Chapter - 10 s-Block

s-Block
Elements
Elements
FAST TRACK : QUICK REVISION

 s-block elements consists of group-I (Alkali metals) and group-2 (Alkaline

earth metals).
 Group 1st elements — Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr.
 Group 2nd elements — Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra.
 Atomic radius : Atomic radius of alkali metals are greater than alkaline
earth metals.
 Hydration enthalpy : Decreases with increases in ionic sizes.
 Ionic mobility : Smaller the size of ion, more highly it is hydrated and
hence lower is its ionic mobility.
Li+ < Na+ < K+ < Rb+ < Cs+
 Ionisation enthalpies : 1st I.E. of group 1st is smaller than group 2nd
elements but 2nd I.E. of group 2nd is smaller than group 1st elements.
 Flame colouration : Due to low I.E., s-block elements and their salts
imparts characteristics colour of oxidising flame (except Be and Mg). Be
and Mg do not show flame colouration because they have small size and
very high ionisation enthalpy.
 Reducing character : Due to large negative electrode potentials alkali
metals are stronger reducing agent than alkaline earth metal.
 Reactivity towards air :
4Li + O2 —→ 2Li2O (Lithium oxide)
2Na + O2 —→ Na2O2 (Sodium peroxide)
M + O2 —→ MO2 (M = K, Rb, Cs metal superoxide)
Alkaline earth metals being smaller in size do not from superoxides.
  Reactivity towards H2O :
2M + 2H2O —→ 2MOH + H2
(Alkali metal)
M + 2H2O —→ M(OH)2 + H2
(Alkaline earth metals)
 Reactivity towards hydrogen :
2M + H2 —→ 2MH (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs)
M + H2 —→ MH2 (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba)
2BeCl2 + LiAlH4 —→ 2BeH2 + LiCl + AlCl3.
 Reactivity towards halogens :
2M + X2 —→ 2MX (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs)
M + X2 —→ MX2 (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba)

BeO + C + Cl2 BeCl2 + CO

 Solution in liquid ammonia : The fresh solution of alkali metals and
alkaline earth metals (except Be and Mg) is deep blue, paramagnetic and
highly reducing due to presence of ammoniated electrons.
 Solubility of alkaline earth metal carbonate in water :
Li2CO3 < Na2CO3 < K2CO3 < RbCO3 < Cs2CO3
 Solubility of alkaline earth metal carbonates in water.
BaCO3 < SrCO3 < CaCO3 < MgCO3 < BeCO3
 Solubility of alkaline earth metal sulphates in water :
BaSO4 < SrSO4 < CaSO4 < MgSO4 < BeSO4
 Thermal stability of alkali metal carbonates :
Li2CO3 < Na2CO3 < K2CO3 < Rb2CO3 < Cs2CO3
 Thermal stability of alkaline earth metal carbonates :
BeCO3 < MgCO3 < CaCO3 < SrCO3 < BaCO3
 Anamolous behaviour of Li and Be : It is due to very small size, high
I.E. and high polarising power (i.e., charge/radius)
 Diagonal relationship (similarities) between Li and Mg :
(i) Both Li and Mg are hard.

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 (ii) Both react with N2 to form nitrides.
6Li + N2 —→ 2Li3N
3Mg + N2 —→ Mg3N2
Decomposition of carbonates :
(iii)
Li2CO3 Li2O + CO2

MgCO3 MgO + CO2

(iv) Both LiCl and MgCl2 are deliquescent. They form hydrates salts
LiCl.2H2O and MgCl2.6H2O.
(v) Decomposition of nitrates :
4LiNO3 2Li2O + 4NO2 + O2
2Mg(NO3)2 2MgO + 4NO2 + O2
 Diagonal relationship (similarities) between Be and Al :
(i) Both are passive to acids due to formation of oxide layer.
(ii) Hydroxides of both dissolve in alkali to form [Be(OH)4]2– and
[Al(OH)4]–.
(iii) Chloride of both has bridged structure.
(iv) Both have tendency to form complexes of BeF42–, AlF63–.
 Manufacturing of washing soda (Na2CO3.10H2O) :
Solvay process :
NH3(g) + CO2(g) + H2O (l) —→ NH4HCO3 (aq)
NH4HCO3 (aq) + NaCl (aq) —→ NaHCO3(s) + NH4Cl (aq)

2NaHCO3 Na2CO3 + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

2NH4Cl (aq) + Ca(OH)2 → CaCl2(s) + 2H2O(l) + 2NH3 (g)
 Manufacturing of caustic soda (NaOH) : Castner-Kellner cell.

