Chemistry

The s-Block Elements

Question:

Potassium carbonate cannot be prepared by Solvay process. Why?

Answer:

This is due to the reason that potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3) formed as an intermediate (when CO2  gas is passed through ammoniated solution of potassium chloride) is highly soluble in water and cannot be separated by filtration.

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The s-Block Elements

Q 1.

Why does the solution of alkali metals becomes blue in liquid ammonia? Give the chemical equation also.

Q 2.

Lithium resembles magnesium in some of its properties. Mention two such properties and give reasons for this resemblance.

Q 3.

Discuss the trend of the following:
(i) Thermal stability of carbonates of Group 2 elements.
(ii) The solubility and the nature of oxides, of Group 2 elements.

Q 4.

Match the elements given in Column I with the colour they impart to the flame given in Column II.

Column I Column II
(i) Cs (a) Apple green
(ii) Na (b) Violet
(iii) K (c) Brick red
(iv) Ca (d) Yellow
(v) Sr (e) Crimson red
(vi) Ba (f) Blue

 

Q 5.

(a) What makes lithium to show properties uncommon to the rest of the alkali metals?
(b) When is a cation highly polarising? Which alkali metal cation has the highest polarising power?

Q 6.

What is the mixture of CaC2 and N2 called? How is it prepared?

Q 7.

Find out the oxidation state of sodium in Na2O2.

Q 8.

Describe two important uses of each of the following: ,
(i) caustic soda (ii) sodium carbonate (iii) quick lime

Q 9.

Draw the structure of (i) BeCl2 (vapour), (ii) BeCl2 (solid).

Q 10.

Why do alkali metals give characteristic flame colouration?

Q 11.

Which is more basic NaOH or Mg(OH)2?

Q 12.

A chemical A is used for the preparation of washing soda to recover ammonia. When C02 is bubbled through an aqueous solution of A, the solution tons milky. It is used in white washing due to disinfectant nature. What is the chemical formula of A?
(a) Ca(C03)2                    
(b) CaO                                      
(c) Ca(OH)2
(d) CaC03

Q 13.

Identify the correct’ formula of halides of alkaline earth metals from the following.
(a) BaCl2.2H20
(b) BaCl2  .4H20
(c) CaCl2 . 6H20
(d) SrCl2.4H20

Q 14.

Match the compounds given in Column I with their uses mentioned in Column II.

Column I Column II
(i) CaC03 (a) Dentistry, ornamental work
(ii) Ca(OH)2 (b) Manufacture of sodium carbonate from caustic soda
(iii) CaO (c) Manufacture-of high quality paper
(iv) CaS04 (d) Used in white washing

Q 15.

Explain why can alkali and alkaline earth metals not be obtained by chemical reduction method.

Q 16.

Why are potassium and caesium, rather than lithium used in photoelectric cells?

Q 17.

Why is Li2CO3 decomposed at a lower temperature whereas Na2CO3 at higher temperature?

Q 18.

Which one of the following alkali metals give hydrated salts?
(a) Li (b) Na (c) K (d) Cs

Q 19.

Name the alkaline earth metals whose salt do not impart colour to a non-luminous flame.

Q 20.

Arrange the following in the increasing order of solubility in water.
 MgCl2, CaCl2, SrCl2, BaCl2

Q 21.

The reducing power of a metal depends oh various factors. Suggest the factor which makes Li, the strongest reducing agent in aqueous solution.
(a) Sublimation enthalpy (b) Ionisation enthalpy
(c) Hydration enthalpy (d) Electron-gain enthalpy

Q 22.

Dehydration of hydrates of halides of.calcium, barium and strontium, i.e., CaCl2.6H20, BaCl2.2H20, SrCl2.2H20, can be achieved by heating. These become wet oh keeping in air. Which of the following statements is correct about these halides?
(a) Act as dehydrating agents.
(b) Can absorb moisture from air.
(c) Tendency to form hydrate decreases from calcium to barium.
(d) All of the above.

Q 23.

Metallic elements are described by their standard electrode potential, frision enthalpy, atomic size, etc. The alkali metals are characterized by which of the following properties?
(a) High boiling point. ‘
(b) High negative standard electrode potential.
(c) High density.
(d) Large atomic size.

Q 24.

Which of the following are the correct reasons for anomalous behaviour of lithium?
(a) Exceptionally small size of its atom.
(b) Its high polarizing power.
(c) It has high degree of hydration.
(d) Exceptionally low ionization enthalpy.

Q 25.

Why are BeS04 and MgS04 readily soluble in water while CaS04, SrS04 and BaS04 are insoluble?

Q 26.

Explain why is sodium less reactive than potassium.

Q 27.

Compare the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals with respect to (i) ionization enthalpy, (ii) basicity of oxides, (iii) solubility of hydroxides.

Q 28.

What happens when (i) magnesium is burnt in air, (ii) Quick lime is heated with silica (iii) chlorine reacts with slaked lime (iv) calcium nitrate is heated?

Q 29.

Explain the significance of sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium in biological fluids.

Q 30.

Name the alkali metal which shows diagonal relationship with magnesium?

Q 31.

Which electrolyte is used to obtain sodium in Castner’s process?

Q 32.

Give the chemical formula of Epsom salt.

Q 33.

Which alkaline earth metals do not impart colour to the flame?

Q 34.

All compounds of alkali metals are easily soluble in water but lithium compounds are more soluble in organic solvents. Explain.

Q 35.

When alkali metal dissolves in liquid ammonia, the solution can acquire different colours. Explain the reason for this type of colour change.

Q 36.

Why are lithium salts commonly hydrated and those of the other alkali metal ions usually anhydrous?

Q 37.

Which of the alkali metal is having least melting point?
(a) Na (b) K (c) Rb (d) Cs

Q 38.

What happens when crystals of washing soda are exposed to air?

Q 39.

What is Quick lime? What happens when it is added to water?

Q 40.

How would you prepare sodium silicate from silica?

Q 41.

Why is BeCl2 soluble in organic solvent?

Q 42.

Why are alkali metals always univalent? Which alkali metal ion forms largest hydrated ion in aqueous solution?

Q 43.

Explain the following:
(a) Lithium iodide is more covalent than lithium fluoride.
(b) Lattice enthalpy of LiF is maximum among all the alkali metal halides.

Q 44.

Which out of the following can be used to store an alkali metal?
H2O, C2H5OH and Benzene

Q 45.

Alkali metals react with water vigorously to form hydroxides and dihydrogen. Which of the following alkali metals reacts with water least vigorously?
(a) Li . (b) Na (c) K (d) Cs

Q 46.

Suspension of slaked lime in water is known as
(a) lime water                                                                                    
(b) quick lime
(c) milk of lime                                                                              
(d) aqueous solution of slaked lime

Q 47.

Which of the following statements is true about Ca(OH)2?
(a) It is used in the preparation of bleaching powder.
(b) It is a light blue solid.
(c) It does not possess disinfectant property.
(d) It is used in the manufacture of cement.

Q 48.

In the Solvay process, can we obtain sodium carbonate directly by treating the solution containing (NH4)2C03 with sodium chloride? Explain.

Q 49.

Match the elements given in Column I with the properties mentioned in Column II.

Column I Column II
(i) Li (a) Insoluble sulphate
(ii) Na (b) Strongest monoacidic base
(iii) Ca (c) Most negative E ° value among alkali metals
(iv) Ba (d) Insoluble oxalate                                                                         ‘
  (e) 6s2 outer electronic configuration

 

Q 50.

Why are alkali metals not found in nature?