D AND F BLOCK PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. Based on the data arrange Fe2+ ,Mn2+ and Cr2+ in the increasing order of stability of +2 oxidation
state .(Give brief reason) E0Cr3+/Cr2+ = -0.4V E0Mn3+/Mn2+ = +1.5V E0Fe3+/Fe2+ = +0.8V
ANS- Order of stability -Cr2+ <Fe2+<Mn2+
Reason- Because of stability of half-filled 3d5 configuration of Mn2+
2. Explain the following:
a)Out of Sc3+,Co2+ and Cr3+ ions, only Sc3+ is colourless in aqueous solutions.
ANS- Because of absence of unpaired electrons.
b)The E0Cu2+/Cu for copper metal is positive(+0.34V), unlike the remaining members of the first
transition series.
ANS- Because of low hydration enthalpy and high atomization enthalpy.
c)La(OH)3 is more basic than Lu(OH)3.
ANS- Because of Lanthanoid contraction , the basicity of hydroxides decreases from La to Lu.
3. Account for the following:
a) Transition metals show variable oxidation states.
ANS- Because of very little energy difference between (n-1)d and ns orbitals ,both energy
levels can be used for bond formation.
b) Zn,Cd and Hg are soft metals.
ANS- Because of ful-filled d-orbital configuration, the inter atomic metallic bonding is weak.
Hence are soft metals.
c) E0 value for the Mn3+/Mn2+ couple is highly positive(+1.57V) as compared to Cr3+/Cr2+.
ANS- Because Mn2+ ion is stable due to its half filled configuration (d5), Mn3+ ion has a very
high tendency to form stable Mn2+ ion.
4. Write one similarity and one difference between the chemistry of lanthanoid and actinoid
elements.
ANS-Similarity: Both shows mainly an oxidation state of +3 and both are very reactive.
Difference: Lanthanoids have less tendency to form complex whereas, actinoids have great
tendency for form complex. Actinoid contraction is greater than Lanthanoid contraction.
5. Name the following:
a)A transition metal which does not exhibit variation in oxidation state in its compounds.
ANS-Scandium
b)A compound where the transition metal is in +7 oxidation state.
ANS- Manganese
c)A member of lanthanoid series which is well known to exhibit +4 oxidation state.
ANS-Cerium
6. What is Lanthanoid contraction? What are its consequences?
ANS- The steady decrease in the size of lanthanide ions with the increase in atomic number is
called lanthanoid contraction.
Consequences:
i) Zr and Hf have identical sizes.
ii)Basicity of hydroxides decreases from La to Lu.
7. What are transition elements? Write two characterstics of the transition elements.
ANS- Elements which in their ground state or in any of their oxidation state have partially filled or
incomplete d-orbital are called transition elements.
The general characteristics of transition elements are :
(1)They have high boiling and melting points.
(2) They form metal alloys with transition and other metals.
8. a)Write the formula of an oxo-anion of Chromium (Cr) in which it shows the oxidation state
equal to its group number.
ANS- Cr2O72-
b) Write the formula of an oxo-anion of Manganese in which it shows the oxidation state equal
 to its group number.
ANS-MnO4-
9. a)Zr and Hf have almost identical radii . Justify.
ANS- Due to lanthanoid contraction.
b)Cobalt (II) is stable in aqueous solution but in the presence of strong ligands it can be easily
oxidized to Co(III) .
ANS- Because strong ligand have a tendency to pair up the electrons, so Cobalt 2 is stable in
aqueous solution but in the presence of strong ligands it is easily oxidised.
10. Following are the transition metal ions of 3d series: Ti4+,V2+,Mn3+,Cr3+.Answer the following:
a) Which ion is most stable in an aqueous solution?
ANS-Ti4+
b)Which ion is a strong oxidizing agent and why?
ANS- Mn3+ because it has a tendency to get converted to stable Mn2+ state.
c) Which ion is colourless?
ANS- Ti+4
11. Give reasons for the following:
a)Compounds of transition elements are generally coloured.
ANS- Because of the presence of unpaired electrons which undergoes d-d transition.
b)MnO is basic while Mn2O7 is acidic.
ANS- In MnO , Mn is in its lower oxidation state(+2) and in Mn 2O7 ,Mn is in its higher
oxidation state(Mn+7)
12. Calculate the magnetic moment of a divalent ion in an aqueous medium if its atomic number is
26.
ANS- μ = √4(4+2) = 4.90 B.M
13. Give reasons:
a)Zn,Cd and Hg is not regarded as a transition element.
ANS- Because of the presence of ful-filled d-orbital in ground state and in its +2 oxidation state.
b)Cr2+ is a strongly reducing and Mn3+ is a oxidizing inspite of having the same d-orbital
configuration.
ANS- Cr2+ get oxidized to stable Cr3+(d3(t2g3)) configuration, hence acts as a reducing agent.
