D & F Block Elements – Solutions & Explanations (Class 12

CBSE)
Concise, exam-ready answers. Focus areas: anomalous properties of Cr & Cu, KMnO■ reactions, and lanthanoid
contraction included in depth.

1. Very Short Answer – Solutions

Q1. Why are Zn, Cd and Hg not considered transition metals?

Ans. Because their d-subshells are completely filled (d10) in both elemental and common oxidation states; they do
not exhibit typical transition-metal properties like variable oxidation states.

Q2. Why does Mn show the highest oxidation state among 3d series?
Ans. Mn has maximum number of unpaired electrons in 3d (3d54s2), allowing participation of all seven valence
electrons to reach up to +7.

Q3. Which element of the first transition series has the highest melting point and why?
Ans. Among 3d, Cr and V have very high melting points due to strong metallic bonding from multiple unpaired
d-electrons; Cr is often cited as the highest within 3d.

Q4. Why does Sc3+ show no colour in aqueous solution?

Ans. Sc3+ has a d0 configuration; no d–d transitions possible → colourless.

Q5. Define lanthanoid contraction.

Ans. The steady decrease in ionic/atomic radii (La3+→Lu3+) due to poor shielding by 4f electrons, causing higher
effective nuclear charge.

Q6. Why is actinoid contraction greater than lanthanoid contraction?

Ans. 5f electrons shield even more poorly than 4f and also participate in bonding to a greater extent → stronger
contraction across the series.

Q7. Write the electronic configuration of Cr and Cu (explain anomaly).

Ans. Cr: [Ar] 3d54s1 (half■filled d stability). Cu: [Ar] 3d104s1 (full d stability). Exchange energy and symmetrical
distribution stabilize these.

Q8. Why is Cu+ diamagnetic while Cu2+ is paramagnetic?

Ans. Cu+: d10 (no unpaired electrons) → diamagnetic. Cu2+: d9 (one unpaired) → paramagnetic.

Q9. Why is Zn2+ colourless while Ni2+ is coloured?

Ans. Zn2+: d10 (no d–d transition). Ni2+: d8 (d–d transitions allowed) → coloured.

Q10. Why do transition metals form complexes?

Ans. They have small, highly charged ions with vacant d-orbitals; they accept lone pairs from ligands (Lewis acids),
giving stable coordination compounds.
2. Short Answer – Solutions

Q1. Explain the catalytic property of transition metals with an example.

Ans. They provide a surface and variable oxidation states for adsorption and alternative reaction pathways.
Example: V2O5 catalyses SO2 → SO3 (contact process); Fe in Haber process.

Q2. Compare the stability of +2 oxidation states of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu.
Ans. Stability generally increases from Mn2+ to Cu2+ across the period; Mn2+ (d5) is stable; Cu2+ is more stable
than Cu+ in aqueous medium (Cu+ disproportionates).

Q3. Why do Zr and Hf show similar properties?

Ans. Due to lanthanoid contraction the 5d element Hf has nearly the same ionic size as 4d Zr → very similar
chemistry.

Q4. What is the cause of lanthanoid contraction? Give two consequences.

Ans. Cause: poor shielding by 4f electrons → increasing effective nuclear charge. Consequences: (i) Zr–Hf
similarity, (ii) decreasing basicity of Ln(OH)3 from La to Lu, (iii) difficult separation due to similar properties (any
two).

Q5. Why do transition metals have variable oxidation states?

Ans. Because the energy difference between (n−1)d and ns orbitals is small, allowing varying numbers of electrons
to participate in bonding.

Q6. Give reasons: (a) Transition metals are good conductors. (b) KMnO4 acts as an oxidising agent.
Ans. (a) Presence of delocalised valence electrons. (b) Mn is in +7 oxidation state in MnO4− and readily gains
electrons, getting reduced to Mn2+/MnO2/MnO42− depending on medium.

Q7. Why do actinoids show greater range of oxidation states than lanthanoids?
Ans. Because 5f, 6d and 7s levels are close in energy, allowing more electrons to participate in bonding; also 5f
orbitals are more radially extended.

