THE d AND f BLOCK ELEMENTS

Guwahati 2014 - 2015

1. Why is zinc not regarded as a transition element ? (1)
Patna 2014 – 2015
2. Zn2+ salts are white while Cu2+ salts are coloured. Why ? (1)
Delhi 2016 – 2017 Set 1 +Set 3
3. Write the formula of an oxo-anion of Manganese (Mn) in which it shows the
oxidationstate equal to its group number. (1)
Delhi 2016 – 2017 Set 2
4. Write the formula of an oxo-anion of Chromium (Cr) in which it shows the
oxidationstate equal to its group number.
(1)
56-2-1 (2019 – 2020)
5. Total number of unpaired electrons present in Co3+ (Atomic number = 27) is
(A) 2 (B) 7 (C) 3 (D) 5 (1)
6. The incorrect statement about interstitial compounds is
(A) They are chemically reactive. (B) They are very hard.
(C) They retain metallic conductivity. (D) They have high melting point. (1)
56-2-2(2019 – 2020)
7. Total number of unpaired electrons present in Mn2+ (Atomic number = 25) is
(A) 2 (B) 7 (C) 3 (D) 5 (1)
56-2-3(2019 – 2020)
8. Total number of unpaired electrons present in Cr3+ (Atomic number = 25) is
(A) 2 (B) 7 (C) 3 (D) 5 (1)
56-3-1(2019 – 2020)
9. Read the given passage and answer the questions number 1 to 5 that follow : 1x5=5
The d-block of the periodic table contains the elements of the groups 3 – 12 and are
known as transition elements. In general, the electronic configuration of these elements
is (n – 1) d1–10 ns1–2. The d-orbitals of the penultimate energy level in their atoms receive
electrons giving rise to the three rows of the transition metals i.e., 3d, 4d and 5d series.
However, Zn, Cd and Hg are not regarded as transition elements. Transition elements
exhibit certain characteristic properties like variable oxidation states, complex
formation, formation of coloured ions and alloys, catalytic activity, etc. Transition
metals are hard (except Zn, Cd and Hg) and have a high melting point.
 1. Why are Zn, Cd and Hg non-transition elements ?
2. Which transition metal of 3d series does not show variable oxidation states ?
3. Why do transition metals and their compounds show catalytic activity ?
4. Why are melting points of transition metals high ?
5. Why is Cu2+ ion coloured while Zn2+ ion is colourless in aqueous solution ?
56-4-1+3(2019 – 2020)
10. Assertion (A) : Transition metals have low melting points.
Reason (R) : The involvement of greater number of (n – 1)d and ns electrons in the
interatomic metallic bonding. (1)
56-4-2(2019 – 2020)
11. Assertion (A) : Transition metals have high melting point.
Reason (R) : Transition metals have completely filled d-orbitals. (1)
56-1-1 (2022 – 2023)
12. The most common and stable oxidation state of a Lanthanoid is :
(a) + 2 (b) + 3 (c) + 4 (d) + 6 (1)
56-1-3 (2022 – 2023)
13. Lanthanoid contraction is due to increase in :
(a) atomic number (b) shielding by 4f electrons
(c) effective nuclear charge (d) atomic radius (1)
56-2-1 (2022 – 2023)
14. Which of the following characteristics of transition metals is associated with their
catalytic activity ?
(a) Paramagnetic nature (b) Colour of hydrated ions
(c) High enthalpy of atomisation (d) Variable oxidation states (1)
15. Assertion (A) : Copper is a non-transition element.
Reason (R) : Copper has completely filled d-orbitals in its ground state. (1)
56-2-2(2022 – 2023)
16. Which one among the following metals of 3d series has the lowest melting point ?
(a) Fe (b) Mn (c) Zn (d) Cu (1)
17. Assertion (A) : Transition metals have high enthalpy of atomisation.
Reason (R) : Greater number of unpaired electrons in transition metals results in weak
metallic bonding. (1)
56-2-3(2022 – 2023)
18. Which of the following transition metals shows + 1 and + 2 oxidation states ?
 (a) Mn (b) Zn (c) Sc (d) Cu (1)
19. Assertion (A) : Transition metals show their highest oxidation state with oxygen.
Reason (R) : The ability of oxygen to form multiple bonds to metals. (1)
56-3-1 (2022 – 2023)
20. Among the following outermost configurations of transition metals which one shows
the highest oxidation state ?
