OUR OWN HIGH SCHOOL, DUBAI

SUBJECT: CHEMISTRY
QUESTION BANK
CHAPTER -4: THE D AND F BLOCK ELEMENTS

SECTION – A
The following questions are multiple-choice questions with one correct answer.
Each question carries 1 mark.

1 Electronic configuration of a transition element X in +3 oxidation state is [Ar]3d5. What [1]

is its atomic number?
(i) 25 (ii) 26 (iii) 27 (iv) 24

2 The electronic configuration of Cu(II) is 3d9 whereas that of Cu(I) is 3d10. Which of the [1]
following is correct?
(i) Cu(II) is more stable (ii) Cu(II) is less stable (iii) Cu(I) and Cu(II) are equally stable
(iv) Stability of Cu(I) and Cu(II) depends on nature of copper salts

3 Metallic radii of some transition elements are given below. Which of these elements [1]
will have highest density?
Element Fe Co Ni Cu
Metallic radii/pm: 126 125 125 128
(i) Fe (ii) Ni (iii) Co (iv) Cu

4 Generally transition elements form coloured salts due to the presence of unpaired [1]
electrons. Which of the following compounds will be coloured in solid state?
(i) Ag2SO4 (ii) CuF2 (iii) ZnF2 (iv) Cu2Cl2

5 On addition of small amount of KMnO4 to concentrated H2SO4, a green oily compound [1]
is obtained which is highly explosive in nature. Identify the compound from the
following.
(i) Mn2O7 (ii) MnO2 (iii) MnSO4 (iv) Mn2O3

6 The magnetic nature of elements depends on the presence of unpaired electrons. [1]
Identify the configuration of transition element, which shows highest magnetic
moment.
(i) 3d7 (ii) 3d5 (iii) 3d8 (iv) 3d2

7 Which of the following oxidation state is common for all lanthanoids? [1]
(i) +2 (ii) +3 (iii) +4 (iv) +5

8 Which of the following reactions are disproportionation reactions? [1]

(a) Cu+ → Cu2+ + Cu (b) 3MnO4– + 4H+ → 2MnO4– + MnO2 + 2H2O
(c) 2KMnO4 → K2MnO4 + MnO2 + O2 (d) 2MnO4– + 3Mn2+ + 2H2O → 5MnO2 + 4H+
(i) a, b (ii) a, b, c (iii) b, c, d (iv) a, d

9 When KMnO4 solution is added to oxalic acid solution, the decolourisation is slow in [1]
the beginning but becomes instantaneous after some time because
(i) CO2 is formed as the product. (ii) Reaction is exothermic.
(iii) MnO4– catalyses the reaction (iv) Mn2+ acts as autocatalyst.
10 There are 14 elements in actinoid series. Which of the following elements does not [1]
belong to this series?
(i) U (ii) Np (iii) Tm (iv) Fm

11 KMnO4 acts as an oxidising agent in acidic medium. The number of moles of KMnO4 [1]
that will be needed to react with one mole of sulphide ions in acidic solution is
(i)25 (ii) 35 (iii)45 (iv) 15

12 Which of the following is amphoteric oxide? Mn2O7, CrO3, Cr2O3, CrO, V2O5, V2O4 [1]
(i) V2O5, Cr2O3 (ii) Mn2O7, CrO3 (iii) CrO, V2O5 (iv) V2O5, V2O4

13 Gadolinium belongs to 4f series. It’s atomic number is 64. Which of the following is the [1]
correct electronic configuration of gadolinium?
(i) [Xe] 4f 75d16s2 (ii) [Xe] 4f 65d26s2 (iii) [Xe] 4f 86d2 (iv) [Xe] 4f 95s1

14 Interstitial compounds are formed when small atoms are trapped inside the crystal [1]
lattice of metals. Which of the following is not the characteristic property of interstitial
compounds?
(i) They have high melting points in comparison to pure metals. (ii) They are very
hard.
(iii) They retain metallic conductivity. (iv) They are chemically very reactive.

15 The magnetic moment is associated with its spin angular momentum and orbital [1]
angular momentum. Spin only magnetic moment value of Cr3+ ion is ___________.
(i) 2.87 B.M. (ii) 3.87 B.M. (iii) 3.47 B.M. (iv) 3.57 B.M.

16 KMnO4 acts as an oxidising agent in alkaline medium. When alkaline KMnO4 is treated [1]
with KI, iodide ion is oxidised to ____________.
(i) I2 (ii) IO– (iii) IO3– (iv) IO4

17 Which of the following statements is not correct? [1]

(i) Copper liberates hydrogen from acids.
(ii) In its higher oxidation states, manganese forms stable compounds with oxygen and
fluorine.
(iii) Mn3+ and Co3+ are oxidising agents in aqueous solution.
(iv) Ti2+ and Cr2+ are reducing agents in aqueous solution.

