Answer the following Questions.

1. Mention the general chemical and physical features of the alkali metals?

Answer:
Physical properties:
(1) The alkali metal is  soft and so we can cut them easily. We can able to cut the sodium metal even by using the knife.
(2) Generally the alkali metal is lightly coloured and mostly they appear as silvery white.
(3) Its atomic size is larger  and so their density is low. The density of the alkali metal increases down in the group from Li to Cs  except K which has low density than sodium.
(4)  Alkali metal is weak in its metallic bonding and so they are having low boiling and melting points.
(5) The salts present in alkali metals exposes colour to flames because, heat of the flame excites electron which is located on the outer orbital to higher energy level. In this excited state of electron getting reversed back to the ground level, the emission of excess energy in the form of radiation falls in visible region.
(6) Metals like K and Cs loses electrons when they get irradiated with light and also displays photoelectric effect.

Chemical properties:
(1) Alkali metal reacts with water and forms oxides and hydroxides. So, the reaction will be more spontaneous while moving down the group.
(2) Alkali metal reacts with water and forms dihydrogens and hydroxides.
General reaction :

2M + 2H₂0 → 2M⁺ + 2OH^– + H₂   
(3) Dihydrogen reacts with alkali metals and forms metal hydrides. The hydrides from this have higher melting points and they are solids which are ionic.
2M + H₂  →  2M⁺ H^–          
(4) Alkali metals directly reacts with halogens and forms ionic halides except Li.
2M + CL₂ →  2MCI  (M = Li ,K, Rb, Cs)
It has the ability to easily distort the cloud of the electron which is around the –ve halide ion because, lithium ion is smaller in size . Hence, Lithium halide is naturally covalent.
(5) Alkali metals are very stronger reducing agents. This increases as we move down the group except lithium. Due to its high hydration energy it results in strong reducing agent among all alkali metals.
(6) To result in blue coloured solution(deep blue) which are naturally conducting, they get dissolved in liquid ammonia.
M +(x + y) NH3   →  [ M ( NH₃ )x ]⁺  +  [ M ( NH₃)y ]^–

2. Classify the gradation properties and the general characteristics of the alkaline earth metals.

Answer:
General characteristics:
(i)(Noble gas) ns₂ is the electronic configuration of alkaline earth metal.
(ii) To occupy the nearest inert gas configuration, these metals lose two of their electrons; and so its oxidation state is +2.
(iii)  The ionic radii and atomic radii is smaller than alkali metals. When they moved down towards the group, there is an increase in ionic radii and atomic radii due to decrease in effective nuclear charge.
(iv) The ionization enthalpy  is low because the alkaline earth metals are larger in size. The first ionization enthalpy is higher than metals of group 1.
(v) They appear in lustrous and silvery white. They are soft as alkali metals.
(vi)Factors that cause alkaline earth metals to contain high boiling point and melting point :
(*)  Atoms of alkali  metals are larger than that of alkaline earth metals.
(*)  The strong metallic bonds are formed by two valence electrons.
(vii) Ca- brick red, Sr- crimson red, Ba-apple green results in colours to flames.
Electrons are bounded strongly to get excited in Be and Mg. Therefore, they do not expose any colours to the flame.
The alkali  metals are more reactive  than alkaline earth metals.

Chemical properties:
(i)  Reaction with water air and:  Due to the formation of oxide layer on their surface, beryllium and Mg are most inert to water and air.
(a)  Beo and Be₃ N₂   is formed when powdered Be is burnt in air.
(b) For the formation of MgO and Mg₃ N₂, Mg is burnt in air with dazzling sparkle. since, Mg is more electropositive.
(c) The formation of respective nitrides and oxides is by instant reaction of Sr,Ca, and Ba with air.
(d) Ca,Sr, and  Ba can able to react vigorously even with water which is cold.

(ii)  when they react with halogens, halides is formed at high temperature.
M +X₂   → MX₂ (X = F, CL, Br, I) 
(iii) Except Be, all the alkaline earth metals  react with hydrogen to form hydrides.
(iv) alkaline earth metals instantly react with acids to form salts with the liberation of hydrogen gas.
M +2HCL→ MCL2  + H2(X)

3. Alkali metals are not found naturally. Why ?

Answer:
Sodium, cesium, lithium, francium, potassium, rubidium all together comprises of alkali metals. they consist of only one electron on its valence shell, which gets loosed easily due to their low ionizing energies. Alkali metals are not found naturally in their elemental state and also they are highly reactive.

