Select the more acidic member of each of the following pairs: (a) \(\mathrm{V}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{5}\) and VO, (b) \(\mathrm{PbO}\) and \(\mathrm{PbO}_{2}\), (c) \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\) and \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{2},\) (d) \(\mathrm{SO}_{2}\) and \(\mathrm{SeO}_{2},\) (e) \(\mathrm{Al}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}\) and \(\mathrm{SeO}_{2},\) (f) \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) and $\mathrm{B}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3}$.

For each of the compounds, we need to identify the oxidation state of the central atom. This will help us better understand each molecule and will enable us to compare them. (a) In V₂O₅, the oxidation state of V (vanadium) is +5, and in VO, the oxidation state of V is +2. (b) In PbO, the oxidation state of Pb (lead) is +2, and in PbO₂, the oxidation state of Pb is +4. (c) In N₂O₃, the oxidation state of N (nitrogen) is +3, and in N₂O₂, the oxidation state of N is +2. (d) In SO₂, the oxidation state of S (sulfur) is +4, and in SeO₂, the oxidation state of Se (selenium) is +4. (e) In Al₂O₃, the oxidation state of Al (aluminum) is +3, and in SeO₂, the oxidation state of Se (selenium) is +4. (f) In CO₂, the oxidation state of C (carbon) is +4, and in B₂O₃, the oxidation state of B (boron) is +3.

Now, let's compare the electronegativity and oxidation state of the central atoms in each pair of compounds to gauge their acidity. (a) V₂O₅ has a higher oxidation state for V than VO, so V₂O₅ is more acidic. (b) PbO₂ has a higher oxidation state for Pb than PbO, so PbO₂ is more acidic. (c) N₂O₃ has a higher oxidation state for N than N₂O₂, so N₂O₃ is more acidic. (d) SO₂ and SeO₂ have the same oxidation state of +4. However, sulfur is more electronegative than selenium, so SO₂ is more acidic. (e) SeO₂ has a higher oxidation state for Se than Al₂O₃'s Al. Selenium is also less electronegative than aluminum, so SeO₂ is more acidic. (f) CO₂ has a higher oxidation state for C than B₂O₃'s B. Carbon is also more electronegative than boron, so CO₂ is more acidic.

The more acidic compound within each pair is as follows: (a) V₂O₅ (b) PbO₂ (c) N₂O₃ (d) SO₂ (e) SeO₂ (f) CO₂