Given: Two statements about periodic trends and the nature of oxides are to be evaluated.
Find: Which option correctly identifies the truth values of Statement I and Statement II.
Statement I says that chemical reactivity gradually increases across a period from group 1 to group 18. This is incorrect because chemical reactivity does not follow one uniform increasing trend across a period.
For metals on the left side of the periodic table, reactivity generally decreases across a period because ionization energy increases and loss of electrons becomes more difficult.
For non-metals on the right side, reactivity generally increases due to increasing electronegativity and electron affinity. However, group 18 elements are largely inert.
Therefore, Statement I is false.
Statement II says that oxides formed by group 1 elements are basic, while those of group 17 elements are acidic. This is correct.
Group 1 elements form basic oxides such as Na2O and K2O, which react with water to form bases like NaOH.
Group 17 elements form acidic oxides such as Cl2O7, which react with water to form acids like HClO4.
Therefore, Statement II is true.
Hence, Statement I is false while Statement II is true. The correct option is C.