ery Short Answer Questions (1 mark)

Give reasons for the following

) T h e enthalpies of atomisation of the transition metals are hign.
ofthese elements.
Therefore high amount of
ns. metals have strong metallic bonds between the
Iransition
atoms
hea
is required to break the metal lattice to give free atoms.
(2) The transition metals generally form coloured compounds. (2013
Ans. The transition metals have incomplete d-subshell or have unpaired electrons in their d-subshell due to which d..

transition takes place and they become coloured.

3) The transition metals and many of their compounds show paramagnetic behaviour.
(2020
Ans. The transition metals have unpaired electrons in (n - 1) d-orbitals. Therefore their jons and compounds are

paramagnetic.
(4) Cu' ion is not stable in aqueous solution.
Ans. Cu ion is much more stable than Cu (aq). It is because although second ionization enthalpy of copper is largebut
enthalpy of hydration (Apy H) for Cu" (ag) is much more negative than that for Cu (aq) and hence it compensates more
for the second ionization enthalpy of copper and they readily undergo disproportionation in aqueous solution.
2Cu>CuCu
(5) Actinoid contraction is greater from element to element than lanthanoid contraction.
Ans. This is due to poor shielding by 5f electrons in the actinoids than that by 4/felectrons in the lanthanoids.
(6) The lowest oxide of transition metal is basic, the highest is acidic.
Ans. In the low oxidation state of the metal, some of the valence electrons of the metal atom are not
involved in bonding
Hence it can donate electrons and behave as base but in higher oxidation state,
valence electrons are involved in bonding
and are not available. Therefore it can accept electrons and hence behave as acid.
(7) Copper is considered as a transition metal.
Ans. Because copper in oxidation state of +2, has electronic
configuration of 45" 3d', i.e., incompletely filled d-subshel.
(8) Chromium is a typical hard metal but mercury is a liquid.
Ans. Cr has five unpaired d-electrons in the d-subshell
(4d 4s"). Hence metallic bonds
d-orbitals are fully filled (3d 4s*). Hence the metallic bonding is very weak. are very strong. In Hg, all tne

(9) Sc* is colourless in aqueous solution whereas Ti is coloured,

Anc S+ has no unpaired electrons butIn has one
unpaired electron. Therefore Sc3*
whereas Ti" is coloured in aqueous solution. is colourless in aqueous solution
(10) Transition elements have high enthalpies of hydration.
Ans. Because transition elements have small atomic size and high nuclear charge. Both
from left to right along the transition series. the properties change
ange a we move
as
elements showvariable oxidation states.
(11) Transition
the transition elements, the energies of (n -