Q8. What are interstitial compounds? Why are they formed by transition metals?
Ans. Small atoms (H, B, C, N) occupy interstitial sites of metal lattices; TMs form them due to vacant interstitials and
ability to accommodate small atoms → hard, high-melting compounds (e.g., Fe3C).

Q9. Explain why transition metal ions are usually coloured.

Ans. Colour arises from d–d transitions (crystal field splitting) within partially filled d-subshells; absorption of specific
wavelengths leads to complementary colour.

Q10. Write two differences between lanthanoids and actinoids.

Ans. Lanthanoids: mostly +3, less variable; largely non-radioactive; 4f electrons. Actinoids: wider oxidation states
(+3 to +6), mostly radioactive; 5f electrons with more covalency.
3. Long Answer – Solutions (concise)

Q1. Describe the preparation, properties and uses of KMnO■ (with reactions in different media).
Ans. Prep: From MnO■ via alkaline fusion with KOH and oxidant → K■MnO■; oxidation/disproportionation to
KMnO■.
Acidic medium: MnO■■ + 8H■ + 5e■ → Mn²■ + 4H■O; e.g., 5Fe²■ + MnO■■ + 8H■ → 5Fe³■ + Mn²■ + 4H■O;
2MnO■■ + 5C■O■²■ + 16H■ → 2Mn²■ + 10CO■ + 8H■O.
Neutral: 2MnO■■ + H■O → MnO■↓ + 2OH■ + MnO■²■ (slow oxidations e.g., I■ → I■).
Alkaline: MnO■■ + e■ → MnO■²■; typical oxidations: aldehydes → acids, alcohols → carbonyls.
Uses: volumetric oxidant, disinfectant, bleaching.

Q2. Describe the preparation, properties and uses of K■Cr■O■.

Ans. Prep: From chromite ore via Na■CrO■; acidification gives K■Cr■O■.
Oxidising agent (acidic): Cr■O■²■ + 14H■ + 6e■ → 2Cr³■ + 7H■O; oxidises Fe²■ to Fe³■; alcohols to
carbonyls.
Uses: Oxidations, mordant in dyeing/tanning, pigments (now limited due to toxicity).

Q3. Account for: (a) Transition metals form alloys easily. (b) Actinoids are radioactive. (c) Ce■■ is a strong oxidising
agent.
Ans. (a) Similar atomic sizes and crystal structures allow extensive solid solutions (e.g., stainless steel). (b) High Z
with unstable nuclei → radioactivity. (c) Ce■■ readily gets reduced to stable Ce³■; high E° (Ce■■/Ce³■) makes it
strong oxidant.

Q4. Explain trends in first transition series (Sc→Zn): radii, ionisation enthalpies, E° values.
Ans. Radii decrease from Sc to Cu then slightly increase at Zn; IE generally increases with anomalies at Cr (low)
and Cu (high) due to d■/d¹■ stability; E° values influenced by enthalpies of atomisation, hydration and
CFSE—Cu²■/Cu is high/positive, Mn³■/Mn²■ is high due to d■ stability of Mn²■.

Q5. Describe oxidation states and magnetic properties of transition elements.

Ans. Multiple oxidation states common (+2 predominant in 3d). µ = √(n(n+2)) BM where n = unpaired d-electrons;
early members show higher paramagnetism; spin state depends on ligand strength (CFT).

Q6. Explain why TMs and their compounds are good catalysts.
Ans. Variable oxidation states allow formation of intermediate complexes; large surface area for adsorption →
lowers activation energy (Ni: hydrogenation; Fe: Haber; V■O■: contact process).

Q7. Give reasons: (a) Cr²■ strong reducing agent vs Mn³■ oxidising agent. (b) Fe³■ more stable than Fe²■ in
water.
Ans. (a) Cr²■ (d■) → oxidised to stable Cr³■ (d³); Mn³■ (d■) → reduced to stable Mn²■ (d■). (b) Fe²■ is readily
oxidised by dissolved O■ to Fe³■; Fe³■ stabilised via hydration and CFSE.

Q8. Compare lanthanoid contraction with actinoid contraction.

