MAKAUT PREVIOUS SEMESTER’S QUESTION & ANSWER

UNIT 5: PERIODIC PROPERTIES

Q1: Give an example of soft acid? [ODD/2022-23]

A common example of a soft acid is silver ion (Ag+); other soft acids include mercury ion (Hg2+),
copper(I) ion (Cu+) and gold(I) ion (Au+) as they are large, polarizable ions with low charge densities.

Q2: What is the shielding constant value for 1s orbital electrons? [ODD/2022-23]

For 1s orbital electrons, the shielding constant value is 0.30.

Q3: Arrange NaF, NaCl, NaBr, NaI in order of increasing melting point. [Even/2022-23]

Among the given salts, as the cations are same, so we need to analyse the anions to compare the ionic
characters of the salts. All the anions are mono-negative. As we go down a group (F  Cl  Br  I),
the size of an anion increases, thereby according to the Fajan’s rule their polarizability also increases.
Again, as the polarizability of an anion increases, its covalent character increases while the ionic
character decreases. As the ionic character decreases or covalent character increases, the melting
and boiling point of a salt decreases. So among the given salt NaF is the most ionic, least covalent in
character. Thus the increasing order of melting point for the given slat: NaI < NaBr < NaCl < NaI.

Q4: The complex of first transition series are mainly high spin while those of second and third
transition series are of low spin type” – Explain. [ODD/2022-23]

The complexes of the first transition series are typically high spin because their d-orbitals are smaller
and experience less crystal field splitting (Δ), making it energetically favorable for electrons to occupy
different orbitals (high spin) rather than pairing up, while the second and third transition series
complexes are usually low spin due to their larger d-orbitals which result in a larger crystal field
splitting, making it more energetically favorable for electrons to pair up in lower energy orbitals (low
spin).

Q5: First ionization energies of 5d elements are higher than that of 3d and 4d elements. Give reason.
[ODD/2022-23]

The first ionization energies of 5d elements are higher than those of 3d and 4d elements because of
the "lanthanide contraction," which results in a greater effective nuclear charge acting on the outer
valence electrons due to the poor shielding effect of the 4f electrons present in the 5d series;
essentially, the nucleus has a stronger pull on the outer electrons due to less shielding from the inner
electrons.

Q6: Explain why the second ionization energies for copper and chromium are enormously high.
[ODD/2022-23]

The second ionization energies of copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr) are exceptionally high because, after
the first ionization, their resulting ions have very stable electronic configurations - a half-filled d-shell
(d⁵) in Cr+ and a fully filled d-shell (d¹⁰) in Cu+ - making it extremely difficult to remove another electron
from these stable arrangements, requiring a large amount of energy. This makes the second ionisation
energy of copper and chromium are high.
Q7: Iron is a transition element while sodium is not – Explain. [ODD/2022-23]

The electronic configuration of Fe = [Ar]4s23d6

The electronic configuration of Na = [Ne]3s1

A transition element must possess a partially filled d orbital. Iron is considered a transition element
because its electronic configuration includes a partially filled d-subshell, while sodium does not have
a d-subshell at all, placing it in the s-block and making it not a transition element.

Q8: First ionization energy of copper is higher than those of alkali metals while second and third
energies are lower – Explain. [ODD/2022-23]

The outer electronic configuration of Cu is [Ar]3d10 4s1 while that of alkali metals are ns1. The first
ionization energy of copper is higher than alkali metals because of its smaller size and the presence of
a stable, filled 3d electron shell which shields the outer 4s electron less effectively, making it harder
to remove; however, the second and third ionization energies of copper are lower than alkali metals
because removing electrons from the 3d shell is relatively easier due to its diffused nature and poorer
shielding effect compared to the s-orbitals in alkali metals.

Q9: Why are lanthanides and actinides placed in separate rows at the bottom of the periodic table.
[ODD/2022-23]

The elements from atomic numbers 58 to 71 are called Lanthanides. The elements from atomic
numbers 90 to 103 are called Actinides. Both consist of 14 elements each.

Lanthanides and actinides are placed in separate rows at the bottom of the periodic table to maintain
the table's clarity and manageability, as including them in the main body would make it too wide; this
separation also highlights their distinct chemical properties compared to other elements while still
reflecting their position within the periodic trend.

