NCERT Class 11 Chemistry Chapter Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure: Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Questions
HOTS questions of Chapter 4 Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure NCERT Exemplar are designed to enhance analytical thinking and application-based understanding.
Question 1: A molecule with the formula AX4Y has all it’s elements from the p-block. Element A is rarest,
monoatomic, non-radioactive from its group and has the lowest ionization enthalpy value among A, X and Y. Elements X and Y have first and second highest electronegativity values respectively among all the known elements. The shape of the molecule is :
(1). Square pyramidal
(2). Octahedral
(3). Pentagonal planar
(4). Trigonal bipyramidal
Solution: Given A is rarest, monoatomic, non-radioactive p-block element and form $\mathrm{AX}_4 \mathrm{Y}$ type of molecule.
$\therefore$ It is concluded that it is Xe
It is given the electronegativity of A is less than X & Y
It is given the electronegativity of $\mathrm{X} \& \mathrm{Y}$ is highest and second highest respectively among all element.
$\therefore \mathrm{X} \& \mathrm{Y}$ are $\mathrm{F} \& \mathrm{O}$
$\therefore$ Compound is consider as $\mathrm{XeOF}_4$ with square pyramidal shape.

Hence, the correct answer is option (1).
Question 2: Which of the following statement is true with respect to $\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}, \mathrm{NH}_3$ and $\mathrm{CH}_4$ ?
A. The central atoms of all the molecules are $\mathrm{sp}^3$ hybridized.
B. The $\mathrm{H}-\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{H}, \mathrm{H}-\mathrm{N}-\mathrm{H}$ and $\mathrm{H}-\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{H}$ angles in the above molecules are $104.5^{\circ}, 107.5^{\circ}$ and $109.5^{\circ}$ respectively.
C. The increasing order of dipole moment is $\mathrm{CH}_4<\mathrm{NH}_3<\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}$.
D. Both $\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}$ and $\mathrm{NH}_3$ are Lewis acids and $\mathrm{CH}_4$ is a Lewis base
E. A solution of $\mathrm{NH}_3$ in $\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}$ is basic. In this solution $\mathrm{NH}_3$ and $\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}$ act as Lowry-Bronsted acid and base respectively.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
(1). A, B and C only
(2). C, D and E only
(3). A, D and E only
(4). A, B, C and E only
Solution: 
Dipole moment
$$
\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}>\mathrm{NH}_3>\mathrm{CH}_4
$$
$\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}$ & $\mathrm{NH}_3$ are Lewis Bases
$\mathrm{NH}_3$ act as Lowry- Bronsted base
Hence, the correct answer is option (1)
Question 3. Which of the following molecules(s) show/s paramagnetic behavior ?
(A) $\mathrm{O}_2$
(B) $\mathrm{N}_2$
(C) $\mathrm{F}_2$
(D) $\mathrm{S}_2$
(E) $\mathrm{Cl}_2$
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
(1) B only
(2) A & C only
(3) A & E only
(4) A & D only
Solution:
| | | No. of unpaired $e^{-}$ |
| (A) | $\mathrm{O}_2$ | 2 |
| (B) | $\mathrm{~N}_2$ | 0 |
| (C) | $\mathrm{~F}_2$ | 0 |
| (D) | $\mathrm{~S}_2$ | 2 |
| (E) | $\mathrm{Cl}_2$ | 0 |
If species contain unpaired electron than it is paramagnetic.
So A & D are paramagnetic.
Hence, the correct answer is option (4).
Question 4:
Given below are two statements:
Statement (I) : for $C \ell \mathrm{F}_3$, all three possible structures may be drawn as follows.

Statement (II) : Structure III is most stable, as the orbitals having the lone pairs are axial, where the $\ell \mathrm{p}-\mathrm{bp}$ repulsion is minimum.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
(1) Statement I is incorrect but statement II is correct.
(2) Statement I is correct but statement II is incorrect.
(3) Both Statement I and statement II are correct.
(4) Both Statement I and statement II are incorrect.
Answer:
Statement 1 is correct.
Statement 2 is incorrect since in $\mathrm{sp}^3 \mathrm{~d}$ hybridization, a lone pair cannot occupy an axial position due to lone pair-bond pair repulsion. The lone pairs will be at equatorial position for maximum stability.
Hence, the correct answer is option (2).
Question 5: In $\mathrm{SO}_2, \mathrm{NO}_2^{-}$and $\mathrm{N}_3^{-}$the hybridizations at the central atom are respectively :$\mathrm{sp}^2, \mathrm{sp}^2$ and $\mathrm{sp}^2$
(1) $\mathrm{sp}^2, \mathrm{sp}^2$ and sp
(2) $\mathrm{sp}^2, \mathrm{sp}$ and sp
(3) $\mathrm{sp}^2, \mathrm{sp}^2$ and $\mathrm{sp}^2$
(4) $\mathrm{sp}, \mathrm{sp}^2$ and sp
Answer:
$\mathrm{SO}_2 \Rightarrow 2 \sigma$ bond +1 l.p. $\Rightarrow s p^2$ hybridisation

$\mathrm{NO}_2^{-} \Rightarrow 2 \sigma$ bond +1 l.p. $\Rightarrow s p^2$ hybridisation

$\mathrm{N}_3^{-} \Rightarrow 2 \sigma$ bond $\Rightarrow s p$ hybridisation

Hence, the correct answer is option (1).