Answer the question on the basis of the passage given below:

Oxides formed by \(p\)- block elements are acidic, basic and neutral. Also, elements of \(p\)-block from different acids.

For the following oxides, which of the following will be true?

\(SO_3, CO_2, SiO_2, N_2O_5\)

A. \(CO_2\) is an acidic oxide

B. \(CO_2\) is neutral oxide

C. \(SO_3 < N_2O_5 < CO_2 ≈ SiO_2\) increasing order of central atom in oxidation states

D. \(SO_3 > N_2O_5 > CO_2 ≈ SiO_2\) decreasing order of central atom in oxidation states

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

A and D only

The correct answer is option 4. A and D only.

Let us look at each of the statements:

A. \(CO_2\) is an acidic oxide:

An oxide is a compound formed when an element combines with oxygen. Some oxides can react with water to produce acids. Carbon dioxide is one such oxide. When carbon dioxide dissolves in water, it undergoes a reaction to form carbonic acid (\(H_2CO_3\)):

\(CO_2 + H_2O \rightarrow H_2CO_3\)

This is a weak acid that forms when carbon dioxide dissolves in water. It can further dissociate into ions:

\(H_2CO_3 \rightarrow H^+ + HCO_3^-\)

In this reaction, \(H_2CO_3\) breaks down into a hydrogen ion (\(H^+\)) and a bicarbonate ion (\(HCO_3^-\)).

The presence of hydrogen ions (\(H^+\)) in a solution is what makes a solution acidic. When carbon dioxide dissolves in water, it increases the concentration of hydrogen ions, thus making the solution slightly acidic.

So, in summary, carbon dioxide is an acidic oxide because when it dissolves in water, it forms carbonic acid, which can increase the concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution, making it slightly acidic. So, the statement is correct

B. \(CO_2\) is neutral oxide: 

Neutral oxides are those that don't show acidic or basic properties when they react with water. They don't change the pH of the solution. Examples include carbon monoxide \((CO)\) and nitrous oxide \((N_2O)\).

\(CO_2\), on the other hand, reacts with water to form carbonic acid \((H_2CO_3)\). While carbonic acid is a weak acid, it does dissociate in water and release hydrogen ions \((H^+)\), making the solution slightly acidic. Therefore, \(CO_2\) exhibits acidic behavior and is not a neutral oxide. So the statement is incorrect.

C. \(SO_3 < N_2O_5 < CO_2 ≈ SiO_2\) increasing order of central atom in oxidation states:

To determine the increasing order of central atom in oxidation states for the given molecules \(SO_3\), \(N_2O_5\), \(CO_2\), and \(SiO_2\), let's look at the oxidation states of the central atoms.

\(SO_3\) (Sulfur trioxide): Sulfur (S) typically exhibits a +6 oxidation state in \(SO_3\).

\(N_2O_5\) (Dinitrogen pentoxide): Nitrogen (N) in this compound has an oxidation state of +5.

\(CO_2\) (Carbon dioxide): Carbon (C) is in the +4 oxidation state in \(CO_2\).

\(SiO_2\) (Silicon dioxide): Silicon (Si) generally has a +4 oxidation state in \(SiO_2\).

Based on these oxidation states, the increasing order of central atoms would be: \(CO_2 = SiO_2 < N_2O_5 < SO_3 \)

This order is determined by the increasing oxidation states of the central atoms, from +4 to +6. So the statement is incorrect.

D. \(SO_3 > N_2O_5 > CO_2 ≈ SiO_2\) decreasing order of central atom in oxidation states:

To determine the decreasing order of central atoms in oxidation states for the given molecules \(SO_3\), \(N_2O_5\), \(CO_2\), and \(SiO_2\), let's consider the oxidation states of the central atoms:

\(SO_3\) (Sulfur trioxide): Sulfur (S) typically exhibits a +6 oxidation state in \(SO_3\).

\(N_2O_5\) (Dinitrogen pentoxide): Nitrogen (N) in this compound has an oxidation state of +5.

\(CO_2\) (Carbon dioxide): Carbon (C) is in the +4 oxidation state in \(CO_2\).

\(SiO_2\) (Silicon dioxide): Silicon (Si) generally has a +4 oxidation state in \(SiO_2\).

Based on these oxidation states, the decreasing order of central atoms would be: \( SO_3 > N_2O_5 > CO_2 ≈ SiO_2 \)

This order is determined by the decreasing oxidation states of the central atoms, from +6 to +4. So, the statement is correct.

Thus, the correct answer is option 4. A and D only.