Class 11 Chemistry - Chapter The s Block Elements NCERT Solutions | Discuss the general characteristics and
Discuss the general characteristics and gradation in properties of alkaline earth metals.
General characteristics of alkaline earth metals are as follows.
(i) The general electronic configuration of alkaline earth metals is [noble gas] ns2.
(ii)These metals lose two electrons to acquire the nearest noble gas configuration. Therefore, their oxidation state is +2.
(iii)These metals have atomic and ionic radii smaller than that of alkali metals. Also, when moved down the group, the effective nuclear charge decreases and this causes an increase in their atomic radii and ionic radii.
(iv) Since the alkaline earth metals have large size, their ionization enthalpies are found to be fairly low. However, their first ionization enthalpies are higher than the corresponding group 1 metals.
(v) These metals are lustrous and silvery white in appearance. They are relatively less soft as compared to alkali metals.
(vi) Atoms of alkaline earth metals are smaller than that of alkali metals. Also, they have two valence electrons forming stronger metallic bonds. These two factors cause alkaline earth metals to have high melting and boiling points as compared to alkali metals.
(vii) They are highly electropositive in nature. This is due to their low ionization enthalpies. Also, the electropositive character increases on moving down the group from Be to Ba.
(viii) Ca, Sr, and Ba impart characteristic colours to flames.
Ca - Brick red
Sr - Crimson red
Ba - Apple green
In Be and Mg, the electrons are too strongly bound to be excited. Hence, these do not impart any colour to the flame.
The alkaline earth metals are less reactive than alkali metals and their reactivity increases on moving down the group. Chemical properties of alkaline earth metals are as follows.
(i) Reaction with air and water: Be and Mg are almost inert to air and water because of the formation of oxide layer on their surface.
(a) Powdered Be burns in air to form BeO and Be3N2.
(b) Mg, being more electropositive, burns in air with a dazzling sparkle to form MgO and Mg3N2.
(c) Ca, Sr, and Ba react readily with air to form respective oxides and nitrides.
(d) Ca, Ba, and Sr react vigorously even with cold water.
(ii) Alkaline earth metals react with halogens at high temperatures to form halides.
M + X2 → MX2 (X = F,Cl,Br,I)
(iii) All the alkaline earth metals, except Be, react with hydrogen to form hydrides.
(iv) They react readily with acids to form salts and liberate hydrogen gas.
M + 2HCl → MCl2 + H2(g) ↑
(v) They are strong reducing agents. However, their reducing power is less than that of alkali metals. As we move down the group, the reducing power increases.
(vi) Similar to alkali metals, the alkaline earth metals also dissolve in liquid ammonia to give deep blue coloured solutions.
M + (x-y)NH3 → [M(NH3)x]+2 + 2[e(NH3)y]-
More Questions From Class 11 Chemistry - Chapter The s Block Elements
- Q:-
Compare the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals with respect to
(i) ionization enthalpy
(ii) basicity of oxides and
(iii) solubility of hydroxides.
- Q:-
Compare the solubility and thermal stability of the following compounds of the alkali metals with those of the alkaline earth metals.
(a) Nitrates (b) Carbonates (c) Sulphates.
- Q:-
Discuss the various reactions that occur in the Solvay process.
- Q:-
Comment on each of the following observations:
(a) The mobilities of the alkali metal ions in aqueous solution are Li+ < Na+ < K+ < Rb+ < Cs+
(b) Lithium is the only alkali metal to form a nitride directly.
(c) E° for M2+(aq) (where M = Ca, Sr or Ba) is nearly constant.
- Q:-
Why are lithium salts commonly hydrated and those of the other alkali metal ions usually anhydrous?
- Q:-
State as to why
(a) a solution of Na2CO3 is alkaline ?
(b) alkali metals are prepared by electrolysis of their fused chlorides ?
(c) sodium is found to be more useful than potassium ?
- Q:-
When an alkali metal dissolves in liquid ammonia the solution can acquire different colours. Explain the reasons for this type of colour change.
- Q:-
In what ways lithium shows similarities to magnesium in its chemical behaviour?
- Q:-
Why is Li2CO3 decomposed at a lower temperature whereas Na2CO3 at higher temperature?
- Q:-
Find the oxidation state of sodium in Na2O2.
Popular Questions of Class 11 Chemistry
- Q:-
How do you account for the formation of ethane during chlorination of methane?
- Q:-
What are hybridisation states of each carbon atom in the following compounds ?
(i) CH2=C=O,
(ii) CH3CH=CH2,
(iii) (CH3)2CO,
(iv) CH2=CHCN,
(v) C6H6
- Q:-
What will be the minimum pressure required to compress 500 dm3 of air at 1 bar to 200 dm3 at 30°C?
- Q:-
Calculate the molecular mass of the following:
(i) H2O
(ii) CO2
(iii) CH4 - Q:-
Assign oxidation number to the underlined elements in each of the following species:
(a) NaH2PO4
(b) NaHSO4
(c) H4P2O7
(d) K2MnO4
(e) CaO2
(f) NaBH4
(g) H2S2O7
(h) KAl(SO4)2.12 H2O
- Q:-
What is the basic theme of organisation in the periodic table?
- Q:-
Explain the formation of a chemical bond.
- Q:-
Choose the correct answer. A thermodynamic state function is a quantity
(i) used to determine heat changes
(ii) whose value is independent of path
(iii) used to determine pressure volume work
(iv) whose value depends on temperature only. - Q:-
A liquid is in equilibrium with its vapour in a sealed container at a fixed temperature. The volume of the container is suddenly increased.
a) What is the initial effect of the change on vapour pressure?
b) How do rates of evaporation and condensation change initially?
c) What happens when equilibrium is restored finally and what will be the final vapour pressure? - Q:-
Justify the position of hydrogen in the periodic table on the basis of its electronic configuration.
Recently Viewed Questions of Class 11 Chemistry
- Q:-
What is the difference between distillation, distillation under reduced pressure and steam distillation ?
- Q:-
Give the IUPAC names of the following compounds:
- Q:-
How can saline hydrides remove traces of water from organic compounds?
- Q:-
In the organic compound CH2 = CH – CH2 – CH2 – C ≡ CH, the pair of hydridised orbitals involved in the formation of: C2 – C3 bond is:
(a) sp – sp2
(b) sp – sp3
(c) sp2 – sp3
(d) sp3 – sp3
- Q:-
How would you explain the lower atomic radius of Ga as compared to Al?
- Q:-
If the velocity of the electron in Bohr’s first orbit is 2.19 × 106 ms–1, calculate the de Broglie wavelength associated with it.
- Q:-
Define hydrogen bond. Is it weaker or stronger than the van der Waals forces?
- Q:-
Use the periodic table to answer the following questions.
(a) Identify an element with five electrons in the outer subshell.
(b) Identify an element that would tend to lose two electrons.
(c) Identify an element that would tend to gain two electrons.
(d) Identify the group having metal, non-metal, liquid as well as gas at the room temperature. - Q:-
What characteristics do you expect from an electron-deficient hydride with respect to its structure and chemical reactions?
- Q:-
Explain, giving reasons, which of the following sets of quantum numbers are not possible.
a n = 0 l = 0 ml = 0
b n = 1 l = 0 ml = 0
c n = 1 l = 1 ml = 0
d n = 2 l = 1 ml = 0
e n = 3 l = 3 ml = – 3
f n = 3 l = 1 ml = 0
- All Chapters Of Class 11 Chemistry
- All Subjects Of Class 11