Chemistry

The s-Block Elements

Question:

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.

Answer:

(a, b) Anomalous behaviour of Li is due to its exceptionally small size and high polarizing power.

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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.

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

Q 5.

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 6.

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

Q 7.

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

Q 8.

Give the chemical formula of Epsom salt.

Q 9.

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 10.

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 11.

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 12.

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

Q 13.

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

Q 14.

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

Q 15.

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 16.

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

Q 17.

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.

Q 18.

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

Q 19.

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

Q 20.

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

Q 21.

What is the effect of heat on the following compounds (Give equations for the reactions)?  (i) CaC03 (ii) CaSO4 2H2O

Q 22.

(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 23.

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 24.

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 25.

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

Q 26.

Comment on each of the following observations:
(a) The mobilities of the alkali metal ions in aqueous solution are Li+ < Na+ + < Rb+ < Cs+
(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.

Q 27.

Why alkali and alkaline earth metals cannot be obtained by chemical reduction method?

Q 28.

Why do alkali metals give characteristic flame colouration?

Q 29.

Write the chemical formula of the following compounds.
(i) Chile salt petre (ii) Marble (iii) Brine

Q 30.

Give the important uses of the following compounds.
(i) NaHCO3 (ii) NaOH

Q 31.

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

Q 32.

Why is LiF almost insoluble in water whereas LiCl soluble not only in water but also in acetone?

Q 33.

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

Q 34.

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

Q 35.

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.

Q 36.

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

Q 37.

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 38.

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

Q 39.

Explain why is sodium less reactive than potassium.

Q 40.

Potassium carbonate cannot be prepared by Solvay process. Why?

Q 41.

Why is LiF almost insoluble in water whereas LiCl soluble not only in water but also in acetone?

Q 42.

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

Q 43.

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

Q 44.

What is the general name for elements of group 1 ?

Q 45.

Why are alkali metals soft?

Q 46.

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.

Q 47.

Why are alkali metals soft and have low melting points?

Q 48.

The alkali metals are low melting. Which of the following alkali metals is expected to melt if the room temperature rises to 30 °C?
(a) Na (b) K (c) Rb (d) Cs

Q 49.

When sodium is dissolved in liquid ammonia, a solution of deep blue colour is obtained. The colour of the solution is due to
(a) ammoniated electron                                          
(b) sodium ion
(c) sodium amide                                                                      
(d) ammoniated sodium ion

Q 50.

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.