ICSE Board

Class X  Chemistry

Most Important Questions

Chapter 1: Periodic Table, Periodic Properties and Variations of Properties

1. Define the following terms : [2M]

(i) Ionisation potential

(ii) Electron affinity

2. The following table shows the electronic configuration of the elements W, X, Y,

Z:

Element W X Y Z
Electronic 2,8,1 2,8,7 2,5 1
Configuration

Answer the following question based on the table above:

What is the formula of the compound formed between : [2M]

1. X and Z 2. W and X

3. An element has an atomic number 16. State [3M]

(i) the period to which it belongs.

(ii) the number of valence electrons.

(iii) whether it is a metal or non-metal.

4. Give reasons: [3M]

(i) The oxidising power of elements increases on moving from left to right along

a period in the periodic table.

(ii) Ionisation potential of the element increases across a period.

(iii) Alkali metals are good reducing agents.

5. Use the letters only written in the Periodic Table given below to answer the

questions that follow : [4M]

(i) State the number of valence electrons in atom J.

(ii) Which element has shown forms ions with a single negative charge?

(iii) Which metallic element is more reactive than R?

(iv) Which element has its electrons arranged in four shells?

6. Arrange the following as per the instructions given in the brackets: [4M]

(i) Cs, Na, Li, K, Rb (increasing order of metallic character).

(ii) Mg, Cl, Na, S, Si (decreasing order of atomic size).

(iii) Na, K, Cl, S, Si (increasing order ionization energy).

(iv)Cl, F, Br, I (increasing order of electron affinity).

7. Consider the section of the periodic table given below : [5M]

Note : In this table B does not represent boron

C does not represent carbon

F does not represent fluorine

H does not represent hydrogen

K does not represent potassium

You must see the position of the element in the periodic table.
Some elements are given in their own symbol and position in the periodic table,

while others are shown with a letter. With reference to the table:

(i) Which is the most electronegative?

(ii) How many valence electrons are present in G?

(iii) Write the formula of the compound between B and H.

(iv)In the compound between F and J, what type of bond will be formed?

(v) Draw the electron dot structure for the compound formed between C and K.

8. For the following questions refer to the periodic table: [5M]

(a) (i)Name the first and last element in period 2.

(ii)What happens to the atomic size of elements moving from top to bottom

of a group?

(iii) Which of the elements has the greatest electron affinity among the

halogens?

(iv) What is the common feature of the electronic configurations of the

elements in group 17?

(b) Supply the missing word from those in the brackets (Do not write the

sentence)

(i)If an element has a low ionisation energy then it is likely to be _____

(metallic/non-metallic).

(ii)If an element has seven electrons in its outermost shell then it is likely to

have the _____ (largest/smallest) atomic size among all the elements in the

same period.

(c) (i) The metals of group 2 from top to bottom are : Be, Mg, Ca, Ba. Which of

these metals will form ions most readily and why?

(ii)What property of an element is measured by electronegativity?

Chapter 2: Chemical Bonding

1. [2M]

(a) Which of the following is not a common characteristic of an electrovalent

compound?

(A) High melting point

(B) Conducts electricity when molten

(C) Consists of oppositely charged ions

(D) Ionises when dissolved in water.

(b) Among the following the one which is composed of all the three kinds of

bond (ionic; covalent and co-ordinate bond) is:

(A) Sodium chloride

(B) Ammonia

(C) Carbon tetrachloride

(D) Ammonium chloride

2. Divide the following reduction reactions into oxidation and reduction half

reactions. [2M]

(a) Zn + Pb2+ → Zn2+ + Pb

(b) Cl2 + 2Br− → Br2 + 2Cl−

3. [3M]

(i) What is a lone pair of electrons?

(ii) Draw an electron dot diagram of a hydronium ion and label the lone pair of

electrons.

(iii) Name a neutral covalent molecule which contains one lone pair of

electrons.

4. [3M]

There are three elements E, F, G with atomic numbers 19, 8 and 17 respectively.

(i) Classify the elements as metals and non-metals.

(ii) Give the molecular formula of the compound formed between E and G and

state the type of chemical bond in this compound.

5. [4M]

(a)Name the charged particles which attract one another to form electrovalent
compounds.

(b) In the formation of electrovalent compounds, electrons are transferred

from one element to another. How are electrons involved in the formation of a

covalent compound?

(c) The electronic configuration of nitrogen is 2,5. How many electrons in the

outer shell of nitrogen atom are not involved in the formation of a nitrogen

molecule?

(d) In the formation of magnesium chloride (by direct combination between

magnesium and chlorine), name the substance that is oxidised and the substance

that is reduced.

6. Two non metals combine with each other by the sharing of electrons t form a

compound X. [4M]

(a) What type of chemical bond is present in X.

(b) State whether X will have a high melting point or low melting point.

(c) Will it be a good conductor of electricity or not?

(d) Will it dissolve in organic solvents or not?