1 }d orbitals and
Ans. ns orbitals are very close
electrons ironm Doth can take part in
in them. Hence bonding or there is little dirterence
lements have many irregularities in their
electronic
(12) all difference in the energy or (n- 1d subshell configuration.
Therefore, they show irregularities in their and
subshell, the incoming electron
ns
into
electronic may en
configurations.
 221
The paramagnetic character in 3 transition series
elements increases up to Mn and then
As. On decreases (2015)
mowing from `c to Ma. the number
of unpaired electrons inTeases and hence paramagnetic character inedses.
But aet Mn. the pairng of electrons in the dsubsels
starts and the number of
aramagnetic character decreases. unpairai eletrons decreases and hence
4 salts
white but Cusalts are blue
are
though both zinc and copper are d-block elements 2010, 14)
Ans. Za as completely filled d- orbitals
(3 causing no &d transition. Hence Zn salts are white but due to presene
ofunpaired electrons or incompletely filled d-orbitals (3 in Cu.d transition
takes place and Cu salts are blue.
15 The melting and
boling points of Zn. Cd and Hg are low.
Ans. Zn. Gd and Hg hzve completely filled d-subshell ie.. all the electrons in
bonds present in them are weak. Therefore they have low d-subshell are paired. Hence the metalic
melting and boiling points.
16 The separation of lanthanide elements is dificult.
Ans. Due to lanthanoid contraction, the
change in the atomic or ionic radii of these elements is very small. Hence their
chemicai properties are similar which make their separation difficult.
17 Eectronic configurations of lanthanoids are not known with certainty
Ans. In the lanthanoids. 4f and 5d sub shells are very dose in energy. The outer most 6s orbital remains tilled with 2
eiectrons (6s). The electron can easily jump from 4f to 5d or vice-verse. Therefore their electronic configurations are not
known with certainty
118) Second and third transition series elements show similar size.
Ans Due lanthanoid contraction, the size of any atom of the third transition series is almost the
to
same as that of the
element present just above in the second transition series. Hence there is
similarity in their properties.
19 Cr. Mn and Fe have nearly the same atomic radii.
Auns. Cr. Mn and Fe have nearty same effective nucdear charge. Hence they have almost same atomic radii.
20 Cd salts are white.
Ans
Cd salts
white because it has completely filled d orbitals (d) and there is no
are
possibility of dd transition.
(21) In permanganate ion, there is covalency between manganese and oxygen.
Ans.In permanganate ion (Mn04) ion, manganese is in its highest oxidation state i.e., +7 and in its high oxidation state.
ransition metals form covalent bonds.
22 Out of La(OHh and LulOH}h. former one is more basic.
Ans As the size of the lanthanoid ions decreases from La to Lu". the covalent character of the hydroxides increases.
Hence the basic strength decreases from Lal(OHh to Lu(OH)
23) Cris reducing but Mn
is oxidising when both have d" configuration.
Ans. Cr has d configuration and easily changes to Cr because d has half fled tzg orbitals and hence more stable.
Therefore it is reducing. On the other hand. Mn* is more stable due to half-filled d configuration and Mn can easily be
changed to Mn and therefore it is oxidising.
24) Transition metals form alloys.
Ans. Transition elements have nearly the same size and hence. they can substitute one another in the crystal lattice and
form alloys.
25) Europium (l1) is more stable than cerium ().
Ans Europium () has electronic configuration [Xe] 4f 5d while Cerium (1) has electronic configuration [Xe] 4
Sd" In Eu.4/-subshell is half-filled and Sd-subshell is empty and it is more stable. Therefore, Eu" ion is more stable
than Ce in which neither 4f-subshell nor 5d-subshell is half-flled or completely filled.
25) Chemistry of lanthanoids is identical.
Ans. All the lanthanoids have similar electronic configuration and show -3 oxidation state in their compounds. Due
to lanthanoid contraction, there is very small difference in the size of all the trivalent lanthanoid ions. Thus., the size
their ions is also almost identical which results in similar chemical properties.

27Mercury (I) ion exists as Hg ion while copper() exists as Cu ion.

. The electronic configuration of Hg(1) is Xe] 4* 5d 6s. Ithas one unpaired electron in the valence6s-subshell.
to form Hg-Hg covalent bond. Therefore, Hg ion exists
as
ie filled 6s orbitals of two Hg ions overlap
singly
electronic configuration [Ar] 34". It has no unpaired electron
meric species. On the other hand Cu(l) ion has
Hg
to form dimeic Cu? species and it exists as Cu ion.
28) CuprOus chloride is colourless but cupric chloride is coloured
and does not undergo d-dtrangitin
d-d
transition
Ans. In cuprous chloride (CuCI)
chlo Cu ion has
Cu2
fully
has
filled 3d-subshell

3d' configuration having one unpaired electron and

Thueno
th
In cupric chloride (CuCl),
1s colourless,
absorbs energy for d-d transition. Hence, it is blue coloured
29) m2M value of copper is positive (+0.34 V).
enthalpy of ionisatíon and ene
E tor any metal is related to the sum of the enthalpy of atomisation,
of these two enthalpies is posit
hydration.Co
opper has high enthalpy of atomisation and ionisation.
1The sum
positive a
not compensated
by the energy released in the hydration of Cu 1ons.
) Highest oxidation state of a metal is exhibited in its oxide or fluoride only
Ans. Oxygen and fluorine both have small size and high electronegativity. Therefore, they can easily oxridise
e the srmea
to its highest oxidation state.
the series Sc (Z 21) to Zn (Z 30) the enthalpy
1In
Ans. In case
= =
of zinc is the lowest.
of zinc, no electrons from 3d-orbitals are involved in the formation of metallic bonds. Therefrs Te, t
metallic bonds are very weak due to completely filled d-orbitals. But all other metals of 3d series involve e
electrons in the formation of metallic bonds and have
high enthalpy.
(32) A transition element, scandium (Z = 21) does not exhibit a paramagnetic behaviour.
Ans. Because it contains only 3 electrons in the valence shell
inert gas
(3d' 4s* configuration) and after losing them, it achiese
configuration and stability.
(33) Transition metals form complexes.
Ans. It is due to their small (2012. 15
size, high nuclear charge and availability of vacant d-orbitals of suitable
(34) The ionisation energies of 5d elements are energy.
greater than 3d elements.
Ans. In the 5d series, after
lanthanum (Z 57), there is lanthanoid contraction.
size of 5d element is small and its Therefore, in each group. the atomic
nuclear charge is large. Hence, the ionisation
elements. energy of 5d elements are larger than
(35) La (Z =57) and Lu" (Z 71) do not show =

any colour in solution.