ODD/2023-24
Q10: What is the shape of XeF4 molecule? [ODD/2023-24]

According to VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Repulsion) theory, the shape of the xenon tetrafluoride
(XeF4) molecule is square planar.

Q11: Write the increasing order of effective nuclear charge in Na, Al, Mg and Si? [ODD/2023-24]

We know the effective nuclear charge

Zeff = Z – S, where Z is the atomic number and S is the shielding or screening constant.

Atom Electronic configuration Shielding constant (S) Effective nuclear

Charge (Zeff)
Na 1s2 (2s, 2p)8 3s1 (0x0.35)+(8x0.85)+(2x1) = 8.8 11- 8.8 = 2.2
Mg 1s2 (2s, 2p)8 3s2 (1x0.35)+(8x0.85)+(2x1) = 7.15 12- 7.15 = 4.85
 Al 1s2 (2s, 2p)8 3s2 3p1 (2x0.35)+(8x0.85)+(2x1) = 7.5 13- 7.5 = 5.5
Si 1s2 (2s, 2p)8 3s2 3p2 (3x0.35)+(8x0.85)+(2x1) = 7.85 14- 7.85 = 6.15

So on go along the period, the effective nuclear charge of the elements increases.

Thus, the increasing order of effective nuclear charge in Na, Al, Mg and Si is Na < Mg < Al < Si

Q12: State the reason for the presence of only one electron in the 4s subshell of chromium?
[ODD/2023-24]

Electronic configuration of chromium is [Ar] 3d44s2 but in the stable state it attains the
electronic configuration [Ar] 3d54s1.
Chromium has only one electron in its 4s subshell because this configuration, with a half-
filled 3d subshell (3d⁵), is more stable than having two electrons in the 4s subshell due to
the added stability associated with half-filled subshells; essentially, one electron from the 4s
orbital moves to the 3d orbital to achieve this greater stability.
Q13: Which of the following has larger size and why? (i) Mg2+ (ii) N3- ? [ODD/2023-24]

Mg2+ and N3- both are isoelectronic species i.e., both ion is having same number of electron that is
10. As the atomic number of Mg is 12 which is higher than that of N which is 7, so in case of Mg2+, 10
electrons face much more attraction than in case of N3-. So Mg2+ becomes smaller than N3-.

Q14: What is the difference between ionization energy and election affinity? [ODD/2023-24]

Ionization Energy Electron Affinity

It is the minimum energy needed to remove an It is the energy released when a neutral atom
electron from the isolated gaseous atom to form gains an electron to form a stable negative ion.
a cation.
The amount of ionization energy depends upon Higher the electron affinity, it is easier to add an
the distance of the outer electron from the electron to the valence shell
nucleus and the attractive nucleus pull
experienced by the electron
When we move from left to right in a periodic Electron affinity increases as we go from left to
table, the atomic size increases with an increase right in a period.
in the number of protons. Thus, the nucleus
attracts the electron more strongly. Hence,
Ionization Energy increases from left to right in a
periodic table.
When we move from top to bottom in a group Electron affinity decreases as we move down a
of a periodic table, a new valence shell is added group of a periodic table.
which increases the distance of the valence
electron from the nucleus resulting in lesser
attraction between that electron and nucleus.
Hence, on moving down a group, the ionization
energy decreases.
Q15: The first ionization energy of carbon is greater than that of boron whereas the reverse is true
for the second ionization energy. [ODD/2023-24]

The first ionization energy of carbon is greater than that of boron because carbon is smaller in size
than boron, meaning its outermost electron is closer to the nucleus and experiences a stronger
attractive force, requiring more energy to remove it; this trend aligns with the general increase in
ionization energy moving from left to right across a period on the periodic table. Considering the
electronic configuration, in the excited state carbon is having half filed p-orbital (2s12p3) making its
first ionisation potential higher than B (electronic configuration: 2s22p1).

The second ionization energy of boron is higher than carbon because when boron loses its first
electron, it achieves a stable, fully filled 2s orbital, making it significantly harder to remove a second
electron compared to carbon, which does not have a completely filled orbital after losing its first
electron.