7. (a) Give the electron dot structures of : [3M]

(i) NaCl (ii) MgCl2 (iii) CaO

(b) Choose the correct answer from the choice A, B, C and D: [2M]

(i) The property which is characteristic of an electrovalent compound is

that:

(A) it is easily vaporised

(B)it has a high melting point

(C)it is a weak electrolyte

(D) it often exists as a liquid

(ii) When a metal atom becomes an ion:

(A) it loses electrons and is oxidised

(B) it gains electrons and is reduced

(C) it gains electrons and is oxidised

(D) it loses electrons and is reduced

8. (a) Element X is a metal with a valency 2. [3M]

Element Y is a non-metal with a valency 3.

(i) Write equations to show how X and Y form ions.

(ii) If Y is a diatomic gas, write the equation for the direct combination of X

and Y to form a compound.

(iii) If the compound formed between X and Y is melted and an electric current

passed through the molten compound, the element X will be obtained at the

_____ and Y at the _____ of the electrolytic cell.

(Provide the missing words)

(b) Match the column A with column B. [2M]

Column A Column B Column A Column B

1. Sodium chloride (a) Increases 1. Sodium chloride (a) Increases
2. Ammonium ion (b) Ionic bond 2. Ammonium ion (b) Ionic bond
3. Electronegativity (c) Covalent and 3. Electronegativity (c) Covalent and
coordinate bond coordinate bond
4. Non metallic character (d) Decreases 4. Non metallic character (d) Decreases

Chapter 3: Acids, Bases and Salts

1. Name the following: [2M]

(a) A basic solution which does not contain a metallic element.

(b) An alkali which on dissociation produces a high concentration of hydroxyl

ions.

(c) A complex salt solution used for testing a basic gas lighter than air.

(d) A base which reacts with hydrochloric acid to give a salt which on hydrolysis

gives a slightly acidic solution.

2. Give one example in each case: [2M]

(i) oxy acid

(ii) hydracids
(iii) monobasic acid

(iv)dibasic acid

(v) tribasic acid

(vi)triacid base

3. A, B, C and D summarize the properties of sulphuric acid depending on whether

it is dilute or concentrated. [3M]

A = Typical acid property

B = Non volatile acid

C = Oxidizing agent

D = Dehydrating agent

Choose the property (A, B, C or D) depending on which is relevant to each of

the following

(i) Preparation of Hydrogen chloride gas.

(ii) Preparation of Copper sulphate from copper oxide.

(iii) Action of conc. Sulphuric acid on Sulphur

4. Explain the following: [3M]

(i) Dilute nitric acid is generally considered a typical acid but not so in its

reaction with metals.

(ii) Concentrated nitric add appears yellow when it is left standing in a glass

bottle.

(iii) An all glass apparatus is used in the laboratory preparation of nitric acid.

5. (a) Write balanced chemical equations for the following : [3M]

(i) Chlorine reacts with excess of ammonia.

(ii) Ferric hydroxide reacts with nitric acid.

(iii) Zinc oxide dissolves in sodium hydroxide.

(b) What happens to the crystals of washing soda when exposed to air? Name

the phenomenon exhibited. [1M]

6. (a) Match the following :

 Column A Column B Column A Column B
1. Acid salt A. Contains ions and molecules 1. Acid salt A. Contains ions and molecules
2. Double salt B. Ferrous ammonium 2. Double salt B. Ferrous ammonium
sulphate sulphate
3. Ammonium hydroxide solution C. 3. Ammonium hydroxide solution C.
Contains only ions Contains only ions
4. Dilute hydrochloric acid D. Sodium 4. Dilute hydrochloric acid D. Sodium
hydrogen sulphate hydrogen sulphate

(b) Match the following :

Column A Column B Column A Column B

1. Carbon tetrachloride A. Sodium 1. Carbon tetrachloride A. Sodium
potassium carbonate potassium carbonate
2. Mixed salt B. Sodium zincate 2. Mixed salt B. Sodium zincate
3. Complex salt C. Sodium carbonate 3. Complex salt C. Sodium carbonate
4. Normal salt D. Contains only molecules 4. Normal salt D. Contains only molecules

7. Write balanced equations to satisfy each statement: (Any five) [5M]

(a) Acid + Sulphide → Salt+ Hydrogen sulphide

(b) Acid + Active metal → Salt + Hydrogen

(c) Acid + Base → Salt + Water

(d) Acid + Chloride → Salt + Hydrochloric acid gas

(e) Acid + Carbonate → Salt + Water + Carbon dioxide

(f) Acid + Sulphide → Salt + Water + Sulphur dioxide

8. Write the balanced chemical equation for each of the following reactions: [5M]

(i) Sodium thiosulphate is reacted with dilute hydrochloric acid

(ii) Calcium bicarbonate reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid

(iii) Dilute sulphuric acid is poured over sodium sulphite

(iv) Lead nitrate solution is added to sodium chloride solution

(v) Zinc is heated with sodium hydroxide solution