18 When acidified K2Cr2O7 solution is added to Sn2+ salts then Sn2+ changes to [1]
(i) Sn (ii) Sn3+ (iii) Sn4+ (iv) Sn+

19 Highest oxidation state of manganese in fluoride is +4 (MnF4) but highest oxidation [1]
state in oxides is +7 (Mn2O7) because ____________.
(i) fluorine is more electronegative than oxygen.
(ii) fluorine does not possess d-orbitals.
(iii) fluorine stabilises lower oxidation state.
(iv) in covalent compounds fluorine can form single bond only while oxygen forms
double bond.
20 Although Zirconium belongs to 4d transition series and Hafnium to 5d transition series [1]
even then they show similar physical and chemical properties because___________.
(i) both belong to d-block. (ii) both have same number of electrons.
(iii) both have similar atomic radius.
(iv) both belong to the same group of the periodic table.

SECTION – B
The questions in this section are Assertion – Reason type of questions
Note: In the following questions a statement of assertion followed by a statement of
reason is given. Choose the correct answer out of the following choices.
(i) Both assertion and reason are true, and reason is the correct explanation of the
assertion.
(ii) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of
assertion.
(iii) Assertion is true but reason is false.
(iv) Assertion is false but reason is true.

21 Assertion: Cu2+ iodide is not known. [1]

Reason: Cu2+ oxidises I – to iodine.

22 Assertion: Transition metals are good catalysts. [1]

Reason: V2O5 or Pt is used in the preparation of H2SO4 by contact process.

23 Assertion: Transition metals show variable valency. [1]

Reason: Transition metals have a large energy difference between the ns2 and (n – 1)d
electrons.

24 Assertion: Separation of Zr and Hf is difficult. [1]

Reason: Zr and Hf lie in the same group of the periodic table.

25 Assertion: In the 3d series Sc (Z = 21) to Zn (Z = 30), the enthalpy of atomization of zinc [1]
is the lowest, i.e., 126 kJ mol–1.
Reason: Zn has no unpaired electrons to indulge in metallic bonding.

26 Assertion: The highest oxidation state of osmium is +8. [1]

Reason: Osmium is a 5d-block element.

27 Assertion: It is difficult to obtain oxidation state greater than two for Cu, Ni and Zn. [1]
Reason: Cu, Ni & zinc - all belong to the 3d series.

28 Assertion: Actinoids form relatively less stable complexes as compared to lanthanoids. [1]
Reason: Actinoids can utilise their 5f orbitals along with 6d orbitals in bonding but
lanthanoids do not use their 4f orbital for bonding.

29 Assertion: Cu cannot liberate hydrogen from acids. [1]

Reason: Because it has positive electrode potential.

30 Assertion: Zinc salts are colourless while copper salts are coloured. [1]
Reason: Zinc has no unpaired electrons in the ground state as well as in the most
stable oxidation state.
 SECTION - C
The following questions are very short answer type and you may answer them in
minimum two sentences.

31 (a) Which metal in the first transition series (3d series) exhibits +1 oxidation state most [2]
frequently & why?
(b) Which of the following cations are coloured in aqueous solutions and why?
Sc3+, V3+, Ti4+, Mn2+ (At. No: Sc = 21, V = 23, Ti =22, Mn=25)

32 Complete the following chemical equations: [2]

(i) Cr2O72- + H+ + I-→ ( ii) MnO4- + NO2- +H+→

33 Assign reasons for the following: [2]

(i) Copper (I) ion is not known in aqueous solution.
(ii) Actinoids exhibit greater range of oxidation states than Ianthanoids.

34 Assign reason for each of the following [2]

(i) Transition metals generally form coloured compounds
(ii) Manganese exhibits the highest oxidation sate of +7 among the 3d series of
transition elements

35 Explain giving reasons: [2]

(i) Transition metals and their compounds generally exhibit a paramagnetic behavior.
(ii) The chemistry of actinoids is not so smooth as that of Ianthanoids.

36 Explain giving a suitable reason for each of the following: [2]

(i) Transition metals and their compounds are generally found to be good catalysts.
(ii) Metal – metal bonding is more frequent for the 4d and the 5d series of transition
metals than that for the 3d series

37 Explain the following observations: [2]

(i) Generally, there is an increase in density of elements from titanium (Z= 22) to
copper (Z = 29) in the first series of transition elements.
(ii) Transition elements & their compounds are generally found to be good catalysts in
chemical reactions.

38 Explain the following observations: [2]

(i) Transition elements generally form coloured compounds.
(ii) Zinc is not regarded as a transition element.

