Home
NCERT Soltions
Class 12
Chemistry
The p-Block Elements
Why are pentahalides more covalent than trihalides?

Why are pentahalides more covalent than | 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 1, Question 1: . 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 1:

Why are pentahalides more covalent than trihalides?

Answer:

The group 15 elements (nitrogen, phosphorus,arsenic,antimony and bismuth) when reacted with halogen atom ,tend to form halides. The halides formed are of two types:

1) Trihalides (MX₃)

2) Pentahalides (MX₅) where M -15^TH group element X- halogen atom

The trihalides are formed by all the elements of group 15 while pentahalides are formed by all the elements except nitrogen because there is absence of vacant d- orbital in its outermost shell.

The oxidation state of +5 in pentahalides is more as compared to +3 oxidation state in trihalides. Due to the higher positive oxidation state of central atom in pentahalide state, these atoms will have larger polarizing power than the halogen atom attached to them. The central atom in pentahalide state will tend to polarize more the halide ion to which it is attached.

But In case of trihalides due to +3 oxidation state the central atom will polarize the halogen atom to a lesser extent as compared to pentahalide state. Therefore, more the polarization, larger will be the covalent character of the bond.

Hence due larger polarization of bond in pentahalide state as compared to trihalide state, the pentahalides are more covalent than trihalides.

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?

Discuss the trends in chemical reactivity of group 15 elements.

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?

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

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

Difference Between AI and Machine Learning

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are two of the most sought-after technologies in today’s digital era. Although these terms are often used together, they are not the same. Machine Learning is, in fact, a component of Artificial Intelligence that enables systems to learn and enhance on their own, without direct programming. AI is … Read more

Time, Speed and Distance Formulas

Time, Speed, and Distance are some of the most important concepts in mathematics and aptitude. These are the concepts which are used to calculate the speed of an object, time taken for an object to move and the distance traveled during the motion. Questions from this topic are frequently seen in School Tests, Competitive Tests, … Read more

View All Blog Posts

Comments

DHARMAPANDIAN
Jul 22, 2019

More the polarization more the covalent. I couldn't understand this line. If there is more polarization it could be more ionic. Am i correct.please clarify me

Vicly
Jul 04, 2019

Supb

Shyam
Mar 06, 2019

Great one.

Yogesh
Mar 06, 2019

Nice ... no words

Abhishek Singh
Feb 17, 2019

Thank a lot

Abhishek Singh
Feb 17, 2019

Thank a lot

Shivam
Jan 19, 2019

your answer gives exact knowledge which not found anywhere .great work!

Lavina
Jan 12, 2019

Really great thanks alot! It clear my alot of doubts

Jazzy Kang
Nov 13, 2018

THANK YOU!!!

Yogesh
Nov 09, 2018

Best answers ever than other books.