Class 10

Chapter 1 Chemical reactions and equations

1. Why should a magnesium ribbon be cleaned before burning in the air?

Solution:

Magnesium ribbon should be cleaned before burning in air because Magnesium metal reacts
with the atmospheric oxygen and forms Magnesium Oxide (MgO) layer which is a very
stable compound. In order to prevent further reactions with Oxygen, it is therefore necessary
to clean the ribbon by to remove the layer of MgO.

2. A solution of a substance, ‘X,’ is used for whitewashing.

(i) Name the substance ‘X’ and write its formula.

(ii) Write the reaction of the substance ‘X’ named in (i) above with water.

Solution:

i) The substance ‘X’ which is used in whitewashing is quick lime or Calcium Oxide and its
formula is CaO.

ii) CaO + H2O → Ca(OH)2

3. Identify the substances that are oxidised and that are reduced in the following
equation.

i) 4Na(s) + O2(g) → 2Na2O(s)

ii) CuO(s) + H2(g) → Cu(s) + H2O(l)

Solution:

The Sodium (Na) in the first equation is getting oxidized with the addition of Oxygen (O 2),
and the Copper (Cu) in the second equation is reduced due to the addition of Hydrogen (H 2)

4. What is meant by exothermic and endothermic reactions? Give examples.

Solution:

An endothermic reaction occurs when energy is absorbed from the surroundings in the form
of heat (For example, Photosynthesis, melting of ice, evaporation). Conversely, an
exothermic reaction is one in which energy is released from the system into the surroundings
(Examples: Explosions, concrete setting, nuclear fission and fusion).

5. Why is respiration considered to be an exothermic reaction?

Solution:

The food molecules, through the process of digestion, is broken down into simpler molecule
like glucose. These substances come in contact with the Oxygen present in our body cells to
form Carbon dioxide and water along with a certain amount of energy (Respiration process).
Since the energy is in the form of heat (that maintains our body temperature), respiration is
considered to be an exothermic reaction. The reaction taking place is:

C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy

6. Write one equation each for decomposition reactions in which energy is supplied in
the form of heat, light or electricity.

Solution:

(a) Thermal decomposition reaction (Thermolysis)

Decomposition of potassium chlorate: When heated strongly, potassium chlorate decomposes

into potassium chloride and oxygen. This reaction is used for the preparation of oxygen.

2KClO3 + Heat → 2KCl + 3O2

(b) Electrolytic decomposition reaction (Electrolysis)

Decomposition of sodium chloride: On passing electricity through molten sodium chloride, it

decomposes into sodium and chlorine.

(c) Photodecomposition reaction (Photolysis)

Decomposition of hydrogen peroxide: In the presence of light, hydrogen peroxide

decomposes into water and oxygen.
7. In the electrolysis of water:

a. Name the gas collected at the cathode and anode

respectively.

b. Why is volume of gas collected at one electrode

double than that at the other? Name this gas.

c. How will you test this gas?

Ans :

a. Hydrogen is collected at the cathode, oxygen is collected at the anode.

b. It is because H2O contains hydrogen and oxygen in the ratio 2 : 1.

c. Bring a burning matchstick near the gas, if the gas burns with ‘pop’ sound, the gas is H2

8. A student performs an experiment to form aluminium chloride from aluminium and

chlorine. Which of the following option gives the chemical equation of the reaction?

(a) Al + Cl2 → AlCl2

(b) 2Al + Cl2 → 2AlCl

(c) 2Al + 3Cl2 → 2AlCl3

(d) 3Al + 3Cl2 → 3AlCl3

Correct Answer: Option (c)

9. Pb + CuCl2 → PbCl2 + Cu
The above reaction is an example of:
(a) combination
(b) double displacement
(c) decomposition
(d) displacement
Answer (d)

10. When carbon dioxide is passed through lime water,

(a) calcium hydroxide is formed
(b) white precipitate of CaO is formed
(c) lime water turns milky
(d) colour of lime water disappears.