Mn3+ get reduced to Mn2+(d5) configuration , hence acts as an oxidizing agent.
14. Identify the following:
a)Oxoanion of chromium which is stable in acidic medium.
ANS- Cr2O72-
b)The lanthanoid element that exhibits +4 oxidation state.
ANS-Cerium
15. The magnetic moment of a few transition metal ions are given below:
Metal ion Magnetic moment(BM)
3+
Sc 0.00
2+
Cr 4.90
2+
Ni 2.84
Ti3+ 1.73
Which of the given metal ion:
a)has the maximum number of unpaired electrons?
ANS- Cr2+
b)forms colourless aqueous solution?
ANS-Sc3+ (because of absence of unpaired electrons)
c) exhibits the most stable +3 oxidation state?
ANS-Sc3+
16. Consider the standard electrode potential values (M2+/M) of the elements of the first transition
series.
Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn
-1.63 -1.18 -0.90 -1.18 -0.44 -0.28 -0.25 +0.34 -0.76
Explain:
a)E0 value of Mn and Zn is more negative as expected from the trend.
ANS- Due to greater stability of half filled d–subshell (d5) in Mn and ful filled d-subshell (d10)
in Zn.
b)Cr2+ is a stronger reducing agent than Fe2+.
ANS- This can be explained on the basis of the standard electrode potential values . Cr 2+ is
easily oxidised to Cr3+ but Fe2+ cannot be as readily oxidised to Fe3+.
17. Account for the following:
a)CuCl2 is more stable than Cu2Cl2.
ANS- Cu+2 is stable due to high –ve hydration enthalpy than Cu +1.
b)Atomic radii of 4d and 5d series elements are nearly same.
ANS- Because of Lanthanoid Contraction.
c)Why Cu2+ is stable in aqueous solution than Cu+1?
ANS- Cu+2 is stable due to high –ve hydration enthalpy than Cu +1.
18. Account for the following:
a)Mn shows the highest oxidation state of +7 with oxygen but with fluorine it shows the highest
oxidation state of +4.
ANS- Because Oxygen has the ability to form multiple bonds with Manganese .
b)Transition metals act as a catalysts.
ANS-Because of the following:-
i)Variable oxidation state.
ii)tendency to form complexes.
iii) they can easily give and accept electrons.
c) the highest oxidation state of a metal is exhibited in its oxide or fluoride only.
ANS-
 Because oxygen and fluorine are highly electronegative elements.
 Oxygen has the ability to form multiple bonds with metal.
 Due to high lattice energy of fluorine CoF3 is stable and due to high bond enthalpy VF5
and CrF6 is stable.
19. The elements of 3d transition series are given as:
Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn
Answer the following:
a)Write the element which is not regarded as a transition element.
ANS-Zn
b)Which element has the highest m.p?
ANS- Cr
c)Write the element which can show an oxidation state of +1.
ANS- Sc
d)Why m.p of Mn is less than Cr ?
ANS- Because of stable d5 configuration in Mn , it has weak inter atomic metallic bonding .
Hence low m.p.
e) Why m.p of Cr is more than Mn ?
 ANS- Involvement of greater number of electrons from 3d and 4s results in greater inter atomic
metallic bonding .Hence high m.p.
20. Explain the following observations:
a)Many of the transition elements are known to form interstitial compounds.
ANS- Transition elements have vacant interstitial sites and are able to trap small atoms like H ,
C or N to form interstitial compound.
b)There is a general increase in density from titanium to copper.
ANS- Because of decrease in metallic radius from Ti to copper and increase in atomic
mass results in a general increase in the density of these elements.
c)The number of the actinoid series exhibit a larger number of oxidation states than the
corresponding members of the lanthanoid series.
ANS- Because of small energy gap between 7s, 6d and 5f orbitals.
21. For M2+/M and M3+/M2+ systems,E0 values for some metals are as follows:
Cr2+/Cr = -0.9V Cr3+/Cr2+ =-0.4V
Mn2+/Mn=-1.2V Mn3+/Mn2+ = +1.5V
2+ 3+ 2+
Fe /Fe=-0.4V Fe /Fe = +0.8V
Use this data to comment upon:
a)the stability of Fe3+ in acid solution as compared to that of Cr3+ and Mn3+.
ANS- Mn3+< Fe3+< Cr3+
b)the ease with which iron can be oxidized as compared to the similar process for either Cr on
Mn metals.
ANS- Cr < Fe < Mn
22. How would you account for the following:
a)Among Lanthanoids , Ln(III) compounds are predominant .However occasionally in solutions
or in solid compounds,+2 and +4 ions are also obtained.
ANS-Because of extra stability of empty, half-filled and completely filled 4f- subshell
respectively i e, 4f0,4f7 , 4f14
b) The highest oxidation state is exhibited in oxo-anions of a metal.
ANS- Oxygen is a strong oxidizing agent due to its high electronegativity and small size. So,
oxo-anions of metal have the highest oxidation state.
