Chapter: Carbon and Its Compounds –

Class 10 (JKBOSE Board)

A. Very Short Answer Questions (1 mark each)
Q1. What is the valency of carbon?

Ans. The valency of carbon is 4. It can form four covalent bonds with other atoms.

Q2. What type of bond is formed when two carbon atoms share electrons?

Ans. Covalent bond is formed when two carbon atoms share electrons.

Q3. Define catenation.

Ans. Catenation is the property of carbon to form long chains and rings by bonding with
other carbon atoms.

Q4. Give the general formula of alkanes.

Ans. The general formula of alkanes is CₙH₂ₙ₊₂.

Q5. What is the functional group of alcohols?

Ans. The functional group of alcohols is –OH (hydroxyl group).

Q6. Name the simplest hydrocarbon.

Ans. The simplest hydrocarbon is Methane (CH₄).

Q7. What are hydrocarbons?

Ans. Compounds made up of only carbon and hydrogen atoms are called hydrocarbons.

Q8. Write the IUPAC name of CH₃CH₂OH.

Ans. The IUPAC name is Ethanol.

Q9. What is meant by homologous series?

Ans. A homologous series is a group of organic compounds having the same functional group
and general formula, where each successive member differs by a –CH₂– unit.

Q10. Why are covalent compounds poor conductors of electricity?

Ans. Covalent compounds do not have free ions or electrons; hence they do not conduct
electricity.
B. Short Answer Questions (2 marks each)
Q1. Differentiate between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Basis Saturated Hydrocarbons Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

Type of Bond Contain only single bonds Contain double or triple bonds
Example Methane (CH₄) Ethene (C₂H₄), Ethyne (C

Q2. Why does carbon form covalent bonds?

Ans. Carbon has four valence electrons and needs four more to complete its octet. It cannot
lose or gain electrons easily, so it shares electrons with other atoms, forming covalent bonds.

Q3. Write the electron dot structure of methane.

H—C—H

Each hydrogen shares one electron with carbon, forming 4 covalent bonds.

Q4. What happens when ethanol burns in air? Write the equation.

Ans. Ethanol undergoes complete combustion to form carbon dioxide and water.

Equation:

C₂H₅OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 3H₂O + heat

Q5. What happens when ethanoic acid reacts with sodium carbonate?

Ans. Carbon dioxide gas is evolved with effervescence.

Equation:

2CH₃COOH + Na₂CO₃ → 2CH₃COONa + H₂O + CO₂ ↑

Q6. Why is ethanoic acid called glacial acetic acid?

Ans. Pure ethanoic acid freezes at 16.6°C and looks like ice, hence called glacial acetic acid.

Q7. Explain oxidation in carbon compounds with an example.

Ans. Oxidation is the process of adding oxygen or removing hydrogen.

Example:

Ethanol → Ethanoic acid

CH₃CH₂OH + [O] → CH₃COOH + H₂O

(using acidified KMnO₄)

Q8. Differentiate between addition and substitution reactions.

Type Example Explanation

Hydrogen adds across a double bond
Addition reaction C₂H₄ + H₂ → C₂H₆
(unsaturated hydrocarbon).
Substitution CH₄ + Cl₂ → One hydrogen atom is replaced by chlorine
reaction CH₃Cl + HCl in a saturated hydrocarbon.

C. Short Answer Questions (3 marks each)

Q1. Explain the versatile nature of carbon.

Ans. Carbon shows versatility due to:

1. Catenation – ability to form long chains and rings.

2. Tetravalency – forms 4 covalent bonds.
3. Formation of single, double, triple bonds.
4. Small atomic size – forms stable bonds with other elements like H, O, N.

Q2. Write the electron dot structure of:

(a) Ethene (C₂H₄) (b) Ethyne (C₂H₂)

(a) Ethene (C₂H₄)

H H

\/

C=C

/\

H H

(b) Ethyne (C₂H₂):

H–C≡C–H
Q3. Write chemical reactions of ethanoic acid with:

(a) NaOH (b) Na₂CO₃ (c) Ethanol

(a) CH₃COOH + NaOH → CH₃COONa + H₂O

(b) 2CH₃COOH + Na₂CO₃ → 2CH₃COONa + H₂O + CO₂

(c) CH₃COOH + C₂H₅OH → CH₃COOC₂H₅ + H₂O (in presence of conc. H₂SO₄)

Q4. Differentiate between soap and detergent.

