UPSC NDA I 2024 General Ability Paper

Concept:The oxidation state of an element represents the hypothetical charge it would have if all bonds were ionic.Explanation:In the compound $\mathrm{V}_2\mathrm{O}_5$, oxygen typically has an oxidation state of $-2$.There are 5 oxygen atoms, so their total oxidation state is $5 \times (-2) = -10$.For the compound to be neutral, the total oxidation state of the two vanadium atoms must be $+10$.Thus, each vanadium atom has an oxidation state of $+10 \div 2 = +5$.Vanadium exhibits multiple oxidation states such as $+2$, $+3$, $+4$, and $+5$, but in $\mathrm{V}_2\mathrm{O}_5$ it is clearly $+5$.Answer:$+5$ (Option D).