Starting with sodium chloride how would | Class 11 Chemistry Chapter The s Block Elements, The s Block Elements NCERT Solutions

Previous / historical NCERT chapter

This chapter belongs to a previous NCERT/CBSE curriculum and is not part of the current 2026-27 chapter list. Removed in 2022-23.

Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry - Chapter The s Block Elements. This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Exercise 1, Question 16:

Starting with sodium chloride how would you proceed to prepare

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

. With detailed answers and explanations for each chapter, students can strengthen their understanding and prepare confidently for exams. Ideal for CBSE and other board students, this resource will simplify your study experience.

Question 16:

Starting with sodium chloride how would you proceed to prepare

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

Answer:

(a) Sodium can be extracted from sodium chloride by Downs process.

This process involves the electrolysis of fused NaCl (40%) and CaCl2 (60 %) at a temperature of 1123 K in Downs cell.

Steel is the cathode and a block of graphite acts as the anode. Metallic Na and Ca are formed at cathode. Molten sodium is taken out of the cell and collected over kerosene.

 

(b) Sodium hydroxide can be prepared by the electrolysis of sodium chloride. This is called Castner-Kellner process. In this process, the brine solution is electrolysed using a carbon anode and a mercury cathode.

The sodium metal, which is discharged at cathode, combines with mercury to form an amalgam.

 

(c) Sodium peroxide First, NaCl is electrolysed to result in the formation of Na metal (Downs process). This sodium metal is then heated on aluminium trays in air (free of CO2) to form its peroxide.

2Na + O2(air)  →  Na2O2

(d) Sodium carbonate is prepared by Solvay process. Sodium hydrogen carbonate is precipitated in a reaction of sodium chloride and ammonium hydrogen carbonate.

2NH3  +  H2O  + CO2  →   (NH4)2CO3

(NH4)2CO3 +  H2O  + CO2  →  2NH4HCO3

NH4HCO3 + NaCl  →   NH4Cl  +  NaHCO3

These sodium hydrogen carbonate crystals are heated to give sodium carbonate.

2NaHCO3  →  Na2CO3  + CO2  + H2O


Study Tips for Answering NCERT Questions:

NCERT questions are designed to test your understanding of the concepts and theories discussed in the chapter. Here are some tips to help you answer NCERT questions effectively:

  • Read the question carefully and focus on the core concept being asked.
  • Reference examples and data from the chapter when answering questions about The s Block Elements.
  • Review previous year question papers to get an idea of how such questions may be framed in exams.
  • Practice answering questions within the time limit to improve your speed and accuracy.
  • Discuss your answers with your teachers or peers to get feedback and improve your understanding.

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Comments

  • yonna careen dhar
  • Sep 12, 2018

Very helpful, I really get a lot of knowledge from here.I want to thank this website that help me in solving all the question.


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Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry - Chapter . This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Excercise 1 , Question 16: Starting with sodium chloride how would you proceed to prepare (i) sodium metal (ii) sodium hydro....

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