MHT CET 2026 Chemistry question

Identify the factor responsible for the greater range of oxidation states in actinoids.

(A)actinoid contraction
(B)radioactive nature of actinoids
(C)5f, 6d and 7s levels having comparable energiesCorrect
(D)4f and 5d levels being close in energies

Answer: (C)

Solution

In the actinoids the 5f, 6d and 7s subshells lie very close in energy, so electrons from all three can take part in bonding. This allows the actinoids to show a wide range of oxidation states (for example uranium +3 to +6, neptunium and plutonium +3 to +7), greater than the lanthanoids. Hence option (C) is correct.

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Question ID VK-098636