Class 12 Chemistry NCERT Chapter 11: Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Questions
Some class 11 chemistry Chapter 11 P-Block Elements questions and answers are given below that will help you tackle complex problems. The questions below will help you evaluate your understanding of the concepts.
Question1: When a salt is treated with a sodium hydroxide solution, it gives gas X. On passing gas X through reagent Y, a brown-colored precipitate is formed. X and Y, respectively, are
Options
1) $\mathrm{X}=\mathrm{NH}_3$ and $\mathrm{Y}=\mathrm{HgO}$
2) $\mathrm{X}=\mathrm{NH}_3$ and $\mathrm{Y}=\mathrm{K}_2 \mathrm{HgI}_4+\mathrm{KOH}$
3) $\mathrm{X}=\mathrm{NH}_4 \mathrm{Cl}$ and $\mathrm{Y}=\mathrm{KOH}$
4) $\mathrm{X}=\mathrm{HCl}$ and $\mathrm{Y}=\mathrm{NH}_4 \mathrm{Cl}$
Answer:
$\mathrm{NH}_4^{+}+\mathrm{NaOH} \longrightarrow \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}+\mathrm{NH}_3 \uparrow$
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$\mathrm{NH}_3$ is identify by $\mathrm{K}_2\left[\mathrm{HgI}_4\right]+\mathrm{KOH}$
Hence, the correct answer is option (2).
Question 2: A group 15 element forms $\mathrm{d} \pi-\mathrm{d} \pi$ bond with transition metals. It also forms hydride, which is a strongest base among the hydrides of other group members that form $\mathrm{d} \pi-\mathrm{d} \pi$ bond. The atomic number of the element is _______.
(1) 15
(2)16
(3)18
(4)14
Answer:
Phosphorus belongs to $15^{\text {th }}$ group and forms $\mathrm{d} \pi-\mathrm{d} \pi$ bond with transition metal and $\mathrm{PH}_3$ is strongest base among the other group members excepet $\mathrm{NH}_3$.
Atomic number of Phosphorous =15.
Hence, the answer is (15).
Question 3: Given below are two statements :
Statement I : $\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{Se}$ is more acidic than $\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{Te}$.
Statement II : $\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{Se}$ has higher bond enthalpy for dissociation than $\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{Te}$.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.
(1) Both statement I and Statement II are false.
(2) Both statement I and Statement II are true.
(3) Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
(4) Statement I is false but Statement II is true.
Answer:
$\therefore \quad \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{Te}$ is more acidic than $\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{Se}$
because of lesser bond dissociation energy of $\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{Te}$
It can release $\mathrm{H}^{+}$more easily
$\mathrm{pK}_{\mathrm{a}_1}: \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{Se}(3.89)>\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{Te}(2.6)$
Hence, the correct answer is option (4).
Question 4: Which of the following occurs as a consequence of inert pair effect?
(A) $\mathrm{SnCl}_2$ acts as a reducing agent
(B) $\mathrm{SnCl}_4$ acts as an oxidising agent
(C) $\mathrm{SnO}_2$ is amphoteric
(D) $\mathrm{PbO}_2$ is an oxidant
(E) $\mathrm{CCl}_2$ is unstable but $\mathrm{PbCl}_2$ is stable
(1) $A, D, E$
(2) $D, E, C$
(3) $A, B, C, D, E$
(4) $A, B, C$
Answer:
The inert pair effect is the reluctance of the valence $n \mathrm{~s}^2$ electrons to participate in bonding in heavier p-block elements, so lower oxidation states (by 2 units) are increasingly stabilized down a group. In Group 14 this makes +2 more stable than +4 as we go from $\mathrm{C} \rightarrow \mathrm{Si} \rightarrow \mathrm{Ge} \rightarrow \mathrm{Sn} \rightarrow \mathrm{Pb}$. Consequently, Sn (II) tends to get oxidised to Sn (IV), so $\mathrm{SnCl}_2$ acts as a reducing agent (A true). $\mathrm{Pb}(\mathrm{IV})$ is comparatively unstable and readily reduces to $\mathrm{Pb}(\mathrm{II})$, so $\mathrm{PbO}_2$ is a strong oxidant (D true). Likewise, the +2 state is unstable for carbon but stable for lead, so $\mathrm{CCl}_2$ is unstable whereas $\mathrm{PbCl}_2$ is stable ( E true). By contrast, $\mathrm{SnCl}_4$ is not characteristically an oxidising agent; Sn (IV) in stannic chloride is fairly stable and behaves mainly as a Lewis acid rather than an oxidant (B false). $\mathrm{SnO}_2$ being amphoteric arises from borderline metallic/acid-base character, not from the inert pair effect specifically ( C not a consequence). Hence only A, D and E follow from the inert pair effect.
Hence, the correct answer is option (2).
Question 5: The correct statements from the following are :
(A) $\mathrm{Tl}^{3+}$ is a powerful oxidising agent
(B) $\mathrm{Al}^{3+}$ does not get reduced easily
(C) Both $\mathrm{Al}^{3+}$ and $\mathrm{Tl}^{3+}$ are very stable in solution
(D) $\mathrm{Tl}^{+}$is more stable than $\mathrm{Tl}^{3+}$
(E) $\mathrm{Al}^{3+}$ and $\mathrm{Tl}^{+}$are highly stable
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
(1) (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E)
(2) (A), (B), (D) and (E) only
(3) (B), (D) and (E) only
(4) (A), (C) and (D) only
Answer:
$\mathrm{Tl}^{3+}$ is a powerful oxidizing agent as $\mathrm{Tl}^{+}$is more stable and $\mathrm{Tl}^{3+}$ is less stable in solution due to the inert pair effect. Thallium(III) is an unstable oxidation state, particularly in aqueous solutions.
