Assertion: Boron exhibits a wide range of oxidation states, including negative and fractional oxidation states.
Reason: The small size of the boron atom and its high electronegativity make it easy to form a variety of covalent bonds and oxidation states.
Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
Both assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
The small size and high electronegativity of the boron atom make it easy to form a variety of covalent bonds and oxidation states. Boron can exhibit oxidation states ranging from -3 to +5, including fractional oxidation states like +1/2 and +3/2. This anomalous behavior is due to the small size of the boron atom, which allows it to form a variety of covalent bonds, and the high electronegativity of boron, which makes it easy to form bonds with other elements. Hence option A is the correct answer.
Option (B) is incorrect because it incorrectly states that the assertion is correct but the reason is incorrect. Both the assertion and reason are correct. Hence option B is incorrect.
Option (C) is incorrect because it incorrectly states that the assertion is incorrect but the reason is correct. The assertion is correct, and the reason is also correct. Hence option C is incorrect.
Option (D) is incorrect because it incorrectly states that both the assertion and reason are incorrect. Both the assertion and reason are correct. Hence option D is incorrect.