Home
NCERT Soltions
Class 12
Chemistry
The p-Block Elements
Discuss the trends in chemical reactivity of group 15 elements.

Discuss the trends in chemical reactivit | Class 12 Chemistry Chapter The p-Block Elements, The p-Block Elements NCERT Solutions

Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry - Chapter The p-Block Elements. This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Exercise 2, Question 3: . 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 3:

Discuss the trends in chemical reactivity of group 15 elements.

Answer:

General trends in chemical properties of group - 15

(i) Reactivity towards hydrogen: The elements of group 15 react with hydrogen to form hydrides of type EH₃, where E = N, P, As, Sb, or Bi. The stability of hydrides decreases on moving down from NH₃ to BiH₃.

(ii) Reactivity towards oxygen: The elements of group 15 form two types of oxides: E₂O₃and E₂O₅, where E = N, P, As, Sb, or Bi. The oxide with the element in the higher oxidation state is more acidic than the other. However, the acidic character decreases on moving down a group.

(iii) Reactivity towards halogens: The group 15 elements react with halogens to form two series of salts: EX₃ and EX₅. However, nitrogen does not form NX₅ as it lacks the d-orbital. All trihalides (except NX₃) are stable.

(iv) Reactivity towards metals: The group 15 elements react with metals to form binary compounds in which metals exhibit -3 oxidation states.

Other Questions of Chapter The p-Block Elements

Mention the conditions required to maximise the yield of ammonia.

Arrange the following in the order of property indicated for each set:

(i) F₂, Cl₂, Br₂, I₂- increasing bond dissociation enthalpy.

(ii) HF, HCl, HBr, HI - increasing acid strength.

(iii) NH₃, PH₃, AsH₃, SbH₃, BiH₃- increasing base strength.

Why are halogens strong oxidising agents?

Why is helium used in diving apparatus?

How are xenon fluorides XeF₂, XeF₄and XeF₆ obtained?

Discuss the general characteristics of Group 15 elements with reference to their electronic configuration, oxidation state, atomic size, ionisation enthalpy and electronegativity.

Explain why NH₃ is basic while BiH₃ is only feebly basic.

Why is BiH3 the strongest reducing agent amongst all the hydrides of Group 15 elements?

How is the presence of SO₂detected?

Sea is the greatest source of some halogens. Comment.

Popular questions of class 12 Chemistry

How the following conversions can be carried out?

(i) Propene to propan-1-ol

(ii) Ethanol to but-1-yne

(iii) 1-Bromopropane to 2-bromopropane

(iv) Toluene to benzyl alcohol

(v) Benzene to 4-bromonitrobenzene

(vi) Benzyl alcohol to 2-phenylethanoic acid

(vii) Ethanol to propanenitrile

(viii) Aniline to chlorobenzene

(ix) 2-Chlorobutane to 3, 4-dimethylhexane

(x) 2-Methyl-1-propene to 2-chloro-2-methylpropane

(xi) Ethyl chloride to propanoic acid

(xii) But-1-ene to n-butyliodide

(xiii) 2-Chloropropane to 1-propanol

(xiv) Isopropyl alcohol to iodoform

(xv) Chlorobenzene to p-nitrophenol

(xvi) 2-Bromopropane to 1-bromopropane

(xvii) Chloroethane to butane

(xviii) Benzene to diphenyl

(xix) tert-Butyl bromide to isobutyl bromide

(xx) Aniline to phenylisocyanide

Give simple chemical tests to distinguish between the following pairs of compounds.

(i) Propanal and Propanone

(ii) Acetophenone and Benzophenone

(iii) Phenol and Benzoic acid

(iv) Benzoic acid and Ethyl benzoate

(v) Pentan-2-one and Pentan-3-one

(vi) Benzaldehyde and Acetophenone

(vii) Ethanal and Propanal

A 5% solution (by mass) of cane sugar in water has freezing point of 271 K. Calculate the freezing point of 5% glucose in water if freezing point of pure water is 273.15 K.

A solution of glucose in water is labelled as 10% w/w, what would be the molality and mole fraction of each component in the solution? If the density of solution is 1.2 g mL^-1, then what shall be the molarity of the solution?