Ans. La3 have 4/ and Lus have
4f" subshell. Because of absence of partly filled
due to absence
of fftransition. f-subshell, these impart no colour
(36) Lanthanoids form primarily +3 ions while the
actinoids usually have
or even +6
being typical. higher oxidation states in their
Ans. The wide compound.
range of oxidation states of actinoids is
are of comparable attributed to the fact that the
energies. Therefore, all the electrons of these 5, 6d and 7s energy leves
oxidation states. subshells participate in
(37) Actinoid contraction from element to element
bonding exhibiting varnabe
is greater than
Ans. This is due to that of
lanthanoids.
poor shielding of 5felectrons. The
4f-orbitals are deep buried inside the atom. Thus, there5/-orbitals extend in space beyond 6s
is and 6p orbitals wheres
in effective nuclear
charge and therefore larger attraction poor shielding by 5f-orbitals which
(38) There are irregularities in the electronic by the nucleus. results in more increax
Ans. The irregularities
in the electronic
configuration of actinoids.
occupancies of 5f-orbitals. configuration of the actinoids is due to
(39) The extra
stabilities of f. f
properties
of third transition series are
quite
and
Ans. Due to lanthanoid similar to second
ame contraction in the third transition series.
transition series, the
as that of the element of size of
second transition series. any atom of third
(401 Although
+3 oxidation state is
Therefore, both transition series is aImos
also. characteristic oxidation have similar
Ans. It is because after
losing one more
state properties.
of lanthanoids but
cerium shows +4
(41) Out of CuClh and
CuCl2, electron, Ce aquires stable 4f oxidation state
Ans. CuCl2 more
is stable than
CuCl
is more
stable. electronic
AhydHP of Cu laq) than Cu (ag). CuzCl2. The stability of
configuration.
(42) Iron has higher Cu(aq) is more than
Ans. Iron has four enthalpy of atomisation than of copper. Cu (ag) due to the m
unpaired electrons much more negat
stronger metallic bond than (3d"4s") but
that of copper has
copper.
Consequently iron hasonlyhigher
one
unpaired electron (3d that iron has
enthalpy of atomization 4s'). So
that e
than that oror
 ron is highly magnetic as compared to ordinary metals due to its 3a conngute

rhat
th.
they are attracted by magnetic field and have large value of magnetic moment.
given transition series, there is no significant change in the atomic radii of elements with increese in ai
4 In a
(2011
number.

elements with increase in atomic nuniver is v

Anc In a given transition series, the decrease in the atomic radii of
mall, It is because the electrons added in the (n-1) d-subshell screen the 'ns' electrons from the nudeus (sreenng

The effective nuclear charge thus increases only slightly. Hence the atomic radii decrease slightiy
451 Cu is diamagnetic but Cus" is paramagnetic (Z 29).
Ans. Cu is diamagnetic as no unpaired electron is present.
u - 15 2s* 2p 3s* 3p° 3d 45
it contains unpaired electron in d-orbital.
Cu is paramagnetic because
But
Cu-1s 25 2p° 3s 3p 3d 45°
in its ground state but it is a transition element. How
Silver atom has completely filled d-orbitals (4d") shows configurato
Ans. The outer electronicconfiguration of Ag
(Z 47) is 4d 5s' but in +1 oxidation state it
=

this d- subshell is incompietely led

state like in AgO and AgF2, it shows d' configuration. In
case
and in +2 oxidation
Hence it is a transition element.
the largest number of oxidation states and why?
Which of the 3d series of the transition metals exhibits
electronic configuration is 3d 4s and
Manganese (Z 25) shows
= maximum oxidation states from +2 to +7. As its
Ans.
number of electrons to lose or to share.
the energies of 3d and 4s very close, it has maximum
are

+1 oxidation state most frequently and why?

