Explain the trends in oxidation states and chemical reactivity of Group $16$ elements.

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(N/A) Group $16$ elements exhibit a variety of oxidation states.
The stability of the $(-2)$ oxidation state decreases down the group. Polonium hardly shows the $(-2)$ oxidation state.
Due to the high electronegativity of oxygen,it shows only the $(-2)$ oxidation state in its compounds,except in $OF_2$,where it shows $(+2)$.
Other elements of the group show $+2, +4, +6$ oxidation states,but $+4$ and $+6$ are more common.
Sulfur,selenium,and tellurium usually show the $+4$ oxidation state in their compounds with oxygen and the $+6$ oxidation state in their compounds with fluorine.
Stability of the $+6$ oxidation state decreases down the group,while the stability of the $+4$ oxidation state increases due to the inert pair effect.
Bonding in $+4$ and $+6$ oxidation states is primarily covalent.

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