Henry's law constant for CO₂ in water is 1.67 x 10⁸Pa at 298 K. Calculate the quantity of CO₂in 500 mL of soda water when packed under 2.5 atm CO₂pressure at 298 K.

Calculate the mass of a non-volatile solute (molar mass 40 g mol^-1) which should be dissolved in 114 g octane to reduce its vapour pressure to 80%.

The vapour pressure of pure liquids A and B are 450 and 700 mm Hg respectively, at 350 K. Find out the composition of the liquid mixture if total vapour pressure is 600 mm Hg. Also find the composition of the vapour phase.

Calculate the mole fraction of benzene in solution containing 30% by mass in carbon tetrachloride.

How many mL of 0.1 M HCl are required to react completely with 1 g mixture of Na₂CO₃ and NaHCO₃ containing equimolar amounts of both?

If NaCl is doped with 10^-3mol % of SrCl₂, what is the concentration of cation vacancies?

Recently Viewed Questions of Class 12 Chemistry

Henry's law constant for CO₂ in water is 1.67 x 10⁸Pa at 298 K. Calculate the quantity of CO₂in 500 mL of soda water when packed under 2.5 atm CO₂pressure at 298 K.

What are nucleic acids? Mention their two important functions.

What are the different oxidation states exhibited by the lanthanoids?

The reaction between A and B is first order with respect to A and zero order with respect to B. Fill in the blanks in the following table:

Experiment	A/ mol L^{- 1}	B/ mol L^{- 1}	Initial rate/mol L^{- 1} min^{- 1}
I	0.1	0.1	2.0 × 10^{- 2}
II	--	0.2	4.0 × 10^{- 2}
III	0.4	0.4	--
IV	--	0.2	2.0 × 10^{- 2}

Ionic solids conduct electricity in molten state but not in solid state. Explain.

Describe the oxidising action of potassium dichromate and write the ionicequations for its reaction with:

(i) iodide

(ii) iron

(II) solution and

(iii) H₂S

What type of solids are electrical conductors, malleable and ductile?

Write the structure of the major organic product in each of the following reactions:

Ferric oxide crystallises in a hexagonal close-packed array of oxide ions with two out of every three octahedral holes occupied by ferric ions. Derive the formula of the ferric oxide.

How will you bring about the following conversions?

(i) Ethanol to but-1-yne

(ii) Ethane to bromoethene

(iii) Propene to 1-nitropropane

(iv) Toluene to benzyl alcohol

(v) Propene to propyne

(vi) Ethanol to ethyl fluoride

(vii) Bromomethane to propanone

(viii) But-1-ene to but-2-ene

(ix) 1-Chlorobutane to n-octane

(x) Benzene to biphenyl.

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 p-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.

Latest Blog Posts

Stay updated with our latest educational content and study tips

Government Jobs by Age Limit: Eligibility and Opportunities in 2026

Government jobs continue to be one of the most popular employment options in India because of their job security, regular salary, pension benefits, and promotion prospects. However, one of the most frequent doubts of aspirants is age eligibility. Countless candidates are discouraged from applying for Government positions – or even from preparing for them – … Read more

NEET & JEE Preparation Guide for State Board Students

After preparation for NEET and JEE, students inclined towards studying under state education boards find themselves a step behind the CBSE students. The syllabus, question pattern and level of idea of these national entrance exams varies widely from most state board syllabus. But with the correct approach, students taking the state board can hold their … Read more

Simple and Compound Interest Formulas with Questions

Interest is one of the most significant ideas in maths and financial calculations. It is very common in banking, loan applications, investments, saving account and competitive exams. Simple Interest and Compound Interest make it easier to find out how much more is earned and/or paid on a principal during the period of time. These Interest … Read more

Spoken English Course Topics for Beginners in 2026

In 2026, students, professionals, and job seekers must have a high level of spoken English. Spoken English is a beginner level course to enhance learners’ communication skills in English, their pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar structure and confidence in speaking English fluently. Today, the emphasis of spoken English courses is placed on actual conversations, everyday speech practice … Read more

View All Blog Posts