p – BLOCK ELEMENTS

(CLASS – XII)

Group-15
(N, P, As, Sb, Bi)
1. Why does the reactivity of N differs from P?
2. Why does NH3 form H bond but PH3 does not? / Why the boiling point of NH3 is higher than PH3?
3. Give the resonating structures of NO2 and N2O4.
4. In the hydride compounds of group-15 the HNH bond angle is greater than HPH, HAsH and HSbH angles-
why?
5. Why does R3P=O exist but R3N=O does not? / Why does PCl5 exist but NCl5 does not? / Though N shows +5
oxidation state but can’t form pentahalide – explain.
6. NH3 is basic but BiH3 is only feebly basic – why?
7. N exist as N2 but P exist as P4 – why?
8. Why does N shows catenation property less than p?
9. Can PCl5 act as both oxidising agent and reducing agent?
10. Why the N-O bond in NO2- ion is shorter than the N-O bond in NO3- ion?
11. NF3 is an exothermic compound but NCl3 is not – why?
12. Which out of PCl4+ and PCl4- has existence and why?
13. Dipole moment of NH3 is high but that of NF3 is substantial – why?
14. The stability of +5 oxidation state decreases down the group for Gr-15 elements – why?
15. Out of SbH3 and BiH3 which one stronger reducing agent and why? / Why is BiH3 the strongest reducing agent
amongst all the hydrides of Gr-15?
16. Solid PCl5 is ionic in nature – explain.
17. Red P is less reactive than white P – explain.
18. Why are pentahalides more covalent than trihalides?
19. Why is N2 less reactive at room temperature?
20. Why does NH3 acts as a lewis base?
21. Mention the conditions required to maximise the yield of ammonia.
22. Why does NO2 dimerises to N2O4?
23. In what way can it be proved that PH3 is basic in nature?
24. Bond angle in PH4+ is greater than that in PH3 – why?
25. Are all the five bonds in PCl5 molecule equivalent? Justify your answer.
26. How do you account for the reducing behaviour of H3PO2 on the basis of its structure?
27. What is the basicity of H3PO4?
28. What happens when H3PO3 is heated?
29. What happens when PCl5 is heated?
30. Write a balanced equation for the hydrolytic reaction of PCl5 in heavy water.
31. Why does PCl3 fumes in moisture?
32. What happens when white phosphorous is heated with concentrated NaOH solution in an inert atmosphere of
CO2?
33. How does ammonia react with a solution of Cu2+?
34. Write the reaction of thermal decomposition of sodium azide.
35. How is N2 prepared in the laboratory? Give chemical equation.
36. How is ammonia manufactured industrially?
37. Illustrate how copper metal can give different products on reaction with HNO3?
38. Give the disproportionation reaction of H3PO3.
39. PCl5 exist but BiCl5 does not – why?
40. PCl5 exist as the ion pair [PCl4+][PCl6-] but PBr5 exist as the ion pair [PBr4]+Br─ - explain.
41. H3PO3 acts as a reducing agent while H3PO4 doesn’t – explain.
42. Out of Bi(v) and Sb(v) which one is a stronger oxidising agent and why?
43. In organic reactions PCl5 is used as a chlorinating agent – why?
44. NH3 is a better complexing agent than PH3 – why?
45. Which among NO2+ and NO2- has higher value of bond angle and why?
46. How many types of salts are obtained when H3PO4 reacts with NaOH?
47. Give the structures of the following compounds:
Hypophosphorus acid or Phosphinic acid [H3PO2], Orthophosphorus acid or Phosphonic acid [H3PO3],
Orthophosphoric acid [H3PO4], Peroxomonophosphoric acid [H3PO5], Pyrophosphorus acid [H4P2O5],
Hypophosphoric acid [H4P2O6], Pyrophosphoric acid [H4P2O7], Cyclotrimetaphosphoric acid [(HPO3)3], Linear
polymetaphosphoric acid [(HPO3)n],Peroxodiphosphoric acid [H4P2O8]
48. Give the structures of the following compounds:
N2O, NO, N2O3, NO2, N2O4, N2O5
49. What happens when ammonia reacts with an alkaline solution of Nessler’s reagent?
50. What happens when ammonia reacts with excess chlorine?
51. What happens when excess ammonia reacts with chlorine?
52. What do you mean by ‘Active Nitrogen’?
53. Give the structures of P2O5 and P4O10
54. Draw the structures of allotropes of Phosphorus.
55. What happens when ammonium chloride is treated with Ca(OH)2?
56. How will you prepare PH3 in the laboratory?
57. What happens when P4 reacts with SO2Cl2?
58. Complete and balance the following reactions:

