Comment on each of the following observations:
(a) The mobilities of the alkali metal ions in aqueous solution are Li+ < Na+ < K+ < Rb+ < Cs+
(b) Lithium is the only alkali metal to form a nitride directly.
(c) E° for M2+(aq) (where M = Ca, Sr or Ba) is nearly constant.
(a) On moving down the alkali group, the ionic and atomic sizes of the metals increase. The given alkali metal ions can be arranged in the increasing order of their ionic sizes as:
Li+ < Na+ < K+ < Rb+ < Cs+
Smaller the size of an ion, the more highly is it hydrated. Since Li+ is the smallest, it gets heavily hydrated in an aqueous solution. On the other hand, Cs+ is the largest and so it is the least hydrated. The given alkali metal ions can be arranged in the decreasing order of their hydrations as:
Li+ > Na+ > K+ > Rb+ > Cs+
Greater the mass of a hydrated ion, the lower is its ionic mobility. Therefore, hydrated Li+ is the least mobile and hydrated Cs+ is the most mobile. Thus, the given alkali metal ions can be arranged in the increasing order of their mobilities as:
Li+ < Na+ < K+ < Rb+ < Cs+
(b) Unlike the other elements of group 1, Li reacts directly with nitrogen to form lithium nitride. This is because Li+ is very small in size and so its size is the most compatible with the N3- ion. Hence, the lattice energy released is very high. This energy also overcomes the high amount of energy required for the formation of the N3- ion.
(c) Electrode potential (E°) of any M2+/M electrode depends upon three factors:
(i) Ionisation enthalpy
(ii) Enthalpy of hydration
(iii) Enthalpy of vaporisation
The combined effect of these factors is approximately the same for Ca, Sr, and Ba. Hence, their electrode potentials are nearly constant.
Compare the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals with respect to
(i) ionization enthalpy
(ii) basicity of oxides and
(iii) solubility of hydroxides.
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.
Discuss the various reactions that occur in the Solvay process.
Why are lithium salts commonly hydrated and those of the other alkali metal ions usually anhydrous?
State as to why
(a) a solution of Na2CO3 is alkaline ?
(b) alkali metals are prepared by electrolysis of their fused chlorides ?
(c) sodium is found to be more useful than potassium ?
When an alkali metal dissolves in liquid ammonia the solution can acquire different colours. Explain the reasons for this type of colour change.
In what ways lithium shows similarities to magnesium in its chemical behaviour?
Why is Li2CO3 decomposed at a lower temperature whereas Na2CO3 at higher temperature?
Find the oxidation state of sodium in Na2O2.
Explain why is sodium less reactive than potassium?
How do you account for the formation of ethane during chlorination of methane?
What are hybridisation states of each carbon atom in the following compounds ?
(i) CH2=C=O,
(ii) CH3CH=CH2,
(iii) (CH3)2CO,
(iv) CH2=CHCN,
(v) C6H6
What will be the minimum pressure required to compress 500 dm3 of air at 1 bar to 200 dm3 at 30°C?
Calculate the molecular mass of the following:
(i) H2O
(ii) CO2
(iii) CH4
Assign oxidation number to the underlined elements in each of the following species:
(a) NaH2PO4
(b) NaHSO4
(c) H4P2O7
(d) K2MnO4
(e) CaO2
(f) NaBH4
(g) H2S2O7
(h) KAl(SO4)2.12 H2O
What is the basic theme of organisation in the periodic table?
Explain the formation of a chemical bond.
Choose the correct answer. A thermodynamic state function is a quantity
(i) used to determine heat changes
(ii) whose value is independent of path
(iii) used to determine pressure volume work
(iv) whose value depends on temperature only.
A liquid is in equilibrium with its vapour in a sealed container at a fixed temperature. The volume of the container is suddenly increased.
a) What is the initial effect of the change on vapour pressure?
b) How do rates of evaporation and condensation change initially?
c) What happens when equilibrium is restored finally and what will be the final vapour pressure?
Justify the position of hydrogen in the periodic table on the basis of its electronic configuration.
What do you understand by the term “non-stoichiometric hydrides”? Do you expect this type of the hydrides to be formed by alkali metals? Justify your answer.
Write the favourable factors for the formation of ionic bond.
How would you explain the lower atomic radius of Ga as compared to Al?
For the reaction
2 A(g) + B(g) → 2D(g)
ΔU0 = –10.5 kJ and ΔS0 = –44.1 JK–1.
Calculate ΔG0 for the reaction, and predict whether the reaction may occur spontaneously.
Why is benzene extra ordinarily stable though it contains three doublebonds?
In the modern periodic table, the period indicates the value of:
(a) Atomic number
(b) Atomic mass
(c) Principal quantum number
(d) Azimuthal quantum number.
The pH of 0.1M solution of cyanic acid (HCNO) is 2.34. Calculate the ionization constant of the acid and its degree of ionization in the solution.
Explain, giving reasons, which of the following sets of quantum numbers are not possible.
a n = 0 l = 0 ml = 0
b n = 1 l = 0 ml = 0
c n = 1 l = 1 ml = 0
d n = 2 l = 1 ml = 0
e n = 3 l = 3 ml = – 3
f n = 3 l = 1 ml = 0
Explain what happens when boric acid is heated.
Equilibrium constant, Kc for the reaction
N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) ↔ 2NH3 (g) at 500 K is 0.061
At a particular time, the analysis shows that composition of the reaction mixture is 3.0 mol L–1 N2, 2.0 mol L–1 H2 and 0.5 mol L–1 NH3.
Is the reaction at equilibrium?
If not in which direction does the reaction tend to proceed to reach equilibrium?