Question 8.

Why do elements in the same group have similar

physical and chemical properties?
Answer: The elements in a group have same valence shell electronic
configuration and hence have similar physical and chemical properties.

Question 9. What does atomic radius and ionic radius really mean
to you?
Answer: Atomic radius. The distance from the centre of nucleus to the
outermost shell o electrons in the atom of any element is called its atomic
radius. It refers to both covalen or metallic radius depending on whether
the element is a non-metal or a metal.
Ionic radius. The Ionic radii can be estimated by measuring the
distances between cations and anions in ionic crystals.

Question 10. How do atomic radius vary in a period and in a

group? How do you explain the variation?
Answer: Within a group Atomic radius increases down the group.
Reason. This is due to continuous increases in the number of electronic
shells or orbit numbers in the structure of atoms of the elements down a
group.
Variation across period.
Atomic Radii. From left to right across a period atomic radii generally
decreases due
to increase in effective nuclear charge from left to right across a period.
Question 16. Among the second period elements, the actual
ionization enthalpies are in the order: Li <B< Be <C<0<KI<F< Ne
Explain why
(i) Be has higher ∆iH1than B ?
(ii) O has lower ∆iH1 than N and F?
Answer: (i) In case of Be (1s2 2s2) the outermost electron is present in 2s-
orbital while in B (1s2 2s2 2p1) it is present in 2p-orbital. Since 2s –
electrons are more strongly attracted by the nucleus than 2p-electrons,
therefore, lesser amount of energy is required to knock out a 2p-electron
than a 2s – electron. Consequently, At of Be is higher than that ∆iH1 of B.
(ii) The electronic configuration of
N7 = 1s2 2s2 2px1 2py1 2pz1
O8 =1s2 2s2 2px1 2py1 2pz1
We can see that in case of nitrogen 2p-orbitals are exactly half filled.
Therefore, it is difficult to remove an electron from N than from O. As a
result ∆iH1 of N is higher than that of O.

Question 17. How would you explain the fact that the first
ionization enthalpy of sodium is lower than that of magnesium
but its second ionization enthalpy is higher than that of
magnesium?
Answer: Electronic configuration of Na and Mg are
Na = 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1
Mg = 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2
First electron in both cases has to be removed from 3s-orbital but the
nuclear charge of Na (+ 11) is lower than that of Mg (+ 12) therefore first
ionization energy of sodium is lower than that of magnesium.
After the loss of first electron, the electronic configuration of
Na+ = 1s2 2s2 2p6
Mg+ = 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1
Here electron is to be removed from inert (neon) gas configuration which
is very stable and hence removal of second electron requires more energy
in comparison to Mg.
Therefore, second ionization enthalpy of sodium is higher than that of
magnesium.
NCERT Solutions for Class 11
Chemistry Chapter 3
Classification of Elements and
Periodicity in Properties
NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry
Chapter 3 Classification of Elements
and Periodicity in Properties
Topics and Subtopics in NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry
Chapter 3 Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties:

Section Name Topic Name

3 Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties

3.1 Why do we Need to Classify Elements ?

3.2 Genesis of Periodic Classification

3.3 Modern Periodic Law and the present form of the Periodic Table

3.4 Nomenclature of Elements with Atomic Numbers > 100

3.5 Electronic Configurations of Elements and the Periodic Table

3.6 Electronic Configurations and Types of Elements: s-, p-, d-, f – Blocks
 3.7 Periodic Trends in Properties of Elements

NCERT Solutions Class 11 ChemistryChemistry Lab Manual Chemistry

Sample Papers

NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS SOLVED

Question 1. What is the basic theme of organisation in the
periodic table?
Answer: The basic theme of organisation of elements in the periodic
table is to simplify and systematize the study of the properties of all the
elements and millions of their compounds. This has made the study
simple because the properties of elements are now studied in form of
groups rather than individually.

Question 2. Which important property did Mendeleev use to

classify the elements in this periodic table and did he stick to
that?
Answer: Mendeleev used atomic weight as the basis of classification of
elements in the periodic table. He did stick to it and classify elements into
groups and periods.

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Question 3. What is the basic difference in approach between
Mendeleev’s Periodic Law and the Modem Periodic Law?
Answer: The basic difference in approach between Mendeleev’s Periodic
Law and Modem Periodic Law is the change in basis of classification of
elements from atomic weight to atomic number.

