The d- and f- Block Elements
1. Zn, Cd, Hg are considered as d-block elements but not as transition
elements.
(or)
Why are Zn, Cd and Hg non-transition elements?
(or)
Zn is not considered as a transition element. Why?
Zn atomic no…. E.C., Cd atomic no…. E.C., Hg atomic no…. E.C.
It has completely filled d orbitals in its ground state as well as in its oxidized
state; hence, it is not regarded as transition element.
2. Which transition metal of 3d series does not show variable oxidation
states?
Scandium (Z=21).
3. Why are melting points of transition metals high?
Transition metals have high melting points due to involvement of greater
number of electrons from (n-1) d in addition to the ns electrons in the
interatomic metallic bonding.
Transition metals have high melting points due to the strong interatomic
bonding.
4. Zn, Cd and Hg are soft and have low melting point. Give reason.
(or)
Zn, Cd and Hg are soft metals.
Zn, Cd and Hg are soft metals and have low melting point because they do not
exhibit covalency due to completely filled d-orbitals. Absence of unpaired d
electrons causes weak metallic bonding.
5. Transition metals have high enthalpies of atomization. Why?
(or)
Why do transition metals exhibit higher enthalpies of atomization?
Transition metals exhibit higher enthalpies of atomization because of large
number id unpaired electrons in their atoms. They have stronger interatomic
interaction and hence stronger metallic bonding.
6. Manganese has lower melting point even though it has a higher number
of unpaired electrons for bonding. Give reason.
The melting point of Mn is low because due to d5 configuration, metallic bonds
are weak. The d5 orbital is half filled as a result 3d electrons are more tightly held
by the nucleus and this reduces the de-localization of electrons resulting in weaker
metallic bonding.
7. Transition metals show variable oxidation states. Why?
The variable oxidation states of transition elements are due to participation
of ns and (n-1) d- electrons in bond formation. Lower oxidation state is
exhibited when ns- electrons take part in bond formation. Higher oxidation
state is exhibited when (n-1) d- electrons take part in bond formation.
8. Manganese shows maximum number of oxidation states in 3d series.
Why?
(or)
Name the element of 3d transition series which shows maximum number
of oxidation states. Why does it show so?
Manganese (Z = 25) shows maximum number of oxidation states because its
electronic configuration is 3d54s2. As 3d and 4s are close in energy, it has
maximum number of electrons to lose or share (as all the 3d electrons are
unpaired). Hence it shows highest oxidation state from +2 to +7.
9. What is lanthanoid contraction? Write its one consequence.
The steady decrease in the size of lanthanoid ions (M3+) with the increase in
atomic number is called lanthanoid contraction.
Consequences of lanthanoid contraction :
(i) Separation of lanthanoids is difficult due to lanthanoid contraction
because due to this contraction their ionic radii is very small.
(ii) (ii) The basic strength of hydrofdes decreases from La(OH)3 to
Lu(OH)3. Due to lanthanoid contraction, the size of M3+ ions
decreases and there is increase in the covalent character in M - OH
bond.
10. The only oxidation state shown by Scandium is +3. Give reason.
Electronic configuration of Scandium is [Ar] 3d1 4s2. After donating 3
electrons Scandium exhibits noble gas electronic configuration [Ar]. Since to
obtain extra stability, Scandium exhibit +3 oxidation state.
11. Iron has higher enthalpy of atomization than that of copper. Why?
Copper has outer electronic configuration of 3d104s1 and 1 unpaired
electron. Iron has more number of unpaired electrons than copper. Hence,
Iron has higher enthalpy of atomisation than that of copper.
12. Atomic radii of 4d and 5d series elements are nearly same. Give reason.
(or)
The metallic radii of the third (5d) series of transition metals are nearly
the same as those of the corresponding members of the second series.
Give reason.
(or)
The metallic radii of the third (5d) series of transition metal are
virtually the same as those of the corresponding group members of the
second (4d) series.
The atomic radii of the metals of the third (5𝑑) series of transition elements
are virtually the same as those of the corresponding members of the second
(4𝑑) series due to filling of 4𝑓-orbitals which have poor shielding effect
before 5d orbitals results in regular decrease in atomic radii (lanthanide
contraction).
13. The elements of 3d transition series are given as:
Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn
Answer the following:
a. Write the element which shows maximum number of oxidation
states. Give reason.
