Answer the question on the basis of passage given below:
Nitrogen differs from rest of the members of group 15 due to its small size, high electronegativity, high ionization enthalpy and non-availability of d orbitals. Nitrogen has unique ability to form pл - рл multiple bonds with itself and with other elements having small size and high electronegativity. Heavier elements of this group do not form \(р\pi -р\pi \) bonds as their atomic orbitals are so large and diffuse that they cannot have effective overlapping.

Group 15 elements forms oxides of type \(E_2O_3\). Acidic oxides are formed by

A. Bi

B. Sb

C. P

D. As

E. N

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

C and E only

The correct answer is option 3. C and E only.

Let us break down the reasoning behind why Phosphorus (P) and Nitrogen (N) form acidic oxides and why the other elements in Group 15 don't.

Group 15 Elements and Their Oxides:

As you move down Group 15 in the periodic table, from Nitrogen (N) to Bismuth (Bi), the nature of the oxides changes due to the varying electronegativity and metallic character of the elements.

Acidic Oxides:

Acidic oxides are formed by elements with higher electronegativity, typically non-metals, and these oxides tend to react with water to form acids. In Group 15, the lighter elements (Nitrogen and Phosphorus) are more electronegative and non-metallic, which leads to the formation of acidic oxides.

Nitrogen (N):

Oxides: Nitrogen forms oxides like \(N_2O_3\) (Dinitrogen trioxide) and \(N_2O_5\) (Dinitrogen pentoxide).

Nature: Both these oxides are acidic.

\(N_2O_3\) dissolves in water to form nitrous acid (HNO_2).

\(N_2O_5\) dissolves in water to form **nitric acid (HNO_3).

Reason: Nitrogen is highly electronegative and a non-metal, which leads to the formation of covalent, acidic oxides.

Phosphorus (P):

Oxides: Phosphorus forms oxides such as \(P_2O_3\) (Diphosphorus trioxide) and \(P_2O_5\) (Diphosphorus pentoxide).

Nature: These oxides are also acidic.

\(P_2O_3\) reacts with water to form phosphorous acid (H_3PO_3).

\(P_2O_5\) reacts with water to form phosphoric acid (H_3PO_4).

Reason: Phosphorus, being a non-metal with relatively high electronegativity, forms covalent acidic oxides.

Both Nitrogen and Phosphorus are non-metals with relatively high electronegativity, resulting in their oxides being acidic. These oxides react with water to produce corresponding acids.

Amphoteric Oxides:

Amphoteric oxides can react both with acids and bases. This behavior is characteristic of elements that are metalloids, which lie between metals and non-metals

Arsenic (As):

Oxides: Arsenic forms \(As_2O_3\) (Arsenic trioxide) and \(As_2O_5\) (Arsenic pentoxide).

Nature: These oxides are amphoteric, meaning they can react with both acids and bases.

\(As_2O_3\) reacts with acids to form arsenic salts and with bases to form arsenate salts.

Reason: Arsenic is a metalloid, and its position in the periodic table leads to it forming oxides that are intermediate in nature (neither purely acidic nor basic).

Antimony (Sb):

Oxides: Antimony forms \(Sb_2O_3\) (Antimony trioxide) and \(Sb_2O_5\) (Antimony pentoxide).

Nature: These oxides are also amphoteric, similar to arsenic.

Reason: Antimony is also a metalloid, and its oxides show both acidic and basic properties.

Basic Oxides:

Basic oxides are formed by elements with metallic character, which tend to lose electrons easily and form oxides that react with acids to produce salts and water.

Bismuth (Bi):

Oxides: Bismuth forms \(Bi_2O_3\) (Bismuth trioxide).

Nature: Bismuth oxide is basic in nature.

It reacts with acids to form bismuth salts.

Reason: Bismuth is a metal and behaves like other metals, forming oxides that are basic. It is less electronegative, and its oxides do not react with water to form acids but instead show basic behavior.

Conclusion:

Acidic oxides are formed by the more electronegative and non-metallic elements Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P).

Amphoteric oxides are formed by Arsenic (As) and Antimony (Sb), which are metalloids.

Basic oxides are formed by Bismuth (Bi), which is a metal.

The elements that form acidic oxides are Phosphorus (P) and Nitrogen (N). Thus, the correct answer is: option 3: C and E only.