4. Mention the oxidation state of Na in Na₂O₂.

Answer:

Let the oxidation state of Na be y.
In case of peroxides, the oxidation state of oxygen is -1.
Therefore,
2(y) + 2(-1) = 0
2y – 2 = 0
2y = 2
Y = +1
Therefore, the oxidation state of Na is +1.

5. Why Na reacts lesser than potassium?

Answer:
on moving down the group in the alkali metals, the size of the atom increases and the effect of the nuclear charge gets decreased. Due to this factors, the electron of potassium which is located outer gets lost easily as compared  to Na.  therefore, potassium reacts higher than Na.

6. State comparison between alkaline earth metals and alkali metals w.r.t.
1.Solubility of hydroxide
2.Ionization enthalpy and
3.Basicity of oxides

Answer:

7. Mention the similarities of lithium and magnesium irrespective of its chemical behaviour.

Answer:
Similarities between lithium and magnesium:
(i) lithium and  magnesium reacts slow with cold water.

(ii) oxides of lithium and  magnesium are less  soluble in H₂O. also the hydroxides of both decompose at high temperature.
2LiOH → Li₂O + H₂O Mg(OH)₂ → MgO + H₂O

(iii)  Nitrides is formed  from both the lithium and magnesium when they react with N2.
6Li + N₂ → 2Li₃N 3Mg + N₂→ Mg₃N₂

(iv) Neither Li nor Mg form superoxides  or peroxides.

(v) Both the carbonates of lithium and magnesium are naturally covalent. They decomposes on heating.
Li₂CO₃ → Li₂O + CO₂ MgCO₃ → MgO + CO₂
(vi) They do not form bicarbonates which are solid.
(vii) Both MgCl2 and LiCl are soluble in ethanol because they are naturally covalent.
(viii) Both MgCl2 and LiCl are naturally deliquescent . They crystallize as hydrates from aqueous solutions.
Eg.,
LiCL.2H₂O and MgCL₂ . 8H₂O

8. Alkaline earth metals and alkali cannot be obtained by chemical reduction methods. Explain why?

Answer:
By using a stronger reducing agent, the oxides of metals gets  reduced by the process called chemical reduction. Alkaline earth metals and  alkali metals are strong among the reducing agents. No stronger reducing agent is available than them. Therefore alkaline earth metals and alkali cannot be obtained by chemical reduction of their oxides.

9. Potassium and Cesium is used in photoelectric cells than lithium. Explain why?

Answer:
Lithium, potassium, and cesium, are all alkali metals. But still, potassium and cesium are used in photoelectric cell and not Lithium because Li is smaller in size when compared to the other two.
On the other hand, cesium  and potassium have low ionization energy. Therefore, they lose electrons easily. This property is utilized in photoelectric cells.

10. The solution of dissolved alkali metal in liquid ammonia acquire different colours. Explain the reason for change of colour.

Answer:
When the alkali metal is dissolved in liquid ammonia, a deep blue coloured solution is formed.
M+ (x+y) NH₃ → M+ (NH₃)x +e⁻3 (NH₃)y
The ammoniated electrons absorb energy corresponding to red region of visible light. Therefore, the transmitted light is deep blue in colour.
Clusters of metal ions are formed at higher concentration (3M) which causes the solution to attain a copper-bronze colour and a metallic lustre.

11. Other alkaline earth metals give  colour to flame whereas beryllium and magnesium wont. Explain why?

Answer:
The valence electrons get excited to a higher energy level when an alkaline earth metal is heated.
It radiates energy  which belongs to the visible region when this excited electron comes back to its energy level which is low. The colour is observed here. The electrons are strongly bound in the beryllium and magnesium. The energy required to excite these electrons is very high. When the electron reverts back to its original position, the energy released does not fall in the visible region. Hence, no colour is seen in the flame.

