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.

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 2.

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

Q 3.

(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 4.

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

Q 5.

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 6.

Potassium carbonate cannot be prepared by Solvay process. Why?

Q 7.

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

Q 8.

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

Q 9.

Which of the carbonates given below is unstable in air and is kept in C02 atmosphere to avoid decomposition.
(a) BeCO3
(b) MgC03
(c) CaC03
(d) BaCO3

Q 10.

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

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.

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 13.

Give the chemical formula of Epsom salt.

Q 14.

Why are alkali metals soft and have low melting points?

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.

Several sodium compounds find use in industries. Which of the following compounds are used for textile industry?
(a) Na2C03                        
(b) NaHC03                        
(c) NaOH                              
(d) NaCl

Q 17.

When heated in air, the alkali metals form various oxides. Mention the oxides formed by Li, Na and K.

Q 18.

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 19.

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

Q 20.

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

Q 21.

What is dead burnt plaster?

Q 22.

The formula of soda ash is
(a)       NaHCO3.10H2O
(b)Na2C03.2H20
(c) Na2C03.H20
(d) Na2C03    

Q 23.

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 24.

What are the common physical and chemical features of alkali metals?

Q 25.

Explain why is sodium less reactive than potassium.

Q 26.

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

Q 27.

Beryllium and magnesium do not give colour to flame whereas other alkaline earth metals do so. Why?

Q 28.

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

Q 29.

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

Q 30.

Why is BeCl2 soluble in organic solvent?

Q 31.

(a) Compare four properties of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals.
(b) What happens when alkali metals are dissolved in ammonia?
(c) MgCl2 is electrolysed.

Q 32.

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 33.

Starting with sodium chloride how would you proceed to prepare.
(i) Sodium metal (ii) Sodium hydroxide
(iii) Sodium peroxide (iv) Sodium carbonate?

Q 34.

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

Q 35.

What happens when
(i) Sodium metal is dropped in water?
(ii) Sodium metal is heated in free supply of air?
(iii) Sodium peroxide dissolves in water?

Q 36.

Write balanced equations for reactions between.
(a) Na2O2 and water
(b) KO2 and water
(c) Na2O and CO2

Q 37.

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

Q 38.

Name the compounds used for the manufacture of washing soda by Solvay process.

Q 39.

How would you prepare sodium silicate from silica?

Q 40.

Why do alkali metals give characteristic flame colouration?

Q 41.

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

Q 42.

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

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.

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 46.

Metal carbonates decompose on heating to give metal oxide and carbon dioxide. Which of the metal carbonates is most stable thermally?
(a) MgC03
(b)CaC03
(c)SrCQ3                              
(d)BaC03

Q 47.

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 48.

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

Q 49.

Why are alkali metals not found in nature?

Q 50.

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