FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

d and f block Elements

1. Account for the following:
a. Ti (IV) is more stable than Ti(II) and Ti (III).
b. Zinc is a soft metal while Mn and Fe are typically hard.
2. a. Why are fluorides of the transition metal more stable in their higher oxidation state
than in their lower oxidation state.
b. Which of the following will feel attraction when placed in the magnetic field: Co2+,
Ag+, Ti4+, Zn2+
c. It has been observed that the first ionization enthalpy of the 5d series elements is
higher than their 3d and 4d elements.

3.

a. Why Mn has lower melting point than Cr?

b. Why do transition metals of 3d series have lower melting points as compared to 4d
series?
c. In the third transition series, identify and name the metal with the highest melting
point.

4. a. Why do Zr and Hf exhibit almost similar properties?

b. What are the different oxidation states exhibited by lanthanoids?
c. Why do transition elements show variable?
5. a. Why are Mn2+ compounds more stable than Fe 2+ compounds towards oxidation to +3
state?
b. Which metal in the first transition series exhibits +1 oxidation state more frequently and
why
c. [Ti(H2O)6]3+ is coloured while [Sc(H2O)6]3+ is colourless. Give reason.

6. a. Zn, Cd and Hg are not regarded as transition elements. Why?

b. The paramagnetic character in 3d transition series increases up to Manganese and then
decreases. Why?
c. Cu atom has completely filled d-orbitals (3d10) in its ground state. Yet it is regarded as a
transition element. Why?

7. Give reasons:
a. Transition metals and many of their compounds show paramagnetic behavior.
b. The enthalpies of atomization of transition metal are high.
c. Transition metals generally form coloured compounds.
d. Fe has higher melting point than Cu.
e. Transition metals have a strong tendency to form complexes.
f. Mercury is not considered a transition metal.
g. Transition metals have high enthalpies of hydration.
h. d- block elements exhibit large number of oxidation states as compared to f block
elements.
i. The second and third member of each group of transition elements have similar
atomic radii.
j. The basicity of hydroxides of lanthanoid elements decrease across the series.
8. a. Which element show maximum oxidation state in the 3d series?
b. Name the transition metal which is well known to exhibit +4 oxidation state.
c. It is difficult to separate lanthanoids in the pure state. Explain.

9. a. Which is more paramagnetic- Fe2+ or Fe3+ and why?

b. What is the reason for the catalytic property of transition elements?
c. The covalent character of Lutetium hydroxide is greater than that of lanthanum hydroxide.
10. Decide giving reason which one of the following pairs exhibit the property indicated:
a. Sc3+ and Cr3+ exhibit paramagnetism.
b. V or Mn exhibit more number more number of oxidation states.
c. V4+ plus or V5+ exhibit color.

11. Give examples and suggest reasons for the following features of transition metal chemistry:
 a. The lowest oxide of transition metal is basic while the higher is amphoteric/ acidic.
b. A transition metal exhibits highest oxidation states in its fluorides and oxides.
c. One of the d4 species Cr3+ is strongly reducing while Mn3+ is strongly oxidizing.

12. Account for the following:

a. Co (II) is stable in aqueous solution but in the presence of strong ligands and air, it can
be oxidized to Co (III).
b. The d1 configuration is unstable in ions.
c. Among lanthanoids, Ce (III) can be easily oxidized to Ce (IV).
13. Name the following:
a. A 3D transition metal which shows only one oxidation state
b. A transition metal which shows +8 oxidation state.
c. A member of the 4d series which is not regarded as a transition metal.
d. A radioactive lanthanide.
e. A lanthanoid metal which shows for oxidation state.

14. a. K2[PtCl6]Is a well- known compound whereas the corresponding nickel compound is not
known. Why?
a. Explain why Cu+ ion is not stable in aqueous solution.

15. Explain the following observations:

a. E0 value for Mn3+/ Mn2+ couple is much more positive than for Cr 3+/ Cr 2+ or Fe3+/ Fe2+.
b. E0 value for Cu2+/ Cu+ is positive.
c. Transition metals form many alloys
d. Scandium does not exhibit variable oxidation states and yet it is regarded as a transition
element.
e. There is a general increase in the density of elements from titanium to copper.

