Question

Given below are two statements. One is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R.
Assertion A: Activated charcoal adsorbs \(SO_2\) more efficiently than \(CH_4\).
Reason R: Gases with lower critical temperatures are readily adsorbed by activated charcoal.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.

• A. Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A.
• B. Both A and R are correct but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
• C. A is correct but R is not correct.
• D. A is not correct but R is correct.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

To solve this question, we need to analyze both the assertion and the reason given and then determine the correct logical connection between them.

Assertion A:

"Activated charcoal adsorbs \(SO_2\) more efficiently than \(CH_4\)."

This statement is generally correct. Activated charcoal is known to adsorb polar gases more effectively. \(SO_2\) is a polar molecule, whereas \(CH_4\) (methane) is non-polar. The adsorption propensity of gases on activated charcoal is often influenced by polarizability and molecular size; therefore, \(SO_2\) being polar and having a larger molecular size than \(CH_4\), fits the assertion.

Reason R:

"Gases with lower critical temperatures are readily adsorbed by activated charcoal."

This statement is incorrect. In adsorption processes, gases with higher critical temperatures are generally adsorbed more readily than those with lower critical temperatures. The critical temperature is related to the ease with which a gas can be liquefied; gases with higher critical temperatures are more easily adsorbed due to the higher intermolecular forces present.

Conclusion:

Option: "A is correct but R is not correct." is the right choice.

This option correctly identifies that the assertion is true based on the polarity and molecular size considerations. However, the reason provided is false as the critical temperature statement is incorrect.