NCERT solutions for Chemistry - Part 1 and 2 [English] Class 11 chapter 10 - The s-Block Elements [Latest edition]

What are the common physical features of alkali metals?

What are the common chemical features of alkali metals?

Discuss the general characteristics and gradation in properties of alkaline earth metals.

Why are alkali metals not found in nature?

Find the oxidation state of sodium in Na₂O₂.

Explain why is sodium less reactive than potassium?

Compare the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals with respect to (i) ionization enthalpy (ii) basicity of oxides and (iii) solubility of hydroxides

In what ways lithium shows similarities to magnesium in its chemical behaviour?

Explain why alkali and alkaline earth metals cannot be obtained by chemical reduction methods?

Why are potassium and cesium, rather than lithium used in photoelectric cells?

When an alkali metal dissolves in liquid ammonia the solution can acquire different colours. Explain the reasons for this type of colour change.

Beryllium and magnesium do not give colour to flame whereas other alkaline earth metals do so. Why?

Discuss the various reactions that occur in the Solvay process.

Potassium carbonate cannot be prepared by Solvay process. Why?

Why is Li₂CO₃ decomposed at a lower temperature whereas Na₂CO₃ at a higher temperature?

Compare the solubility and thermal stability of the following compound of the alkali metals with those of the alkaline earth metals.

Nitrates

Compare the solubility and thermal stability of the following compounds of the alkali metals with those of the alkaline earth metals.

Carbonates 

Compare the solubility and thermal stability of the following compounds of the alkali metals with those of the alkaline earth metals.

Sulphates

Starting with sodium chloride how would you proceed to prepare sodium metal.

Starting with sodium chloride how would you proceed to prepare sodium hydroxide.

Starting with sodium chloride how would you proceed to prepare sodium peroxide.

Starting with sodium chloride how would you proceed to prepare sodium carbonate?

What happens when magnesium is burnt in air.

What happens when quick lime is heated with silica?

What happens when chlorine reacts with slaked lime?

What happens when calcium nitrate is heated?

Describe two important uses of each of the following caustic soda.

Describe two important uses of the following sodium carbonate.

Describe two important uses of the following quicklime.

Draw the structure of BeCl₂ (vapour).

Draw the structure of BeCl₂ (solid).

The hydroxides and carbonates of sodium and potassium are easily soluble in water while the corresponding salts of magnesium and calcium are sparingly soluble in water. Explain.

Describe the importance of the limestone.

Describe the importance of the cement.

Describe the importance of the plaster of paris.

Why are lithium salts commonly hydrated and those of the other alkali metal ions usually anhydrous?

Why is LiF almost insoluble in water whereas LiCl soluble not only in water but also in acetone?

Explain the significance of sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium in biological fluids.

What happens when sodium metal is dropped in water?

What happens when sodium metal is heated in the free supply of air?

What happens when sodium peroxide dissolves in water?

Comment on the following observation:

The mobilities of the alkali metal ions in aqueous solution are Li⁺ < Na⁺ < K⁺ < Rb⁺ < Cs⁺

Comment on the following observation:

Lithium is the only alkali metal to form a nitride directly.

Comment on the following observation:

E^⊝ for \[\ce{M^{2+}_{(aq)} + 2e– -> M(s)}\] (where M = Ca, Sr or Ba) is nearly constant.

State as to why a solution of Na₂CO₃ is alkaline?

State as to why alkali metals are prepared by electrolysis of their fused chlorides?

State as to why sodium is found to be more useful than potassium?

Write a balanced equation for the reaction between Na₂O₂ and water.

Write a balanced equation for the reaction between KO₂ and water.

Write a balanced equation for the reaction between Na₂O and CO₂.

How would you explain the following observation?

BeO is almost insoluble but BeSO₄ in soluble in water.

How would you explain the following observation?

 BaO is soluble but BaSO₄ is insoluble in water.

How would you explain the following observation?

LiI is more soluble than KI in ethanol.

Which of the alkali metal is having least melting point?

Which one of the following alkali metals gives hydrated salts?

Which one of the alkaline earth metal carbonates is thermally the most stable?