Answer (c)

Read the assertion and the reason carefully and then mark the correct option out
of the options given below

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is correct explanation of the assertion.

(b) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of the
assertion.

(c) (A) is true but (R) is false.

(d) (A) is false but (R) is true.

Q.11. Assertion (A): Iron articles get coated with reddish brown powder when left for
sometime in the open.

Reason (R) : Iron is attacked by substances around it such as moisture, acids, etc.

Q.12. Assertion (A): Decomposition of vegetable matter into compost is an

endothermic reaction

Reason (R) : Decomposition reaction involves breakdown of a single reactant into

simpler products.

Q.13. Assertion (A): White silver chloride turns grey in sunlight.

Reason (R) : Copper reacts with zinc sulphate to form copper sulphate and zinc is
deposited.

Q.14. Assertion (A): Precipitation reactions produce soluble salts.

Reason (R) : In the reaction: Lead oxide + Carbon-->Lead + Carbon dioxide, carbon
is getting oxidised.

Q.15. Assertion (A): A complete chemical equation represents the reactants and
products and their physical states symbolically.

Reason (R) : in a combination reaction two or more substance combine to form a new
single substane

Answers
11) a 12) d 13) c 14) d 15) b
Chapter 2 Acids, Bases and Salts

1. Why should curd and sour substances not be kept in brass and copper vessels?

Solution: Curd and sour food substances contain acids; these acidic substances combine with
metal. This reaction turns food into poison, which damages people’s health.

2. Which gas is usually liberated when an acid reacts with a metal? Illustrate with an
example. How will you

Solution: When an acid reacts with any metal, salt and hydrogen gas are formed.

3. Why does an aqueous solution of acid conduct electricity?

Solution: Charged particles are responsible for the conductance of electricity in an acid.
These charged particles, called ions, are the reason behind the conductance of electricity in
acid.

4. While diluting an acid, why is it recommended that the acid should be added to water
and not water to the acid?

Solution: While diluting an acid, it is recommended that the acid should be added to water
and not water to the acid because if water is added to a concentrated acid, it releases a huge
amount of heat which may result in an explosion and can cause acid burns on the face,
clothes and body parts. Hence, it is safe to add acid to water but not water to acid.

5. You have two solutions, A and B. The pH of solution A is 6, and the pH of solution B
is 8. Which solution has more hydrogen ion concentration? Which of these is acidic, and
which one is basic?
Solution: In order to find the hydrogen ion concentration, we can use the rule that states,
“The pH of any solution is inversely proportional to the hydrogen ion concentration.”
Therefore, it means that the solution that has a lower pH number will have a higher hydrogen
ion concentration. Hence, solution A will have a higher hydrogen ion concentration. In
addition, solution B will be basic, and A will be acidic.

6. Under what soil condition do you think a farmer would treat the soil of his fields with
quick lime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide), or chalk (calcium
carbonate)?

Solution: If the soil is acidic in nature (PH below 7), then such fields should be treated with
quick lime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) or chalk (calcium carbonate).

7. Write an equation to show the reaction between Plaster of Paris and water.

Solution: The chemical equation for the reaction of Plaster of Paris and water is

CaSO4.1/2H2O + 3/2H2O → CaSO4.2H2O

8. A milkman adds a very small amount of baking soda to fresh milk.

(a) Why does he shift the pH of the fresh milk from 6 to slightly alkaline?

(b) Why does this milk take a long time to set as curd?

Solution: (a) He shifted the pH of the fresh milk from 6 to slightly alkaline to prevent milk
from getting sour due to the production of lactic acid.

(b) This milk takes a long time to set into curd because the lactic acid produced here first
neutralises the pH, and then the pH is reduced to turn the milk into curd.

9. What is the common name of the compound CaOCl2?

Solution: The common name of CaOCl2 is bleaching powder.