Manganese (Z = 25) shows maximum number of oxidation states because its
electronic configuration is 3d54s2. As 3d and 4s are close in energy, it has
maximum number of electrons to lose or share (as all the 3d electrons are
unpaired). Hence it shows highest oxidation state from +2 to +7.
b. Which elements has the highest m.p.
Chromium (Z=24).
c. Which element show only + 3 oxidation state.
(or)
Name the element which shows only + 3 oxidation states in 3d series.
Scandium (Z=21).
14. What are the transition elements? Write two characteristics of the
transition elements.
Elements which in their ground state or in any of their oxidation state have
partially filled d-orbital are called transition elements. The name transition
given to the elements of d-block is only because of their position between s-
block and p-block elements.
The two characteristics of transition elements are:
(i) They show variable oxidation states.
(ii) They generally form coloured compounds.
15. The enthalpy of atomization is lowest for Zn in 3d series of the
transition elements. Why?
Enthalpy of atomisation depends on number of unpaired electrons. In Zn
there is no unpaired electron. As a result, metallic bonding is weak so that
enthalpy of atomization is low.
16. Name the element showing maximum number of oxidation states
among the first series of transition metals form Sc (Z = 21) to Zn (Z =
30).
Manganese (Z=25).
17. What metal in the first transition series (3d series) exhibits + 1
oxidation state most frequently and why?
Copper in the first transition series exhibits +1 oxidation state most
frequently. This is because Cu is 3d104s1. When one electron is lost, the
configuration becomes most stable due to fully filled d10 configuration.
18. Zr (Z = 40) and Hf (Z = 72) have almost identical radii. Justify.
Zr and Hf have almost identical atomic radii due to lanthanide contraction. Hf
is post lanthanide element. As a result of lanthanide contraction, the atomic
size of Hf is similar to Zr.
19. In a transition series of metals, the metal which exhibits the greatest
number of oxidation states occur in the middle of the series. Justify.
Higher oxidation states are usually exhibited by the members in the middle of
a series of transition elements due to greater number of unpaired electrons in
( n − 1 ) d and orbitals at the middle of the series.
20. The third ionization enthalpy of manganese (Z = 25) is exceptionally
high. Why?
Atomic no. of Mn = 25 and electronic configuration is: [Ar]4s23d5. Loss of two
electrons gives the configuration of Mn2+ as [Ar]3d5 where d-orbital is half
filled and thus very stable. Therefore the third ionisation energy is very high
as the third electron is to be removed from the stable configuration of Mn2+.
21. Generally, there is an increase in density of elements from titanium (Z =
22) to copper (Z = 29) in the first series of transition elements. Explain.
On moving from Ti to Cu, the atomic radii decrease due to increase in nuclear
charge. The decrease in metallic radius from Ti (Z = 22) to copper (Z = 29)
coupled with increase in atomic mass results in a general increase in the
density of these elements.
22. There occurs much more frequent metal-metal bonding in compounds
of heavy transition element (3d series). Explain.
4d and 5d transition elements (2nd and 3rd series) are larger in size than the
corresponding 3d elements. It is due to presence of unpaired electrons in
the (n−1)d shell have tendency to make strong metallic bond by covalent
nature of bonds.Hence the valence electrons are less tightly held and form M-
M bond more frequently.
23. Scandium (Z = 21) does not exhibit variable oxidation states and yet it is
regarded as transition element. Why?
The electronic configuration of Sc (Z=21) is [Ar]184s23d1. The element exhibits
+3 oxidation state in its compounds because by losing the three electrons, it
acquires a noble gas configuration. However, it is still regarded as a transition
element because it has partially filled d-orbitals.
24. Copper (I) compounds are white whereas Copper (II) compounds are
coloured.
Copper (I) compounds are white whereas Copper (II) compounds are colored
because, in Cu+1(3d10) there is absence of unpaired electrons while
in Cu+2(3d9) compounds are colored due to unpaired e- shows d-d
transition.
25. Chromates change their colour when kept in an acidic solution.
Chromate (CrO42−)CrO42− changes to dichromate (Cr2O72−)Cr2O72− ion in
acidic medium, hence color is changed.
26. Give reason and select one atom/ion which will exhibit asked property:
(i) Sc3+ or Cr3+ (Exhibit diamagnetic behaviour)
𝑆𝑐3+ is diamagnetic.
𝑆𝑐3+ has no electrons is 3d and 4s orbitals. The inner shells are completely
filled and there are no unpaired electrons.
Therefore, 𝑆𝑐3+ is diamagnetic.
𝐶𝑟3+ on the other hand has the electronic configuration 3𝑑3. Thus, there are
three unpaired electrons and this ion is paramagnetic.
