Reasoning Based Questions (d & f – block elements)

1 d-block elements are called transition metals

Because the position of d-block is in between most electropositive metals in s-block and the
electronegative elements in p-block
2 Zn, Cd & Hg are not treated as true transition elements
Because they have completely filled d-orbitals in their atomic as well as stable ionic state
3 Cu & Ag are transition metals although they have completely filled d-orbitals
Cu2+ & Ag2+ have (n-1)d9 4s0 configuration.
4 Some d-block elements have irregular(exceptional) electronic configuration
Due to very small energy difference between (n-1)d & ns sub-shell
5 Atomic size does not change appreciably in a row of transition metals
Along the rows nuclear charge increases but the penultimate d-sub shell has poor shielding effect so
atomic and ionic size remain almost same .
6 In d-block horizontal similarities in properties are observed
Along the rows nuclear charge increases but the penultimate d-sub shell has poor shielding effect so
atomic and ionic size remain almost same hence similar properties.
7 Transition elements have variable oxidation states
Due to very small energy difference between (n-1)d & ns sub-shell electrons from both the sub-
shell take part in bonding
8 Transition metals have high melting and boiling points
A large number of unpaired electrons take part in bonding so they have very strong metallic bonds
and hence high m.pt & b.pt
9 Transition metals have high enthalpy of atomization
A large number of unpaired electrons take part in bonding so they have very strong metallic bonds
and hence high enthalpy of atomization
10 Transition metals show catalytic properties
Because they have variable oxidation states and hence can form different intermediates. They also
provide large surface area.
11 Transition metals and their salts are generally colored
Because they have partially filled d-sub shell and hence d-d electron transition takes place when they
absorb radiations from visible region and transmit complementary colors.
12 Transition metals form coordination compounds
Because they have large number of vacant orbitals in (n-1)d, ns, np & ns sub shells so they can
accept electron pairs from ligands
13 Transition metals form alloys
They have comparable atomic size and hence can be mixed uniformly
14 Transition metals form interstial compounds
Because small atoms like H, C, N etc can be entrapped in their metallic crystals
15 Zn, Cd & Hg have low boiling points and Hg is liquid.
They have full filled 3d-orbitals and no electorns from d-orbitals are taking part in metallic bonding
so they have weak metallic bonding. Due to larger atomic size Hg is liquid
16 Transition metals and many of their compounds show paramagnetic behaviour
Because they have unpaired electrons
17 d1 configuration is very unstable in ions
Because by loosing one electron they get extra stability
18 Cr 2+ is strongly reducing while Mn3+ is strongly oxidizing
E0 value for Cr3+/Cr2+ is negative but that of Mn3+/Mn2+ is positive so Cr2+ can loose electron to form
Cr3+ while Mn3+ accepts electron to form Mn2+. In case of Cr d4 to d3 occurs for Cr2+ to Cr3+. d3 is
stable.
19 Cobalt(II) is stable in aqueous solution but in presence of complexing agents it gets oxidized
Oxidation state changes from +2 to +3 because in presence of ligands d-orbitals split up into t 2g and
eg having the stable configuration t2g6 eg0.
20 Mn2+ compounds are more stable than Fe2+
Mn2+ has half filled d-orbitals i.e 3d5 4s0 configuration
21 Fe3+ is stable
Due to half filled configuration i.e 3d5 4s0 configuration
22 The lowest oxides of transition metals is basic , the highest is amphoteric/acidic

23 Transition metals exhibit highest oxidation states in oxides and fluorides

Because of small size and high electronegativity oxygen or fluorine can oxidise the metal to its
highest oxidation state.
24 The highest oxidation state of transition metal is exhibited in oxoanions

25 For the first row transition metals the Eo values are:

Eo V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu
(M2+/M) –1.18 – 0.91 –1.18 – 0.44 – 0.28 – 0.25 +0.34
Explain the irregularity in the above values.
The E0 (M2+/M) values are not regular which can be explained from the irregular variation of
ionisation enthalpies (Δ i H 1 + Δ i H 2) and also the sublimation enthalpies which are relatively much
less for manganese and vanadium.
26 Why is the E0 value for the Mn3+/Mn2+ couple much more positive than that for Cr3+/Cr2+ or
Fe3+/Fe2+? Explain.
Much larger third ionisation energy of Mn (where the required change is d5 to d4) is mainly
responsible for this. This also explains why the +3 state of Mn is of little importance.
27 Oxidising power increases in the series VO2 + < Cr2O7 2– < MnO4 –
This is due to the increasing stability of the lower species to which they are reduced.
28 The ionization enthalpies (first and second) in the first series of the transition elements are
irregular
Irregular variation of ionisation enthalpies is mainly attributed to varying degree of stability of
different 3d-configurations (e.g., d0, d5, d10 are exceptionally stable).
29 The E0(M2+/M) value for copper is positive (+0.34V).
Due to its its high enthalpy of atomization and low hydration energy
30 Mn exhibits largest number of oxidation states in 3d series.
Manganese (Z = 25), as its atom has the maximum number of unpaired electrons.
31 In the series Sc (Z = 21) to Zn (Z = 30), the enthalpy of atomization of zinc is the lowest.
In the formation of metallic bonds, no electrons from 3d-orbitals are involved in case of zinc, while
in all other metals of the 3d series, electrons from the d-orbitals are always involved in the formation
of metallic bonds.
32 Silver atom has completely filled d orbitals (4d10) in its ground state but it is a transition
element.
Silver can exhibit +2 oxidation state wherein it will have incompletely filled d-orbitals (4d9).
33 Zr has similar size to that of Hf
Due to lanthanoid contraction.
34 Actinoid contraction is greater from element to element than lanthanoid contraction.
The 5f electrons are more effectively shielded from nuclear charge. In other words the 5f electrons
themselves provide poor shielding from element to element in the series.
35 Explain why Cu+ ion is not stable in aqueous solutions?
Cu+ in aqueous solution underoes disproportionation, i.e.,
2Cu+(aq) → Cu2+(aq) + Cu(s) The E0 value for this is favourable.
36 2nd and corresponding third row transition elements have similar properties
Due to lanthanoid contraction they have similar size
37 Ce4+ is a strong oxidant
It can be converted into the most common oxidation state Ce3+
38 Eu2+ is a strong reducing agent.
It can be converted into the most common oxidation state Eu3+
39 Ce is the only lanthanoids exhibits +4 oxidation state
Ce4+ has noble gas configuration (Xe)
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