16. Consider the hydrated ions Ti2+, V2+ TI 3+ and SC3+. Write the correct order of this spin only
magnetic moment.
17. Following are the transition metal ions of the 3D series:
Ti 4+, V2+, Mn3+, Cr3+, V3+, Cr2+
a. Which ion is most stable in an aqueous solution and why?
b. Which iron is a strong oxidizing agent and why?
c. Which iron is a strong oxidizing agent and why?
d. Which iron is colorless and why?
18. a. In the 3d series the enthalpy of atomization of zinc is lowest. Why?
b. Which is the strongest reducing agent Cr2+ or Fe2+ and why?
19. Name an important alloy which contains some lanthanoid metals. Give its uses.
20. For M2+/M3+ and M2+/ M systems, the E0 values for some metals are given:

Use this data to comment upon:

a. The stability of Fe3+ in acid solution as compared to that of Cr3+ or Mn3+
b. The ease with which iron can be oxidised as compared to a similar process for either
chromium or manganese metal.

21. Account for the following:

a. Unlike Cr3+, Mn2+ , Fe3+ and subsequent other M2+ ions of the 3d series of elements, the
4d and 5d series generally do not form stable cationic species.
b. The transition elements form interstitial compounds.
c. Electrode potential values for manganese nickel and zinc more negative than expected.
d. Out of Cu2Cl2 and CuCl2 which is more stable and why?
e. Although fluorine is more electronegative than oxygen but the ability of oxygen to
stabilize higher oxidation states exceeds that of fluorine.
f. Transition metals show high melting points.
22. When is Cu2+ is treated with KI a wide precipitate is formed explain the reaction using
equation.
23. Explain:
a. Ce3+ can be easily oxidized to Ce4+.
b. All scandium salts are white.
c. The first ionization enthalpies of 5d transition elements are higher than those of the 3d
and 4d transition elements in respective groups.
d. Iron has higher enthalpy of atomization than that of copper.
e. Zinc, Cadmium and Mercury are soft metals.

24. Give reason:

a. Among lanthanides Ln (III) compounds are predominant. However occasionally in
solutions, Or in solid compounds +2 and +4 are also obtained.
b. The metallic radii of the third series of transition metals are nearly the same as those of
the corresponding members of the second series.
25. The magnetic moment of a few transition metals are given below:

Sc3+ 0.00 BM
2+
Cr 4.9 BM
2+
Ni 2.84 BM
3+
Ti 1.73 BM
Which of the following given metal ions:
a. Has the maximum number of unpaired electrons.
b. Forms colorless aqueous solutions.
c. Exhibits the most stable +3 oxidation state.
26. Among the elements of the 3d series which element:
a. Shows maximum number of oxidation states.
b. Has the highest melting point.
c. Shows only +3 oxidation state.
d. Is a strong oxidizing agent in +3 oxidation state. Why?
27.
a. MnO Is basic while Mn2O7 is acidic. Why?
b. Out of Ag2SO4, CuF2, MgF2 and CuCl, which is colored and why?
c. CrO4 2- is a strong oxidizing agent while MnO42- is not. Why?
d. Mn(II) shows maximum paramagnetic character amongst the divalent ions of the first
transition series. Why?
e. Transition metals have high enthalpies of atomization. Give reason.
f. Sm2+, Eu2+, Yb2+ ions in solutions are good reducing agents but an aqueous solution of
Ce4+ is a good oxidizing agent Why?
28. Consider the standard electrode potentials (M2+/ M)of the elements of 3d series:

Element Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn
E0 values -1.63 -1.18 -0.9 -1.18 -0.44 -0.28 -0.25 0.34 -0.76

Explain:
a. E0 value for copper is positive.
b. E0 Value of manganese is more negative than as expected from the trend.
c. Cr2+ is a stronger reducing agent than Fe2+.