(i) NH4Cl (aq) + NaNO2(aq) → (ii) (NH4)2Cr2O7 + ∆ → (iii) Ba(N3)2 + ∆ → (iv) Li + N2 + ∆ →

(v) Mg + N2 + ∆ → (vi) N2(g) + O2(g) + ∆ → (vii) NH2CONH2 + H2O → (viii) (NH4)2SO4 + NaOH →
(ix) ZnSO4(aq) + NH4OH(aq) → (x) FeCl3(aq) + NH4OH(aq) → (xi)AgCl(s) + NH3(aq) →
(xii) NH3(g) + O2(g) + Pt/Rh gauge catalyst → (xiii) NO(g) + O2(g) → (xiv) NO2(g) + H2O(l) →
(xv) Zn + HNO3(dilute) → (xvi) Zn + HNO3(conc.) → (xvii) I2 + HNO3 → (xviii) C + HNO3 →
(xix) S8 + HNO3 → (xx) NaNO3 + H2SO4 → (xxi) P4 + HNO3 →

59. Write the reactions involved in ring test for nitrate ion.
60. Complete and balance the following reactions:

(i) P4(white) + NaOH + H2O → (ii) P4(white) + O2 → (iii) Ca3P2 + H2O → (iv) Ca3P2 + HCl →
(v) PH4I + KOH → (vi) CuSO4 + PH3 → (vii) HgCl2 + PH3 → (viii) PH3 + HBr → (ix) P4 + Cl2 →
(x) P4 + SOCl2 → (xi) PCl3 + H2O → (xii) PCl3 + CH3COOH → (xiii) PCl3 + C2H5OH →
(xiv) P4 + Cl2(excess) → (xv) C2H5OH + PCl5 → (xvi) CH3COOH + PCl5 → (xvii) Ag + PCl5 →
(xviii) Sn + PCl5 → (xix) AgNO3 + H2O + H3PO2 → (xx) PCl5 + H2O →

61. What are the oxidation states of P in the compounds: H3PO3, PCl3, Ca3P2, Na3PO4, POF3
62. Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction showing catalytic oxidation of NH3 by atmospheric
oxygen.
63. PH3 forms bubbles when passed slowly in water but NH3 dissolves. Explain why?
64. Why is nitric oxide paramagnetic in gaseous state but the solid obtained on cooling it is diamagnetic?
65. On reaction with chlorine P forms two type of chloride A and B. Chloride A is yellowish white powder but
chloride B is colourless oily liquid. Identify A and B and write the formulas of their hydrolysis products.
66. P4O6 reacts with water as P4O6 + 6H2O → 4H3PO3. Calculate the volume of 0∙1(M) NaOH solution required to
neutralise the acid formed by dissolving 1.1 g of P4O6 in H2O.
67. White P reacts with Cl2 and the product hydrolyses in presence of water. Calculate the mass of HCl obtained by
the hydrolysis of the product formed by the reaction of 6 g pf white P with Cl2 in presence of water.
68. Name three oxoacids of N and write the disproportionation reaction of that oxoacid of N in which N is in +3
oxidation state.
69. HNO3 forms an oxide of N on reaction with P4O10. Write the reaction involved. Also write the resonating
structures of the oxide of n formed.
70. Give an example to show the effect of conc. Of HNO3 on the formation of oxidation product.
71.PCl5 reacts with finely divided Ag on heating and a white silver salt is obtained which dissolves on adding excess
aq. NH3 solution. Write the reactions involved to explain what happens.
72. Write a reaction showing reducing property of Phosphinic acid.
 Group-16
(O, S, Se, Te, Po)