12. Explain the different reactions that occur in the solvay process.

Answer:
The  process of preparing sodium carbonate is called solvay process. Sodium hydrogen carbonate is formed when carbon dioxide gas is bubbled through a brine solution saturated with ammonia. The obtained sodium hydrogen carbonate is then converted into sodium carbonate.
(i)  Brine solution is saturated with ammonia.
2NH₃ + H₂O + CO₂ → (NH₄)₂ CO₃
This ammoniated brine is filtered for purity removal.

(ii)  When carbondioixide  reacts with ammoniated brine, it results in the formation of insoluble sodium hydrogen carbonate.
NH₃ + H₂O + CO₂ → NH₄ HCO₃ NACL + NH₄ HCO₃ → NH₄ HCO₃ + NH₄CL

(iii)  NaHCO₃ is obtained by the solution which contains crystals  of NaHCO₃ is filtered.

(iv)  NaHCO₃ is heated strongly to convert it into NaHCO₃.
2Na HCO₃→ Na₂ CO₃ +CO₂ + H₂O

(v) Ammonia is recovered when the filterate which is removed after NaHCO₃ is mixed with Ca (OH)₂ and heated.
Ca(OH)₂ + 2NH₄CL → LNH₃ + 2H₂O + CaCL₂
The overall reaction taking place in Solvay process is
2NaCL+ CaCO₃ → Na₂CO₃ + CaCL₂

13. Potassium carbonate cannot be prepared by Solvay process. Explain  why?

Answer:
Solvay process is not applicable for the preparation of potassium carbonate because potassium carbonate is soluable in water and it doesn’t precipitates out like sodium bicarbonate.

14. Li₂ CO₃ gets decomposed at lower temperature but Na₂ CO₃ decomposes at high temperature. Explain  why?

Answer:
The electropositive character increases while moving down in the group of alkali metal which results in increase in stability of  alkali carbonates. Generally, lithium carbonate is not stable when it reacts to heat because lithium carbonate is covalent. Due to the smaller size of lithium ion it polarizes large carbonate ion which results in the formation of stable lithium oxide.
Li₂ Co₃ → Li₂O + CO₂
This is why sodium carbonate decomposes at high temperature and lithium carbonate decomposes at low temperature.

15. Compare thermal stability vs solubility of compounds of alkaline earth metals with alkali metals.
(i) Carbonates
(ii) Nitrates
(iii) Sulphates.


Answer:
(i) Carbonates
Thermal stability
The alkali metals carbonates are very stable to heat. But carbonates of lithium decomposes and results in the formation of lithium oxide while heating. The carbonates of alkaline earth metals also decompose which results in the formation of  carbon dioxide and oxide while heating.
Na₂CO₃ → No Effect Li₂ Co₃ → Li₂O + Co₂ MgCo₃ → MgO + Co₂
Solubility
Exception of  Li₂ CO₃, the carbonates of alkali metals are soluble in water and also while we move down the group, the solubility increases. Carbonates of alkaline earth metals are insoluble in water.

(ii) Nitrates
Thermal stability
Except LiNO₃, the nitrates of alkali metals gets decomposed while heating strong which results in the formation of nitrites.
2KNO₃ → 2KNO₂ + O_2(g)
LiNO₃, on decomposition, gives oxide.
2LiNO₃ → Li₂O + 2NO_2(g) + O_2(g)
Like lithium nitrate, alkaline earth metal nitrates also decomposes to give oxides.
2Ca(NO₃) → 2CaO + 4NO_2(g) + O_2(g)
Solubility
Nitrates of both group 1 and group 2 metals are soluble in water.

(iii) Sulphates
Thermal stability
Sulphates of both group 1 and group 2 metals are stable towards heat.
Solubility
Sulphates of alkali metals are soluble in water. But the sulphates of alkaline earth metals shows various activities,
CaSO₄ Sparingly soluble
BaSO₄ Insoluble
BeSO₄ Fairly soluble
SrSO₄ Insoluble
MgSO₄ Soluble

16. How would you convert Sodium metal into
(i) sodium carbonate?
(ii) sodium peroxide
(iii) sodium hydroxide
(iv) sodium metal

