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The D-And F - Block Elements: Very Short Answer Questions (VSA)
The D-And F - Block Elements: Very Short Answer Questions (VSA)
The D-And F - Block Elements: Very Short Answer Questions (VSA)
Unit I
Very Short Answer questions (VSA)
1. Name the lightest transition metal.
Solution
Scandium
2. Write the electronic configuration of
(i) Cr3+ (ii) Cu+ (iii) Mn 2
(iv) Co2+ (v) Fe 3 (vi) Zn 2
[Given: Z of Cr = 24, Mn = 25, Fe = 26, Co = 27, Cu = 29, Zn = 30]
Solution
(i) Cr3+ : [Ar]18 4s0 3d3 (ii) Cu+ : [Ar]18 4s0 3d10 (iii) Mn 2 : [Ar]18 3d54s0
(iv) Co2+ : [Ar]18 4s0 3d7 (v) Fe 3 : [Ar]18 3d54s0 (vi) Zn 2 :[Ar]18 3d104s0
3. Chromium has the electron configuration [Ar]3d54s1 although its expected configuration is [Ar]3d44s2.
Why?
Solution
3d54s1 (half filled ‘d’ orbital) is more stable than 3d44s2
4. Why zinc is not considered a transition metal?
Solution
Since zinc has completely filled d-orbitals in its ground state as well as in its oxidized state.
5. 3d-series elements exhibit variable oxidation states. Why? [July 2015]
Solution
Due to comparable energy of 3d- and 4s-orbitals.
6. Name the element which exhibits highest oxidation state. [July 2014, March 2017]
Solution
Manganese or Mn
7. Name one 3d series element that do not show variable oxidation state . [March 2020]
Solution
Scandium (Sc3+) or zinc (Zn2+)
8. The transition element in a given compound exists in its highest oxidation state. Does the compound
behave as an oxidizing agent or a reducing agent?
Solution
Behaves as an oxidizing agent
9. Name the transition metal in the 3d series which contains maximum number of unpaired electrons in the
elemental form. [July 2020]
Solution
Cr (Z = 24) : [Ar] 3d5 4s1
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2PBCBDC-The d- and f-Block Elements(S)
10. Write the formula to calculate spin only magnetic moment. [July 2017, July 2018]
Solution
n(n 2) B.M where n is the number of unpaired electrons
11. A transition element has three unpaired electrons. What type of magnetic property could be associated
with this element?
Solution
Paramagnetic
12. Why transition metals and their ions are paramagnetic?
Solution
Due to the presence of unpaired electrons.
13. Why are the compounds containing Ti4+colourless?
Solution
Due to 3d0 configuration in Ti4+, There is no d-d transition.
14. Name a transition metal compound which is used as a catalyst.
Solution
Vanadium pentoxide
15. Transition metals are good catalytic agents. Give reason. [March 2019]
Solution
Since they exhibit variable oxidation state and provide large surface area.
16. What are alloys?
Solution
Alloys are a homogeneous solid solution in which atoms of one metal are distributed randomly among
the atoms of the other.
17. Why is Fe3+ more stable than Fe2+?
Solution
Fe2+ : [Ar] 3d6 4s0
Fe3+ : [Ar] 3d5 4s0
Fe3+ has an exactly half-filled 3d-orbital. Hence, it is more stable.
18. How many d-electrons are retained when Fe becomes Fe2+?
Solution
All the six d-electrons are retained.
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2PBCBDC-The d- and f-Block Elements(S)
20. Write the outer electronic configuration of iron (Z = 26). Predict the magnetic behaviour of iron.
Solution
Fe (Z = 26): [Ar] 3d64s2
Paramagnetic in nature due to the presence of four unpaired electrons.
21. Copper (I) compounds are diamagnetic whereas copper (II) compounds are paramagnetic. Explain.
Solution
Cu+ : [Ar]18 3d104s0 ; no unpaired electrons
Cu2+ : [Ar]18 3d94s0 ; one unpaired electrons
Since Cu+ ion has no unpaired electrons, it is diamagnetic whereas Cu2+ has one unpaired electron, it is
paramagnetic in nature.