c)All copper halides are known except that of copper iodide.
ANS-Cu2+ oxidizes iodide ion to iodine.
23. Account for the following:
a)Transition metals form large number of complex compounds.
ANS- Due to smaller size of the metal ions , high ionic charges and the availability of vacant d-
orbitals.
b)The lowest oxide of transition metal is basic whereas the highest oxide is amphoteric or acidic.
ANS- In lowest oxide the transition metal exhibits lower oxidation state and in higher oxide the
transition metal exhibits higher oxidation state.
c)Transition metals are used as alloys.
ANS- Because the atomic sizes of transition metals are very similar to each other and this
attributes to their nature of forming alloys. One metal can replace the other metal from its lattice
and form the solid solution.
24. Give reasons:
a)Actinoid show irregularities in their electronic configuration.
ANS- Due to comparable energies of 5f , 6d and 7s orbitals and the relative stabilities of f 0 ,f7
 and f14 configuration of 5f orbitals.
b)Actinoid contraction is greater from element to element from Lanthanoid contraction.
ANS- Because of poor intervention of 5f orbitals than 4f orbitals.
c) Actinoids exhibit a greater no. of oxdn state than Lanthanoids.
ANS- Because of small energy gap between 7s, 6d and 5f orbitals.
25. a)How is the variability in oxidation states of transition metals different from that of the p-block
elements?
ANS- Transition metals show variable oxidation state . The oxidation states of transition metals
differ by 1 unit and that of p-block differ by 2 units. Example- Mn - +2,+3,+4,+5,+6,+7 and Pb
- +2 and +4.
b)Out of Cu+ and Cu2+, which ion is unstable in aqueous solution and why?
ANS- Cu+1 is unstable. Because Cu+1 undergoes disproportionation to Cu2+ and Cu.
c) What is the reason behind unique behaviour of Copper?
ANS- Because the energy required to transform Cu to Cu2+ is very high and is not balanced by
hydration enthalpy.
26. a) Out of Mn3+ and Cr3+ , which is more paramagnetic and why?
ANS- Mn3+ because of the presence of more unpaired electrons.
b) Why transition metals and many of their compounds show paramagnetic behavior.
ANS-Because of the presence of unpaired electrons.
c)The enthalpies of atomization of the transition metals are high. Justify.
ANS- Because of the presence of large no. of unpaired electrons and strong interatomic metallic
bonding.
d) Zn2+ salts are white while Cu2+ salts are coloured. Account for the statement
ANS- Because of absence of unpaired electrons in Zn2+ and presence of unpaired electrons in
Cu2+.
e) Why CuF is unstable?
ANS- Because fluorine oxidises Cu+ to Cu2+.
27. a)For the first row transition metals the E0 values are:
E0 V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu
M2+/M -1.18 -0.91 -1.18 -0.44 -0.28 -0.25 +0.34
Explain the irregularity in the above values.
ANS- Due to irregularity in Ionisation enthalpy and sublimation enthalpy.
b)How would you account for the irregular variation of ionization enthalpies in the first series of
the transition elements?
ANS- Due to extra stability of configurations of d 0, d5, d10 the I.E is high.
c)How would you account for the increasing oxidizing power in the series
VO2+<Cr2O72-< MnO4-?
ANS- With increase in oxidation state of the metal the oxidizing power increases.
28. a) Why separation of Lanthanoid elements are difficult?
ANS- Because of similarities in their physical and chemical properties.
b) Why Lu(OH)3 is a weaker base than La(OH)3 ?
ANS- In the Lanthanide series the ionic size decreases from La+3 to Lu+3 hence covalent nature
increases thereby decreasing the basic strength.
c) What are the consequences of Lanthanoid contraction ? (remember any two points)
ANS-
i)The elements of 2nd and 3rd transition series resemble each other much more than the elements
 of 2nd and 1st transition series.
ii)It is very difficult to separate the elements in pure state because their chemical properties are
quite similar.
iii)The basic strength of hydroxides of Lanthanoids decreases with increase in atomic number.
iv) Zr and Hf have identical sizes.
29. A blackish brown coloured compound ‘A’ when fused with alkali metal hydroxides in presence
of air, produces a dark green coloured compound ‘B’ which on electrolytic oxidation in alkaline
medium gives a dark purple coloured compound ‘C’. Identify A,B,C and write the reaction of A
when fused with alkali metal hydroxide in presence of air. What happens when an acidic
solution of green compound ‘B’ is allowed to stand for sometime. Give the equation involved ?
What is this type of reaction called ?
ANS-