Answer:
(i) Sodium carbonate
Sodium hydrogen carbonate is obtained as a precipitate by reacting sodium chloride with ammonium hydrogen carbonate. The resultant crystals can be heated to obtain Sodium Carbonate.
2NH₂ + H₂O → (NH₄)₂ CO₃
(NH₄)₂ CO₃ + H₂O + CO₂ → 2NH₄ HCO₃
2NH₄ HCO₃ + NaCl → NH₄Cl + Na HCO₃
The resultant crystals can be heated to obtain Sodium Carbonate.
2Na HCO₃ → Na₂ CO₃ + CO₂ + H₂O

(ii) Sodium peroxide
After Na metal is gotten from Downs process, it is heated on Aluminium trays in presence of air(without CO2) to form Sodium peroxide.
2Na + O₂(air) → Na₂O₂

(iii) By electrolyzing a solution of sodium chloride, we can get Sodium hydroxide. This process is commonly known as Castner- Kellner process.
The process is carried out using a mercury cathode and a carbon anode.
Sodium metal, deposited at cathode forms an Amalgam by combining with Mercury.
1.Cathode: Na⁺ +e^– → Hg Na-Amalgam
2.Anode; Cl^– → 1/2Cl₂ + e^–

(iv) Sodium chloride can be converted into sodium by Downs process.
It can be achieved by electrolysis of fused CaCl2 (60 %) and NaCl (40%) at
1123 K in a special apparatus (Downs cell).


A graphite block is the anode while steel is made the cathode. Metallic Ca and Na are formed at the cathode. Molten Na is supported by dipping in kerosene.

NaCl⁻ Electrolysis →Na++Cl−
(Molten)
At Cathode: Na⁺ +e^– → Na
At Anode:    Cl^– + e^–   → Cl
Cl + Cl   → Cl₂

17. Explain the reaction that occurs when
(i) quick lime is heated in the presence of silica
(ii) magnesium is burnt in presence of air
(iii) calcium nitrate is heated
(iv) slaked lime reacts with chlorine?

Answer:
(i) Silica (SiO₂) combines with Quick lime (CaO) resulting in formation of Slag.
CaO + SiO₂ →Heat CaSiO₃

(ii) When Magnesium is burnt in air, it does so with a dazzling bright light resulting in the formation of Mg3N2 and MgO.
2Mg + O₂ → Burning 2MgO
3Mg + N₂ → Burning Mg₃N₂

(iii) Calcium nitrate, when heated, undergoes decomposition to form calcium oxide.
2Ca (NO₃)_2(s) → Heat 2CaO_(s) + 4NO2(g) + O_2(g)

(iv) Bleaching powder is formed when chlorine is made to react with slaked lime.
Ca(OH)₂ + Cl₂ → Heat CaOCl₂ + H₂O

18. Mention any two important uses of the below given compounds:
(i) quicklime.
(ii) caustic soda
(iii) sodium carbonate

Answer:

(i) Caustic soda
(a) Heavily used in soap industries.
(b) Common reagent in laboratories.

(ii) Sodium carbonate
(a) Finds uses in both soap and glass industries.
(b) Also finds use as a water softener.

(iii) Quick lime
(a)Finds use as a primary material for manufacturing slaked lime.
(b) It helps in the manufacture of cement and glass.

19. Sketch the following structures:
i) BeCl₂ (Solid)
ii) BeCl₂ (Vapour)
In solid phase, BeCl₂ is a polymer.


BeCl₂ has a linear structure and exists as a monomer in vapour state.


20. How do you explain the fact that the carbonates and hydroxides of potassium and sodium get easily dissolved in water while those of calcium and magnesium are only slightly soluble in water?

Answer:
Since the atomic sizes of magnesium and calcium are smaller than that of sodium and potassium, calcium and magnesium form carbonates and hydroxides with higher lattice energies. Thus, they are only sparingly soluble whereas those of potassium and sodium are readily soluble due to low lattice energies.

21. Mention the uses of the following substances:
(i) cement
(ii) plaster of paris.
(iii) limestone

Answer:
Uses of cement:
1.Bridge construction
2.Plastering
3.Most important ingredient in concrete

Uses of Plaster of Paris:
1.Used to make casts and moulds
2.Used to make surgical bandages

Uses of limestone:
1.Preparation of cement and lime
2.As a flux in iron ore smelting

22. Why do you think only lithium salts are commonly hydrated while salts of other alkali metals are anhydrous in nature?