22. Fe 2 , Co3 and Mn 3 ions have equal magnetic moment. Give reason.
Solution
Fe2+ : [Ar]18 3d64s0
Co3+ : [Ar]18 3d64s0
Mn3+ : [Ar]18 3d44s0
Fe 2 , Co3 and Mn 3 have equal magnetic moment since they have the same number (four) of unpaired
electrons.
23. A transition metal ion with 3d 9 configuration has the least magnetic moment. Explain.
Solution
3d9
1(1 2)
= 3
= 1.73 B.M.
Since it has only one unpaired electron
24. Calculate the magnetic moment of Mn2+ ion [atomic number of Mn = 25]. [July 2015]
Solution
Mn2+ ion has d5 configuration with five unpaired electrons (n = 5).
n(n 2) B.M
5(5 2)
= 35
= 5.91 B.M.
25. Calculate the magnetic moment of Ti3+ ion. [July 2019]
Solution
Ti3+ ion has d1configuration with one unpaired electron (n = 1).
n(n 2) B.M
1(1 2)
3 1.73 B.M
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2PBCBDC-The d- and f-Block Elements(S)
26. Calculate the spin only magnetic moment of Fe2+. [March 2016]
Solution
Fe2+ has d6 configuration with four unpaired electrons (n = 4).
n(n 2) B.M.
4(4 2)
= 24
= 4.89 B.M.
27. Give reason: Ti4+ salts are colourless whereas Cr3+ salts are coloured. [March 2018]
Solution
Ti4+ has d0 configuration so does not undergo d-d transition whereas Cr3+has d3 configuration and exhibit
colour due to d-d transition
28. Why Sc3+ salts are colourless whereas Cr3+ salts are coloured? [March 2016]
Solution
Sc3+ has d0 configuration so does not undergo d-d transition whereas Cr3+has d3 configuration and exhibit
colour due to d-d transition
29. Indicate which of following ions are coloured: Cu , Ni 2 , Cr 2 ? Give reason.
Solution
Cu+ : [Ar]18 3d104s0 ; no ‘d’ electrons
Ni2+: [Ar]18 3d84s0 ; two ‘d’ electrons
Cr2+ :[Ar]18 3d44s0 ; four ‘d’ electrons
Ni2+ and Cr2+ are coloured due to the presence of unpaired electrons in their d-orbital.
30. Compounds of zinc are colourless. Explain.
Solution
In the compounds of zinc, zinc exists in the +2 state which contains all d-electrons are paired. So, the
compounds of zinc are colourless.
31. Ti 4 ion is colourless while V 4 ion is blue. Why?
Solution
Ti 4 :[Ar]18 3d04s0 ; No unpaired electrons
V 4 :[Ar]18 3d14s0 ; one unpaired electrons
V 4 is coloured due to the presence of unpaired electrons in the d-orbital. These electrons absorb certain
part of incident light and the remaining part of light is emitted which gives a definite colour.
32. Give reason for the following:
(a) Second ionisation enthalpy of copper is very high
(b) Spin only magnetic moment of Sc3+ is zero (Z = 21) [March 2015]
Solution
(a) Due to the removal of the second electron from completely filled d10 configuration
(b) Due to d0 configurationof Sc3+, no unpaired electrons
33. Why do transition elements form complex compounds?
Solution
(i) Due to the availability of large number of vacant d-orbitals,
(ii) Due to high polarising power as a result of higher nuclear charge and the small atomic and ionic size.
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2PBCBDC-The d- and f-Block Elements(S)
34. Between Fe2+ and Fe3+, which one has higher tendency to form complexes and why?
Solution
Fe3+ has a smaller size and higher charge. So, it has a higher tendency to form complexes.
35. What is the effect of increasing pH above 7 on a solution of potassium dichromate?
Solution
7 2OH 2CrO 4 2H 2O
In aqueous solution: Cr2O
In basic medium (i.e., increasing pH), equilibrium shifts in the forward direction and the solution turns
yellow.