Question 4. On the basis of quantum numbers, justify that the

sixth period of the periodic table should have 32 elements.
Answer: The sixth period corresponds to sixth shell. The orbitals present
in this shell are 6s, 4f, 5p, and 6d. The maximum number of electrons
which can be present in these sub¬shell is 2 + 14 + 6 + 10 = 32. Since
the number of elements in a period corresponds to the number of
electrons in the shells, therefore, sixth period should have a maximum of
32 elements.

Question 5. In terms of period and group where will you locate

the element with z = 114?
Answer: Period – 7 and Group -14 Block-p.

Question 6. Write the atomic number of the element present in

the third period and seventeenth group of the periodic table.
Answer: The element is chlorine (Cl) with atomic number (Z) = 17.

Question 7. Which element do you think would have been named

by
(i)Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory
(ii)Seaborg’s group?
Answer: (i) Lawrencium (Lr) with atomic number (z) = 103
(ii) Seaborgium (Sg) with atomic number (z) = 106.

Question 8. Why do elements in the same group have similar

physical and chemical properties?
Answer: The elements in a group have same valence shell electronic
configuration and hence have similar physical and chemical properties.

Question 9. What does atomic radius and ionic radius really mean
to you?
Answer: Atomic radius. The distance from the centre of nucleus to the
outermost shell o electrons in the atom of any element is called its atomic
radius. It refers to both covalen or metallic radius depending on whether
the element is a non-metal or a metal.
Ionic radius. The Ionic radii can be estimated by measuring the
distances between cations and anions in ionic crystals.

Question 10. How do atomic radius vary in a period and in a

group? How do you explain the variation?
Answer: Within a group Atomic radius increases down the group.
Reason. This is due to continuous increases in the number of electronic
shells or orbit numbers in the structure of atoms of the elements down a
group.
Variation across period.
Atomic Radii. From left to right across a period atomic radii generally
decreases due
to increase in effective nuclear charge from left to right across a period.

Question 11. What do you understand by isoelectronic species?

Name a species that tvill be iso electronic with each of the
following atoms or ions.
(i) F–(ii) Ar (iii) Mg2+(iv) Rb+
Answer: Isoelectronic species are those species (atoms/ions) which have
same number of
electrons. The isoelectronic species are:
(i)Na+ (iii) Na+
(ii)K+ (iv) Sr2+

Question 12. Consider the following species:

N3-, O2-, F–, Na+, Mg2+, Al3+
(a) What is common in them?
(b) Arrange them in order of increasing ionic radii?
Answer: (a) All of them are isoelectronic in nature and have 10
electrons each.
(b) In isoelectronic species, greater the nuclear charge, lesser will be the
atomic or ionic radius.
Al3+ < Mg2+ < Na+ < F– < O2- < N3-

Question 13. Explain why cation are smaller and anions larger in
radii than their parent atoms?
Answer: A cation is smaller than the parent atom because it has fewer
electrons while its nuclear
charge remains the same. The size of anion will be larger than that of
parent atom
because the addition of one or more electrons would result in increased
repulsion among the electrons and a decrease in effective nuclear charge.

Question 14. What is the significance of the terms – isolated

gaseous atom and ground state while defining the ionization
enthalpy and electron gain enthalpy?[Hint: Requirements for
comparison purposes]
Answer:

 Significance of term ‘isolated gaseous atom’. The atoms in the

gaseous state are far separated in the sense that they do not
have any mutual attractive and repulsive interactions. These
are therefore regarded as isolated atoms. In this state the
 value of ionization enthalpy and electron gain enthalpy are not
influenced by the presence of the other atoms. It is not possible
to express these when the atoms are in the ; liquid or solid
state due to the presence of inter atomic forces.
 Significance of ground state. Ground state of the atom
represents the normal – energy state of an atom. It means
electrons in a particular atom are in the lowest energy state
and they neither lose nor gain electron. Both ionisation
enthalpy and I electron gain enthalpy are generally expressed
with respect to the ground state ofan atom only.

