Question

Given, $Zn$ and $Hg$ belong to the same group, they differ in many of their properties. The property that is shared by both is:
A. They form oxide readily.
B. They react with steam readily.
C. They react with hot concentrated sulfuric acid.
D. They react with hot sodium hydroxide.

Answer 1

Hint: Zinc is a chemical element with the symbol Zn and atomic number \[30\]. Zinc is a slightly brittle metal at room temperature and has a blue-silvery appearance when oxidation is removed. Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number \[80\]. A heavy, silvery d-block element, mercury is the only metallic element that is liquid at standard conditions for temperature and pressure.

Complete step by step answer:
The three group 12 elements that occur naturally are zinc, cadmium and mercury. They are all widely used in electric and electronic applications, as well as in various alloys. The first two members of the group share similar properties as they are solid metals under standard conditions. Mercury is the only metal that is a liquid at room temperature. While zinc is very important in the biochemistry of living organisms, cadmium and mercury are both highly toxic.
Although $Zn$ and $Hg$ belong to the same group, they differ in many of their properties. The property that is shared by both is the formation of oxides readily in the presence of excess of oxygen in the surrounding. The reaction for the formation of corresponding oxides in the zinc and mercury are:
$2Zn + {O_2} \to 2ZnO$
$2Hg + {O_2} \to 2HgO$
Thus, the correct option is A i.e They form oxide readily.

Note:
A variety of zinc compounds are commonly used, such as zinc carbonate and zinc gluconate (as dietary supplements), zinc chloride (in deodorants), zinc pyrithione (anti-dandruff shampoos), zinc sulfide (in luminescent paints), and dimethylzinc or diethylzinc in the organic laboratory.
Mercury is used in thermometers, barometers, manometers, sphygmomanometers, float valves, mercury switches, mercury relays, fluorescent lamps and other devices, though concerns about the element's toxicity have led to mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers being largely phased out in clinical environments in favor of alternatives such as alcohol- or galinstan-filled glass thermometers and thermistor- or infrared-based electronic instruments.