Question

Assertion : $PbCl _{2}$ is more stable than $PbCl _{4}$.
Reason: $PbCl _{4}$ is powerful oxidising agent.

• A. If both Assertion and Reason are true and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion
• B. If both Assertion and Reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion
• C. If Assertion is true but Reason is false
• D. If both Assertion and Reason are false

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

$Pb ^{2+}$ is more stable than $Pb ^{4+}$ due to inert pair effect. Due to this reason $PbCl _{4}$ decomposes very readily into $PbCl _{2}$ and $Cl _{2}$.
$PbCl _{4}(s) \longrightarrow PbCl _{2}(s)+ Cl _{2}(g) $
$Pb ^{4+}+2 e^{-} \longrightarrow Pb ^{2+} $
$2 Cl ^{-} \longrightarrow Cl _{2}+2 e^{-}$
Thus, $Pb ^{4+}$ salts are better oxidising agents.