Which metal in the first transition series exhibits
of 3d 4s and it can easily lose 4s'
electron to give stable 3d
Ans. Copper (Cu) has the electronic configuration
configuration. metals. Why?
character among the first transition
Which divalent metal ion has maximum paramagnetic electrons.
character due to maximum number of unpaired
Ans. has maximum paramagnetic
Mn solution?
What is the effect of increasing pH
on K,Cr207
Ans. In aqueous solution.
Cr20+H,0 2Cro +2H basic medium (pH> 7). it exists as CrO
and its colour is orange but in
medium (pH < 4), it exists as Cr20
In acidic
whose colour is yellow. elements?
of transition and inner transition
the electronic configurations
i) What is difference between
transition elements, there is (n (n -1) -

2-l dns
1 ) d n s a n d for inner
Ans. Transition elements have (n - discussed with them. Why is it so?
transition elements but are
which are not really
10)Name the elements transition elements according
d-orbitals, therefore they are not
have completely filled
Ans. Since, cadmium and mercury
transition elements, they have
been studied with them. Again
some
similarities with other
to its definition but due
to

members of this series.

they are end with its oxidation state?
transition metal compounds vary
covalent character ofthe
IK)How does ionicor valence shell and atomic core becomes
increases, more number
of electrons are lost from the
Ans. As the oxidation state
electrons. Therefore ionic character
of bonds decreases.
in the increased attraction on the
less shielded resulting
to Ce (IV) (At. No. 58), why? =

can be easily oxidized

lanthanoids. Ce (1)
XAmong the 6s". It can be easily oxidized by losing
one electron becauseit

Ans. Ce ( ) has electronic configuration of 4f 5d

configuration to form Ce (IV) by doing
so.
acquires stable. 4f
of the elements with atomic
number 102.
Xt) Write the electronic configuration
Ans. Rn|88 5s 4d0 7s2
contraction ?
contraction differ from lanthanoid
Xn) How does the actinoid
element due to poor shielding of 5f electrons than by
contraction is greater from element to
Ans. actinide series, the
In
4f electrons.
 5. . which of the following
Predict which will be coloured in
aqueous solution?
T".v".Se", Mn". Fe". Co and MnO4
those ions
Ans. Only wll be coloured which have incompletely filled d-orbitals. Those with fully-filled or empty a"o
s
rless. Thus,
Ti.V", Mn, Fes* and Co2 are all coloured due to d-d
charge transfer. Only (34) is colourless.
ate
transition. MnOg is also coloure
6. Compareare stability of +2 oxidation state for the elements of the first transition series.
the
Ans. The decrecreasing negative electrode potentials of M"/M in the first transition series shows that in general, the
ctahility of +2 oxidation state decreases from left to right (the exceptions being Mn and Zn). The decrease in the negd
stab
ntials is
electrode potent. due to increase in the sum IE + lE2. The greater stability of +2 state for Mn is due to half-filled
d.aubshell (d) in Mn° and that of Zn is due to completely filled d-subshell (d") in Zn"
d-s
What are inner-transition elements? Decide which of the following atomic number are the numbers of the inner-transition
7.
elements: 29, 59, 74, 95, 102, 104?
Ans. The Pblock elements, i.e., in which the last electron enters into fsubshell are called inner-transition elements.
These include lanthanoids (58-71) and actinoids (90-103). Thus, elements with atomic numbers 59, 95 and 102 are inner
transition elements.

8, Which is the last element in the series of the actinoids? Write the electronic configuration of this element. Comment on

the possible oxidation state of this element.

Ans. Last actinoid = Lawrencium (Z = 103).
Electronic configuration = |Rn]°° 5f"a' 7s.
Possible oxidation state = +3.
9. Why is +2 oxidation state of manganese quite stable while the same is not true for iron (Mn = 25, Fe = 26)?

Ans. Mn2 [Ar| 3d 4s° has half-filled orbitals and more stable but in Fe = Ar| 34 4s does not contain half-filled
orbital and is not highly stable.
10. When FeCr04 is fused with Na,Cog in the presence of air, it gives a yellow solution of compound (A). Compound (A)
on acidification gives compound (B). Compound (B) on reaction with KCI forms an orange coloured compound (C). An
acidified solution of compound (C) oxidises Na2SOg to (D). Identify (A). (B), (C) and (D).

Ans. B] = KCr207
JA NazCr04
=

D = Na2SO4
IC NaCr207
.What is the electronic configuration of chromium atom (Z = 24)? Give a reason for your answer. (2012)
Ans. Cr (Z= 24)= 12 2 2 3s 3p 3d 4s'. chromium atomhas only one electron in the 4s orbital. This is due to the
gain of additional stability by the atom by either having half-filled configuration (i.e. containing 5 electrons in the d-sub
level) or completely filled configuration (i.e. containing 10 electrons in the d-sub level). The 3d-level on case of chromium
gets exactly half-filled with configuration 3d° 45.
1 What is meant by lanthanoid contraction? Write the general electronic configuration of inner transition elements.
(2016)
Ans. Atomic radius of atoms and ionic radius of M*" lanthanide ions decrease with increase in atomic number and
nuclear charge. The electrons are added in the same inner 4f-orbitals. The forbitals have poor shielding effect. Therefore
electrons of the outer most orbit are attracted towards the nucleus by greater force and the electron cloud shrinks. So
tnat ionic and atomic radius decreases. It is called lanthanoid contraction. The general electronic configuration of inner
ransition elements is (n - 2 (n - 1) d n s .
why does the density of transition elements increase from titanium to copper? (At. no. of Ti = 22. Cu = 29)