Basis Soap Detergent

Sodium/potassium salts of fatty Sulphonates or sulphates of
Composition
acids hydrocarbons
Action in Hard
Does not lather; forms scum Lathers well even in hard water
Water
Biodegradability Biodegradable May be non-biodegradable

Q5. Explain the cleansing action of soap.

Ans.

 Soap molecules have two ends: hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (oil-
loving).
 The hydrophobic end attaches to grease while hydrophilic end remains in water.
 On rinsing, dirt and oil are lifted away as micelles, cleaning the surface.

D. Long Answer Questions (4–5 marks each)

Q1. Explain the versatile nature of carbon in detail.

Ans.

Carbon’s versatility arises due to:

1. Catenation: Forms long stable chains/rings (e.g., CH₃–CH₂–CH₂–CH₃).

2. Tetravalency: Forms 4 covalent bonds with C, H, O, N, etc.
3. Multiple Bonds: Forms single, double, and triple bonds (C–C, C=C, C≡C).
4. Small Size: Forms strong covalent bonds because the nucleus attracts shared electrons
strongly.

Q2. Describe the properties of covalent compounds.

Ans.

1. Low melting and boiling points – due to weak intermolecular forces.

 2. Poor conductors of electricity – no free ions/electrons.
3. Insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.
4. Exist as gases or liquids (like CH₄, CO₂, ethanol).

Q3. Explain the mechanism of cleansing action of soap with diagram.

Ans.

When soap is added to water containing oil:

 Soap molecules arrange into micelles.

 Hydrophobic tails attach to oil and hydrophilic heads remain in water.
 On rinsing, micelles wash away oil and dirt.

O O O (hydrophilic heads)

| | |

dirt-oil core (hydrophobic tails inside)

Q4. Compare soaps and detergents in hard and soft water.

Ans.

 Soaps form insoluble scum with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in hard water.
 Detergents form soluble salts and lather easily even in hard water.
 Hence, detergents are more effective in hard water.

E. Case-Based Questions (3 marks each)

Case 1:

A student added a piece of sodium metal to ethanol. Gas evolved burns with a pop sound.

(i) Name the gas evolved.

→ Hydrogen gas (H₂)

(ii) Write the equation.

2C₂H₅OH + 2Na → 2C₂H₅ONa + H₂ ↑

(iii) What does this prove?

→ Ethanol is an alcohol; it reacts with active metals like sodium to liberate hydrogen.

Case 2:
On adding sodium carbonate to a colorless liquid, effervescence occurred and lime water
turned milky.

(i) Name the gas evolved.

→ Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

(ii) Identify the compound.

→ Ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH)

(iii) Write the equation.

2CH₃COOH + Na₂CO₃ → 2CH₃COONa + H₂O + CO₂ ↑

Case 3:

When ethanol and ethanoic acid are heated with conc. H₂SO₄, a fruity smell is obtained.

(i) Name the product formed.

→ Ester (ethyl ethanoate)

(ii) Write the reaction.

CH₃COOH + C₂H₅OH ⇌ CH₃COOC₂H₅ + H₂O

(iii) Name the reaction.

→ Esterification reaction

F. Assertion–Reason Questions (2 marks each)

Q1.

Assertion (A): Carbon forms a large number of compounds.

Reason (R): Carbon shows the property of catenation and tetravalency.

Answer: Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.

Q2.

Assertion (A): Covalent compounds have low melting and boiling points.

Reason (R): They have weak intermolecular forces of attraction.

Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

Q3.

Assertion (A): Soaps do not form lather in hard water.

Reason (R): Calcium and magnesium salts in hard water form insoluble scum with soap.

Answer: Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.

Q4.

Assertion (A): Ethanol burns in air to give carbon dioxide and water.

Reason (R): Combustion of ethanol is an oxidation reaction.

Answer: Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.

Q5.

Assertion (A): Detergents are more effective than soaps in hard water.

Reason (R): Detergents form soluble salts in hard water.

Answer: Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.