1. Elements of Gr-16 generally show lower value of 1st I.P compared to the corresponding period of Gr-15. Why?
2. H2S is less acidic than H2Te. Why?
3. Write the order of thermal stability of the hydrides of Gr-16 elements.
4. Why is H2O a liquid and H2S a gas?
5. Among Zn, Ti, Pt, Fe which one doesn’t react with oxygen?
6. Why does O3 act as a powerful oxidising agent?
7. How is O3 estimated quantitatively?
8. Which form of S shows paramagnetic behaviour?
9. What happens when SO2 is passed through an aqueous solution of Fe(III) salt?
10. What happens when SO2 is passed through aqueous solution of KMnO4?
11. How is the presence of SO2 detected?
12. What happens when Conc. H2SO4 is added to calcium fluoride?
13. What happens when SO3 is passed through water?
14. Mention three areas where H2SO4 plays an important role.
15. Write the conditions to maximize the yield of H2SO4 in Contact Process.
16. Why is Ka2 << Ka1 for H2SO4 in water?
17. Why is dioxygen a gas but sulphur a solid?
18. Knowing the electron gain enthalpy values for O→O─ and O→O2- as -141 and 702 kJ mol-1 respectively, how
can you account for the formation of a large number of oxides having O2- species and not O─?
19. Which aerosols deplete ozone?
20. How is SO2 an air pollutant?
21. SF6 is not chemically reactive – explain.
22. The catenation tendency of S is much higher than that of O – explain.
23. H2S is more acidic than H2O – explain.
24. Which out of PH3 and H2S is more acidic and why?
25. All the bonds in SF4 are not equivalent – explain.
26. The two O-O bonds in O3 molecule are equal in length – explain.
27. Ozone is thermodynamically unstable – explain.
28. The electron gain enthalpy value (magnitude only) is less for O than for S – explain.
29. SF6 exist but SH6 has no existence – explain.
30. Why Sulphuric acid has high boiling point (611 K)?
31. The bleaching action of SO2 is temporary but that of Cl2 is permanent – explain.
32. Why is ozone used for purifying air in crowded places like cinema halls, underground railway stations, tunnels,
slaughter houses?
33. H2S and H2 can’t be dried by passing it through conc. H2SO4 - Why?
34. S exhibits +4 as well as +6 oxidation state but O exhibits none – explain.
35. Conc. H2SO4 can’t be used for drying HBr/HI – why?
36. Why is bond angle in H2S is less than that in H2O?
37. Draw the structures of the following compounds:
Sulphurous acid [H2SO3], Sulphuric acid [H2SO4], Thiosulphuric acid [H2S2O3], Peroxomonosulphuric acid or
Caro’s acid [H2SO5], Peroxodisulphuric acid or Marshall’s acid [H2S2O8], Dithionic acid [H2S2O6],
Pyrosulphuric acid or Oleum [H2S2O7]
38. Write the disproportionation reaction of Se2Cl2.
39. Write the decomposition reaction of H2O2.
40. How will you prepare ozone from oxygen?
41. Comment on the nature of two S-O bonds formed in SO2 molecule.
42. Complete and balance the following reactions:
(i) KClO3 + MnO2 + ∆ → (ii) Ag2O + ∆ → (iii) Pb3O4 + ∆ → (iv) HgO + ∆ →
(v) PbO2 + ∆ → (vi) Ca + O2 → (vii) Al + O2 → (viii) ZnS + O2 →
(ix) CH4 + O2 → (x) SO2 + O2 + V2O5(catalyst) → (xi) HCl + O2 + CuCl2(catalyst) →
(xii) C2H4 + O2 → (xiii) SO2+ H2O → (xiv) CaO + H2O → (xv) Al2O3 + H2O + HCl →
(xvi) Al2O3 + NaOH + H2O → (xvii) PbS + O3 (xviii) KI + H2O + O3 → (xix) NO + O3 →
43. Complete and balance the following reactions:
(i) FeS2 + O2 → (ii) NaOH + SO2(excess) → (iii) SO2 + Cl2 + Charcol(catalyst) →
(iv) SO3 + H2SO4 → (v) Cu + Conc. H2SO4 → (vi) S + Conc. H2SO4 → (vii) C + Conc. H2SO4 →

44. In the preparation of H2SO4 by contact process, why is SO3 not absorbed directly in water to form H2SO4?
45. Out of H2O and H2S which one has higher bond angle and why?
46. SF6 exist but SCl6 does not – explain.

Group-17
(F, Cl, Br, I, As)

