Statement I: Auric chloride (AuCl₃) solution cannot be stored in a vessel made of copper, iron, nickel, chromium, zinc or tin

Statement II: Gold is very precious

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is not a correct explanation of Statement I

The correct answer is option 2. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I.

Statement I: Auric chloride (AuCl₃) solution cannot be stored in a vessel made of copper, iron, nickel, chromium, zinc or tin.

This is correct because these metals are more reactive than gold and will displace gold from the solution. This is called a displacement reaction. For example, if auric chloride solution is stored in a copper vessel, the copper will react with the auric chloride to form copper chloride and gold metal.

Statement II: Gold is very precious.

This is also correct. Gold is a very valuable metal, and it is often used in jewelry and other decorative items. However, the preciousness of gold is not the reason why auric chloride solution cannot be stored in a vessel made of these metals.

Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I because it does not explain why the metals will displace gold from the solution. The correct explanation is that the metals are more reactive than gold.