Both d-block and p-block elements exhibit variable oxidation state. Give reasons for the difference in there variations.

In the case of p-block elements the valence electron are in np orbital. In this case, the valence electrons get unpaired and then excited to vacant d-orbital of the same energy level. Thereby exhibit variable oxidation state, e.g., in halogens.




But in the case of d-block elements these and (n – 1) d-electrons are lost. For example, Sc has the configuration [Ar]3d¹s². Therefore, it 4s electrons are lost it shows +2 and if in addition to 4s, 3d electrons are also lost than +3. Therefore, in the case of p-block elements the two oxidation states differ by two units, whereas in the case of d-block elements it differs by one unit only.