30. A mixed oxide of iron and chromium FeO.Cr2O3 is fused with Na2CO3 in the presence of air to
form a yellow coloured compound ‘A’. ;On acidification the compound ‘A’ forms an orange
coloured compound ‘B’, Which is a strong oxidizing agent. Identify :-
a)The compound A and B.
b)Write balanced chemical equation for each step.
ANS-
A = Na2CrO4, B =Na2Cr2O7
4FeCr2O4+8Na2CO3+7O28Na2CrO4+2Fe2O3+8CO2.
31. When a brown compound of manganese (A) is treated with HCI gives a gas (B). The gas taken
in excess reacts with NH3 to give an explosive compound (C). Identify compounds A and B.
ANS-
A = MnO2 B = Cl2 C=NCl3
MnO2+4HCIMnCl2+Cl2+2H2O
(A) (B)
NH3+3CI2NCI3+3HCI.
(excess) (C)
32. A green solution of potassium manganate turns purple when CO 2 gas is passed through the
solution. Explain why ?
ANS-
CO2+H2OH2CO3⇄H++HCO3-
3MnO42- + 4H+2MnO4- + MnO2+2H2O(Acidic Medium)
Green Purple
33. When an oxide of manganese (A) is fused with KOH in the presence of an oxidizing agent and
dissolved in water, it gives a dark solution of compound (B). Compound (B) disproportionates
on neutral or acidic solution to give purple compound (C). An alkaline solution of compound (C)
oxidizes potassium iodide solution to a compound (D) and compound (A) is also formed.
Identify compounds A to D and also explain the reactions involved.
Ans :- A = MnO2 B = K2MnO4 C=KMnO4 D = KIO3
 2MnO2+4KOH+O22K2MnO4+ 2H2O
3MnO42- + 4H+  2MnO4- + MnO2+ 2H2O
2MnO4- +H2O + KI2MnO2+2OH- + KIO3
34. A violet compound of Manganese (A) decomposes on heating to liberate oxygen and compounds
(B) and (C) of manganese are formed. Compound (C) reacts with KOH in the presence of
potassium nitrate to give compound (B). On heating compound (C) with Conc. H 2SO4 and NaCl,
Chlorine gas is liberated and a compound (D) of manganese along with other products is formed.
Identify compounds A to D and also explain the reactions involved.
Ans :- A = KMnO4, B = K2MnO4, C = MnO2, D = MnCl2
∆
2KMnO4→K2MnO4+MnO2+O2
2MnO2+4KOH+O22K2MnO4+2H2O
MnO2+4NaCl+4H2SO4MnCl2+4NaHSO4+2H2O+Cl2
35. Describe the preparation of potassium dichromate from iron chromite ore. What is the effect of
increasing pH on a solution of potassium dichromate?
ANS-

The chromates and dichromates depend upon the p H of the solution. If pH of potassium
dichromate is increased it is converted to yellow potassium chromate.

36. Describe the oxidising action of potassium dichromate and write the ionic equations for its
reaction with:
(i)iodide (ii)iron (II) solution and (iii)H2S
37. a)Why is potassium permanganate diamagnetic and manganate paramagenetic in nature?
ANS-The green manganate is paramagnetic due to the presence of unpaired electrons and
permanganate is diamagnetic due to the absence of unpaired electrons.
b)Why is it difficult to study the chemistry of actinoids?
ANS-The actinoid elements are mostly radioactive elements. Their half-lives are relatively short,
making them difficult to study.

38. a)Why permanganate titrations are unsatisfactory in presence of hydrochloric acid?

ANS-Because hydrochloric acid is oxidized to chlorine.
b)Name a compound used as a primary standard in volumetric analysis?
ANS-K2Cr2O7
c)Which transition metal of 3d series does not show variable oxidation state?
ANS- Scandium

Note the following:-

1)Preparation of Potassium Dichromate:-

2)Preparation of Potassium Permanganate:-

3)Practice the following equations:-