39 Describe the preparation of [2]

(i) Potassium dichromate from sodium chromate and (ii) KMnO4 from K2MnO4

40 Give reasons for the following observations: [2]

(i) Mn(II) ion shows maximum paramagnetic character amongst the bivalent ions of
first transition series.
(ii) Scandium (Z = 21) salts are white.
 SECTION – D
The following questions are short answer type and you may answer them in
minimum three sentences.

41 A blackish brown solid ‘A’ when forced with alkali metal hydroxide in presence of air [3]
produces a dark green coloured compound ‘B’, which on electrolytic oxidation in alkaline
medium gives a dark purple coloured compound ‘C’. Identify A, B, C and write the
reactions involved. What happens when an acid solution of green coloured compound
(B) is allowed to stand for some time.

42 Account for the following: [3]

(i)Transition elements form interstitial compounds.
(ii)Mn3+(3d4) is strongly oxidising, whereas Cr2+(3d4) is strongly reducing.
(iii)Transition metals have high melting points.

43 Account for the following: [3]

(i)Mn2+ is more stable than Fe2+ towards oxidation to +3 state.
(ii) The enthalpy of atomization is lowest for Zn in 3d series of the transition elements.
(iii) Actinoid elements show wide range of oxidation states.

44 (i)Name the element of 3d transition series which shows maximum number of [3]
oxidation states.
(ii)Which transition material of 3d series has positive Eo(M2+/M) value.
(iii)Name a member of the lanthanoid series which is well known to exhibit +2
oxidation state.

45 With reference to structural variability and chemical reactivity, write the differences [3]
between lanthanoids and actinoids.

SECTION – E
The following questions are short answer type and you may answer them in
minimum three sentences.

46 When an oxide of manganese (A) is fused with KOH in the presence of an oxidising [5]
agent and dissolved in water, it gives a dark green solution of compound (B).
Compound (B) disproportionates in neutral or acidic solution to give purple compound
(C). An alkaline solution of compound (C) oxidises potassium iodide solution to a
compound (D) and compound (A) is also formed. Identify compounds A to D and also
explain the reactions involved.

47 On the basis of Lanthanoid contraction, explain the following: [5]

(i) Nature of bonding in La2O3 and Lu2O3.
(ii) Trends in the stability of oxo salts of lanthanoids from La to Lu.
(iii) Stability of the complexes of lanthanoids.
(iv) Radii of 4d and 5d block elements.
(v) Trends in acidic character of lanthanoid oxides.

48 (a) Transition metals can act as catalysts because these can change their oxidation [5]
state. How does Fe(III) catalyse the reaction between iodide and persulphate ions?
 (b) Mention any three processes where transition metals act as catalysts.

Case Study Questions

49 Passage: When a magnetic field is applied to substances, mainly two types of magnetic [4]
behaviour are observed: diamagnetism and paramagnetism. Diamagnetic substances
are repelled by the applied field while the paramagnetic substances are attracted. The
d- and f- Block Elements are attracted very strongly are said to be ferromagnetic. In fact,
ferromagnetism is an extreme form of paramagnetism. Paramagnetism arises from the
presence of unpaired electrons, each such electron having a magnetic moment
associated with its spin angular momentum and orbital angular momentum. The
magnetic moment is determined by the number of unpaired electrons and is calculated
by using the ‘spin-only’ formula electron has a magnetic moment of 1.73 Bohr
magnetons (BM).

(i) Name the important types of magnetic behaviour exhibited by elements. [1]

(ii) Give one example each for paramagnetic and diamagnetic species from 3d series. [1]

(iii) (a)Why is it said ferromagnetism is an extreme case of paramagnetism? [1]

(b)Calculate the spin only magnetic moment shown by divalent ion of the element
with atomic number 24.

50 Passage: In general, ions of the same charge in a given period show progressive decrease [4]
in radius with increasing atomic number. The same trend is observed in the atomic radii
of a given d - series. However, the variation within a series is quite small. An interesting
point emerges when atomic sizes of one series are compared with those of the
corresponding elements in the other series. One can see an increase in size from the
first (3d) to the second (4d) series of the elements but the radii of the third (5d) series
are virtually the same as those of the corresponding members of the second series. This
phenomenon is associated with the intervention of the 4f orbitals, which must be filled
before the 5d series of elements begin. The filling of 4f before 5d orbital results in a
regular decrease in atomic radii which is known as lanthanoid contraction.

(i) How do the ionic size vary as we move along a period and why is it so? [1]

(ii) Predict the effect of trend in the atomic size affect the density of 3d series elements? [1]

(iii) What is lanthanoid contraction? How is it caused and list any three consequences. [2]

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