1. From the radius ratio values CdS (.52) And HgS (.

55) are expected to adopt the NaCl structure but they actually
crystallise in the ZnS structure . Explain for 3 marks

=: 1. Coordination Number: The coordination number of the cations and anions in the crystal structure plays a
crucial role in determining the preferred structure. In the NaCl structure, both cations and anions have a coordination
number of 6, while in the ZnS structure, the cations have a coordination number of 4 and the anions have a
coordination number of 4. The ZnS structure allows for a more efficient packing arrangement, leading to a lower
energy configuration compared to the NaCl structure.

2. Polarizability: The polarizability of the cations can also influence the crystal structure. In the case of Cd2+ and Hg2+
ions, their higher polarizability compared to Na+ and Cl- ions can favor the formation of a more covalent bond
character, which is better accommodated in the ZnS structure due to its tetrahedral coordination geometry.

3. Size Mismatch: While the radius ratio values for CdS and HgS suggest the NaCl structure, the actual sizes of the
ions may not perfectly match the ideal requirements for the NaCl structure. The size mismatch between the cations
and anions can lead to a preference for the ZnS structure, which allows for a more favorable arrangement of ions in
the crystal lattice.

2. The perfect AB crystal may be colourless but the defect AB crystal is very often coloured . Explain for 2 marks.

=In a perfect AB crystal, there are no defects present, and the crystal may appear colorless due to the absence of
impurities or structural imperfections that can cause light absorption or emission. However, when defects such as
vacancies, interstitial atoms, or substitutional impurities are introduced into the crystal lattice, they can create
localized energy levels within the band gap of the crystal. These energy levels can interact with light, leading to the
absorption or emission of specific wavelengths, resulting in a colored appearance. Therefore, the presence of defects
in an AB crystal can alter its electronic structure and optical properties, leading to coloration.

3. Li can form LiN but potassium can not . Explain for two marks .

=In the case of lithium (Li) and nitrogen (N), lithium is a small cation with a high charge density, while nitrogen is a
small anion with a high electronegativity. The small size of lithium allows it to form stable compounds with small
anions like nitrogen. Additionally, the high charge density of lithium enables it to polarize the nitrogen atom,
facilitating the formation of a stable LiN compound.

On the other hand, potassium (K) is a larger cation compared to lithium, and its lower charge density makes it less
effective at polarizing the nitrogen atom. As a result, potassium is unable to form a stable compound with nitrogen.
The size and charge density of the potassium cation make it unfavorable for the formation of a compound with
nitrogen.

4. PbCl2 is white while PbI2 is coloured . Explain for 2 marks.

= Lead (II) chloride (PbCl2) is a white compound because the energy gap between the valence band and the
conduction band is relatively large, and the compound does not absorb visible light. As a result, most of the visible
light is transmitted or reflected, giving PbCl2 its white appearance.

Lead (II) iodide (PbI2), on the other hand, is colored because the energy gap between the valence band and the
conduction band is smaller compared to PbCl2. This smaller energy gap allows PbI2 to absorb light in the visible
range, leading to the absorption of specific wavelengths and the manifestation of color.

5. The melting point of MgBr2 is 700 degree while that of AlBr3 is only 97 degree . Explain for 2 marks

=In MgBr2, magnesium (Mg) is a metal cation with a lower charge density compared to aluminum (Al) in AlBr3. The
lower charge density of Mg results in weaker electrostatic interactions between the magnesium cation and the
bromide ions in MgBr2. As a result, the intermolecular forces holding the MgBr2 compound together are weaker,
requiring higher temperatures to overcome and melt the compound, leading to a higher melting point of 700
degrees.
On the other hand, in AlBr3, the higher charge density of the aluminum cation results in stronger electrostatic
interactions with the bromide ions. This leads to stronger intermolecular forces in AlBr3 compared to MgBr2, making
it easier to break these forces and melt the compound at a lower temperature of 97 degrees.

6. KI is soluble in alcohol but KCl is not - Explain for 2 marks.

= Potassium iodide (KI) is soluble in alcohol because alcohol is a polar solvent. Iodide ions (I-) are larger and more
polarizable compared to chloride ions (Cl-), and they can form stronger interactions with the polar solvent molecules
in alcohol through ion-dipole interactions. The polar nature of alcohol allows for the dissolution of KI due to favorable
interactions between the ions and the solvent molecules.

On the other hand, potassium chloride (KCl) is not soluble in alcohol because chloride ions (Cl-) are smaller and less
polarizable than iodide ions. The weaker interactions between the chloride ions and the alcohol molecules result in
lower solubility of KCl in alcohol compared to KI.

7. Among MgSO4 and BaSO4 which is expected to decompose at alower temperature according to the reaction
MSO4 --> MO + SO3

= Barium sulfate (BaSO4) is more stable than magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) due to the higher charge and smaller size
of the Ba2+ cation compared to the Mg2+ cation. The strong electrostatic forces between the Ba2+ cation and SO4 2-
anion in BaSO4 result in a highly stable compound with a high lattice energy. This stability makes BaSO4 less likely to
decompose at lower temperatures.

On the other hand, magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is less stable than barium sulfate. The weaker electrostatic forces
between the Mg2+ cation and SO4 2- anion in MgSO4 result in a compound with lower stability and a lower lattice
energy compared to BaSO4. This lower stability makes MgSO4 more likely to decompose at lower temperatures.

8. Melting point of CuCl is much lower than that of KCl . Explain for 2 marks

= Copper chloride (CuCl) is a compound with ionic bonding between copper (Cu) cations and chloride (Cl) anions. The
ionic bond in CuCl is relatively weaker compared to the ionic bond in potassium chloride (KCl) due to the smaller
charge of the copper cation compared to the potassium cation. The weaker ionic bond in CuCl results in weaker
intermolecular forces holding the compound together, leading to a lower melting point.

On the other hand, potassium chloride (KCl) has stronger ionic bonding between potassium (K) cations and chloride
(Cl) anions due to the larger charge of the potassium cation. The stronger ionic bond in KCl results in stronger
intermolecular forces, requiring higher temperatures to overcome and melt the compound, leading to a higher
melting point compared to CuCl.

9. CaF2 exists but NaF2 does not . Explain for 2 marks

= 1. Size and Charge of Ions: Calcium has a larger ionic radius and higher charge density compared to sodium. The
larger size and higher charge density of the calcium cation make it more favorable for forming strong ionic bonds
with fluoride ions, leading to the stable compound CaF2. In contrast, the smaller size and lower charge density of the
sodium cation make it less favorable for forming stable ionic bonds with fluoride ions, resulting in the non-existence
of NaF2.

2. Stability of Compounds: The stability of a compound is influenced by the lattice energy, which is the energy
required to separate the ions in a crystal lattice. The higher charge density of the calcium cation in CaF2 results in a
higher lattice energy, making CaF2 a stable compound. Conversely, the lower charge density of the sodium cation in
NaF2 would result in a lower lattice energy, making NaF2 less stable and less likely to exist.
10. Why ZnSO4 crystallizes with seven molecules of water whereas BaSO4 does not contain any water of crystallization? Explain for 2 marks

= Zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) crystallizes with seven molecules of water because its solvation energy is greater than its lattice energy, making it soluble in
water. Barium sulfate (BaSO4) does not contain water of crystallization because its lattice energy is greater than its solvation energy, making it
insoluble in waterBaSO4 has a high lattice energy and low hydration energy, making it insoluble in water. ZnSO4 has a greater solvation energy than
its lattice energy, making it soluble in water