Final answer:
The correct series of nitrogen oxides that correspond to nitrogen in the oxidation states III, IV, and V is N₂O₃, NO₂, and N₂O₅, which can form nitrous acid, a mixture of nitrous and nitric acid, and nitric acid respectively when reacted with water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks us to identify the correct series of oxides formed by nitrogen and oxygen. Nitrogen reacts with oxygen to form a variety of nitrogen oxides where nitrogen can have different oxidation states. The oxides of nitrogen(III), nitrogen(IV), and nitrogen(V) are particularly noteworthy because they can react with water to form nitrogen-containing oxyacids.
Nitrogen(III) oxide (N₂O₃) reacts with water to form nitrous acid (HNO₂). Nitrogen(IV) oxide (NO₂) reacts with water to form a mixture of nitrous acid and nitric acid (HNO₃) in cold water, or nitric acid and nitrogen monoxide (NO) at higher temperatures. Nitrogen(V) oxide (N₂O₅) reacts with water to exclusively form nitric acid (HNO₃).
Therefore, the correct sequence from the given options that represents the oxides of nitrogen with the states III, IV, and V respectively would be: N₂O₃, NO₂, N₂O₅, which is the series of compounds in option (a).