NCERT Exemplar Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 7: Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Questions
The class 12 chemistry chapter 7 questions and answers are given below that will help you tackle complex problems. Students can follow p-block elements notes to learn the concepts in detail. The questions below will help you evaluate your understanding of the concepts.
Question 1. 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
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. Evaluate the following statements related to group 14 elements for their correctness.
(A)Covalent radius decreases down the group from $\mathrm{C}$ to $\mathrm{Pb}$ in a regular manner.
(B) Electronegativity decreases from $\mathrm{C}$ to $\mathrm{Pb}$ down the group gradually.
(C) Maximum covalence of $\mathrm{C}$ is 4 whereas other elements can expand their covalence due to the presence of d orbitals.
(D) Heavier elements do not form $\mathrm{p} \pi-\mathrm{p} \pi$ bonds.
(E) Carbon can exhibit negative oxidation states.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
1) (C), (D) and (E) Only
2) (A) and (B) Only
3) (A), (B) and (C) Only
4) (C) and (D) Only
Answer:
(A) Down the group; the radius increases
(B) Electronegativity does not decrease gradually from $\mathrm{C}$ to $\mathrm{Pb}$.
(C) Correct.
(D) Correct.
(E) Range of oxidation state of carbon: -4 to +4
Hence, the correct answer is option (1).
Question 3. The species that do not contain perodxie ions is:
(1) $\mathrm{PbO}_2$
(2) $\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}_2$
(3) $\mathrm{SrO}_2$
(4) $\mathrm{BaO}_2$
Answer:
All members, when heated with oxygen, form oxides. There are mainly two types of oxides, i.e., monoxide and dioxide of formula MO and MO2, respectively. SiO only exists at high temperatures. Oxides in higher oxidation states of elements are generally more acidic than those in lower oxidation states. The dioxides - $\mathrm{CO}_2, \mathrm{SiO}_{2,}$ and $\mathrm{GeO}_2$ are acidic, whereas $\mathrm{SnO}_2$ and $\mathrm{PbO}_2$ are amphoteric in nature. Among monoxides, CO is neutral, GeO is distinctly acidic, whereas SnO and PbO are amphoteric.
In $\mathrm{PbO}_2$ , Pb is in +4 oxidation state and oxygen is in the -2 oxidation State. In all other cases, the peroxide ion ($O_{2}^{2-}$) is present.
Hence, the correct answer is option (1).
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: 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).
Approach to Solve Questions of Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 7
To effectively solve questions of the chapter "P-Block Element", a systematic and structured approach that helps understand the concepts and the theories is given below:
1. Each group has similar themes. Focus on:
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Electronic configuration
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Oxidation states and variable valency
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Trends in physical and chemical properties (electronegativity, metallic character, ionization enthalpy)
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Important compounds
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Anomalous behaviour of the first element (like N or O)
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Trends down the group (acidic/basic nature, thermal stability, etc.)
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The questions are directly asked in the exams from these topics.
2. When solving theory questions compare elements down the group (e.g., N vs P vs As…). Also, compare group-wise behaviours (Group 15 vs Group 16). Learn more from p-block elements class 12 notes.
3. Practice how to identify molecular structures. Also, try to understand types of hybridization. The NCERT Exemplar Class 12 Chemistry Solutions Chapter 7 will help you understand these concepts better.
4. Refer to the NCERT in-text questions and exercises. You can also follow previous year questions as to get a clear idea of the exam pattern. You can get these type of questions in the NCERT Class 12 solutions available on our website. Practice previous year questions and solve mock tests. Some examples are given below
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Why is $\mathrm{N}_2$ less reactive than $\mathrm{P}_4$4?
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Write one use of $\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{SO}_4$.
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Compare the thermal stability of $\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}, \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{~S}, \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{Se}$.
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What is the oxidation state of Cl in $ClO_{3}^{-}$?
5. Make group-wise comparison tables for similar trends. You can also prepare short flashcards for compounds, oxidation states, and trends. Make suitable short notes and revise them timely.