Answer:
Since Lithium has the smallest size among all the alkali metals, it can easily polarized water molecules. Thus, smaller the size of the ion, greater is its ability to polarize water molecules.
Hence, trihydrated Lithium Chloride and other Lithium salts can be easily polarized. Due to this reason, other alkali metal ions can only form anhydrous salts.

23. Why do you think is LiCl soluble in not only water, but also acetone, whereas LiF is barely soluble in water?

Answer:
LiF has a greater ionic character than LiCl which disturbs the balance between hydration energy and lattice energy. This balance is crucial for the solvability of ions in solution. Due to greater covalent character and lower lattice energy, dissolution of LiCl is more exothermic in nature than that of LiF.

24. Mention the importance of potassium, Magnesium, sodium and calcium in biological fluids.

Answer:
(i) Sodium (Na):
They are found in our blood plasma and the interstitial fluids around the cells. They help in
(a) Transmission of nerve signals.
(b) They regulate the flow of water across the membranes of the neighboring cells.
(c) Transport sugars and amino acids from and to cells.

(ii) Potassium (K):
They are found mostly in the cell fluids in greater quantities.
They help in
(a) Activating enzymes.
(b) Oxidising glucose to form ATP.
(c) Transmitting nerve signals.

(iii) Magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca):
They are also called as macro-minerals named so because of their abundance in our body. Mg helps in
(a) Relaxing nerves and muscles.
(b) Building and strengthening bones.
(c) Maintaining blood circulation in our body.

Ca helps in
(a) coagulation of blood
(b) Maintaining homeostasis.

25. What do you think will happen when
(i) Sodium metal is immersed in water?
(ii) Sodium metal is heated in abundance of air?
(iii) Sodium peroxide gets dissolved in water?

Answer:
(i) Sodium reacts to form NaOH and H₂ gas when it is dropped in water. The reaction occurs as shown below:

2Na_(s) + 2H₂O_(l) → 2NaOH_(aq) + H_2(g)

(ii) Sodium peroxide is formed when sodium reacts with oxygen while heating it in presence of air. The reaction proceeds as shown below:
2Na_(s)  + O_2(s)  → Na₂O_2(s)

(iii) NaOH and water are formed as a result of hydrolysis of Sodium peroxide when it is dissolved in water.
Na2O 2(s) + 2H2O(l) →  2NaOH_(aq) + H₂O_2(aq)

26. Explain the following observations:
(a) The ionic mobility of the alkali metal ions are in the following order:
Li+ < Na⁺ < K+ < Rb+ < Cs+
(b) The only metal that can form a nitride directly is Lithium.
(c) E₀ for M²⁺_(aq) + 2e^– → M_(s) (where M = Ca, Sr or Ba) is nearly constant.

Answer:
(a) The ionic and atomic sizes of the metals tend to increase while going down the alkali group.
The increasing order of the ionic sizes of the alkali metal ions is as shown below:
Li⁺ < Na⁺ < K⁺ < Rb⁺ < Cs⁺
Smaller the size of an ion, greater is its ability to get hydrated. Li+ ion gets heavily hydrated since it is the smallest in size whereas Cs⁺ has the largest size and is the least hydrated ion.

The alkali metal ions when arranged in the decreasing order of their hydrations is as shown below:
Li⁺ > Na+ > K⁺ > Rb⁺ > Cs⁺
Higher the mass of a hydrated ion, the lesser is its ionic mobility. Thus, hydrated Li+ is the least mobile ion whereas hydrated Cs+ is the most mobile ion.
The ionic mobility of the alkali metal ions are in the following order:
Li⁺  < Na⁺ < K⁺ < Rb⁺ < Cs⁺

(b) The only metal that can form a nitride directly is Lithium because Li⁺ has a smaller size and is easily compatible with the N₃^– ion. Thus, the lattice energy released is very high which is enough to overcome the amount of energy needed to form N3^– ion.

(c) Electrode potential (E^°) of any M²⁺/ M electrode is decided by three factors:
(i) Enthalpy of hydration
(ii) Enthalpy of vaporisation
(iii) Ionisation enthalpy
The cumulative effect of these factors on Ba, Sr, and Ca is almost the same.
As a result, their electrode potentials are also same.

