Comprehension
Read the following passage and answer the next five questions based on it.
Transition Series Elements:

Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn

Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd

La Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg

In any transition series, as we move from left to right the d-orbitals are progressively filled and their properties vary accordingly.

f-block Elements:

Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu

Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr

The above are the two series of f-block elements in which the chemical properties won’t change much. The 5f-series elements are radioactive in nature and mostly are artificially synthesized in laboratories and thus much is not known about their chemical properties.

Question: 1

Identify the incorrect statement:

Updated On: Jan 16, 2026
  • Second ionization enthalpy...
  • Zr and Hf share...
  • Melting point of Mn...
  • Interstitial compounds...
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

To identify the incorrect statement, each option must be assessed using established chemical principles.

  • Statement 1 addresses second ionization enthalpy. Second ionization enthalpy generally rises across a period due to increasing effective nuclear charge and falls down a group with increasing atomic size. Consequently, it is not invariably the highest for 3d transition elements, rendering this statement potentially erroneous.
  • Statement 2, concerning the similar properties of Zr and Hf, is attributed to lanthanide contraction, which results in their nearly identical sizes and comparable chemical behaviors. This statement is highly likely to be accurate.
  • Statement 3, which posits that the melting point of Mn exceeds that of Tc, contradicts typical periodic trends. While transition metals generally follow predictable patterns in melting and boiling points, specific exceptions may occur. This statement's correctness hinges on precise experimental data.
  • Statement 4 asserts that interstitial compounds maintain metallic conductivity. This is true because interstitial atoms minimally disturb the metallic lattice structure, thus preserving metallic conductivity. This statement is correct.

Following analysis, the initial statement is deemed incorrect. The second ionization enthalpy does not uniquely define 3d elements across the board; rather, it is contingent upon the specific properties of individual elements and particular circumstances. Therefore, based on established chemical principles, the incorrect statement is: "Second ionization enthalpy of Mn is larger than Cr and Fe." This assertion does not accurately represent periodic trends or the specific ionization enthalpy characteristics of these elements.

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Question: 2

Which of the following is the correct order of second ionization enthalpy?

Updated On: Mar 27, 2026
  • V $>$ Cr $>$ Mn
  • V $<$ Cr $<$ Mn
  • V $<$ Cr $>$ Mn
  • V $>$ Cr $<$ Mn
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

The second ionization enthalpy is defined as the energy necessary to remove an electron from a gaseous ion with a +1 charge. This analysis requires comparing the second ionization enthalpies of vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), and manganese (Mn).

Transition metals in the periodic table are ordered by their electronic configurations, particularly the filling of d-orbitals. The electronic configurations for V, Cr, and Mn are:

  • V: [Ar] 3d3 4s2
  • Cr: [Ar] 3d5 4s1
  • Mn: [Ar] 3d5 4s2

To determine the second ionization enthalpy, we consider the removal of one electron from the +1 cation, resulting in these configurations:

  • V+: [Ar] 3d4
  • Cr+: [Ar] 3d5
  • Mn+: [Ar] 3d5

The stability conferred by a half-filled d-orbital significantly impacts the second ionization enthalpy. Chromium, with its [Ar] 3d5 configuration in the +1 state, is particularly stable, demanding more energy for electron removal, hence a higher second ionization enthalpy.

Manganese's +1 ion, while having a half-filled d subshell, is less stable than chromium's +1 ion due to increased electron shielding across the period.

Based on these electronic configurations and stability considerations, the order of second ionization enthalpy is V < Cr > Mn.

Therefore, the correct sequence is: V < Cr > Mn

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Question: 3

Which of the following pair of compounds exhibits the same colour in aqueous solution?

Updated On: Mar 27, 2026
  • FeCl$_2$, CuCl$_2$
  • VOCl$_2$, FeCl$_2$
  • VOCl$_2$, CuCl$_2$
  • VOCl$_2$, MnCl$_2$
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

To identify compounds with similar aqueous solution colors, we must analyze the constituent transition metal ions and their characteristic solution colors.

  • FeCl2: Its Fe2+ ions yield pale green aqueous solutions.
  • CuCl2: Its Cu2+ ions yield blue aqueous solutions.
  • VOCl2: Its VO2+ ions yield blue-green aqueous solutions.
  • MnCl2: Its Mn2+ ions yield very pale pink or nearly colorless aqueous solutions.

Based on these observations, the pale green color from Fe2+ ions (in FeCl2) is most similar to the pale color of VO2+ ions (in VOCl2).

Consequently, the pair VOCl2 and FeCl2 demonstrates the only comparable colors in aqueous solution.

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Question: 4

Which metal has the highest oxidation state in the first-row transition series?

Updated On: Mar 27, 2026
  • Cr
  • Fe
  • Mn
  • V
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

The inquiry concerns the metal in the first-row transition series that exhibits the highest oxidation state. This necessitates an examination of the common oxidation states of the elements within this series, which spans from Scandium (Sc) to Zinc (Zn):

Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn

Manganese (Mn) is recognized as the element within this group capable of achieving the highest oxidation state. The variability in oxidation states observed in transition elements arises from the participation of their (n-1)d and ns electrons in bonding.
ElementCommon Oxidation States
Mn+2, +3, +4, +6,+7
The provided table illustrates that Manganese (Mn) can attain an oxidation state of +7, which is the maximum observed in the first-row transition series. Other elements in this series have lesser maximum oxidation states:
  • Cr: +6
  • V: +5
  • Fe: +6 (though +3 is more stable)
Consequently, Manganese (Mn) holds the highest oxidation state within the first-row transition series at +7.
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Question: 5

Why do the actinoids exhibit a higher number of oxidation states than lanthanoids?

Updated On: Mar 27, 2026
  • 4f orbitals are more diffused
  • Energy difference...
  • Energy difference...
  • Actinoids are more...
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Actinoids display a greater diversity of oxidation states compared to lanthanoids, attributable to disparities in their electronic configurations and orbital energies. Although both actinoids and lanthanoids are classified as f-block elements, their behavior regarding oxidation states differs. The reasons for this divergence are as follows:

  • Proximity of 5f and 6d Orbital Energies: Within actinoids, the energy levels of the 5f and 6d orbitals are closely aligned, a contrast to the larger energy gap between the 4f and 5d orbitals in lanthanoids. This minimal energy difference facilitates facile electron transition among the 5f, 6d, and 7s orbitals, leading to a wider spectrum of oxidation states.
  • Shielding Efficacy of 5f Electrons: The 5f electrons in actinoids experience less effective shielding from inner electron shells (such as 6d and 7s) due to their location, resulting in poorer shielding and consequently enabling variations in achievable oxidation states.
  • Complexity of Actinoid Chemistry: The less thoroughly investigated chemical characteristics of actinoids, largely a consequence of their artificial synthesis and radioactive nature, contribute to their intricate valency and extended range of oxidation states.

Consequently, the assertion that minimal energy differences exist between the 5f and 6d orbitals, in contrast to the significant energy separation observed in lanthanoids, accurately elucidates the phenomenon of actinoids exhibiting a larger number of oxidation states.

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