Ans. Both due to poor shielding of f-electrons; actinoid contraction greater (5f < 4f shielding and more bonding).
Consequences: increased similarity among later actinoids, complex separation.

Q9. Explain variable oxidation states of actinoids with examples.

Ans. Close energies of 5f, 6d, 7s; examples: U (+3 to +6), Np/Pu up to +7; higher states stabilised with O, F (e.g.,
UO■²■).

Q10. Discuss colour and magnetic properties of lanthanides.

Ans. Colours from parity-forbidden f–f transitions (narrow bands); paramagnetism depends on unpaired 4f; Gd³■
(f■) highly paramagnetic.
4. NCERT/Board PYQ – Solutions

Q1. Write the electronic configuration of Cu. Why is it an exception?

Ans. Cu: [Ar] 3d104s1, stabilised by full 3d subshell (exchange energy, symmetry).

Q2. Why is Mn²■ more stable than Fe²■ though both have d■ configuration?
Ans. Mn²■ resists oxidation to Mn³■ (d■) which is less stable; Fe²■ readily oxidises to Fe³■ (d■) which is
especially stable in aqueous medium.

Q3. Why do transition metals form coloured compounds?

Ans. Due to d–d transitions under ligand field splitting; selection rules relaxed → colours appear.

Q4. Explain why actinoids show greater number of oxidation states than lanthanoids.
Ans. Because 5f, 6d and 7s orbitals are of comparable energies and 5f orbitals are more available for bonding.

Q5. Why does Sc³■ form colourless solutions while Ti³■ forms coloured solutions?
Ans. Sc³■: d■ (no d–d). Ti³■: d¹ (one possible d–d transition) → coloured.

Q6. KMnO■ is a strong oxidising agent. Justify with a reaction in acidic medium.
Ans. MnO■■ + 8H■ + 5e■ → Mn²■ + 4H■O; e.g., 5Fe²■ + MnO■■ + 8H■ → 5Fe³■ + Mn²■ + 4H■O.

Q7. What is the cause of lanthanoid contraction? Mention one consequence.

Ans. Cause: poor 4f shielding. Consequence: Zr and Hf have almost identical radii → similar chemistry.

Q8. Why do Zr and Hf exhibit similar properties?

Ans. Because of lanthanoid contraction causing near-identical ionic radii.

Q9. Why is the E°(Mn³■/Mn²■) value unusually high compared to others of the series?
Ans. Mn²■ (d■) is extra-stable; removal of an electron to form Mn³■ (d■) is unfavourable, making the reduction
potential high.

Q10. Compare properties of lanthanoids and actinoids (summary).

Ans. Lanthanoids: mainly +3, less covalency, sharper spectra, mostly non■radioactive. Actinoids: broader oxidation
states, greater covalency, most radioactive.

Focus Box 1: Anomalous Properties of Cr & Cu

Cr: [Ar]3d54s1; Cu: [Ar]3d104s1. Caused by extra stability of half-/fully-filled d subshells (exchange energy +
symmetry). Impact: anomalies in first ionisation energies, common oxidation states (Cr: +3/+6; Cu: +1/+2), and
standard electrode potentials.

Focus Box 2: KMnO■ Reactions (must memorise)

Acidic: MnO■■ + 8H■ + 5e■ → Mn²■ + 4H■O; 5Fe²■ + MnO■■ + 8H■ → 5Fe³■ + Mn²■ + 4H■O; 2MnO■■ +
5C■O■²■ + 16H■ → 2Mn²■ + 10CO■ + 8H■O.
Neutral: 2MnO■■ + H■O → MnO■↓ + 2OH■ + MnO■²■ (I■ → I■ slowly).
Alkaline: MnO■■ + e■ → MnO■²■ (substrates often to higher oxidation states).

Focus Box 3: Lanthanoid Contraction

Definition: Regular decrease in M³■ ionic radii from La to Lu due to poor 4f shielding. Consequences (write any
two): Zr–Hf similarity; decreasing basicity of Ln(OH)■; difficult separation of Ln³■; greater complex formation
tendency.