10. What will happen if a solution of sodium hydrocarbonate is heated? Give the
equation of the reaction involved.

Solution: Heating sodium hydrocarbonate yields sodium carbonate, and carbon dioxide gas is
liberated in the process.
11. Five solutions, A, B, C, D and E, when tested with a universal indicator, showed pH
as 4, 1, 11, 7 and 9, respectively. Which solution is

(a) Neutral?

(b) Strongly alkaline?

(c) Strongly acidic?

(d) Weakly acidic?

(e) Weakly alkaline?

Solution: In increasing order of hydrogen ion concentration,

pH 11(C) < pH 9(E) < pH 7 (D) < pH 4 (A) < pH 1 (B)

PH11 – Strongly alkaline

pH9 – Weakly alkaline

PH7 – Neutral

pH4 – Weakly acidic

pH1 – Strongly acidic

11. Give two important uses of washing soda and baking soda.

Solution:

Washing soda Baking soda

1. It is used as an electrolyte 1. It can be used to test the garden soil for acidity. If bubbles are
developed, then the soil is too acidic

2. It can be used domestically as a 2. If used on washing the car, then it will remove dead bug
water softener for laundry. bodies without damaging the colour or the paint on the car.
Q12. Read the following and answer any four questions from (i) to (v):

Tooth decay starts when the pH of the mouth is lower than 5.5. Tooth enamel, made up
of calcium hydroxyapatite (a crystalline form of calcium phosphate) is the hardest
substance in the body. It does not dissolve in water, but is corroded when the pH of the
mouth is below 5.5. Bacteria present in the mouth produce acids by degradation of
sugar and food particles remaining in the mouth after eating. The best way to prevent
this is to clean the mouth after eating food. Using toothpastes, which are generally basic,
for cleaning the teeth can neutralise the excess acid and prevent tooth decay.

(1) A figure of 5.5 as pH represents a

(a) neutral state (b) acidic state

(c) basic state (d) highly acidic state

(2) Which is the hardest substance in the human body?

(a) Bones (b) Skull (c) Teeth (d) Backbone

(3) Tooth enamel consist of

(a) Sodium hydroxyapatite

(b) Sodium chloroapatite
(c) Sodium borate
(d) Sodium phosphate

(4) Toothpastes that we use for cleaning our teeth should have the following nature

(a) Alkaline (b) Acidic (c) Neutral (d) Abrasive

Answers
1) acidic state

2) teeth

3) sodium hydroxyapatite

4) alkaline

Chapter 3 Metals and Non-Metals

1. Give an example of a metal which

(i) Is a liquid at room temperature?

(ii) Can be easily cut with a knife?

(iii) Is the best conductor of heat?

(iv) Is a poor conductor of heat?

Solution:

(i) Mercury is the metal which is liquid at room temperature

(ii) Sodium and potassium are the metals which can be cut with a knife

(iii) Silver is the best conductor of heat

(iv) Mercury and lead are poor conductor of heat.

2. Why is sodium kept immersed in kerosene oil?

Solution: Sodium is a reactive metal. If kept open it will react with oxygen to explore and
catch fire. Sodium metal is kept immersed in kerosene to prevent their reaction with oxygen,
moisture and carbon dioxide of air.

3. i) Write the electron-dot structures for sodium and oxygen.

(ii) Show the formation of Na2O and MgO by the transfer of electrons.

(iii) What are the ions present in these compounds?

Solution: (i) Sodium:

Oxygen:

(ii) Formation of Magnesium oxide:

When magnesium reacts with oxygen, the magnesium atom transfers its two outermost
electrons to an oxygen atom. By losing two electrons, the magnesium atoms form a
magnesium ion (Mg2+), and by gaining two electrons, the oxygen atom forms an oxide ion
(O2-).

