Although +3 oxidation states is the characteristic oxidation state of lanthanoids but cerium shows +4 oxidation state also. Why?
The electronic configuration of Ce is -4f15d16s2. Usually 5d’ and 6s2 electrons are lost by the lanthanoids in their reactions i.e., they exhibit +3 oxidation states. But Ce exhibit +4 oxidation state also because it gains extra stability by losing 4f1 electron because it will give rise to completely filled orbitals.
Actinoid contraction is greater from element to element than lanthanoid contraction. Why?
Assertion (A): Cu can not libirate hydrogen from acids .
Reason (R): because it has positive electrode potential.
Comment on the statement that elements of the first transition series possess many properties different from those of heavier transition elements.
When a chromite ore (A) is fused with sodium carbonate in free excess of air and the product is dissolved in water, a yellow solution of compound (B) is obtained. After treatment of this yellow solution with sulphuric acid, compound (C) can be crystallized from the solution. When compound (C) is treated with KCl, orange crystals of compound (D) crystallise out. Identify A to D and also explain the reactions.
Assertion (A): The highest oxidation state of osmium is +8.
Reason (R): Osmium is a 5d-block element.
Assertion (A): The highest oxidation state of osmium is +8.
Reason (R): Osmium is a 5d-block element.
Indicate the steps in the preparation of:
(i) K2Cr207from chromite ore
(ii) KMn04 from pyrolusite ore.
What may be the stable oxidation state of the transition element with the following delectron configurations in the ground state of their atoms: 3d3,3d5, 3d8 and 3d4?
Generally, transition-elements and their salts are coloured due to the presence of unpaired electrons in metal ions. Which of the following compounds are coloured?
(a) kMnO4 (b) Ce(SO4)2 (c) TiCl4 (d) Cu2Cl2
In the following questions, a statement of Assertion (A) followed by a statement of Reason (R) is given. Choose the correct answer out of the following choices:
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true and the Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true and the Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) Assertion is not true but the Reason is true.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
Assertion (A): Cu2+ iodide is not known.
Reason (R): Cu2+ oxidises I to iodine.
Which of the 3d series of the transition metals exhibits the largest number of oxidation states and why?
Name the oxometal anions of the first series of the transition metals in which the metal exhibits the oxidation state equal to its group number.
Silver atom has completely filled d orbitals (4d10) in its ground state. How can you say that it is a transition element?
Calculate the number of unpaired electrons in the following gaseous ions : Mn3+, Cr3+, V3+ and Ti3+. Which one of these is the most stable in aqueous solution.
Name the members of the lanthanoid series which exhibit+4oxidatk>nstatesandthosewhichexhibit +2 oxidation states. Try to correlate this type of behaviour with the electronic configurations of these elements.
Calculate the number of unpaired electrons in the following gaseous ions : Mn3+, Cr3+, V3+ and Ti3+. Which one of these is the most stable in aqueous solution.
Mention the type of compounds formed when small atoms like H, C and N get trapped inside the crystal lattice of transition metals. Also give physical and chemical characteristics of these compounds.
Write down the electronic configuration of (i) Cr3+ (ii) Pm3+ (iii) Cu+ (iv) Ce4+(v) Co2+ (vi) Lu2+(vii) Mn2+ (viii) Th4+.
What are the characteristics of the transition . elements and why are they called transition elements? Which of the d-block elements may not be regarded as the transition elements?
Compare the stability of +2 oxidation state for the elements of the first transition series.
Gadolinium belongs to 4f series. Its atomic number is 64. Which of the following is the correct electronic configuration of gadolinium?

In the form of dichromate, Cr (VI) is a strong oxidizing agent in acidic medium but Mo (VI) in MoO3 and W (VI) in WO3 are not because
(a) Cr (VI) is more stable than Mo(VI) and W(VI)
(b) Mo(VI) and W(VI) are more stable than Cr(VI)
(c) higher oxidation states of heavier members of group-6 of transition series are more stable
(d) lower oxidation states of heavier members of group-6 of transition series are more stable
Which of the following ions show higher spin only magnetic moment value?
(a) Ti3+ (b) Mn2+ (c) Fe2+ (d) Co3+
Although Zr belongs to 4d and Hf belongs to 5d transition series but it is quite difficult to separate them. Why?
Although +3 oxidation states is the characteristic oxidation state of lanthanoids but cerium shows +4 oxidation state also. Why?
How would you account for the irregular variation of ionisation enthalpies (first and second) in the first series of the transition elements?
What are alloys? Name an important alloy which contains some of the lanthanoid metals. Mention its uses.
Use Hund's rule to derive the electronic configuration of Ce3+ ion, and calculate its magnetic moment on the basis of ‘spin-only' formula.
When KMnO4 solution is added to oxalic acid solution, the decolourisation is slow in the beginning but becomes instantaneous after some time because
(a) CO2 is formed as the product (b) Reaction is exothermic
(c) Mn04 catalyses the reaction (d) Mn2+ acts as autocatalyst
KMnO4 acts as an oxidizing agent in acidic medium. The number of moles of KMn04 that will be needed to react with one mole of sulphide ions in acidic solution is

Which of the following lanthanoids show +2 oxidation state besides the characteristic oxidation state +3 of lanthanoids?
(a) Ce (b) Eu (c) Yb (d) Ho
Which of the following will not act as oxidizing agents?
(a) CrO3 (b) MoO3(c) WO3 (d) CrO42-
Although +3 is the characteristic oxidation state for lanthanoids but cerium
also shows +4 oxidation state because
(a) it has variable ionization enthalpy
(b) it has a tendency to attain noble gas configuration
(c) it has a tendency to attain f ° configuration
(d) it resembles Pb4+
When a brown compound of manganese
(A) is treated with HCl, it gives a gas
(B) The gas taken in excess, reacts with NH3 to give an explosive compound
(C) Identify compounds A, B and C.
While filling up of electrons in the atomic orbitals, the 4s orbital is filled before the 3d-orbital but reverse happens during the ionization of the atom. Explain why?
On the basis of lanthanoid contraction, explain the following:
(a) Nature of bonding in La2O3 and Lu2O3.
(b) Trends in the stability of oxo-salts of lanthanoids from La to Lu.
(c) Stability of the complexes of lanthanoids.
(d) Radii of Ad- and 5d-block elements.
(e) Trends in acidic character of lanthanoid oxides.