Question: 52. Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Like nitrogen that can form ammonia, arsenic can form arsine.
Statement II: Antimony cannot form antimony pentoxide.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
(1) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.
(2) Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect.
(3) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
(4) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.
Answer: Option (3)
Explanation:
Statement I is correct. Nitrogen belongs to group 15 and forms ammonia \mathrm{NH_3}.
Arsenic also belongs to group 15 and similarly forms arsine \mathrm{AsH_3}.
Hence, arsenic can form arsine just like nitrogen forms ammonia.
Statement II is incorrect. Antimony does form antimony pentoxide \mathrm{Sb_2O_5}, although it is less stable compared to lower oxides due to the inert pair effect.
Therefore, the statement that antimony cannot form antimony pentoxide is false.
Thus, Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect,
so the correct answer is Option (3).