(a) 3d34s2 (b) 3d54s1 (c) 3d54s2 (d) 3d64s2 (1)
21. Assertion (A): Zinc is not regarded as a transition element.
Reason (R): In zinc, 3d orbitals are completely filled in its ground state as well as in its
oxidised state. (1)
56-3-2 (2022 – 2023)
22. KMnO4 acts as an oxidising agent in alkaline medium. When alkaline KMnO4 is treated
with KI, iodide ion is oxidised to :
(a) I2 (b) IO – (c) IO3 – (d) IO4 – (1)
23. Which of the following transition metals does not show variable oxidation state ?
(a) Ti (b) Cr (c) Cu (d) Sc (1)
56-3-3 (2022 – 2023)
24. Which of the following ions has the maximum number of unpaired d-electrons ?
(a) Fe3+ (b) V3+ (c) Ti3+ (d) Sc3+ (1)
[Atomic number : Fe = 26, V = 23, Ti = 22, Sc = 21](1)
25. Assertion (A) : Fe2+ acts as a reducing agent.
Reason (R) : Fe3+ state is stable due to 3d5 configuration. (1)
56-4-1 (2022 – 2023)
26. The ions of metals of Group 12 (Zn, Cd and Hg) have completely filled d orbitals and
so they :
(a) behave like semiconductors (b) are very high melting solids
(c) do not behave like transition metals (d) behave like superconductors (1)
27. Assertion (A) : Zr and Hf have almost identical radii.
Reason (R) : Both Zr and Hf exhibit similar properties. (1)
56-4-2 (2022 – 2023)
28. The interstitial compounds of transition metals are
(a) softer (b) more ductile (c) harder (d) more metallic
than the metal itself. (1)
29. Assertion (A): Manganese shows the highest oxidation state of +7 in 3d series.
 Reason (R): Transition metals show variable oxidation states. (1)
56-4-3 (2022 – 2023)
30. Which of the following Cu2+ halide is not known ?
(a) CuBr2 (b) CuI2 (c) CuCl2 (d) CuF2 (1)
31. Assertion (A) : EºCu 2+ / Cu is positive (+ 0 34 V).
Reason (R) : Copper has high ΔaH and low ΔhydH . (1)
56-5-1 (2022 – 2023)
32. Which property of transition metals enables them to behave as catalysts ?
(a) High melting point (b) High ionisation enthalpy
(c) Alloy formation (d) Variable oxidation states (1)
33. In the two tetrahedral structures of dichromate ion
(a) 4 Cr – O bonds are equivalent in length.
(b) 6 Cr – O bonds are equivalent in length.
(c) All Cr – O bonds are equivalent in length.
(d) All Cr – O bonds are non-equivalent. (1)
56-5-2 (2022 – 2023)
34. Which of the following ions has the electronic configuration 3d6 ? (Atomic number :
Mn = 25, Co = 27, Ni = 28)
(a) Ni3+ (b) Co3+ (c) Mn2+ (d) Mn3+ (1)
56-1-1 (2023 – 2024)
35. Which one of the following first row transition elements is expected to have the highest
third ionization enthalpy ?
(A) Iron (Z = 26) (B) Manganese (Z = 25)
(C) Chromium (Z = 24) (D) Vanadium (Z = 23) (1)
36. Assertion (A) : Separation of Zr and Hf is difficult.
Reason (R) : Zr and Hf have similar radii due to lanthanoid contraction. (1)
56-1-2 (2023 – 2024)
37. The most stable oxidation state of Iron is :
(A) + 2 (B) + 3 (C) + 4 (D) – 2 (1)
38. Assertion (A) : Transition metals have high enthalpy of atomization.
Reason (R) : This is because transition metals have low melting points. (1)
56-1-3 (2023 – 2024)
39. The equilibrium Cr2O72 – ⇌ 2CrO42 – :
 (A) exists in basic medium (B) exists in acidic medium
(C) exists in neutral medium (D) does not exist (1)
40. Assertion (A) : Separation of Zr and Hf is difficult.
Reason (R) : Zr and Hf are radioactive. (1)
56-2-1 (2023 – 2024)
41. When MnO2 is fused with KOH in air, it gives :
(A) KMnO4 (B) K2MnO4 (C) Mn2O7 (D) Mn2O3 (1)
42. Transition metals have incomplete d-subshell either in neutral atom or in their ions. The
presence of partly filled d-orbitals in their atoms makes transition elements different
from that of the non-transition elements. With partly filled d-orbitals, these elements
exhibit certain characteristic properties such as display of a variety of oxidation states,
formation of coloured ions and entering into complex formation with a variety of
ligands. The transition metals and their compounds also exhibit catalytic properties and
paramagnetic behaviour. The transition metals are very hard and have low volatility.