(ii) Cr or Cu (High melting and boiling point)
Chromium has higher melting and boiling point.
Chromium has the electronic configuration 3𝑑54𝑠1. These six unpaired
electrons can form metallic bond with other Cr atoms.
Copper has the electronic configuration 3𝑑104𝑠1. It has only one unpaired
electron for metallic bond formation with other atoms.
Therefore chromium has greater strength of metallic bond and hence greater
melting and boiling point.
27. Why do transition metals and their compounds show catalytic activity?
(or)
Transition elements and their compounds act as catalysts.
Transition metals and their compounds show catalytic activities because
of variable or multiple oxidation states, ability to form complexes, they
provide large surface area for adsorption.
28. Why is Cu2+ ion coloured while Zn2+ ion is colourless in aqueous
solution?
(or)
Ti3+ is coloured whereas Sc3+ is colourless in aqueous solution.
Cu : Electronic configuration is [Ar] 3d9. In Cu2+, shifting of electrons take
place in outer d-orbital by the absorption of light form visible region involves
d-d transition. Due to this Cu2+ compounds are coloured. Where in Zn2+
electronic configuration is [Ar]3d10. It has completely filled d-orbital. So
there is no chance of d – d transition. So Zn2+ compounds are colourless.
29. Write the balanced ionic equations showing the oxidising action of
acidified dichromate (Cr2O72–) solution with (i) Iron (II) ion and (ii) tin
(II) ion.
30. Following ions are given:
Cr2+, Cu2+, Cu+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Mn3+
Identify the ion which is
(i) A strong reducing agent.
Cr2+ is a strong reducing agent, because the stable state of chromium is +3
due to configuration.
(ii) Unstable in aqueous solution.
Cu+(aq) is unstable in aqueous solution due to more negative of
Cu2+(aq) than Cu+(aq)
(iii) A strong oxiding agent.
Mn3+ is a strong oxidising agent, because the most stable state of manganese
is +2 due to half filled configuration i.e 3d5
31. Write the balanced chemical equations involved in the preparation of
KMnO4 from pyrolusite ore (MnO2).
Ref Cw
32. Account for the following :
(i) Ti3+ is coloured whereas Sc3+ is colourless in aqueous solution.
Compounds of transition elements are coloured due to the presence of unpaired
electrons in d-orbitals as they show d-d transitions. Ti3+ has an unpaired
electron while there are no unpaired electrons in Sc3+
(ii) Cr2+ is a strong reducing agent.
33. Give reasons for the following :
(i) Transition metals form alloys.
(ii) E value for (Mn2+|Mn) is negative whereas for (Cu2+|Cu) is positive.
(iii) Mn2O3 is basic whereas Mn2O7 is acidic.
(iv) The transition metals generally form coloured compounds.
(v) E value for (Mn3+|Mn2+) is highly positive than that for (Cr3+|Cr2+)
couple.
(or)
E° value for the Mn3+/Mn2+ couple is highly positive (+ 1·57 V) as
compared to Cr3+/Cr2+.
(vi) E value for (Zn2+/Zn) is negative while that of (Cu2+/Cu) is
positive.
34. Higher oxidation state of Mn with fluorine is +4 whereas with oxygen is
+7. Why?
Mn shows the highest oxidation state of + 7 with oxygen but with
fluorine it show the highest oxidation state of + 4.
35. Ti4+ is colourless whereas V4+ is coloured in an aqueous solution.
Explain.
36. Write the preparation of the following:
(i) Na2Cr2O7 from Na2CrO4
(ii) K2MnO4 from MnO2
37. How is KMnO4 prepared from pyrolusite? Give steps involved with
equations.
38. Give reasons for the following:
(i) [Ti(H2O)6] 4+ is colourless.
(ii) MnO is basic while Mn2O7 is acidic.
39. Give reasons:
(i) E° value for Mn3+/Mn2+ couple is much more positive than that for
Fe3+/Fe2+.
(ii) Sc3+ is colourless in aqueous solution whereas Ti3+ is coloured.
40. Following are the transition metal ions of 3d series:
Ti4+, V2+, Mn3+, Cr3+ (Atomic numbers : Ti = 22, V = 23, Mn = 25, Cr =
24) Answer the following :
(i) Which ion is most stable in an aqueous solution and why?
(ii) Which ion is a strong oxidizing agent and why?
(iii) Which ion is colourless and why?
(iv) Which ion has the highest number of unpaired electrons?
41.