Mg: +

→ MgO

Formation of Sodium oxide:

Two sodium atoms transfer their 2 outermost electrons to an oxygen atom. By losing two
electrons, the two sodium atoms form sodium ions (2Na+). And by gaining two electrons, the
oxygen atom forms an oxide ion (O2-).

(iii) The ions present in sodium oxide compound (Na2O) are sodium ions (2Na+) and oxide
ions (O2-).

The ions present in Magnesium oxide compound (MgO) are magnesium ions Mg 2+ and oxide
ions (O2-).

4. What are amphoteric oxides? Give two examples of amphoteric oxides.

Solution: Oxides that react with both acids and bases to form salt and water are known as
amphoteric oxides. Examples: PbO and Al2O3.

Amphoteric oxides are the one which react with both acids and bases to form salt and water.
Examples: Lead oxide – PbO and Aluminium oxide – Al2O3.

5. Define the following terms.

(i) Mineral

(ii) Ore

(iii) Gangue
Solution:

1. Minerals are compounds (also known as elements) which are found naturally in the
earth’s crust. E.g. Alums, K2SO4.Al2(SO4)3.24H2O, etc.
2. Ores are minerals from which metal can be extracted Ex: Bauxite Al2O3.2H2O is the
ore of Al, copper pyrite CuFeS2. All minerals are not considered as ores but all ores
are also minerals.
3. Ores mined from the earth are naturally contaminated with sand, rocky materials.
There are impurities present in the ore which are known as gangue.

6.You must have seen tarnished copper vessels being cleaned with lemon or tamarind
juice. Explain why these sour substances are effective in cleaning the vessels.
Solution: Tarnished copper vessels are cleaned with lemon or tamarind because this sour
substance contains acids which dissolve the coating of copper oxide or basic copper
carbonate present on the surface or tarnished copper vessels. This makes them shining red-
brown again. Hence, they are very effective in cleaning tarnished copper vessels.

7. Differentiate between metal and non-metal on the basis of their chemical properties.

Solution:

Metals Non-metals

When metals are heated with oxygen, they form When non-metals are heated with oxygen, they form
ionic oxides which are basic in nature and form covalent oxides which are acidic in nature, which
bases on dissolving with water. This turn red form acid on dissolving with water. This turn blue
litmus paper to blue. litmus paper to red.

They are electro positive, lose electrons readily They are electro negative, gain electrons and
and become a positive ion. become negative ions.

Metals are lustrous. Non-metals are non-lustrous; graphite is the

exception

Reducing agents. Good oxidising agents.

Metals are the good conductors of electricity and Non-metals are non-conductors of electricity and
heat. heat; graphite is the exception
 All metals are solids except mercury. Non-metals are in solid-liquid and gaseous states.

8. Give reasons

(a) Platinum, gold and silver are used to make jewellery.

(b) Sodium, potassium and lithium are stored under oil.

(c) Aluminium is a highly reactive metal, yet it is used to make utensils for cooking.

(d) Carbonate and sulphide ores are usually converted into oxides during the process of
extraction

Solution:

(a) Platinum, gold and silver are used to make jewellery as these metals are very less reactive.
Hence, they are not affected by air, water or most chemicals. These metals have a lot of luster
and they are malleable and ductile in nature, and also high corrosion resistance in nature.

(b) Sodium, potassium and lithium readily react with water to produce a lot of heat. As a
result, hydrogen evolved in the reaction results in a fire. On exposure to water they react with
moisture (water droplets) present in the atmosphere, in order to prevent contact with water.
Hence, these metals are stored under oil.

(c) Aluminium forms on its surface a nonreactive surface of aluminium oxide. Such coating
prevents other compounds from reacting to aluminium. So aluminium is used to produce
utensils for cooking.

(d) Reducing metal oxide into free metal is easy. Additionally, because it is easier to obtain
metals directly from their oxides than from their carbonates or sulphides, the carbonate and
sulphide ores are first transformed to oxides to obtain the metals.