Q.83 Chemistry · Section A ⭐ 360° Option Elimination Active

Vault ↗

NEET 2024 Chemistry Question 83 Solution

Topic: The p-Block Elements · Official NTA Booklet Code T1

Question

Among Group 16 elements, which one does NOT show −2 oxidation state?

✓

Verified Against NTA Final Answer Key

Option (2) : Po (Polonium)

📚 The p-Block Elements Easy

📋 Given Parameters & Problem Setup

Elements of Group 16 Oxygen (O), Sulfur (S), Selenium (Se), Tellurium (Te), Polonium (Po)

Condition to evaluate Element that does NOT show -2 oxidation state

⚡

The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ Metallic Polonium Non-Negative State Hack

⏱️ Save ~25 seconds

Polonium (Po) is a radioactive post-transition metal with low electronegativity. It shows metallic character (+2, +4), and does NOT form a stable -2 oxidation state!

1 Group 16 non-metals and metalloids (O, S, Se, Te) readily form -2 oxidation state (oxides, sulphides, selenides, tellurides).

2 Down the group, electronegativity and non-metallic character decrease while metallic character increases.

3 Polonium is the heaviest member of Group 16 and is a true metal.

4 Due to its metallic character and low electronegativity, Polonium does NOT show the -2 oxidation state.

5 Option (2) in 3 seconds!

🛡️

Why You Can 100% Trust This Shortcut: NCERT Chemistry · The p-Block Elements (Trends in oxidation states of Group 16 elements: metallic character increases down the group and Po does not show -2 oxidation state).

📐

Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof

Step 1

Periodic Trends in Oxidation States of Group 16

Group 16 elements have the valence shell electronic configuration ns² np⁴. They can achieve a noble gas octet by gaining two electrons to form the -2 oxidation state. However, the stability of the -2 oxidation state decreases sharply down the group as electronegativity drops and metallic character rises:

\text{Stability of } -2 \text{ state: } \text{O} > \text{S} > \text{Se} > \text{Te} \gg \text{Po}

Step 2

Specific Behavior of Polonium

Polonium (Po, Z = 84) is a radioactive, distinctly metallic element. As stated verbatim in NCERT, because of its pronounced metallic character and electropositive nature, polonium hardly shows the -2 oxidation state; its predominant and stable oxidation states are +2 and +4:

\text{Po shows } +2 \text{ and } +4 \text{ oxidation states, NOT } -2

Step 3

Verification of Te, O, and Se

Oxygen is predominantly -2 (in H2O, metal oxides). Sulfur forms sulphides (S²⁻, -2). Selenium forms selenides (Se²⁻, -2). Tellurium forms tellurides (Te²⁻, -2, e.g. H2Te, Na2Te). All of O, S, Se, and Te exhibit -2, whereas Polonium does not.

\text{Te}^{2-}, \; \text{O}^{2-}, \; \text{Se}^{2-} \;\text{exist}; \quad \text{Po}^{2-} \;\text{does not exist}

⭐

360° Option Elimination Engine Key Feature

Diagnose every choice: Know exactly why the right option works and why distractors fail.

4-Option Deep Scan

1 (1)

✗ Incorrect

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Tellurium forms tellurides containing Te²⁻ (e.g. H2Te, ZnTe).

⚠️

Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Assuming tellurium is too heavy to show -2.

2 (2)

✓ 100% Correct

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Polonium is a metal and does not form the -2 oxidation state.

💡

Why this is airtight: None.

3 (3)

✗ Incorrect

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Oxygen predominantly exhibits -2 in virtually all oxides.

⚠️

Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Thinking oxygen cannot show -2.

4 (4)

✗ Incorrect

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Selenium readily shows -2 in selenides (e.g. H2Se, Na2Se).

⚠️

Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Assuming selenium only shows positive states.

⚠️

NTA Trap Alert: Assuming Tellurium is the Limit for -2

Students often guess Tellurium because it is heavy, but NCERT explicitly lists -2 for Te (in H2Te). Polonium is the only one that lacks -2.

🛡️ How to avoid the -1 mark: Remember: Polonium is a metal; metals do not form negative oxidation states.

📖

Core NEET Syllabus Standard

Chemistry Core Inorganic Chemistry · The p-Block Elements Standard Benchmark

Core Scientific Principle Tested:

"The stability of the -2 oxidation state decreases down Group 16; polonium, being distinctly metallic, does not show the -2 oxidation state."

Syllabus Focus: Group 16 Elements: Oxidation States and Chemical Reactivity

✓ Core NEET UG Syllabus Anchor Syllabus & Academic Standards ↗

Polonium is a metal through and through: it won’t take electrons to become minus two!

Ready to attempt under real exam pressure?

Test your speed and accuracy in the authentic 200-minute timed NTA simulator.

Launch NEET 2024 CBT Test →

← Previous (Q.82) All Chemistry Questions Grid Next (Q.84) →

Spotted a mistake in this solution? Report an error ([email protected])

⚖️ Legal & Fair Dealing Notice: Sourced from publicly released NEET 2024 question papers and NEET answer keys for private study, research, and non-commercial educational practice under Fair Dealing (Section 52(1)(a) of the Indian Copyright Act, 1957). Not affiliated with or endorsed by NTA or NMC.

NEET 2024 Chemistry Question 83 Solution

Question

The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ Metallic Polonium Non-Negative State Hack

Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof

Periodic Trends in Oxidation States of Group 16

Specific Behavior of Polonium

Verification of Te, O, and Se

360° Option Elimination Engine Key Feature

NTA Trap Alert: Assuming Tellurium is the Limit for -2

Core NEET Syllabus Standard

Ready to attempt under real exam pressure?

🔗 Related Questions — The p-Block Elements

Hydrides and Oxides of Group 15 Elements (Arsine and Antimony Pentoxide)

Hybridization and Molecular Geometries of Xenon Fluorides and Oxides

Comparative Stability of Thallium Halides (TlI vs TlI₃)

Properties and Structures of Coke, Diamond, Fullerene, and Graphite

Solve 4 NEET Questions a Day — One per Subject