Chapter 9 - Groups Properties and Elements
Comprehensive Questions & Answers for Class 9 Chemistry (Punjab Board)
Alkali Metal
When we move from top to bottom in this group, the atomic size increases. Owing to this, it becomes easier for element to lose electrons down the group which is reflected in the increased reactivities of the lower members of the group.
Reactivity of Potassium towards the Halogens
Potassium being an alkali metal is highly reactive towards halogens. Reaction of Potassium with chlorine becomes more vigorous as we go down the group.
2K +Cl ₂ --Heat -----> 2KCl
violent reaction
Reducing Agent
The reducing agent in a given reaction is NaBr Sodium Bromide.
Existence of Iodine At Room Temperature
Iodine exists as a solid at room temperature because of the strong intermolecular forces, especially London dispersion forces between its large molecules, which are caused by its large electron cloud, making it difficult for the molecules to separate and move freely at normal temperature.
Hydrogenation of Oil
Nickel provides an active surface for absorption and dissociation of hydrogen molecules. Facilitates the transfer of hydrogen atoms to the oil molecules. Enable the reaction to occur at the lower temperature and pressure. Nickel is used as a catalyst for the hydrogenation of oils to give solid margarine.
Noble Gas Having Lowest Boiling Point
Helium has the lowest boiling point among all noble gases because it is the smallest atom, resulting in the weakest inter atomic forces between its particles making it easier to overcome and transition to a gas state. Essentially, weaker intermolecular forces lower the boiling point.
Reaction of Alkali Metals with Chlorine
Reaction of alkali metals with chlorine becomes more vigorous as we go down the group.
2Li(s)+Cl₂(g) ----Heat ----> 2LiCl(s)
2Na(s)+Cl₂(g)----HeatVigorous reaction-----> 2NaCl(s)
Physical State of Metals vs Non-metals
Most metals are solid at room temperature because of strong metallic bonds between their atoms, which create a tightly packed lattice structure. This structure requires a significant amount of energy to break.
While non-metals often have weaker intermolecular forces, leading to gaseous states and lower melting points.
Elements which are Liquid at Room Temperature
Three elements in the periodic table which exist as liquids are:
- Mercury (Hg)
- Bromine (Br)
- Gallium (Ga)
Properties of Transition Elements
Transition elements are different from normal elements because they have incomplete d-orbitals in their electronic configuration. This allows them to exhibit multiple oxidation states, form coloured compounds, readily participate in complex ion formation, act as good catalysts Unlike normal elements which only have valence electrons in their outermost shell.
Oxidizing Power of Chlorine vs Bromine
Chlorine is a stronger oxidizing agent than bromine. Chlorine is more reactive and readily accepts electrons, so it can oxidize more substances than bromine can.
Reason:
Oxidizing power of halogens decreases down the group.
Cl₂ >Br₂ >I₂
Reactivity Trend in Halogens
The reactivity of halogens decreases as we move down the group in the periodic table. Order from most to least reactive:
Fluorine > Chlorine > Bromine > Iodine > Astatine
This trend is due to decreasing electronegativity and increasing atomic size as we move down the group.
Role of Catalytic Converter
A catalytic converter is a device used in the exhaust system of an automobile.
Role: It converts harmful gases produced in the engine into less harmful gases which do not pollute the atmosphere. Platinum (Pt), Palladium (Pd) and Rhodium (Rh) are used as catalysts in catalytic converters. Nickel (Ni) is used as a catalyst for the hydrogenation of vegetable oils to give solid margarine. Margarine is less likely to spoil than butter.
Reactivity Trend of Alkali Metals vs Halogens
For Alkali Metals:
The chemical reactivity of alkali metals increases down a group because as the atomic radius increases, the outermost electron is further from the nucleus. Nuclear attraction kam ho jati hai, is liye electron lose karna easy ho jata hai. So they react more readily.
For Halogens:
The reactivity decreases down the group because of increasing atomic radius. Bara size hone ki wajah se nucleus ki additional electrons ko attract karne ki power kamzor ho jati hai. Larger the halogen atom, less readily it can accept an electron.
Strength of Metals vs Non-metals
Metals are defined as the elements which can generally form cations easily. They also tend to form strong metallic bonds. Metals cannot be cut easily because they are hard substances. Due to the presence of strong metallic bonds, metals generally have high melting and boiling points. Their densities are also very high.
Example:
Copper, Silver and Iron etc.
Due to non-ductile and non-malleable properties, non-metals are not strong at all. Their bonds are weak, so they break easily. All non-metals have low melting and boiling points. Non-metals have low densities as compared to metals. This means that in non-metals atoms are not strongly bonded with each other.
Example:
Oxygen, Nitrogen, Chlorine etc.
Opposite Nature of Alkali Metals and Halogens
Alkali metals and halogens are both highly reactive elements, but they are considered "opposite" to each other because alkali metals readily lose electrons to achieve stability while Halogens readily gain electrons to achieve stability, making them naturally attracted to each other and they readily react to form ionic compounds when they come into contact. Essentially, one wants to give up an electron and the other desperately wants to take one.
Reason for Decreasing Thermal Stability in Hydrogen Halides
Bond length between hydrogen and halogen increases away from the halogen nucleus as we go down the group. The bond between hydrogen and halogen therefore gets weaker. The weaker the bond, less heat energy it will need to break it. Hence, the thermal stability of hydrogen halides decreases down the group.
Order of Thermal Stability:
HF > HCl > Hr > HI
Comparison of Metals and Non-metals
| Metals | Non-metals |
| Metals usually have high melting and boiling points. | Non-metals may be solids, liquids or gases at room temperature. They show wide range of melting and boiling points. |
| Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity. | Non-metals are poor conductors of heat and electricity except graphite. |
| Metals can be made into different shapes by applying pressure. Metals can therefore be easily drawn into wires and sheets. | Non-metals are brittle. They cannot be drawn into wires or sheets. |
| Metals are generally tough and strong. | Non-metals are neither tough nor strong. |
Use of V₂O₅ over Platinum in Contact Process
Platinum was originally used as a catalyst in the contact process for the manufacture of sulphuric acid. This expensive catalyst is, however, rendered inactive by impurities. Now Vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) is preferred as a catalyst
Equations of Contact Process:
2SO₂(g) + O₂(g) ---V₂O₅ -----> 2SO₃(g)
SO₃(g) + H₂O(l) ⟶ H₂SO₄(aq)
Sodium as Heat Transfer Agent in Nuclear Plant
Sodium can be used as a heat transfer agent in atomic nuclear power plant beacuse sodium absorb excessive heat produced by reactor and transfer it into another place.
Following properties of sodium are utilized in this role:
i). High thermal conductivity
ii). High boiling point
Anomalous Behaviour of Lithium
As lithium is the first element of the metal group so its behaves differently from the other alkali metals. Also lithium has high charge density, high ionization energy and a strong power to pull electrons from other atoms.
Aluminum vs Magnesium for Utensils
Reason:
A protective layer of aluminum oxide is formed on the surface of aluminum which prevents it from reacting with acid and water. On the other hand, magnesium is more reactive, that's why it reacts with food and damages the utensil.