Why is zinc (Zn) not regarded as a transition element? (At. no. Zn =

30) (2018, 2020)
Ans. 0) As we move from titanium to copper, the atomic radii decreases due to increase in nuclear charge. Therefore

density
Hence decreases.
volume decreases with increase is atomic mass.
Linc has completely filled d-orbitals in its atomic as well as in its common oxidation state. Therefore it is not considered
as transition element.
 einisry Xi
14. (i) Which trivalent ion has maximum size in the lanthanoid series i.e., Lanthanum ion (La") to lutetium ion (Lu(At
. no.
oflanthanum = 57, lutetium = 71)

(i) Explain: Why Cu is paramagnetic but Cu" is diamagnetic? (At. no. of Cu = 29)
(2019
Ans. (i) Las
(i) Cu is paramagnetic because it contains unpaired electron in d orbital. Cu" is diamagnetic as no unpaired elet
Is present.
15. Why Znions are colourless while Ni ions are green and Cu ions are blue in colour?
(2020
Ans.
Zn ionshave
completely filled d-orbitals (34) and are colourless.
d-orbitals (3d° and 3d respectively). These ions are coloured due to d-d
and Ni Cu ions have incompletely l
transition.
E.Short Answer Questions (3 marks)
1. Give example and suggest for the following features of the transition metal
reasons
chemistry:
() The lowest oxide of transition metal is basic, the highest is acidic.
(ii) A transition metal exhibits higher oxidation states in oxides and fluorides.
(ii) The highest oxidation state is exhibited in oxo-anions of a metal.
Ans. (i) The lower oxide of transition metal is basic because the metal
atom has low oxidation state whereas
highest is
acidic due to highest oxidation state. For
example, MnO is VII
basic whereas
Mn,07 is acidic. In the low oxidation
stateof the metal, some of the valence
electrons of the
metal atom are not
donate electrons and behave as a 1n
the nigner oxidation state, valence involved in bonding. Hence, it a
base.
and are available. Instead, effective nuciear Charge is
not electrons are involved in the bonding
(i) high. Hence, it can accept
metal exhibits higher oxidation states in oxides electrons and behave as add
lactronecative elements, small in size (and strongest and fluorides
because oxvgen and fluorine are highy
state of +6 in OsF6 and vanadium shows an oxidising
oxIdation state of+sagents). For example, osmium nig
in v. shows an oxiad on
(ii) Oxometal anions have highest oxidation 05
state, e.g., Cr in
Mno, has Cr,0 or
Cr0 has an oxidation state of
Mn in
oxidation state of
an
+7. This is
highly electronegative and oxidizing element. again due to the ot +6
+b where
W
combination of the metal with
2. What are alloys? Name an important alloy which contains oxygen, whi
some of the
n0eneous
Ans. An alloy mixture of two
is a
lanthanoid metals. Mention
hmetal which contains or95%more metals or metals and
its uses.
is used in Mg-based alloy to produce
Duliets, shells lanthanoid metals and non-metals. An important nt alloy containing
3. actinoid elements
The chemistry of the actinoid
elements is not so
and lighter fine.
so nts.
5% iron
alongwith traces of S,
alloy a and AlAL
examples from the oxidation state of these smooth as that
cm..

of the
elemen
Ans. Lanthanoids show
te hecause limited number ofot oxidation
sow limited number lanthanoids. Justify this ement me

is of large
because of large energy gap between 4/.
5d and
oxidation state,
viz., +2, +3 statement by 8giving sol
they show a number of other oxidat orher oxidation
other
states 6s-subshells. and +4
neptunium (Z =93) shows +3, +4, +5 and e.g., uranium The=
also, e8., (out of which +3 is most commot This
+7, uranium dominant most
of the actinoids. etc.
=
This is due (Z 92) and oxidation state ofactinoidsco 33bui
b
4. Calculate the number of unpaired electros
to small
enerP dio plutonium
plutonium actinoids
(Z 94), shous
sh ==
is also +

5 and +6.