Cathode : Na+ + e– Na-Hg

Anode : Cl– —→ + e–
2Na-Hg + 2H2O —→ 2NaOH + 2Hg + H2
 Plaster of paris : (CaSO4.½H2O)
2(CaSO4.2H2O) 2(CaSO4).H2O + 3H2O
Gypsum

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 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQ)
1. The alkali metals are low melting. Which of the following alkali metal is
expected to melt if the room temperature rises to 30°C?
(a) Na (b) K
(c) Rb (d) Cs
2. Alkali metals react with water vigorously to form hydroxides and dihydrogen.
Which of the following alkali metals reacts with water least vigorously?
(a) Li (b) Na
(c) K (d) Cs
3. The reducing power of a metal depends on various factors. Suggest the
factor which makes Li, the strongest reducing agent in aqueous solution.
(a) Sublimation enthalpy (b) Ionisation enthalpy
(c) Hydration enthalpy (d) Electron-gain enthalpy
4. Metal carbonates decompose on heating to give metal oxide and carbon
dioxide. Which of the metal carbonates is most stable thermally?
(a) MgCO3 (b) CaCO3
(c) SrCO3 (d) BaCO3
5. Which of the carbonates given below is unstable in air and is kept in CO2
atmosphere to avoid decomposition.
(a) BeCO3 (b) MgCO3
(c) CaCO3 (d) BaCO3
6. Metals form basic hydroxides. Which of the following metal hydroxide is
the least basic?
(a) Mg(OH)2 (b) Ca(OH)2
(c) Sr(OH)2 (d) Ba(OH)2
7. Some of the Group 2 metal halides are cavalent and soluble in organic
solvents. Among the following metal halides, the one which is soluble in
ethanol is
(a) BeCl2 (b) MgCl2
(c) CaCl2 (d) SrCl2

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8. The order of decreasing ionisation enthalpy in alkali metals is
(a) Na > Li > K > Rb (b) Rb > Na > K > Li
(c) Li > Na > K > Rb (d) K > Li > Na > Rb
9. The solubility of metal halides depends on their nature, lattice enthalpy
and hydration enthalpy of the individual ions. Amongst fluorides of alkali
metals, the lowest solubility of LiF in water is due to
(a) Ionic nature of lithium fluoride
(b) High Lattice enthalpy
(c) High hydration enthalpy of lithium atom
(d) Low ionisation enthalpy of lithium atom
10. Amphoteric hydroxides react with both alkalies and acids. Which of the
following Group 2 metal hydroxides is soluble in sodium hydroxide?
(a) Be(OH)2 (b) Mg(OH)2
(c) Ba(OH)2 (d) Ca(OH)2

ASSERTION-REASON TYPE QUESTIONS

The question given below contains statement -1 (Assertion) and Statement-2
(Reason) Each question has four choice (a), (b), (c) and (d) out of which
only one is correct. Choice the correct option as under.
(a) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true.
Statement-2 is a correct explanation for statement-1.
(b) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true ;
Statement-2 is not a correct explanation of statement-1.
(c) Statement -1 is true, statement-2 is false.
(d) Statement-1 is false, statement-2 is true.
1. Statement-1 : Sodium metal is softer than potassium metal.
Statement-2 : Metallic bonding in Potassium is weaker than in Sodium.
2. Statement-1 : Be(OH)2 is soluble in HCl and NaOH.
Statement-2 : Be(OH)2 is amphoteric in nature.
3. Statement-1 : Metallic character of alkali metals increases on going down
a group from top to bottom.

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 Statement-2 : Ionisation enthalpy of alkali metals increases on going down
from top to bottom.
4. Statement-1 : Super oxides of alkali metals are diamagnetic.
Statement-2 : Super oxides contain the ion O2-which has one unpaired
electron.
5. Statement-1 : Alkali metals do not impart colour to the flame.
Statment-2 : Their ionization enthalpies are very low.
6. Statement-1 : Sodium cannot be obtained by chemical reduction of its ore.
Statment-2 : Sodium is one of the strongest reducing agent.
7. Statement-1 : Beryllium hydroxide becomes soluble in excess alkali
forming beryllate ion [Be(OH)4]2–.
Statment-2 : Beryllium ion has greater tendency to form complexes.

