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
Answer:
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
Answer:

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
Answer:
| | | 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).
Question 6: Given below are two statements:
Statement(I) : Experimentally determined oxygen-oxygen bond lengths in the $\mathrm{O}_3$ are found to be same and the bond length is greater than that of a $\mathrm{O}=\mathrm{O}$ (double bond) but less than that of a single $(\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{O})$ bond.
Statement (II) : The strong lone pair-lone pair repulsion between oxygen atoms is solely responsible for the fact that the bond length in ozone is smaller than that of a double bond $(\mathrm{O}=\mathrm{O})$ but more than that of a single bond $(\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{O})$.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(1) Statement I is true but Statement II is false
(2) Both Statement I and Statement II are true
(3) Both Statement I and Statement II are false
(4) Statement I is false but Statement II is true
Answer:
The first statement states that oxygen–oxygen bond lengths in ozone (O₃) are equal and fall between the lengths typical of an O–O single bond and an O=O double bond. This statement is correct. Ozone has a bent structure and exhibits resonance. The two resonance structures involve the shifting of a π-bond between the oxygen atoms, which leads to the delocalization of electrons across the molecule. As a result, the actual structure of O₃ is a resonance hybrid, with both O–O bonds having the same bond order—approximately 1.5 and the bond length is shorter than a single bond (about 148 pm) but longer than a double bond (about 121 pm), with the observed bond length being around 128 pm. Therefore, Statement I accurately reflects the experimental and theoretical understanding of ozone’s bonding.
The second statement states that the lone pair–lone pair repulsion between oxygen atoms is responsible for the observed bond lengths in ozone being between those of a single and a double bond. This statement is incorrect. While it is true that lone pair–lone pair repulsion exists and can influence the molecular geometry (such as the bond angle in O₃), it is not the main reason for the intermediate bond length. Therefore, Statement II is not correct.
Hence, the correct answer is option (1)
Question 7: Which of the following linear combination of atomic orbitals will lead to formation of molecular orbitals in homonuclear diatomic molecules [internuclear axis in z-direction] ?
A. $2 p_z$ and $2 p_x$
B. 2 s and $2 \mathrm{p}_{\mathrm{x}}$
C. $3 d_{x y}$ and $3 d_{x^2-y^2}$
D. 2 s and $2 \mathrm{p}_{\mathrm{z}}$
E. $2 p_z$ and $3 d$
(1) E Only
(2) A and B Only
(3) D Only
(4) C and D Only
Answer:



The correct combination is 2 s and $2 \mathrm{p}$, as these orbitals can form molecular orbitals in homonuclear diatomic molecules with the internuclear axis along the z-direction. This is because both orbitals have the same symmetry along the z-axis, allowing effective overlap and formation of a $\sigma$-type molecular orbital. Additionally, the energy difference between the 2 s and 2 p orbitals is relatively small especially in lighter atoms, making their mixing energetically feasible. This small energy gap enables efficient interaction, leading to noticeable s-p mixing in their molecular orbital diagrams.
Hence, the correct answer is option (3).