Assertion :- Oxidation number of carbon in `CH_(2)O` is zero.
Reason :- `CH_(2)O` (formaldehyde) is a covalent compound.

Options

A. If both Assertion & Reason are True & the Reason is a correct explanation of the Assertion.
B. If both Assertion & Reason are True but Reason is not a correct explanation of the Assertion.
C. If Assertion is True but the Reason is False.
D. If both Assertion & Reason are False.

Answer

To solve the question, we need to analyze the assertion and the reason provided.

### Step 1: Understanding the Assertion
The assertion states that the oxidation number of carbon in formaldehyde (CH₂O) is zero.

### Step 2: Determining the Oxidation State of Carbon
To find the oxidation state of carbon in CH₂O, we can use the following method:

1. Assign the oxidation state of carbon as \( X \).
2. The oxidation state of hydrogen (H) is +1. Since there are two hydrogen atoms, their total contribution is \( 2 \times (+1) = +2 \).
3. The oxidation state of oxygen (O) is -2 (as it typically is in compounds).
4. The overall charge of the molecule is neutral (0).

Using the formula for the sum of oxidation states:
\[ X + 2(+1) + (-2) = 0 \]
This simplifies to:
\[ X + 2 - 2 = 0 \]
\[ X = 0 \]

Thus, the oxidation number of carbon in formaldehyde (CH₂O) is indeed 0.

### Step 3: Understanding the Reason
The reason states that formaldehyde (CH₂O) is a covalent compound.

### Step 4: Analyzing the Reason
While it is true that formaldehyde is a covalent compound, this fact does not inherently explain why the oxidation state of carbon is zero. Oxidation states are determined based on the bonding and electronegativity of the atoms involved, not solely on whether the compound is covalent or ionic.

### Conclusion
- The assertion is correct: the oxidation number of carbon in CH₂O is 0.
- The reason is also correct: CH₂O is a covalent compound.
- However, the reason does not correctly explain the assertion because being a covalent compound does not imply that the oxidation state of carbon must be zero.

Thus, the correct answer is that both statements are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion.

### Final Answer:
Both the assertion and reason are correct, but the reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion.