Class 11 Chemistry | The s-Block Elements | NCERT Solutions

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Class 11 Chemistry | The s-Block Elements | NCERT Solutions

The s-Block Elements

NCERT Solutions

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Class 11 Chemistry | The s-Block Elements | NCERT Solutions

Question 10.1
What are the common physical and chemical features of alkali metals?

Answer.

Physical properties of alkali metals:

o They have low ionization enthalpies.
o They are highly electropositive in
nature.
o They exhibit +1 oxidation states in
their compounds.
o They impart characteristic color to
the flame.
Chemical properties of alkali metals:
o Their hydroxides are highly basic in
nature.
o They are highly reactive in nature.
o They dissolve in liquid ammonia to
form blue and conducting solution.

Question 10.2

Discuss the general characteristics and gradation in properties of alkaline

earth metals.

Answer.

Properties of Alkaline Earth Metals:

Atomic size goes on increasing down the group.
1. They are harder than alkali metals.

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2. Ionization energy goes on decreasing down the group.

3. Electropositive character increases on going down the group.
4. They are less electropositive than alkali metals.

Question 10.3

Why are the alkali metals not found in nature?

Answer.

Alkali metals are highly reactive nature. This is why, they always exist in
combined state in nature.

Question 10.4

Find out the oxidation state of sodium in Na2O2.

Answer.
Let x is the oxidation state of Na in Na2O2. 2x + 2 (-1) = 0
2x – 2 = 0 2x = +2 x = +1.

Question 10.5

Explain why is sodium less reactive than potassium.

Answer.

Sodium is less reactive than potassium because ionization enthalpy of K

is 419 kJ mol-1.

Ionization enthalpy of sodium = 496 kJ mol-1.

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Hence, ionization enthalpy of potassium is less than that of sodium,

potassium is more reactive than sodium.

Question 10.6

Compare the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals with respect to

(i) ionization enthalpy (ii) basicity of oxides (iii) solubility of hydroxides.

Answer.

(i) Ionization enthalpy of alkaline metals is higher because of high nuclear

charge.
(ii) Basicity of oxides of alkali metals is higher than that of alkaline earth
metals.
(iii) Solubility of hydroxides of alkali metals is higher due to lower ionization
enthalpy.
(iv) Due to lower ionization enthalpy, alkali metals are more electropositive.

Question 10.7

In what ways lithium shows similarities to magnesium in its chemical

behavior?

Answer.

Similarities between lithium and magnesium:

1. React with nitrogen to form nitrides.
2. React with oxygen to form monoxides.
3.They have tendency to form covalent compounds.
4. They can form complex compounds.

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Question 10.8
Explain why can alkali metal dissolves in liquid ammonia the solution can
acquire different colours.

Explain the reasons for this type of color change.

Answer.

Alkali and alkaline earth metals are better reducing agents. There are no
better reducing agents than the alkali metals.
This is the reason why, these metals are not obtained by chemical
reduction methods.

Question 10.9

Why are potassium and caesium, rather with lithium used in

photoelectric cells?

Answer.

Potassium (K) and caesium (Cs) have lower ionization enthalpy than that
of lithium.
These metals easily emit electrons on the exposure of light. Due to
which, K and Cs are used in photoelectric cells rather than lithium.

Question 10.10

When an alkali metal dissolves in liquid ammonia the solution can

acquire different colours.

Explain the reasons for this type of colour change.

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Answer.

Alkali metals dissolve in liquid ammonia and give deep blue solutions
which are conducting in nature.
This is because ammoniated electrons absorb energy in the visible
region of light and impart blue color.
M + (x+y)NH3  [M(NH3)x]+ + e-(NH3)y

Ammoniated electrons

Question 10.11

Beryllium and magnesium do not give colour to flame whereas other

alkaline earth metals do so. Why?

Answer.

Ionization enthalpy of Be and Mg are much higher than those of the

other alkaline earth metals due to its small size.
A large amount of energy is needed to excite their valence electrons.
Hence, they do not impart color to the flame.

Question 10.12

Discuss the various reactions that occur in the Solvay process.

Answer.

Reactions involved in Solvay process:

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Question 10.13

Potassium carbonate cannot be prepared by Solvay process. Why?

Answer.

Potassium carbonate being more soluble than sodium bicarbonate

does not get precipitated when CO2 is passed through a concentrated
solution of KCl saturated with ammonia.

Question 10.14

Why is Li2CO3 decomposed at a lower temperature whereas Na2CO3 at

higher temperature?

Answer.

Li2CO3 is a covalent compound whereas Na2CO3 is an ionic compound.

Lattice energy of Na2CO3 is higher than that of Li2CO3. It is decomposed at a
lower temperature.

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Question 10.15

Compare the solubility and thermal stability of the following compounds

of the alkali metals with those of the alkaline earth metals.

(a) Nitrates (b) Carbonates (c) Sulphates

Answer.

o Nitrates – Group 1 and 2 elements are soluble in water because

hydration energy is more than the lattice energy.

o Nitrides of both group 1 and group 2 elements are thermally

unstable but they decompose differently except LiCO3.

o Carbonates – of group 1 elements are soluble in water except Li2CO3.

They are also thermally stable except Li2CO3.

Group 2 carbonates are insoluble in water because their lattice energy

are higher than hydration energy.
Thermal stability of group 2 carbonates increase down the group
because lattice energy keeps on increasing due to increase in ionic
character.

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o Sulphates – of group 1 are soluble in water except Li2SO4. They are

thermally stable. Solubility of group 2 sulphates decreases down the
group because lattice energy dominates over hydration energy.
They are thermally stable which increases down the group due to
increase in lattice energy.

Question 10.16

Starting with sodium chloride how would you proceed to prepare

(i) sodium metal (ii) sodium hydroxide (iii) sodium peroxide (iv) sodium
carbonate?

Answer.

o Sodium metal is manufactured by electrolysis of a fused mass of

NaCl 40% and CaCl2 60% in o Down’s cell at 873K using iron as
cathode and graphite as anode. Sodium is liberated at cathode.
At cathode

Na + + e-  Na(l)
At anode

2Cl-(melt) ---> Cl2 (g) + 2e- o Sodium hydroxide is manufactured

by electrolysis of an aqueous solution of NaCl in Castner-Kellner
cell.

At cathode

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At anode

Cl- - e- -->Cl2

Cl + Cl --> Cl2

o Sodium peroxide o 4Na + O2 --> 2 Na2O + O2 o Sodium carbonate

is obtained by Solvay ammonia process.

Question 10.17

What happens when (i) magnesium is burnt in air (ii) quick lime is
heated with silica (iii) chlorine reacts with slaked lime (iv)
calcium nitrate is heated?
Answer.

Question 10.18

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

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Answer.

o Caustic soda – is used in manufacturing soap paper, artificial silk.

It is also used in textile industries.

o Sodium carbonate – is used in softening of water, for laundry and

cleaning purposes.
o It is also used in glass manufacturing.
o Quicklime – It is used in the preparation of bleaching powder.
o Also, used in the purification of sugar and manufacturing cement.

Question 10.19

Draw the structure of (i) BeCl2 (vapour) (ii)

BeCl2 (solid).

Answer.

Question 10.20
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.

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Answer.

Group 1 hydroxides and carbonates are large in size.

Due to which they have higher hydration energy than the lattice energy.
So they are easily soluble in water.
In magnesium and calcium, size in small and lattice energy dominates
over hydration energy.
Hence, they are sparingly soluble in water.

Question 10.21

Describe the importance of the following: (i) limestone (ii) cement (iii)
plaster of paris.

Answer.

Limestone
1. It is extensively used in the manufacturing of high quality paper.
2. It is used in cosmetics.
3. It is used as an antacid.
4. It is used as mild abrasive in toothpaste.
Cement
1. It is used in concrete and reinforced cement.
2. It is an important building material.
Plaster of Paris
1. It is used in dentistry for making statues.
2. It is used in correcting the fractured bones.

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Question 10.22

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

Answer.

Due to a very small size, Li+ can polarize water molecules easily than the
other alkali metal ions.

Question 10.23

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

Answer.

LiF is almost insoluble in water due to the high lattice energy.

