Question

The least number of oxyacids are formed by :

• A. Nitrogen
• B. Sulphur
• C. Fluorine
• D. Chlorine

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

To determine which element forms the least number of oxyacids, we need to consider the chemistry of each listed element: Nitrogen, Sulphur, Fluorine, and Chlorine. The ability of an element to form oxyacids largely depends on its ability to form stable covalent bonds with oxygen.

1. Nitrogen (N): Nitrogen forms several oxyacids such as nitric acid (HNO₃) and nitrous acid (HNO₂). Therefore, it is capable of forming multiple oxyacids.
2. Sulphur (S): Sulphur is versatile and forms many oxyacids, including sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), sulfurous acid (H₂SO₃), thiosulfuric acid (H₂S₂O₃), and several others. This indicates that sulphur readily combines with oxygen to form numerous oxyacids.
3. Fluorine (F): Fluorine is the most electronegative element and has very limited ability to form oxyacids. It commonly forms only one known oxyacid, hypofluorous acid (HOF). Due to its high electronegativity, fluorine does not easily form stable compounds with oxygen; hence, the least number of oxyacids are derived from fluorine.
4. Chlorine (Cl): Chlorine, in contrast, forms several oxyacids such as hypochlorous acid (HClO), chlorous acid (HClO₂), chloric acid (HClO₃), and perchloric acid (HClO₄). This shows its ability to form various oxyacids.

Thus, based on the ability to form stable oxyacid compounds, the element that forms the least number of oxyacids is Fluorine.