SAMPLE PAPER (2022-23)

CHEMISTRY THEORY (d and f Block elements)

MM:70 Time: 3 hours
General Instructions:
Read the following instructions carefully.
a) There are 35 questions in this question paper with internal choice.
b) SECTION A consists of 18 multiple-choice questions carrying 1 mark each.
c) SECTION B consists of 7 very short answer questions carrying 2 marks each.
d) SECTION C consists of 5 short answer questions carrying 3 marks each.
e) SECTION D consists of 2 case- based questions carrying 4 marks each.
f) SECTION E consists of 3 long answer questions carrying 5 marks each.
g) All questions are compulsory.
h) Use of log tables and calculators is not allowed

SECTION A
The following questions are multiple-choice questions with one correct answer. Each question
carries 1 mark. There is no internal choice in this section.
Q1 Which one of the following is diamagnetic ion?
(a) Co2+
(b) Ni2+
(c) Cu2+
(d) Zn2+
Q2. The number of unpaired electrons in gaseous species of Mn3+, Cl3+ and V3+ respectively are
and the most stable species is
(a) 4, 3 and 2; V3+
(b) 3, 3 and 2; Cr3+
(c) 4, 3 and 2; Cr3+
(d) 3, 3 and 3; Mn3+
Q3. Fe3+ ion is more stable than Fe2+ ion because
(a) more the charge on the atom, more is its stability
(b) configuration of Fe2+ is 3d6 while Fe3+ is 3d5
(c) Fe2+ has a larger size than Fe3+
(d) Fe3+ ions are coloured hence more stable
Q4. Colour of transition metal ions are due to absorption of some wavelength. This results in
(a) p-p transition
(b) f-f transition
(c) s-p transition
(d) d-d transition
Q5. What happens when potassium iodide reacts with acidic solution of potassium dichromate?
(a) It liberates iodine
(b) Potassium sulphate is formed
(c) Chromium sulphate is formed
(d) All the above products are formed
Q6. The melting point of copper is higher than that of zinc because
(a) copper has a bcc structure
(b) the atomic volume of copper is higher
(c) the electrons of copper are involved in metallic bonding
(d) the ‘s’ as well as ‘d’ electrons of copper are involved in metallic bonding
Q7 .Which of the following pairs of ions have the same electronic configuration?
(a) Cu2+, Cr2+
(b) Fe3+, Mn2+
(c) Co3+, Ni3+
(d) Sc3+, Cr3+
Q .8Which of the following element is used in treatment of cancer?
(a) Th (b) U (c) Pu (d) Np
Q 9 Among the following pairs of ions, the lower oxidation state in aqueous solution is more
stable than other, in
(a) Tl+,Tl3+
(b) Cu+,Cu2+
(c) Cr2+,Cr3+
(d) V2+, VO2+
Q10 Which of the following statements is not correct?
(a) La(OH)3 is less basic than Lu(OH)3
(b) La is actually an element of transition series rather than Lanthanoids
(c) Atomic radius of Zr and Hf is same
(d) In Lanthanoid series, the ionic radius of Lu3+ is smallest
Q11 Gadolinium belongs to 4f series. Its atomic number is 64. Which of the following is the
correct electronic configuration of gadolinium?
(a) [Xe] 4f 75d16s2
(b) [Xe] 4f 65d26s2
(c) [Xe] 4f 86d2
(d) [Xe] 4f 95s1
Q12. Among the following actinoide pairs, the maximum oxidation states is shown by
(a) U and Np
b) Np and Pu
c)Pu and Th
(d)U and Pa
Q13 Cerium (Z=58) is an important member of lanthanoids. Which of the following statements
about cerium is incorrect
(a) The common oxidation state of cerium are +3 and +4.
(b)The +3 oxidation state of cerium is more stable than +4 oxidation state.
(c)The +4 oxidation state of cerium is not known in solutions.
(d) Cerium(IV) acts as an oxidizing agent.
Q14. Although Zirconium belongs to 4 d transition series and Hafnium to 5 d transition series
even then they show similar physical and chemical properties because .
(a) both belong to d-block.
(b) both have same number of electrons
( c) both have similar atomic radius.
(d) both belong to the same group of the periodic table.
Q15Interstitial compounds are formed when small atoms are trapped inside the crystal lattice of
metals. Which of the following is not the characteristic property of interstitial compounds?
(a)They have high melting points in comparison to pure metals.
(b)They are very hard
(c)They retain metallic conductivity.
(d)They are chemically very reactive
Q16. Given below are two statements labelled as Assertion (A) and Reason (R)
Assertion ( A) : Reactivity of transition elements decreases almost regularly from Sc to Cu.
Reason (B) : There is regular increase in I. E. across the series.

