Anomalous Properties
Which property makes oxygen anomalous in group 16?
Select the correct option:
🔒 Solution Hidden from View
Submit your answer to unlock the detailed step-by-step solution.
More classification of elements and periodicity in properties Practice Questions
Why do the first elements of each group, such as lithium, beryllium, and boron, often show anomalous...
Why do the first elements of each group, such as lithium, beryllium, and boron, often show anomalous...
Why does lead show a more stable +2 oxidation state than +4 while carbon at the top of the same grou...
Why does lead show a more stable +2 oxidation state than +4 while carbon at the top of the same grou...
The placement of hydrogen in the periodic table is debated; which property allows it to be placed al...
The placement of hydrogen in the periodic table is debated; which property allows it to be placed al...
If two elements differ greatly in electronegativity, what type of chemical bond is most likely to fo...
If two elements differ greatly in electronegativity, what type of chemical bond is most likely to fo...
Why does the effective nuclear charge experienced by valence electrons increase across a period desp...
Why does the effective nuclear charge experienced by valence electrons increase across a period desp...
Why is the first ionization enthalpy of oxygen slightly lower than that of nitrogen, contrary to the...
Why is the first ionization enthalpy of oxygen slightly lower than that of nitrogen, contrary to the...
Why does atomic radius increase down a group even though the nuclear charge also increases with each...
Why does atomic radius increase down a group even though the nuclear charge also increases with each...
An element has the outer electronic configuration ending in 3d^5 4s^1; to which block of the periodi...
An element has the outer electronic configuration ending in 3d^5 4s^1; to which block of the periodi...
An element belongs to period 3 and group 16 of the periodic table; what is its total number of valen...
An element belongs to period 3 and group 16 of the periodic table; what is its total number of valen...
How does the valency of main-group elements with respect to oxygen typically vary as one moves acros...
How does the valency of main-group elements with respect to oxygen typically vary as one moves acros...
As one moves from sodium to chlorine across the third period, how does the acidic or basic nature of...
As one moves from sodium to chlorine across the third period, how does the acidic or basic nature of...
On the Pauling scale, which of the following elements possesses the highest electronegativity value ...
On the Pauling scale, which of the following elements possesses the highest electronegativity value ...
Browse all classification of elements and periodicity in properties questions →
About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- classification of elements and periodicity in properties
- Topic
- anomalous properties
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
Smallest size and high electronegativity
The first element of any group in the p-block (like Oxygen) shows behavior different from other members of its group.
- Oxygen is anomalous because of:
- Extremely Small Size.
- High Electronegativity (second only to Fluorine).
- Non-availability of valence d-orbitals.
- This leads to peculiar behaviors such as the ability to form strong hydrogen bonds (unlike S), gas state at STP (O2 vs S8), and a maximum coordination number of 4.
This easy difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter classification of elements and periodicity in properties, covering the topic of anomalous properties. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
Looking for more practice? Explore all chemistry questions or browse classification of elements and periodicity in properties questions on RankGuru.