LiCl is soluble in water because its hydration energy is higher than its
lattice energy.

Question 10.24

Explain the significance of sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium in

biological fluids.

Answer.

Sodium - Sodium ions participate in the transmission of nerve signals

and in the transport of sugars and amino acids into the cell.
Potassium – These activate many enzymes and participate in the
oxidation of glucose to produce ATP.

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Magnesium – All enzymes that utilize ATP in phosphate transfer require

magnesium as a cofactor.
It is the main pigment for the absorption of light in plants.
Calcium – These are present in bones and plays important role in
neuromuscular functions.

Question 10.25

What happens when

Sodium metal is dropped in water?
Sodium metal is heated in free supply in air?
Sodium peroxide dissolves in water?
Answer:
(a) 2Na + 2H2 O  2NaOH + H2
(b) 2Na + O2 Na2O2
(c) Na2O2 + 2H2 O  2NaOH + H2 O2

Question 10.26

Comment on each of the following observations:

o The mobilities of the alkli metal ions in aqueous solution are Li+
< Na+ < K+ < Rb+ < Cs+. o Lithium is the only alkali metal to form a
nitride directly.
o E- for M2+ (aq) + 2e- --> M(s) (where M = Ca, Sr or Ba) is nearly
constant.

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Answer.

1. Smaller the size of the ion, more highly it is hydrated and greater is the mass
of the hydrated ion.
2. Ionic mobility also becomes lesser.
3. Extent of hydration decreases in the order given. So the mobility of Cs+ will
be the highest.
4. Lithium is the only alkali metal that form nitride directly because of its
smaller size.
5. It is due to the reduction potential. Reduction potential depends on the
sublimation energy, ionization energy and hydration energy.
6. Their resultant is almost constant for these ions.

Question 10.27

State as to why
A solution of Na2CO3 is alkaline?
Alkali metals are prepared by electrolysis of their fused chlorides?
Sodium is found to be more useful than potassium?
Answer.
Na2CO3 is a salt of weak acid (carbonic acid and a strong base NaOH). o It
undergoes hydrolysis to produce strong base NaOH and its aqueous solution is
alkaline in nature.

Alkali metals are prepared by electrolysis of fused chlorides because the

discharge potential of alkali metals is much higher than that of hydrogen.

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So, when the aqueous solution of an alkali metal chloride is subjected to

electrolysis, H2 is produced at the cathode.
Potassium is more reactive than sodium and is found in nature to a less extent
than sodium. Hence, sodium is more useful.

Question 10.28

Write balanced equations for reaction between

Na2O2 and water

KO2 and water
Na2O and CO2
Answer:
Na2O2 + H2O  2NaOH + H2O2
2KO2 + 2 H2O 2KOH + O2 + H2O2
Na2O + CO2  Na2CO3

Question 10.29

How would you explain the following observations?

o BeO is almost insoluble but BeSO4 is soluble in water.

o BaO is soluble but BaSO4 is insoluble in water.

o LiL is more soluble than KI in ethanol.

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Answer.

Lattice energy of BeO is comparatively higher than hydration energy. It

is almost insoluble in water. BeSO4 is ionic in nature and hydration
energy dominates the lattice energy.

Both BaO and BaSO4 are ionic compounds but BaO has hydration
energy higher than its lattice energy.

Hence, it is soluble in water.

Size of Li+ ion is very small in comparison to K+ It polarizes electron

cloud of I ion to a greater extent.

Hence, LiI dissolves in ethanol more easily than KI.

Question 10.30

Which of the alkali metal is having least melting point?

(a) Na (b) K (c) Rb (d) Cs

Answer.

Correct option is (d)

Size of Cs is the biggest. Thus, its melting point is the lowest.

Question 10.31

Which one of the following alkali metals gives hydrated salts?

(a) Li (b) Na (c) K (d) Cs

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Answer.

Correct option is (a)

Li is the smallest so it has highest charge density and hence attracts
water molecules more strongly.

Question 10.32

Which one of the alkaline earth metal carbonates is thermally the most
stable?

(a) MgCO3 (b) CaCO3 (c) SrCO3 (d) BaCO3

Answer.

Correct option is (d) BaCO3

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