Select the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
a. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c. A is true but R is false.
d. A is false but R is true.
Q17. Given below are two statements labelled as Assertion (A) and Reason (R)
Assertion(A) : KMnO4 acts as an oxidising agent in acidic, basic or neutral medium.
Reason(R) : It oxidises ferrous sulphate to ferric sulphate.
Select the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
a. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c. A is true but R is false.
d. A is false but R is true.
Q18 Given below are two statements labelled as Assertion (A) and Reason (R)
4. Assertion(A) : Cu+ ion is not stable in aqueous solution.
Reason(R) : Large value of I.E. of Cu is compensated by much more negative hydration energy of
Cu2+ ( aq).
Select the most appropriate answer from the options given below: a. Both A and R are true
and R is the correct explanation of A
b. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c. A is true but R is false.
d. A is false but R is true.

SECTION B

This section contains 7 questions with internal choice in two questions. The following
questions are very short answer type and carry 2 marks each.
19. Explain the following:
(a) The enthalpies of atomization of transition metals are quite high.
(b) The transition metals and many of their compounds act as good catalysts
20. How would you account for the following?
(i) The highest oxidation state of a transition metal is usually exhibited in its oxide.
(ii) The oxidising power of the following three oxoions in the series follows the order:
VO+2<Cr2O7−2< MnO−4
OR
Describe the general trends in the following properties of the first series (3d) of the transition
elements:
(i) Number of oxidation states exhibited
(ii) Formation of oxometal ions

21.Describe the oxidising action of potassium dichromate and write the ionic equations for its
reaction with (i) iodine (ii) H2S.
OR
What is Mischmetal and write its composition. Also write its uses.
22. Explain the following observations:
(a) Silver atom has completely filled d-orbitals (4d10) in its ground state, yet it is regarded as a
transition element.
(b) E0value for Mn3+ /Mn2+ couple is much more positive than Cr3+/Cr2+.

23. a) Which metal in the first transition series (3d series) exhibits +1 oxidation state most
frequency and why?
(b) Which of the following cations are coloured in aqueous solutions and why? SC 3+, V3+, Ti4+,
Mn2+.
(At. nos. Sc = 21, V = 23, Ti = 22, Mn = 25)

24. Write one similarity and one difference between the chemistry of lanthanoids and that of
actinoids.

25. What is meant by ‘disproportionation’? Give an example of a disproportionation reaction in

aqueous solution
SECTION C
This section contains 5 questions with internal choice in one questions. The following
questions are short answer type and carry 3 marks each.
26. How would you account for the following?
(i) Many of the transition elements are known to form interstitial compounds.
(ii) The metallic radii of the third (5d) series of transition metals are virtually the same as those
of the corresponding group members of the second (4d) series.
(iii) Lanthanoids form primarily +3 ions, while the actinoids usually have higher oxidation states
in their compounds, +4 or even +6 being typical.

27. How would you account for the following?

(i) With the same d-orbital configuration (d4) Cr2+ is a reducing agent while Mn3+ is an oxidizing
agent.
(ii) The actinoids exhibit a larger number of oxidation states than the corresponding members in
the lanthanoid series.
(iii) Most of the transition metal ions exhibit characteristic in colours in aqueous solutions.
28. What is meant by the term lanthanoid contraction? What is it due to and what
consequences.

29. Give reasons for the following:

(i) Transition metals exhibit a wide range of oxidation states.
(ii) Cobalt(II) is very stable in aqueous solutions but gets easily oxidised in the presence of
strong ligands.
(iii) Actinoids exhibit a greater range of oxidation states than lanthanoids

30. In the 3d series (Sc = 21 to Zn = 30) :

(i) Which element shows maximum number of oxidation states?
(ii) Which element shows only +3 oxidation state?
(iii) Which element has the lowest enthalpy of atomization
OR
a) Give reasons for the following:
(i) Compounds of transition elements are generally coloured.
(ii) MnO is basic while Mn2O7 is acidic.
(iii) Calculate the magnetic moment of a divalent ion in aqueous medium if its atomic number is
26.

SECTION D Case Study/Passage Based Questions

Q31. The transition elements have incompletely filled d-subshells in their ground state or in
any of their oxidation states. The transition elements occupy positions in-between s- and p-
blocks in groups 3-12 of the Periodic table. Starting from the fourth period, transition
elements consist of four complete series: Sc to Zn, Y to Cd and La, Hf to Hg and Ac, Rf to Cn.
In general, the electronic configuration of outer orbitals of these elements is (n – 1)d1–10 ns0–
2. The electronic configurations of outer orbitals of Zn, Cd, Hg, and Cn are represented by the

general formula (n – 1)d10 ns2. All the transition elements have typical metallic properties
such as high tensile strength, ductility, malleability. Except for mercury, which is liquid at
room temperature, other transition elements have typical metallic structures. The transition
metals and their compounds also exhibit catalytic property and paramagnetic behavior.
Transition metal also forms alloys. An alloy is a blend of metals prepared by mixing the
components. Alloys may be homogeneous solid solutions in which the atoms of one metal are
distributed randomly among the atoms of the other.

