Question

What are the common oxidation states of group 16 elements:
A.\[ - 2\]
B.$ + 1$
C.$ + 4$
D.$ + 6$

Answer 1

Hint: To answer this question, recall the formation of the periodic table. The modern periodic law developed by Moseley states that the physical and chemical properties of elements are the periodic function of their atomic number. The common oxidation state depends on the stability of a compound after losing or gaining electrons.

Complete step by step answer:
Group 16 or the oxygen family which is also called the chalcogens contains the elements found in Group 16 of the periodic table that are oxygen, sulfur, selenium, tellurium and polonium. These elements exist in both free and combined states in nature. These elements play instrumental support in life. Oxygen is required forever in our lives. Sulphur is utilized in various industries.
The metallic properties increase as the atomic number increases down the group. Also, the melting point, boiling point, density, atomic radius, and ionic radius all increase down the group. Ionization energy decreases down the group.
 The most common stable oxidation state shown by these group 16 elements is \[ - 2\] ; however, other specific elements like sulfur can also exist at as $ + 4$ and $ + 6$ state, and $ + 2$ , $ + 4$ , and $ + 6$ oxidation states are possible for selenium, tellurium and polonium.

Hence, the correct option is A, C, D.

Note:
There are 4 blocks in the periodic table: s-block, p-block, d-block and f-block. All of the s-block elements are metals. Usually, they are shiny, silvery, good conductors of heat and electricity, and lose their valence electrons easily. The p-block due to their unique electronic configuration has the biggest variety of elements and is the only block that contains three types of elements: metals, nonmetals and metalloids. d-block elements have properties that are between s-block elements and p-block elements properties. It consists of transition metals. The f-block elements are mostly radioactive. The block names were created to represent the quality of the spectroscopic lines of the atomic orbitals.