Question 15. Energy of an electron in the ground state of the

hydrogen atom is- 2.18 x 10-18 J.Calculate the ionization enthalpy
of atomic hydrogen in terms of JMol-1.[Hint: Apply the idea of mole
concept to derive the answer],
Answer: The ionisation enthalpy is for 1 mole atoms. Therefore, ground
state energy of the , atoms may be expressed as E (ground state) = ( –
2.18 x 10-18 J) x(6.022 x 1023 mol-1)= -1.312 x 106 J mol-1
Ionisation enthalpy =E∞–E ground state
= 0-(-1.312 x 106mol-1)
= 1.312 x 106 J mol-1.

Question 16. Among the second period elements, the actual

ionization enthalpies are in the order: Li <B< Be <C<0<KI<F< Ne
Explain why
(i) Be has higher ∆iH1than B ?
(ii) O has lower ∆iH1 than N and F?
Answer: (i) In case of Be (1s2 2s2) the outermost electron is present in 2s-
orbital while in B (1s2 2s2 2p1) it is present in 2p-orbital. Since 2s –
electrons are more strongly attracted by the nucleus than 2p-electrons,
therefore, lesser amount of energy is required to knock out a 2p-electron
than a 2s – electron. Consequently, At of Be is higher than that ∆iH1 of B.
(ii) The electronic configuration of
N7 = 1s2 2s2 2px1 2py1 2pz1
O8 =1s2 2s2 2px1 2py1 2pz1
We can see that in case of nitrogen 2p-orbitals are exactly half filled.
Therefore, it is difficult to remove an electron from N than from O. As a
result ∆iH1 of N is higher than that of O.

Question 17. How would you explain the fact that the first
ionization enthalpy of sodium is lower than that of magnesium
but its second ionization enthalpy is higher than that of
magnesium?
Answer: Electronic configuration of Na and Mg are
Na = 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1
Mg = 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2
First electron in both cases has to be removed from 3s-orbital but the
nuclear charge of Na (+ 11) is lower than that of Mg (+ 12) therefore first
ionization energy of sodium is lower than that of magnesium.
After the loss of first electron, the electronic configuration of
Na+ = 1s2 2s2 2p6
Mg+ = 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1
Here electron is to be removed from inert (neon) gas configuration which
is very stable and hence removal of second electron requires more energy
in comparison to Mg.
Therefore, second ionization enthalpy of sodium is higher than that of
magnesium.

Question 18. What are the various factors due to which the
ionization enthalpy of the main group elements tends to decrease
down the group?
Answer: Atomic size. With the increase in atomic size, the number of
electron shells increase. Therefore, the force that binds the electrons with
the nucleus decreases. The ionization enthalpy thus decreases with the
increase in atomic size.
Screening or shielding effect of inner shell electron. With the addition of
new shells, the number of inner electron shells which shield the valence
electrons increases. As a result, the force of attraction of the nucleus for
the valence electrons further decreases and hence the ionization enthalpy
decreases. ‘

Question 19. The first ionization enthalpy values (in kJ mol -1) of
group 13 elements are:
B Al Ga In Tl
801 577 579 558 589
How would you explain this deviation from the general trend?
Answer: The decrease in ∆iH1 value from B to Al is due to the bigger size
of Al.
In Ga there is 10 3d electrons which do not screen as is done by S and P
electrons. Therefore, there is an unexpected increase in the magnitude of
effective nuclear charge resulting in increased ∆ iH1 values. The same is
with into Tl. The later has fourteen ∆f electrons with very poor shielding
effect. This also increases, the effective nuclear charge thus the value of
∆iH1 increases.

Question 20. Which of the following pairs of elements would have

a move negative electron gain enthalpy? (i) O or F (ii) F or Cl.
Answer: (i) O or F. Both O and F lie in 2nd period. As we move from O to F
the atomic size decreases.
Due to smaller size of F nuclear charge increases.
Further, gain of one electron by
F —> F–
F~ ion has inert gas configuration, While the gain of one electron by
0->O–
gives CT ion which does not have stable inert gas configuration,
consequently, the energy released is much higher in going from
F ->F–
than going from O —>O–
In other words electron gain enthalpy of F is much more negative than
that of oxygen.
(ii) The negative electron gain enthalpy of Cl (∆ eg H = – 349 kj mol-1) is
more than that of F (∆ eg H = – 328 kJ mol -1).
The reason for the deviation is due to the smaller size of F. Due to its
small size, the electron repulsions in the relatively compact 2p-subshell
are comparatively large and hence the attraction for incoming electron is
less as in the case of Cl.