Aluminum readily loses three electrons to achieve a noble gas configuration that makes the +3 oxidation state the most stable for aluminum.
Hence, the correct answer is option (2).
Question 6: The elements of Group 13 with the highest and lowest first ionization enthalpies are, respectively:
(1) B & Ga
(2) B & Tl
(3) Tl & B
(4) B & In
Answer:
Ionization enthalpy is the energy required to remove the outermost electron
1. General periodic trend:
- Increases across a period (left to right)
- Decreases down a group (top to bottom)
2. Exception- Group 13 shows anomalies due to poor shielding by d- and f-electrons in Ga, In, and Tl.
-
Boron (B): Smallest size, highest nuclear attraction → highest first ionization enthalpy
-
Thallium (Tl): Larger size, but relativistic effects and poor shielding by 4f electrons slightly increase ionization energy compared to In
-
Aluminium (Al): Has lower ionization enthalpy than B
-
Indium (In): Lowest first ionization enthalpy in the group due to maximum shielding effect
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So, IE order
$\mathrm{B}>\mathrm{T} \ell>\mathrm{Ga}>\mathrm{Al}>\mathrm{In}$
Hence, the correct answer is option (4).
Question 7: The group 14 elements A and B have the first ionisation enthalpy values of 708 and $715 \mathrm{~kJ} \mathrm{~mol}^{-1}$ respectively. The above values are lowest among their group members. The nature of their ions $\mathrm{A}^{2+}$ $\mathrm{B}^{4+}$ respectively is
(1) both reducing
(2) both oxidising
(3) reducing and oxidising
(4) oxidising and reducing
Answer:
As per given information of ionisation energy
$\mathrm{A}=\mathrm{Sn} \& \mathrm{~B}=\mathrm{Pb}$
$\mathrm{A}^{+2}=\mathrm{Sn}^{2+}=$ Reducing agent (as can be oxidized to +4 oxidation state).
$\mathrm{B}^{+4}=\mathrm{Pb}^{+4}=$ Oxidizing agent (can be reduced to +2 oxidation state readily as +2 is more stable).
Hence, the correct answer is option (3).
Approach to Solve Questions of Chapter 11 The P-Block Elements
Approach to Solve Questions of Chapter 11 The P-Block Elements For better understanding of questions and ability to solve the questions in less time, following steps are useful:
1. While solving P-Block Elements Class 11 Chemistry NCERT Exemplar Solutions, students are guided to first understand the basic concepts about group 13 to 18, General valence shell configuration of p-Block elements, and recall all the basic concepts like atomic size, ionization energy, electronegativity, and oxidation states
2. Compare properties like oxidation states, electronegativity, ionization energy, atomic radius down the group and across the period.
3. Use inert pair effect for heavier elements, check which oxidation states are stable.
4. Acidic/basic/ amphoteric behavior of oxides and hydroxides, reducing vs oxidizing nature.
5. Key points for Group
Group 13
- Behavior of Boron is anomalous.
- Important Compounds of boron are Borax ($\mathrm{Na}_2 \mathrm{~B}_4 \mathrm{O}_7 \cdot 10 \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}$), Boric acid ($\mathrm{H}_3 \mathrm{BO}_3$), Diborane ($B_2 H_6$)
Group 14
- Allotropes of Carbon are Diamond, Graphite, Fullerenes.
- Catenation is the ability of Carbon to form long chains.
- Silicon Compounds like Silica ($\mathrm{SiO}_2$), Silicones ($\mathrm{R}_2 \mathrm{SiO}$)
Group 15
- Nitrogen is Inert due to strong $N \equiv N$ triple bond.
- Ammonia ($\mathrm{NH}_3$) is prepared by Haber’s process.
- Oxyacids of Nitrogen are $\mathrm{HNO}_3$(Nitric Acid), $\mathrm{HNO}_2$ (Nitrous Acid)
Group 16
- Ozone $\left(O_3\right)$ is an oxidizing agent.
- Allotropes of sulphur are Rhombic, Monoclinic,$\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{SO}_4$.
- Oxoacids of Sulphur are $\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{SO}_3, \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{~S}_2 \mathrm{O}_7$.
Group 17
- Reactivity decreases down the group $\left(\mathrm{F}_2>\mathrm{Cl}_2>\mathrm{Br}_2>\mathrm{I}_2\right)$.
- Oxoacids of Chlorine are $\mathrm{HClO}_4$ (Perchloric Acid), $ \mathrm{HClO}$ (Hypochlorous Acid).
- Interhalogens ae$\mathrm{ClF}_3, \mathrm{IF}_7$.
Group 18
- Xenon Compounds like $\mathrm{XeF}_2, \mathrm{XeF}_4, \mathrm{XeO}_3$ (sp ${ }^3 \mathrm{~d}$ hybridization).
- Structure Drawing Example: Practice the structure of $\mathrm{XeF}_2, \mathrm{XeF}_4, \mathrm{XeO}_3$ (sp ${ }^3 \mathrm{~d}$ hybridization).
6. Practice questions from NCERT, as these questions are asked directly in boards and other competitive exams. For revision students can follow Class 11 P-Block Elements Notes. While solving questions, students must take care of a few basic points like, converting the units where required, and significant figures must be thoroughly checked.