Why are alkali metals soft and have low melting points?
Alkali metals have only one valence electron per metal atom. As a result, the binding energy of alkali metal ions in the close-packed metal lattices are weak. Therefore, these are soft and have low melting point.
Lithium resembles magnesium in some of its properties. Mention two such properties and give reasons for this resemblance.
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.
Why does the solution of alkali metals becomes blue in liquid ammonia? Give the chemical equation also.
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 |
Describe two important uses of each of the following: ,
(i) caustic soda (ii) sodium carbonate (iii) quick lime
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.
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 |
Compare the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals with respect to (i) ionization enthalpy, (ii) basicity of oxides, (iii) solubility of hydroxides.
Explain why can alkali and alkaline earth metals not be obtained by chemical reduction method.
Comment on each of the following observations:
(a) The mobilities of the alkali metal ions in aqueous solution are Li+ < Na+
(b) Lithium is the only alkali metal to form a nitride directly.
(c) Ee for M2+ (aq) + 2e– —> M(s) (where M = Ca, Sr, or Ba) is nearly constant.
Name the alkaline earth metals whose salt do not impart colour to a non-luminous flame.
Arrange the following in the increasing order of solubility in water.
MgCl2, CaCl2, SrCl2, BaCl2
(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?
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
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
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
In the Solvay process, can we obtain sodium carbonate directly by treating the solution containing (NH4)2C03 with sodium chloride? Explain.
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 |
The hydroxides and carbonates of sodium and potassium are easily soluble in water while the corresponding salts of magnesium and calcium are sparingly soluble in water. Explain.
Why are lithium salts commonly hydrated and those of the other alkali metal ions usually anhydrous?
What is the effect of heat on the following compounds (Give equations for the reactions)? (i) CaC03 (ii) CaSO4 2H2O
The order of decreasing ionization enthalpy in alkali metals is
(a) Na > Li > K > Rb (b) Rb < Na < K < Li
(c) Li > Na > K > Rb (d) K < Li < Na < Rb
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
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.
Why are BeS04 and MgS04 readily soluble in water while CaS04, SrS04 and BaS04 are insoluble?
All compounds of alkali metals are easily soluble in water but lithium compounds are more soluble in organic solvents. Explain.
Write the chemical formula of the following compounds.
(i) Chile salt petre (ii) Marble (iii) Brine
Why are ionic hydrides of only alkali metals and alkaline earth metals are known? Give two examples.
State as to why
(a) Alkali metals show only +1 oxidation state. (b) Na and K impart colour to the flame but Mg does not.(c) Lithium on being heated in air mainly forms the monoxide and not the peroxide.(d) Li is the best reducing agent in aqueous solution.
Which out of the following can be used to store an alkali metal?
H2O, C2H5OH and Benzene
Why is LiF almost insoluble in water whereas LiCl soluble not only in water but also in acetone?
Metals form basic hydroxides. Which of the following metal hydroxides is the least basic?
(a) Mg(OH)2 (b) Ca(OH)2 (c) Sr(OH)2 (d) Ba(OH)2
The solubility of metal halides depends on their nature, lattice enthalpy and hydration enthalpy of the individual ions. Amongst fluorides of alkali metals, the lowest solubility of LiF in water is due to
(a) ionic nature of lithium fluoride. . .
(b) high lattice enthalpy. ‘
(c) high hydration enthalpy for lithium ion.
(d) low ionization enthalpy of lithium atom.
In the synthesis of sodium carbonate, the recovery of ammonia is done by treating NH4C1 with Ca(OH)2. The by-product obtained in this process is
(a) CaCl2
(b) NaCl
(c) NaOH
(d) NaHC03
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.