Final answer:
The larger the oxidation number of the central atom in an oxyacid, the stronger the oxyacid. This is due to the increased electronegativity and attraction for electrons, which weakens the O-H bond and makes the release of protons easier.
Step-by-step explanation:
The answer to the question is: C) The larger the oxidation number of the central atom, the stronger the oxyacid.
Oxyacids are compounds that contain hydrogen, oxygen, and another element (the central atom). The strength of an oxyacid is influenced by the oxidation number of the central atom. Generally, an increase in the oxidation number of the central atom enhances the acid's electronegativity, which in turn leads to a stronger attraction of electrons towards the central atom and a consequent weakening of the O-H bond. This weakening allows the hydrogen to be released more easily, generating more protons (H+) and making the acid stronger. For example, sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is more acidic than sulfurous acid (H2SO3) because it has sulfur in a higher oxidation state (+6 versus +4).