Question 21. Would you expect the second electron gain enthalpy
of O as positive, more negative or less negative than the first?
Justify your answer.
Answer: For oxygen atom:
O (g) + e– —> O– (g) (∆ eg H = – 141 kJ mol -1)
O– (g) + e– —> O 2- (g) (∆ eg H = + 780 kJ mol -1)
The first electron gain enthalpy of oxygen is negative because energy is
released when a gaseous atom accepts an electron to form monovalent
anion. The second electron gain enthalpy is positive because energy is
needed to overcome the force of repulsion between monovalent anion
and second incoming electron.

Question 22. What is basic difference between the terms electron

gain enthalpy and electro negativity?
Answer: Electron gain enthalpy refers to tendency of an isolated gaseous
atom to accept an additional electron to form a negative ion. Whereas
electronegativity refers to tendency of the atom of an element to attract
shared pair of electrons towards it in a covalent bond.

23. How would you react to the statement that the

electronegativity ofN on Pauling scale is 3.0 in all the nitrogen
compounds?
Ans. On Pauling scale, the electronegativity of nitrogen, (3.0) indicates
that it is sufficiently electronegative. But it is not correct to say that the
electronegativity of nitrogen in all the compounds is 3. It depends upon its
state of hybridisation in a particular compound, greater the percentage of
s-character, more will be the electronegativity of the element. Thus, the
electronegativity of nitrogen increases in moving from SP 3 hybridised
orbitals to SP hybridised orbitals i.e., as SP3 < SP2 < SP.

Question 24. Describe the theory associated with the radius of an

atom as it:
(a) gains an electron (b) loses an electron ?
Answer:

 Gain of an electron leads to the formation of an anion. The size

of an anion will be larger than that of the parent atom because
 the addition of one or more electrons would result in increased
repulsion among electrons and decrease in effective nuclear
charge.
This the ionic radius of fluoride ion (F–) is 136 pm whereas
atomic radius of Fluorine (F) is only 64 pm.
 Loss of an electron from an atom results in the formation of a
cation. A cation is smaller than its parent atom because it has
fomer electrons while its nuclear charge remains the same. For
example, The atomic radius of sodium (Na) is 186 pm and
atomic radius of sodium ion (Na+) = 95 pm.

Question 25. Would you expect the first ionization enthalpies of

two isotopes of the same element to be the same or different?
Justify your answer.
Answer: Ionization enthalpy, among other things, depends upon the
electronic configuration (number of electrons) and nuclear charge
(number of protons). Since isotopes of an element have the same
electronic configuration and same nuclear charge, they have same
ionization enthalpy.

Question 26. What are major differences between metals and

non-metals?
Answer:

Question 27. Use periodic table to answer the following

questions:
(a) Identify the element with five electrons in the outer subshell.
(b) Identify the element that would tend to lose two electrons.
(c) Identify the element that would tend to gain two electrons.
Answer: (a) Element belonging to nitrogen family (group 15) e.g.,
nitrogen.
(b) Element belonging to alkaline earth family (group 2) e.g., magnesium.
(c) Element belonging to oxygen family (group 16) e.g., oxygen.

Question 29. Write the general electronic configuration of s– p– d–,

and f-block elements?
Answer: (i) s-Block elements: ns 1-2 where n = 2 – 7.
(ii) p-Block elements: ns2 np1-6 where n = 2-6.
(iii) d-Block elements:(n – 1) d1-10 ns 0-2 where n = 4-7.
(iv) f-Block elements: (n – 2) f0-14 (n -1) d0-1 ns2where n = 6 – 7.

Question 30. Assign the position of the element having outer

electronic configuration,
(i) ns2 np4 for n = 3 (ii) (n – 1) d2 ns2 for n = 4 and (iii) (n – 2) f7 (n –
1) d1 ns2 for n = 6 in the periodic table?
Answer: (i) n = 3
Thus element belong to 3rd period, p-block element.
Since the valence shell contains = 6 electrons, group No = 10 + 6 = 16
configuration =1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p4 element name is sulphur.
(ii) n = 4
Means element belongs to 4th period belongs to group 4 as in the valence
shell (2 + 2) = 4 electrons.
Electronic configuration.=1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d2 4s2, and the element name
is Titanium (Ti).
(iii) n = 6
” Means the element belongs to 6th period. Last electron goes to the f-
orbital, element is from f-block.
group = 3
The element is gadolinium (z = 64)
Complete electronic configuration =[Xe] 4 f7 5d1 6s2.