FILL IN THE BLANKS

1. In the synthesis of sodium carbonate, the recovery of ammonia is done
by treating NH4Cl with Ca(OH)2. The by product obtained in this process
is ..................
(a) NaCl (b) NaOH
(c) CaCl2 (d) NaHCO3
2. When sodium is dissolved in liquid ammonia, a solution of deep blue colour
is obtained. The colour of the solution is due to...............
(a) Sodium ion (b) Ammoniated electron
(c) Sodium amide (d) Ammoniated sodium ion
3. By adding gypsum to cement...............
(a) Setting time of cement becomes less.
(b) Setting time of cement increases
(c) Colour of cement becomes light
(d) Shining surface is obtain.
4. A substance which gives crimson red flame and breaks on heating to give
oxygen and a brown gas is
(a) Magnesium nitrate (b) Calcium nitrate
(c) Barium nitrate (d) Strontium nitrate

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5. The hydration energy of Mg2+ is greater than that of............
(a) Al3+ (b) Be2+ (c) Na+ (d) Mg3+
6. The active constituent of bleaching power is ..........
(a) Ca(OCl)2 (b) Ca(OCl)Cl
(c) Ca(ClO2)2 (d) Ca(ClO2)Cl
7. KO2 is used in oxygen cylinder is space and submarines because it..........
(a) Absorbs CO2 and increases O2 content
(b) Eliminates moisture
(c) Produces ozone (d) None of the above
8. A metal M readily forms water soluble sulphate MSO4, water insoluble
hydrozide and oxide MO which becomes inert on heating. The hydroxide
is soluble in NaOH. The metal M oxide M is .................
(a) Be (b) Ca (c) Mg (d) Sr
9. Photo electric effect is maximum in...............
(a) Cs (b) K (c) Na (d) Li
10. Fill in the blanks with proper option given below for the following statement.
"All the halides of alkaline earth metals with exception of ............. are ionic
in nature."
(a) Barium halide (b) Strontium halide
(c) Beryllium halide (d) Calcium halide
11. Flame test is not given by ...............
(a) Be (b) Sr (c) K (d) Ca

MATCH THE COLUMNS

In the following questions more than one option of column I and II may be
correlated.
1. Column-I Column-II
(i) Li (a) Insoluble sulphate
(ii) Na (b) Strongest monoacidic base
(iii) Ca (c) Most negative E° value among alkali metals.
(iv) Ba (d) Insoluble oxalate
(e) 6s2 outer electronic configuration

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2. Column-I Column-II
(i) CaCO3 (a) Dentistry, ornamental work
(ii) Ca(OH)2 (b) Manufacture of sodium carbonate from
caustic soda
(iii) CaO (c) Manufacture of high quality paper
(iv) CaSO4 (d) Used in white washing.

3. Column-I Column-II
(i) Cs (a) Apple green
(ii) Na (b) Violet
(iii) K (c) Brick red
(iv) Ca (d) Yellow
(v) Sr (e) Crimson red
(vi) Ba (f) Blue

4. Column-I Column-II
(a) NaOH (a) Photo electric cells
(b) Na2CO3 (b) Coolant in nuclear reactors
(c) Liquid Na (c) SO2 absorber
(d) Caesium (d) Detergent

1-MARK QUESTIONS
1. What is the oxidation state of K in KO2 ?
2. Why are group I element called alkali metals ?
3. Potassium carbonate cannot be prepared by solvay process. Why ?
4. LiCl is soluble in organic solvent. Why ?
5. Why are group I elements called alkali metals ?
6. Alkali metals are strong reducing agents. Why ?
7. Why do alkali metals give characteristics flame colouration ?
8. Arrange the following in order of increasing covalent character : MCl,
MBr, MF, MI (where M = Alkali metal) [Ans. MF < MCl < MBr < MI]
9. Alkali metals can not be obtained by chemical reduction method. Explain.
10. Why is sodium metal kept under kerosene oil ?

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 11. Why Be and Mg do not give characteristics colour to the flame ?
12. Arrange the alkaline earth metal carbonate in the decreasing order of
thermal stability.
13. Why do alkaline earth metals not form any superoxide ?
14. Why gypsum is added to cement ?
15. How plaster of paris is obtained from gypsum ?
16. BeO is insoluble in water but BeSO4 is soluble in water ? Why ?
17. Why second I.E. of group II elements is less than group I elements ?
18. What is quick lime ? How is it prepared ?
19. Why does Be show similarities with Al ?
20. Name the alkaline earth metal hydroxide which is amphoteric.

2-MARKS QUESTIONS
1. Why are alkali metals soft and have low melting points ?
2. Write any four similarities between Li and Mg.
3. Why are potassium and caesium rather than Lithium used in photoelectric
cells ?
4. Why is Li2CO3 decomposed at a lower temperature whereas Na2CO3 at
higher temperature ?
5. Among the alkali metals which has :
(i) Highest melting point.
(ii) Most electropositive character
(iii) Lowest size of ion.
(v) Strongest reducing character. [Ans. (i) Li (ii) Cs (iii) Li (iv) Li]
6. Why does the solubility of alkali earth metal carbonates and sulphates
decrease down the group ?
7. Draw the structure of BeCl2 in (i) Vapour phase (ii) Solid state.
8. When CO2 gas is passed in lime water it turns milky but in case of excess
CO2 milkiness disappears. Support the statement by giving suitable
reaction equations.
9. (i) Eθ for M2+ (aq) + 2e– —→ M(s) (where M = Ca, Sr, Ba) is nearly
constant.

