Nitrogen dioxide and sulphur have some properties in common. Which property is shown by one of these compounds, but not by the other?

Question

$\textbf{Reduction potential of ions are given below:}$
\[ \begin{array}{ccc} \text{ClO}_4^- & \text{IO}_4^- & \text{BrO}_4^- \\ E^\circ = 1.19 \, \text{V} & E^\circ = 1.65 \, \text{V} & E^\circ = 1.74 \, \text{V} \\ \end{array} \]
The correct order of their oxidising power is:

Answer 1

To determine which property is shown by one of the compounds, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) or sulphur (S), and not by the other, we need to analyze each option:

Is soluble in water: Both nitrogen dioxide and sulphur can be found in different forms that may dissolve in water. NO₂ specifically dissolves in water to form nitric acid (HNO₃) and nitrous acid (HNO₂), while sulphur in its various forms can react with water under specific conditions. Therefore, this property does not uniquely distinguish between them.
Is used as a food-preservative: Sulphur, in the form of sulphur dioxide (SO₂), is commonly used as a food preservative, especially in dried fruits, due to its antimicrobial properties. Nitrogen dioxide is not used for this purpose. This property is shown by sulphur but not by nitrogen dioxide.
Forms "acid-rain": Both NO₂ and various oxides of sulphur (like SO₂ and SO₃) can contribute to acid rain formation when they react with water vapor in the atmosphere to form acidic compounds. Thus, this does not uniquely identify one over the other.
Is a reducing agent: Sulphur can act as a reducing agent in some chemical reactions. However, nitrogen dioxide typically acts as an oxidizing agent, not a reducing agent. Thus, sulphur sometimes exhibits this property, but this option still doesn't differentiate as clearly as the preservative use.

Based on this analysis, the correct property that distinguishes sulphur from nitrogen dioxide is that sulphur is used as a food-preservative, which is not a property of nitrogen dioxide.

Answer 2

To determine which property is shown by one of the compounds, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) or sulphur (S), and not by the other, we need to analyze each option:

Is soluble in water: Both nitrogen dioxide and sulphur can be found in different forms that may dissolve in water. NO₂ specifically dissolves in water to form nitric acid (HNO₃) and nitrous acid (HNO₂), while sulphur in its various forms can react with water under specific conditions. Therefore, this property does not uniquely distinguish between them.
Is used as a food-preservative: Sulphur, in the form of sulphur dioxide (SO₂), is commonly used as a food preservative, especially in dried fruits, due to its antimicrobial properties. Nitrogen dioxide is not used for this purpose. This property is shown by sulphur but not by nitrogen dioxide.
Forms "acid-rain": Both NO₂ and various oxides of sulphur (like SO₂ and SO₃) can contribute to acid rain formation when they react with water vapor in the atmosphere to form acidic compounds. Thus, this does not uniquely identify one over the other.
Is a reducing agent: Sulphur can act as a reducing agent in some chemical reactions. However, nitrogen dioxide typically acts as an oxidizing agent, not a reducing agent. Thus, sulphur sometimes exhibits this property, but this option still doesn't differentiate as clearly as the preservative use.

Based on this analysis, the correct property that distinguishes sulphur from nitrogen dioxide is that sulphur is used as a food-preservative, which is not a property of nitrogen dioxide.

Nitrogen dioxide and sulphur have some properties in common. Which property is shown by one of these compounds, but not by the other?

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

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