Question d & f Block Elements

1 Define transition elements. Which elements in d block are not termed as transition and
why?
ANS. Transition elements are defined as the elements which have incompletely filled d-
orbitals in its ground state or in any one of its oxidation states.
Zn, Cd and Hg are not regarded as transition metals as they have full d10 configuration
in their ground state as well as their common oxidation states.
2 i) Why do transition elements show variable oxidation state?
ii) Name the element which shows maximum oxidation state with its oxidation state.
iii) The element that shows stable only +3 oxidation state in 3d series is.
ANS. i) In the transition elements, the energy difference between the ns orbital and
the (n-1)d orbital is very less. Thus, here, both the valence ns orbital and
the penultimate (n-1)d orbital are involved in bond formation.
ii) Mn - +7
iii) Sc - +3

3 Explain the following

i) Copper atom has completely filled d orbital (d10) in ground state, yet it is not
regarded as transition element.
ii) Cr+2 is strong reducing agent than Fe+2 in aqueous solution.
ANS. i) This is because, copper has an incompletely filled d-orbital in one of its
oxidation state i.e Cu2+.
ii) Cr2+ [Ar] 3d4 changes to Cr3+ [Ar] 3d3 while Fe2+ [Ar] 3d6 changes to Fe3+
[Ar] 3d5
In aqueous medium, the configuration of [Ar] 3d3 is more stable due to half
filled t2g orbital and empty eg orbital. Hence, Cr2+ is stronger reducing
agent.
4 i) Why Zn+2 salts are white while Ni+2 salt are blue?
ii) Out of [Sc(H2O)6]3+ and [Ti(H2O)6]3+ ion which is colored and why?
ANS. i) Zn → [Ar] 3d10 4s2 Zn2+ → [Ar] 3d10 4s0
Ni → [Ar] 3d8 4s2 Ni2+ → [Ar] 3d8 4s0
Here, Zn2+ contains no unpaired electrons whereas, Ni2+ contains 2 unpaired
electrons. Thus, compounds that contain unpaired electrons are coloured.
ii) [Ti(H2O)6]3+ is coloured because here, Ti exists as Ti3+ which has 1
unpaired electron. This unpaired electron performs d-d transitions and is
thus responsible for being a colored complex.
5 i) Consider the hydrated ion of Ti+2, V+2, Ti3+, Sc3+ write the correct order of spin only
magnetic moment?
ii) What is a misch metal?
ANS. i) Sc3+ < Ti3+ < Ti2+ < V2+
 ii) Misch metal is an alloy which consist of lanthanoid metal (~95%), Iron
(~5%) and traces of S,C, Ca and Al. It is used in Mg based alloy to produce
bullet, shell and lighter flint.
6 i) Although Zr belongs to 4d and Hf belongs to 5d transition series yet both have
similar atomic radii.
ii) Although +3 is the characteristic oxidation state of lanthanoid but cerium show +4
oxidation state. Why?
ANS. i) Due to the addition of 4f orbitals, it shows poor shielding effect. As a result
of which, the effective nuclear charge increases. This phenomenon is called
Lanthanoid contraction, due to which Zr and Hf have almost similar size
and thus similar chemical properties.
ii) Ce: [Xe] 4f15d16s2 Ce4+: [Xe] 4f0 it is due to the fact that after losing one
more electron Ce acquire stable Xe configuration. So Ce show +4 oxidation
along with +3.
7 What are interstial compounds? Give properties and examples.
ANS. Interstial compounds are those compounds which are formed when small atom like H,
C or N are trapped inside crystal lattice of transition metal TiC, Mn4N, Fe3H
Their characteristic properties are
a. They have high melting point, higher than those of pure metal
b. They are very hard
c. They retain metallic conductivity
They are chemically inert
8 Explain giving reasons
i) The enthalpies of atomization of transition metals are high?
ii) Transition metals and their compounds can act as good catalyst.
ANS. i) The energy required to convert metallic crystals into individual atoms is
known as enthalpy of atomization. The transition metals have high enthalpy
of atomization. It is on this basis of interatomic attraction due to unpaired
electrons. Greater the number of unpaired electrons, stronger is the resultant
bonding.
ii) Catalytic activity of transition metals is due to their ability to adopt
multiple oxidation states and to form complexes. Transition metals because
of their variable valencies, sometimes form unstable intermediate and
provide a new path with lower activation energy for the reaction.
9 i) Transition metal compound which used as catalyst in manufacture of sulphuric
acid
ii) Transition metal used in haber’s process.
iii) Transition metal that has light sensitive properties and act as valuable source in
photographic film industry
ANS. i) V2O5
ii) Fe
iii) Ag
 10 Give reason to the following
i) Transition metal form alloy
ii) Iron has higher enthalpy of atomization than that of copper.
ANS. i) The atomic size of the transition metals are very similar to each other. As a
result of which, one metal can replace the other metals from its lattice sites
and form a solid solution, which is the alloy.
ii) Greater the number of unpaired electrons, stronger will be the bonding, thus
the enthalpy of atomization will be greater.
11 i) Calculate the magnetic moment of a divalent ion in aqueous solution [Fe(H2O)6]2+
OR
Calculate the magnetic moment of a divalent ion in aqueous solution if its atomic
number is 26.
ii) Although fluorine is more electronegative than oxygen, but ability of oxygen to
stabilize higher oxidation exceed that of fluorine why?
ANS. i) 4.90 BM
ii) Oxygen has the ability to form multiple bonds with the metals, while
fluorine only forms single bonds with metals. Hence, oxygen has more
ability to stabilize higher oxidation states.
+
12 Why Cu ion is not known in aqueous solution.
ANS. In aqueous solution, Cu+ undergoes disproportionation reaction.
2Cu+ (aq.) → Cu2+ + Cu (s)
The highest stability of Cu2+ ion in aq. solution due to negative enthalpy of hydration.
13 Answer the following
i) Which element of the first transition series has the highest second ionization
enthalpy? [Cu]
ii) Which element of first transition series has the highest 3rd ionization
enthalpy? [Zn]
iii) Which element of the first transition series has the lowest enthalpy of
atomization? [Zn]
14 Predict which of the following ions will be coloured in aqueous solution
Ti3+, V3+, Cu+, Sc3+, Mn2+, Fe3+ and Co3+. Give reason for each. (ANS in BOLD)
15 Given the graph of atomic radii of transition elements
answer the following question
i) Why atomic radii from left to right first
decreases then constant and then increases
towards the end
ii) On moving from 4d to 5d series why the atomic
radii becomes constant.
16 Given is the graph of trend in standard
reduction potential of M2+ ion of 3d series
elements.
i) Why copper has exceptionally high
positive value?
ii) On moving from Sc to Cr the value
increases and then decreases for
manganese. Justify
iii) Which is strong reducing agent Cr+2 or Fe+2. Explain.
iv) Copper cannot replace hydrogen from mineral acids. Comment on the statement.
i) This is because Cu2+ has very low hydration enthalpy which does not
compensate for the high ionisation energy.
ii) This is due to half filled d orbital stability in Mn2+
iii) Cr2+ as it has t2g half filled stability.
17 i) Why V3+ acts as strong oxidizing agent than Cr3+.
ii) Why Eo Mn3+/Mn2+ has high positive value.
18 i) The highest oxidation state is exhibited in oxoanions of transition metals
ii) Transition elements show high melting point. Justify
iii) Ionization enthalpy of chromium is lower than that of zinc.