36. How does acidified permanganate solution react with oxalic acid?
Solution
The ionic equation for the reduction of MnO 4 to Mn 2 in acidic medium is represented as
C 2 O 24 2CO 2 2e 5
2
MnO 8H 5e Mn
4 4H 2 O 2
2MnO 4 5C 2 O 24 16H 2Mn 2 10CO 2 8H 2 O
37. Describe oxidizing action of potassium dichromate and write the ionic equations for its reaction with
(a) iodide
(b) iron(II) solution
(c) H2S
Solution
Potassium dichromate is a powerful oxidising agent in the acid medium.
The ionic equation for the reduction of dichromate in the acidic medium is
Cr2 O72 14H 6e 2Cr 3 7H 2 O …(1)
It oxidises
(a) I to I2
2I I 2 2e …(2)
2 3
(2) 3 + (1) Cr2 O 7 6I 14H 2Cr 3I 2 7H 2 O
(b) Fe2+ to Fe3+
Fe2+ Fe3+ + e …(2)
Cr2 O 27 14H 6e 2Cr 3 7H 2 O
(2) 6 + (1) Cr2 O 27 6Fe 2 14H 2Cr 3 6Fe3 7H 2 O
(c) S2 to S
S2 S + 2e …(2)
2
Cr2 O 7 14H 6e 2Cr 3 7H 2 O
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2PBCBDC-The d- and f-Block Elements(S)
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2PBCBDC-The d- and f-Block Elements(S)
42. How is potassium permanganate (KMnO4) prepared from MnO2? Write equations.
[March 2017, March 2018]
Solution
Powdered pyrolusite is fused with KOH in the presence of oxidising agent, KNO3.
2MnO 2 4KOH O2 KNO3
2K 2 MnO 4 2H 2O
The fused mass is treated with water. K2MnO4 dissolves in water forming green coloured solution.
K2MnO4 undergoes disproportionation in a neutral / acidic solution to give permanganate.
3MnO 24 4H 2MnO4 MnO 2 2H 2O
Unit II
Very Short Answer questions (VSA)
1. Write the electronic configuration of
(i) Ce4+ (ii) Lu2+ (iii) Th4+
Solution
(i) Ce4+: [Xe]54 4f0 (ii) Lu2+: [Xe]54 4f14 5d1 6s0 (iii) Th4+:[Rn]86 6d0 7s0
2. Mention the cause of Lanthanoid contraction. [Mach 2017]
Solution
In Lanthanoids, the electrons are added to the prepenultimate 4f-orbital. With increase in atomic number,
the nuclear charge gradually increases. This increased nuclear charge pulls the outer electrons inwards,
decreasing the size of the atom. The steady decrease in atomic size leads to lanthanoid contraction.
3. Zr and Hf have almost identical atomic radii. Give reason. [March 2015, July 2014, July 2019]
Solution
Due to lanthanoid contraction
4. Atomic radii of second and third transition series elements are almost identical. Give reason.
[March 2019]
Solution
Due to lanthanoid contraction
5. Why is the separation of lanthanoid elements difficult?
Solution
Due to lanthanoid contraction, the change in the atomic or ionic radii of these elements is very small.
Their chemical properties are similar. This makes their separation difficult.
6. Write the general oxidation state shown by actinoids. [July 2018]
Solution
+3
7. Name a member of Lanthanoid series which is well known to exhibit +4 oxidation state. [July 2020]
Solution
Cerium
8. Why are lanthanoids paramagnetic in nature?
Solution
All lanthanoids except La3+ and Lu3+ contain unpaired electrons. [July 2018]
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2PBCBDC-The d- and f-Block Elements(S)
9. Name the gas liberated when lanthanoids react with acids. [July 2019]
Solution
Hydrogen gas
10. Actinoid contraction is greater from element to element than lanthanoid contraction. Give reason.
[March 2018, July 2020]
Solution
In actinoids, 5f orbitals are filled which offer poor shielding effect than 4f orbitals (in lanthanoids). Thus,
the effective nuclear charge experienced by valence electrons in case of actinoids is much more than that
experienced by lanthanoids. Hence, the size contraction in actinoids is greater as compared to that in
lanthanoids
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2PBCBDC-The d- and f-Block Elements(S)
15. Study of actinoid elements is difficult. Give two reasons. [July 2017, July 2018, March 2020]
Solution
(i) Actinoids are radioactive
(ii) Can be prepared only in small amounts
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