1, C - 4, D - 3.

Let's present this matching in a table format:

List I (Element) Highest Valency Matches List II Option
A. Sulfur (S) 6 2. Six
B. Phosphorous (P) 5 1. Five
C. Lead (Pb) 4 4. Four
D. Silver (Ag) 1 3. Two (Note: The list provides "Two" but the element Silver typically exhibits valency 1. Assuming "Two" is a typo in List II and should correspond to an element with valency 2, let's re-check the expected matching based on the options. The option that matches our derived mapping (A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3) seems consistent, implying perhaps the List II label "Two" for option 3 is the intended match for Silver, even though Silver's typical valency is 1. However, valency 1 is not explicitly listed in List II. Let's re-examine the given options. Option 2 gives A – 2, B – 1, C – 4, D – 3. This perfectly matches our derivation for A, B, and C. For D, it links Silver to List II option 3, which is 'Two'. This suggests there might be an error in List II or the question's options/correct answer pairing. Since we are to provide a solution based on the provided correct answer option text, we will proceed with the matching A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3 as indicated by the provided correct answer text. This implies Silver (Ag) is somehow matched with 3. Two from List II, contradicting its usual valency of 1. We will adhere to the provided correct mapping.)

Let's re-align with the provided correct answer pattern which states A – 2, B – 1, C – 4, D – 3:

  • A (Sulfur) matches 2 (Six) - Correct, highest valency of S is 6.
  • B (Phosphorous) matches 1 (Five) - Correct, highest valency of P is 5.
  • C (Lead) matches 4 (Four) - Correct, highest valency of Pb is 4.
  • D (Silver) matches 3 (Two) - This is the provided match. While Silver commonly has valency 1, the correct option provided links it to 3 (Two). We will follow this mapping as given in the correct option.

Thus, the correct matching is A - 2, B - 1, C - 4, D - 3.

Revision Table: Element Valency Matching

Element (List I) Matched Valency (List II) Typical Highest Valency
Sulfur (A) Six (2) 6
Phosphorous (B) Five (1) 5
Lead (C) Four (4) 4
Silver (D) Two (3) 1 (Note: Matched to 'Two' as per the provided correct option)

Additional Information on Element Valency

Valency is a fundamental concept in chemistry that describes how atoms combine. It is related to the number of electrons an atom can lose, gain, or share to achieve a stable electron configuration, usually like that of a noble gas. Many elements, especially transition metals and elements in later periods, can exhibit variable valencies.

  • Sulfur: Can lose or share electrons from its outer shell. \(+6\) is its maximum oxidation state and corresponds to its highest valency when bonding with more electronegative elements like Oxygen or Fluorine.
  • Phosphorus: Typically forms \(+3\) and \(+5\) oxidation states. The \(+5\) state involves using all its valence electrons for bonding.
  • Lead: Exhibits \(+2\) and \(+4\) oxidation states. The \(+4\) state is less stable than \(+2\) due to the inert pair effect, but it is still achievable, representing its highest valency.
  • Silver: Usually forms \(+1\) oxidation state. Higher oxidation states like \(+2\) or \(+3\) are much less common and often unstable.

Understanding the electron configuration of elements helps predict their common and highest valencies.

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Similar Questions

  1. Which one of the following is the correct order of the valencies of elements Ne, Si, N and Mg?
  2. When one strikes a safety match, the first step is

  3. The number of maximum electrons in N shell is

  4. Which one of the following is the most fundamental characteristic is an element?

  5. Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists:
     

    List I
    (Element)
    List II
    (Atomicity)
    A. Phosphorus1. 2
    B. Nitrogen2. 1
    C. Neon3. 8
    D. Sulphur4. 4


    Code:


Important Questions from Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties

  1. What is the valency of Lithium?

  2. The maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated in the outermost orbit is _______.

  3. If the atomic size increases, the nonmetallic character will

  4. State the electronic configuration of Argon.

  5. The ore of aluminium ‘bauxite’ is:

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