27. Why do you think
(a) is a solution of Na₂CO₃ alkaline in nature?
(b) are alkali metals mostly prepared by electrolysis of their fused chlorides?
(c) is Sodium more important for our survival than potassium?

Answer:
(a) Sodium bicarbonate and sodium hydroxide are the end products when Na₂CO₃ is hydrolyzed. Since, the product are alkaline in nature, a solution of Na₂CO₃ is considered to be alkaline in nature.
(b) Chemical reduction cannot be used to prepare alkali metals since they themselves are reducing in nature. Alkali metals are highly electropositive and thus cannot be prepared by displacement reactions. Since they also react with water, these alkali metals cannot be prepared by electrolysis of their aqueous solutions. Thus, alkali metals are mostly prepared by electrolysis of their fused chlorides.
(c) Sodium ions are primarily found in the Blood plasma and the interstitial fluids around the cells whereas Potassium ions are found within the cell fluids. Sodium
ions help in the transmission of nerve signals and also regulate the flow of water and transport sugars and amino acids into the cells.
Thus, Sodium is more important for our survival than potassium.

28. Write down the balanced equations for the following reactions?
(a) Water and Na₂O₂
(b) KO₂ and Water
(c) Na₂O and CO₂
 
Answer:
(a) 2Na₂O_2(s) + 2H₂O_(l)  →  4NaOH_(aq) +  O_2(aq)
(b) 2KO_2(s) + 2H₂O_(l)  → 2KOH_(aq) + H₂O_2(aq) + O_2(aq)
(c) Na₂O_(s) + CO_2(g) → Na₂CO₃

29. Why do you think the following phenomena occur?
(i) BeSO₄ in soluble in water while BeO is barely soluble in water.
(ii) BaO in soluble in water while BaSO₄ is barely soluble in water.
(iii) Solubility of LiI is more than that of KI in ethanol.

Answer:
(i) The sizes of Be²⁺ and O^2- are small and are highly compatible with each other. Due to this, a high amount of lattice energy is released during its formation. The hydration energy, when it is made to dissolve in water, is not enough to overcome the lattice energy. Thus, BeO is barely soluble in water.
Whereas the size of an SO₄^2- is large compared to Be²⁺ and there is lesser compatibility and lattice energy which can be easily overcome by the hydration energy. Thus, BeSO₄ is easily soluble in water.

(ii) The sizes of Ba²⁺ and SO₄^2- are large and are highly compatible with each other. Due to this, a high amount of lattice energy is released during its formation. The hydration energy, when it is made to dissolve in water, is not enough to overcome the lattice energy. Thus, BaSO₄ is barely soluble in water.
Whereas the size of an O^2- is small compared to Be²⁺ and there is lesser compatibility and lattice energy which can be easily overcome by the hydration energy. Thus, BaO is easily soluble in water.

(iii) The lithium ion has a smaller size and as a result of that, it has a higher polarizing capability. This enables it to polarize the electron cloud around an iodide ion thus resulting in a greater covalent character in LiI than KI. Thus, LiI is easily soluble in ethanol.

30. Which of the following alkali metals has the least melting point?
(a) Rb
(b) Cs
(c) Na
(d) K

Answer:
Cs has the least melting point of the given alkali metals since it has the largest size. Due to a larger size, the binding capability of Cs is limited and the lattice energy released during the formation of its compounds is less and can be easily broken.

31. Which of the given below alkali metal is capable of forming hydrated salt?
(a) Na
(b) Li
(c) Cs
(d) K

Answer:
Li is capable of forming hydrated salts because of its size. Since it is smaller in size, it has a higher charge density and can easily attract water molecules around it and for hydrated salts like LiCl.2H₂O. The other alkali metals have a bigger size and lesser charge density and thus aren’t capable of forming hydrated salts.

32. Which of the following carbonates of alkali earth metals has the most stable state thermally?
(a) BaCO₃
(b) SrCO₃
(c) CaCO₃
(d) MgCO₃

Answer:
Thermal stability is directly proportional to the size of the cation i.e., larger the size of the atom, greater is its thermal stability. The biggest cation among the given compounds is Ba.

Thus, BaCO₃ will be the most thermal carbonate among the given compounds followed by SrCO₃, CaCO₃ and MgCO₃.