D and F Block Elements - Questions and Answers
1. Why do transition metals form alloys?
Answer: They form alloys due to similar ionic sizes.
2. Write one similarity and one difference between the chemistry of lanthanoids
and actinoids.
Answer:
Similarity: Both are electropositive and highly reactive, primarily showing an
oxidation state of +3.
Difference:
- Lanthanoids: Mostly non-radioactive, ions are generally colorless, and have
less tendency for complex formation.
- Actinoids: All are radioactive, most ions are colored, and they have a greater
tendency for complex formation.
3. Why do actinoids show a large number of oxidation states?
Answer: Due to a very small energy gap between the 5f, 6d, and 7s subshells.
4. Why is the separation of lanthanide elements difficult?
Answer: Due to lanthanoid contraction, they have similar ionic sizes, leading to
similar chemical properties.
5. Why are transition metal ions usually colored?
Answer: Due to the presence of an incomplete d-subshell.
6. Why is the chemistry of actinoids more complicated than lanthanoids?
Answer: Actinoids are more radioactive, exist in small quantities with short
half-lives, and exhibit more variable oxidation states.
Their 5f orbitals are more exposed compared to the deeply buried 4f orbitals of
lanthanoids.
7. Why does Cr have a higher melting point compared to Mn?
Answer: Cr has half-filled 3d orbitals, leading to stronger metallic bonding,
while Mn has fewer unpaired electrons.
8. Predict the oxidation states of a transition element with the electronic
configuration [Ar] 4s2 3d3.
Answer: The element is vanadium, and its oxidation states are +2, +3, +4, and
+5.
9. Why does Zinc have the lowest enthalpy of atomization in the 3d series?
Answer: Zinc has no unpaired electrons (3d10 4s2), resulting in weak metallic
bonding.
10. Why is Cu+ ion unstable in aqueous solutions?
Answer: Cu+ undergoes disproportionation: 2Cu+ -> Cu + Cu2+.
The high hydration energy of Cu2+ compensates for the energy required to
remove an electron from Cu+.
11. How many unpaired electrons are present in Cr3+?
Answer: Cr3+ has 3 unpaired electrons ([Ar] 3d3 4s0).
12. Why is Mn2+ more stable than Fe2+ towards oxidation to the +3 state?
Answer: Mn2+ has a half-filled 3d5 configuration, which is highly stable, while
Fe2+ can easily lose one electron to achieve the stable 3d5 configuration.
13. Why is the E0 value for the Mn3+/Mn2+ couple more positive than
Cr3+/Cr2+?
Answer: Mn2+ (3d5) has a half-filled stable configuration, making Mn3+ less
stable and resulting in a high positive E0 value.
14. Why is Sc3+ colorless, but Ti3+ is colored in aqueous solution?
Answer: Sc3+ has no unpaired electrons (3d0), while Ti3+ has one unpaired
electron (3d1) that allows for d-d transitions, causing coloration.
15. Why is Ce4+ a strong oxidizing agent?
Answer: Ce4+ tends to revert to its stable oxidation state of +3.
16. Explain the catalytic activities of transition metals and the low melting
points of Zn, Cd, and Hg.
Answer:
- Transition metals: Act as catalysts due to incomplete d-orbitals, variable
oxidation states, and complex formation.
- Zn, Cd, Hg: Lack unpaired electrons, making them soft with low melting
points.
17. Why is Cr2+ a strong reducing agent?
Answer: Cr2+ ([Ar] 3d4) is easily oxidized to Cr3+ ([Ar] 3d3), which has a stable
t2g configuration.
18. Balance the following reactions:
(i) 3MnO4- + 4H+ -> 2MnO42- + MnO2 + 2H2O
(ii) 2KMnO4 -> K2MnO4 + MnO2 + O2
(iii) Cr2O72- + 3H2S + 8H+ -> 2Cr3+ + 3S + 7H2O.
