NCERT Solutions Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 7 The p Block Elements

NCERT Class 12 Chemistry Solutions The p Block Elements - NCERT Solutions prepared for CBSE students by the best teachers in Delhi. 

class XII Chemistry

Chapter 7 – The p Block Elements 

Question 1:

Discuss the general characteristics of Group 15 elements with reference to their electronic configuration, oxidation state, atomic size, ionisation enthalpy and electronegativity.

Answer

General trends in group 15 elements

(i) Electronic configuration: All the elements in group 15 have 5 valence electrons. Their general electronic configuration is ns2 np3.

(ii) Oxidation states: All these elements have 5 valence electrons and require three more electrons to complete their octets. However, gaining electrons is very difficult as the nucleus will have to attract three more electrons. This can take place only with nitrogen as it is the smallest in size and the distance between the nucleus and the valence shell is relatively small. The remaining elements of this group show a formal oxidation state of −3 in their covalent compounds. In addition to the −3 state, N and P also show −1 and −2 oxidation states. All the elements present in this group show +3 and +5 oxidation states. However, the stability of +5 oxidation state decreases down a group, whereas the stability of +3 oxidation state increases. This happens because of the inert pair effect.

(iii) Ionization energy and electronegativity: First ionization decreases on moving down a group. This is because of increasing atomic sizes. As we move down a group, electronegativity decreases, owing to an increase in size.

(iv) Atomic size: On moving down a group, the atomic size increases. This increase in the atomic size is attributed to an increase in the number of shells.

Question 2:

Why does the reactivity of nitrogen differ from phosphorus?

Answer 

Nitrogen is chemically less reactive. This is because of the high stability of its molecule, N2. In N2, the two nitrogen atoms form a triple bond. This triple bond has very high bond strength, which is very difficult to break. It is because of nitrogen’s small size that it is able to form pπ−pπ bonds with itself. This property is not exhibited by atoms such as phosphorus. Thus, phosphorus is more reactive than nitrogen.

Question 3:

Discuss the trends in chemical reactivity of group 15 elements.

Answer

General trends in chemical properties of group − 15

(i) Reactivity towards hydrogen:

The elements of group 15 react with hydrogen to form hydrides of type EH3, where E = N, P, As, Sb, or Bi. The stability of hydrides decreases on moving down from NH3 to BiH3.

(ii) Reactivity towards oxygen:

The elements of group 15 form two types of oxides: E2O3 and E2O5, where E = N, P, As, Sb, or Bi. The oxide with the element in the higher oxidation state is more acidic than the other. However, the acidic character decreases on moving down a group.

(iii) Reactivity towards halogens:

The group 15 elements react with halogens to form two series of salts: EX3 and EX5. However, nitrogen does not form NX5 as it lacks the d-orbital. All trihalides (except NX3) are stable.

(iv) Reactivity towards metals:

The group 15 elements react with metals to form binary compounds in which metals exhibit −3 oxidation states.

Question 4:

Why does NH3 form hydrogen bond but PH3 does not?

Answer 

Nitrogen is highly electronegative as compared to phosphorus. This causes a greater attraction of electrons towards nitrogen in NH3 than towards phosphorus in PH3. Hence, the extent of hydrogen bonding in PH3 is very less as compared to NH3.

Question 7.5:

How is nitrogen prepared in the laboratory? Write the chemical equations of the reactions involved.

Answer

An aqueous solution of ammonium chloride is treated with sodium nitrite. NO and HNO3 are produced in small amounts. These are impurities that can be removed on passing nitrogen gas through aqueous sulphuric acid, containing potassium dichromate.

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