i)Which of the following characteristics of transition metals is associated with higher

catalytic activity?
(a) High enthalpy of atomization
(b) Variable oxidation states
(c) Paramagnetic behavior
(d) Colour of hydrated ions

ii) Transition elements form alloys easily because they have

(a) same atomic number
(b) same electronic configuration
(c) nearly same atomic size
(d) same oxidation
iii)The electronic configuration of tantalum (Ta) is
(a) [Xe]4f 05d16s2
(b) [Xe]4f 14 5d2 6s2
(c) [Xe]4f14 5d36s2
(d) [Xe]4f14 5d4 6s2
iv)Which one of the following outer orbital configurations may exhibit the largest number
of oxidation states?
(a) 3d54s1
(b) 3d54s2
(c) 3d24s2
(d) 3d34s2
OR
iv) The correct statement(s) among the following is/are
(i) all d- and f-block elements are metals
(ii) all d- and f-block elements form coloured ions
(iii) all d- and f-block elements are paramagnetic.
(a) (i) only
(b) (i) and (ii) only
(c) (ii) and (iii) only
(d) (i), (ii) and (iii)
Q32 Transition metal oxides are compounds formed by the reaction of metals with oxygen at
high temperatures. The highest oxidation number in the oxides coincides with the group
number. In vanadium, there is a gradual change from the basic V 2O3 to less basic V2O4 and to
amphoteric V2O5⋅ V2O4 dissolves in acids to give VO 2+ salts. Transition metal oxides are
commonly utilized for their catalytic activity and semiconductive properties. Transition metal
oxides are also frequently used as pigments in paints and plastic. Most notably titanium
dioxide. One of the earliest applications of transition metal oxides to the chemical industry
involved the use of vanadium oxide for catalytic oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulphuric acid.
Since then, many other applications have emerged, which include benzene oxidation to
maleic anhydride on vandium oxides; cyclohexane oxidation to adipic acid on cobalt oxides.
An important property of the catalyst material used in these processes is the ability of
transition metals to change their oxidation state under a given chemical potential of
reductants and oxidants.
i) Which oxide of vanadium is most likely to be basic and ionic?
(a) VO
(b) V2O3
(c) VO2
(d) V

ii) Vanadium ion is

(a) VO2+
(b) VO2+
(c) V2O+
d) V
iii) Which of the following statements is false?
(a) With fluorine vanadium can form VF 5.
(b) With chlorine vanadium can form VCl 5.
(c) Vanadium exhibits the highest oxidation state in oxohalides VOCl 3, VOBr3 and fluoride VF5.
(d) With iodine vanadium cannot form VI 5 due to oxidising power of V 5+ and reducing nature
of I
iv) The oxidation state of vanadium in V2O5 is
(a) +5/2
(b) +7
(c) +5
(d) +6
OR
iv) Identify the oxidizing agent in the following reaction.
(a) V2O5
(b) Ca
(c) V
(d) None of thes

SECTION E
The following questions are long answer type and carry 5 marks each. Two questions have an
internal choice.
33. The elements of 3d transition series are given as:
Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn
Answer the following:
(i) Write the element which shows maximum number of oxidation states. Give reason. (ii) Which
element has the highest m.p.?
(iii) Which element shows only +3 oxidation state?
(iv) Which element is a strong oxidizing agent in +3 oxidation state and why?
OR
i) Name the element of 3d transition series which shows maximum number of oxidation states.
Why does it show so?
(ii) Which transition metal of 3d series has positive E0(M2+/M) value and why?
(iii) Out of Cr3+ and Mn3+, which is a stronger oxidizing agent and why?
(iv) Name a member of the lanthanoid series which is well known to exhibit +2 oxidation state.
(v) Complete the following equation: MnO4–+ 8H++ 5e–

34. (a) Describe the preparation of potassium dichromate from chromite ore. What is the effect
of change of pH on dichromate ion?
(b) How is the variability in oxidation states of transition elements different from that of non-
transition elements? Illustrate with examples.
OR
(a Describe the preparation of potassium permanganate
 (b)Complete the following reactions
(i) MnO4 (aq) + S2O32-(aq) + H2O (l) →

ii) MnO4 – + SO32– + 6H+→ 2Mn2+ + 5SO42– + 3H2O

Q35. a) Complete the following chemical reaction equations:

i) Cr2O72- (aq) + I– (aq) + H+ (aq) →

ii) Fe2+ (aq) + MnO4- (aq) + H+ (aq) →

(b) Explain the following observations:

(i) In general, the atomic radii of transition elements decrease with atomic number in
a given series.
(ii) The E°M2+/M, for copper is positive (+ 0.34 V). It is the only metal in the first
series of transition elements showing this type of behaviour.
(iii) The E° value for Mn3+ | Mn2+ couple is much more positive than for Cr3+ | Cr2+ or
Fe3+ | Fe2+ couple.
OR
Assign reasons for the following:
a) The enthalpies of atomization of transition elements are high.
b) The transition metals and many of their good catalysts. Compounds act as
c) E°M2+/M values are not regular for first-row transition metals (3d series).
d) Although ‘F’ is more electronegative than ‘O’, the highest Mn fluoride is MnF4, whereas the
highest oxide is Mn207
e) Sc3+ is colorless in an aqueous solution whereas Ti3+ is colored.