Question 3. What do you understand by ‘Representative

elements’? Name the groups whose elements are called
representative elements.
Answer: The elements of s and p-block are collectively called
representative or main group elements. These include elements of group I
(alkali metals), group 2 (alkaline earth metals). .

Question 5. Elements A, B, C and D Iwoe atomic numbers 12,19,

29, and 36 respectively. On the basis of electronic configuration,
write to which group of the periodic table each element belongs.
Answer: Electronic configuration of A (Z = 12)
=1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2
period = 3, Element’s name = Mg block = s, Group = II Electronic
configuration of B (Z = 19)
Element’s name = K (potassium)
=1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1 n = 4, period = 4 Block = s, Group = I Electronic
configuration of C (Z = 29)
=1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s1 n – 4, period = 4 Block = d Electronic
configuration of D (Z = 36)
=1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6 period = 4 Block = p-Block group = 18

Question 6. Define the term ionization enthalpy? How does it vary

along a period and along a group?
Answer: Ionization Enthalpy. The minimum amount of energy required to
remove the most loosely bound electron from an isolated gaseous atom
so as to convert it into a gaseous cation is called its ionization enthalpy or
energy. It is represented by A; H.
This process may be represented as M (g) + ∆iH -> M+ (g) + e–(g)
where M (g) is isolated gaseous atom.

M+ (g) is the resultant cation (a position ion)

Variation along a period. Moving from left to right in a period, the
ionization enthalpy increases with atomic number.
Variation within a group. The ionization enthalpies keep on decreasing
regularly as we move down a group from one element to the other.

Question 7. Discuss briefly the various factors on which ionization

enthalpy depends.
Answer:

1. Atomic size. With the increase in the atomic size, the number
of electron shells
increases. Therefore, the force that binds the electrons with the
nucleus decreases. Thus, the ionization enthalpy decreases
with increase in atomic size.
2. Nuclear charge. As the magnitude of the positive charge on
the nucleus of an atom increases, the attraction with the
electrons also increases. Therefore, the ionization enthalpy
increases with the increase in the magnitude of the nuclear
charge.
3. Screening or shielding effect. Greater the magnitude of the
screening effect, less will be the value of ionization enthalpy or
potential.
4. Question 10. What is screening or shielding effect? How
does it influence the ionization enthalpy ?
Answer: In a multielectron atom, the electrons present in the inner
shells shield the electrons in the valence shell from the attraction of
the nucleus or they act as a screen between the nucleus and these
electrons. This is known as shedding effect or screening effect. As
the screening effect increases, the effective nuclear charge
decreases. Consequently, the force of attraction by the nucleus for
the valence shell electrons decreases and hence the ionization
enthalpy decreases.
5. Question 11. Define electron gain enthalpy. What are its
units?
Answer: The energy which is released by an atom in gaining an
electron from outside atom or ion to form negative ion (or anion) is
called electron gain enthalpy (∆egH).
Unit of electron gain enthalpy is kJ/ mol.
In some cases, like in noble gas, atoms do not have any attraction
to gain an electron. In that case energy has to be supplied.
For example,
 Ne (g) + e– —> Ne– (g)
∆egH = + 116 kJ mol -1

Question 2. Discuss the main characteristics of four blocks of

elements in the periodic table? Give their general electronic
configuration.
Answer: s-block elements:

 They are highly reactive elements and thus occurs in combined

state. On moving down the group their reactivity increases.
 They have good reducing characters.
 They generally form electropositive ion by losing 1 or 2
electrons, that’s why they are electro positive in nature.
 They are good conductors of heat and electricity.

p-block elements:

 Most of the p-block elements show variable oxidation states.

 They include both metals and non-metals.
 They are generally covalent in nature.
 As move from left to right the non-metallic character of the
element increases.
 On moving down the group metallic character increases.

 d-block elements: d-block elements show variable oxidation

states.
 They are generally paramagnetic in nature.
 Their compounds are generally coloured. Those which form
complex compounds.
 Most of the elements and their compounds acts as catalyst.

f-block elements:

 They are generally heavy metals having high melting and

boiling points.
 Their compounds are generally coloured.
 Variable oxidation states are generally shown by these
elements.
 Most of Activities are radioactive.