1. Halogens have maximum negative electron gain enthalpy in the respective periods of the periodic table - Why?
2. Although electron gain enthalpy of F is less negative than Cl, F is stronger oxidising agent than Cl - Why?
3. F exhibits only -1 oxidation state where as other halogens can exhibit +1, +3, +5, +7 oxidation states also –
Explain.
4. Considering the parameters Bond Dissociation Enthalpy, Electron Gain Enthalpy and Hydration Enthalpy
compare the oxidising power of F2 and Cl2.
5. Give two example to show the anomalous behaviour of fluorine.
6. Sea is the greatest source of halogens. Comment.
7. What happens when Cl2 is passed through Hot&Conc. NaOH and Cold&Dil. NaOH separately?
8. Give the reason for bleaching action of Cl2.
9. Name two poisonous gases that can be produces from Cl2 gas.
10. When HCl reacts with finely powdered iron it produces FeCl2 but not FeCl3 – Why?
11. Deduce the molecular shape of BrF3 on the basis of VSEPR theory.
12. Why is ICl more reactive than I2?
13. Explain why F forms only one oxoacid HOF?
14. Explain why in spite of nearly the same electronegativity N forms H-bonding but Cl can’t?
15. Write two uses of ClO2.
16. Why are halogens coloured?
17. Write the reactions of F2 and Cl2 with water.
18. How can you prepare Cl2 from HCl and vice versa? (write reactions only)
19. What happens when NaCl is heated with H2SO4 in presence of MnO2?
20. What happens when Cl2 gas is passed through an aqueous solution of NaI?
21. With what neutral molecule is ClO─ isoelectronic? Is that molecule a Lewis base?
22. Arrange F2, Cl2, Br2, and I2 increasing order of bond dissociation enthalpy.
23. Arrange HCl, HBr, HI and HF in increasing order of acidic strength.
24. Explain why ClF3 exist but FCl3 does not?
25. Explain the stability order of oxoacids of Chlorine: HClO < HClO2 < HClO3 < HClO4
26. Give the formula and describe the structure of a noble gas species which is isostructural with: ICl4─, IBr2─,
BrO3─
27. F2 is the most reactive among the halogens – explain.
28. Explain the acidity order: HCl > H2S > PH3
29. Both O and F can stabilise the higher oxidation state of an element but O can better stabilise the higher
oxidation state than F – Explain.
30. Explain why F can’t be the central atom in interhalogen compound?
31. The boiling point of HF is less than H2O, even though it is more polar – Explain.
32. The Bond dissociation enthalpy of F2 is less than Cl2 – Explain.
33. How can the interhalogen compounds be prepared? Write general structural formulas of these compounds.
34. The electron gain enthalpy value (magnitude only) is less for F than for Cl – explain.
35. PbCl4 is more covalent than PbCl2 – explain.
36. What happens when Cl reacts with dry slaked lime?
37. Why are halogens strong oxidising agent?
38. F2 can’t be prepared by chemical oxidation of F─ ion – Explain.
39. Complete and balance the following reactions:
(i) S8 + Cl2 → (ii) H2S + Cl2 → (iii) NH3(excess) + Cl2 →
 (iv) NH3 + Cl2(excess) → (v)FeSO4 + H2SO4 + Cl2 → (vi) Na2SO3 + Cl2 + H2O →
(vii) SO2 + Cl2 + H2O → (viii) I2 + Cl2 + H2O → (ix) Au + H+ + NO3─ + Cl─ →
(x) Pt + H+ + NO3─ + Cl─ → (xi) Na2CO3 + HCl → (xii) NaHCO3 + HCl →
(xiii) Na2SO3 + HCl → (xiv) U(s) + ClF3(l) → (xv) KMnO4 + HCl →

40. Draw the structure of the compounds and mention their geometry and shape: BrF3, ClF3, IF3, ICl3, ClF5, IF5,
BrF5, IF7
41. KHF2 exist but KHX2 ( X = Cl, Br, I) doesn’t exist – Why?

Group-18
(He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, Rn)

1. Why has it been difficult to study the chemistry of Rn?

2. Why is He used in diving apparatus?
3. Does the hydrolysis of XeF6 lead to a redox reaction?
4. Noble gases have very low boiling point – Why?
5. Why are elements of Gr-18 known as Noble gases?
6. Why noble gases has comparatively large size?
7. List the uses of Ne and Ar gases.
8. How are XeO3 and XeOF4 prepared?
9. How are XeF2, XeF4, XeF6 obtained?
10. What inspired Neil Bartlett for carrying out reaction between Xe and PtF6?
11. Balance the equation: XeF6 + H2O → XeO2F2 + HF
12.What happens when XeF4 reacts with O2F2 at 143K?
13. Write the hydrolysis reaction of XeF2 (only equation).
14. What happens when XeF6 is partially hydrolysed?
15. What products are obtained on complete hydrolysis of XeF6?
16. Complete the following reactions:
(i) XeF2 + PF5 → (ii) XeF4 + SbF5 → (iii) XeF6 + MF (M = Na, K, Rb, Cs) →
17. Draw the structures of the following compounds and mention their geometry and shape:
XeO3, XeOF4, XeF6, XeF4, XeF2, XeO4, XeOF2, XeO2F2, XeO3F2, XeO2F4
18. It is not possible to explain the structures of xenon fluorides by valance bond theory – Explain.
19. Xe doesn’t form neutral fluoride compound with odd number of F atom – Why?
20. The Noble gases are almost chemically inert - explain.

Prepared By –
H.K.Mondal
[ M.Sc (Chemistry),B.Ed
Research Scholar
Contact:9903106259]