Zirconium Forms Two Binary Chlorides While Molybdenum Forms Five

question 1

Multiple Choice

Zirconium forms two binary chlorides while molybdenum forms five. How can we explain this difference?

• A) Zirconium has a smaller radius and lower number of possible coordination numbers.
• B) Ionization energies of zirconium are higher than that for molybdenum.
• C) Zirconium has fewer accessible oxidation states than molybdenum.

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Definitions:

Atomic Sentences

The simplest type of sentence that cannot be broken down into smaller components while still expressing a complete proposition.

Truth Table

A mathematical table used in logic to determine whether a compound statement is true or false, depending on the truth values of its components.

Modus Tollens (MT)

A form of logical argument that concludes the inverse of an antecedent from the negation of its consequent in a conditional statement.

Modus Ponens (MP)

A logical reasoning pattern that asserts if a given premise is true, then the consequent logically follows; structured as "If P, then Q. P, therefore Q."