An examination of the Eº value M2+ /M shows the varying trends :
Eº M 2+ / M
V – 1.18
Cr – 0.91
Mn – 1.18
Fe – 0.44
Co – 0.28
Ni – 0.25
Cu + 0.34
Zn – 0.76

Answer the following questions :

(a) On what basis can we say that Cu is a transition element but Zn is not ? (Atomic
number : Cu = 29, Zn = 30) (1)
(b) Why do transition elements show variety of oxidation states ? (1)
(c) (i) Why do Eº M 2+ /M values show irregular trend from Vanadium to Zinc ?
(ii) How is the variability in oxidation states of transition metals different from that of
the non-transition elements ? 2x1=2
OR
(c) (i) Of the d4 species, Cr2+ is strongly reducing while Mn3+ is strongly oxidizing. Why
? (Atomic number : Cr = 24, Mn = 25)
(ii) Complete the following ionic equation : 2x1=2
 2MnO4 – + H2O + I – →
56-2-2 (2023 – 2024)
43. The product of oxidation of SO32 – with MnO4 – in acidic medium is :
(A) SO2 (B) SO42 – (C) S2 – (D) S2O3 2 – (1)
56-2-3 (2023 – 2024)
44. The correct order for the increasing oxidizing power in 3d series of transition elements
is :
(A) MnO4 – < Cr2O7 2 – < VO2+ (B) Cr2O7 2 – < VO2+ < MnO4 –
(C) VO2+ < Cr2O7 2 – < MnO4 – (D) VO2+ < MnO4 – < Cr2O7 2 – (1)
56-3-1(2023 – 2024)
45. Which of the following does not show variable oxidation states ?
(A) Fe (B) Cu (C) Mn (D) Sc (1)
46. The involvement of (n 1)d electrons in the behaviour of transition elements impart
certain distinct characteristics to these elements. Thus, in addition to variable oxidation
states, they exhibit paramagnetic behaviour, catalytic properties and tendency for the
formation of coloured ions. The transition metals react with a number of non-metals
like oxygen, nitrogen and halogens. KMnO4 and K2Cr2O7 are common examples.
The two series of inner transition elements, lanthanoids and actinoids, constitute the f-
block of the periodic table. In the lanthanoids, there is regular decrease in atomic size
with increase in atomic number due to the imperfect shielding effect of 4f-orbital
electrons which causes contraction.
Answer the following questions :
(a) Why do transition metals and their compounds act as good catalysts ? (1)
(b) What is the cause of contraction in the atomic size of lanthanoids ? (1)
(c) Define lanthanoid contraction. How does it affect the atomic radii of the third
transition series and the second transition series ? (2)
OR
(c) In aqueous media, which is a stronger reducing agent Cr2+ or Fe2+ and why ? (2)
56-3-2 (2023 – 2024)
47. Transition elements form alloys easily because they have :
(A) same electronic configuration (B) same enthalpies of atomisation
(C) same oxidation states (D) nearly the same atomic size (1)
56-3-3(2023 – 2024)
48. Which of the following elements of 3d series of transition elements has the lowest
∆aHº?
(A) Sc (B) Cr (C) Cu (D) Zn (1)
56-4-1+2+3 (2023 – 2024)
49. From the elements of 3d series given below, which element shows the maximum
number of oxidation states?
(A) Scandium (B) Manganese (C) Chromium (D) Titanium (1)
50. The general electronic configuration of d-block elements is :
(A) (n – 1)d1 – 10 ns 1 – 2 (B) (n – 1)d10 ns 1 – 2
(C) (n – 1)d10 ns 3 – 3 (D) (n – 1)d0 ns 1 – 2 (1)
56-5-1+2+3 (2023 – 2024)
51. Transition metals are known to make interstitial compounds. Formations of interstitial
compounds make the transition metal
(A) more hard (B) more soft (C) more ductile (D)more metallic
52. Assertion (A) : Zr and Hf are of almost similar atomic radii.
Reason (R) : This is due to Lanthanoid contraction. (1)