In each of the following question, a statement of Assertion (A) is given followed by a corresponding statement of Reason (R). Choose the correct answer as:
Assertion (A): Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent in comparison to O2.
Reason (R): Ozone is diamagnetic but O2 is paramagnetic .
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is option 2. If both assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent because it decomposes readily under normal conditions and forms nascent oxygen which is a very reactive radical and is responsible for oxidation of a number of substances.
O2 is paramagnetic due to the presence of two unpaired electrons, while O3 is diamagnetic.
The molecular orbital electronic configuration of O2 is :
σ1s2 σ*1s2 σ2s2 σ*2s2 σ2pz2 \(\pi2p_x\)2 \(\pi2p_y\)2 \(\pi \)*2px1\(\pi \)*2py1
However, while both statements are true, the reason provided (R) does not directly explain why ozone is a more powerful oxidizing agent than \(O_2\). The oxidizing power of ozone primarily arises from its ability to readily donate oxygen atoms, not solely from its diamagnetic nature.
Therefore, option 2 is correct: If both assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.