Q16: Why does Mn (II) is 3d5? [ODD/2023-24]

The electronic configuration of Mn: [Ar] 3d5 4s2

Mn(II) is considered 3d5 because when a manganese atom forms a +2 ion (Mn2+), it loses its two
outermost electrons from the 4s orbital, leaving behind a stable half-filled 3d shell with exactly five
electrons, resulting in a 3d5 configuration; this half-filled shell provides extra stability due to electron
exchange energy maximization.

Q17: Would you classify Zn as a transition element? Give reasons for your answer. [ODD/2023-24]
Transition elements are defined as elements that have partially filled d-orbitals in at least one of their
oxidation states. So, Zinc (Zn) is not classified as a transition element because its d-orbitals are
completely filled in both its ground state and ionised form, meaning it does not meet the criteria of
having partially filled d-orbitals which is a defining characteristic of transition metals.

Q18: Explain that ionization energy of neon is more than any other element of the second period?
[ODD/2023-24]

Neon has the highest ionization energy among all second-period elements because of its stable
electron configuration (1S2 2s² 2p⁶), where all its valence electrons are completely filled, making it
significantly harder to remove an electron compared to other elements in the same period which have
partially filled orbitals; this stability arises from its full octet of electrons in the outer shell, requiring a
large amount of energy to disrupt this arrangement.

Q19: Why do the transition elements from complexes readily? [ODD/2023-24]

Transition elements readily form complexes because they have available vacant d-orbitals in their
electron configuration, which allows them to accept lone pairs of electrons from other molecules or
ions (called ligands) to form coordinate bonds, and this is facilitated by their small size and high nuclear
charge, leading to a large charge density that stabilizes the complex ion.

The reasons are summarised as follows.

 Vacant d-orbitals: The primary reason is the presence of partially filled or empty d-orbitals in
the transition metals, which can readily accept electron pairs from ligands.
 Small ionic size: Transition metal ions tend to be relatively small, allowing for closer
interaction with ligands.
  High nuclear charge: The high positive charge on the transition metal ion attracts the electron
pairs from the ligands more strongly.
 Variable oxidation states: Transition metals can exhibit multiple oxidation states, enabling
them to form complexes with different ligands and coordination numbers.

EVEN/2023-24
Q20: How does hybridization affect electronegativity? [EVEN/2023-24]

Hybridization affects electronegativity by increasing it as the "s-character" of the hybrid orbital

increases; meaning, the more s-orbital contribution a hybrid orbital has, the more electronegative the
atom becomes, because s-orbitals are closer to the nucleus and have a stronger pull on electrons. Thus
a carbon atom having an sp hybrid orbital with 50% s character is more electronegative than that
possessing sp2 (33%) or sp3 (25%) hybridised orbitals.

Q21: 2. How Electron affinity and Electronegativity changes along with groups and periods in the
periodic table? [EVEN/2023-24]

Both electron affinity and electronegativity generally increase as you move across a period (from left
to right) on the periodic table, and decrease as you move down a group, meaning that the most
electronegative and highest electron affinity elements are located in the top right corner of the
periodic table.

Electron Affinity:

Across a period: Electron affinity increases because atoms become smaller, allowing the added
electron to be closer to the nucleus and experience a stronger attraction.

Down a group: Electron affinity decreases as atoms become larger, meaning the added electron is
further from the nucleus and experiences a weaker attraction.

Electronegativity:

Across a period: Electronegativity increases due to the increasing nuclear charge, which attracts
shared electrons more strongly.

Down a group: Electronegativity decreases as the atomic radius increases, resulting in a weaker
attraction for shared electrons.

Q22: Comment on Electronegativity and Electron affinity of Chlorine and Fluorine. [EVEN/2023-24]

Fluorine is significantly more electronegative than chlorine; this is because fluorine, being a smaller
atom, has its valence electrons closer to the nucleus, allowing for a stronger pull on shared electrons
in a bond, making it more effective at attracting electrons towards itself compared to chlorine where
the electrons are further away from the nucleus.

Electron affinity is the amount of energy released when an electron is added to a neutral atom to form
a negatively charged ion.

The electron affinity of fluorine is less than that of chlorine due to the small size of the fluorine atom.
The addition of an extra electron to the valence shell of the fluorine atom produces a strong electron-
electron repulsion, as a result, low energy is released which is responsible for the low electron affinity
of the fluorine atom.