166 Chemistry Class XI

 (ii) What is dead burnt plaster ? How is it obtained from gypsum?
10. Write two important uses of (i) Limestone (ii) Quick lime.

3-MARKS QUESTIONS
1. Assign reason for the following :
(i) Compounds of lithium are generally covalent.
(ii) Alkali metals are strong reducing agent.
(iii) LiCl is more covalent than NaCl.
2. Discuss the various reactions that occur in Solvay process.
3. Explain why ?
(i) Lithium salts are commonly hydrated.
(ii) Sodium peroxide is widely used as oxidising agent.
(iii) Sodium wire is used to remove moisture from benzene but can’t be
used for drying alcohol.
4. Sodium hydroxide is generally prepared by electrolysis of brine solution
in the Castner-Kellner cell :
(i) Write the reactions that occur in the cell.
(ii) Write any two uses of NaOH.
5. Explain with suitable reasons :
(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 ?
6. Arrange the following in order of property mentioned against each :
(i) BaCl2, MgCl2, BeCl2, CaCl2 (Increasing ionic character)
(ii) Mg(OH)2, Sr(OH)2, Ba(OH)2, Ca(OH)2 (Increasing solubility in water)
(iii) BeO, MgO, BaO, CaO (Increasing basic strength)
7. What happens when :
(i) Mg is burnt in air.
(ii) Quick lime is heated with silica.
(iii) Chlorine is heated with slaked lime.
8. Write the raw material required for the manufacture of portland cement ?
Why gypsum is added into it ?
9. (i) Why alkaline earth metals cannot be obtained by reduction of their
oxides ?
s-Block Elements 167
 (ii) Why the elements of group 2 are known as alkaline earth metals ?
10. (i) Alkaline earth metals forms ionic salt having bivalent cations. Explain.
Why ?
(ii) A piece of magnesium ribbon continues to burn in SO2. Why ?

5-MARKS QUESTIONS
1. Explain the following observation :
(a) LiI is more soluble than KI in ethanol.
(b) Sodium reacts with water less vigorously than potassium.
(c) LiF is insoluble in water.
(d) The mobilities of the alkali metal ions in aqueous solution are
Li+ < Na+ < K+ < Rb+ < Cs+.
(e) Lithium is the only alkali metal to form a nitride directly.
2. Complete the following reaction equations :
(i) BeCl2 + LiAlH4 —→
(ii) CaO + SiO2 —→
(iii) Ca(OH)2 + Cl2 —→
(iv) CaO + P4O10 —→
(v) Ca(OH)2 + CO2 —→
3. Compare the solubility and thermal stability of the following :
Compounds of the alkali metals with those of alkaline earth metals
(a) nitrates (b) carbonates (c) sulphates.
4. Explain the significance of Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg)
and Calcium(Ca) in biological fluids.
5. Explain the significance of Sodium Potassium, Magnesium and Calcium
biological fluids.
6. (i) A solutions of Na2CO3 is alkaline why?
(ii) BeO insoluble but BeSO4 in soluble in water. Why?
(iii) Lithium salts are commonly hydrated and those of other alkali metal
ions are usually anhydrous give reasons.
(iv) What is the importance of cement?
(v) What happen when quick lime is heated with silica?

168 Chemistry Class XI

 UNIT TEST
Time Allowed: 1 hr Maximum Marks : 20
General Instructions:
(i) All questions are compulsory.
(ii) Maximum marks carried by each question are indicated against it.

1. Photoelectric effect is maximum in [1]

(a) Cs (b) K (c) Na (d) Li

2. Flame test is not shown by [1]

(a) Be (b) Sr (c) K (d) Ca

3. Oxidation state of K in KO2 is _____________. [1]

4. LiCl is soluble in organic solvent. Why? [1]
5. Why is sodium kept under kerosene? [1]
6. Write only four similarities in properties of Li and Mg. [2]

7. Write two important uses of CaO and CaCO3. [2]

8. Discuss the various reactions that occur in solvay process. [3]

9. What happens when :– [3]

(a) Mg is burnt in air.
(b) Quick lime is heated with silica.
(c) Chlorine is heated with slaked lime.

10. Complete the following chemical reactions : [5]

(a) CaO + SiO2 –—→
(b) Ca(OH)2 + CO2 –—→
(c) 2Mg(NO3)2 –—→
D
(d) 3Mg + N –—→
2
(e) NH4HCO3 + NaCl –—→
*****

s-Block Elements 169