d and f- Block Elements 32

Q.114. Explain the position of actinoids in the periodic table.

OR
What is the position of actinoids in periodic table. [Mar 2014]
Ans: Position of actinoids in the periodic table:
i) Actinoids belongs to the third group of periodic table in the seventh period.
ii) In the periodic table, as we move from one element to another, either from left to right or from top to
bottom, the properties exhibit a gradual change. But these fifteen elements are so similar to one
another, that they cannot be placed one after the other or one below the other.
iii) As the fourteen elements i.e. Th(90) to Lr(103) are closely similar to Ac(89), the best place for them
is along with actinium(89) i.e., third group (3rd column) and seventh period in the periodic table.
iv) In case these elements are give different positions in order of their increasing atomic numbers, the
symmetry of the periodic table would be disrupted. Due to this reason, the actinoids are placed at the
bottom of the periodic table with a reference to the third group in the seventh period i.e., the position
of actinium. For position, refer figure shown in Q. 89.
Q.115. Explain the electronic configuration of actinium and actinoids (5f-series).
Ans: Electronic configuration of actinium and actinoids (5f-series) :
i) The elements of 5f-series begin from Th to Lr. This series follows actinium (Ac). The electronic
configuration of these elements can be expressed in terms ofRn (Z = 86).
ii) Electronic configuration of Rn (Z = 86) = 1s22s22p63s23p63d104s24p64d105s25p65d105f146s26p6.
Therefore, General electronic configuration of actinoids : [Rn] 5f1–146d0–1 7s2
iii) The electronic configuration of actinium (Z = 89) is [Rn] sf 6d1 7s2.
iv) Thorium (Z = 90) has expected electronic configuration [Rn]5f06dl7s2 and observed electronic
configuration [Rn]5f06d27s2.This can be explained on the basis of extra stability of empty 5f orbital.
The electrons are successively added to 5f subshell.
 d and f- Block Elements 33

Q.116. Write the general electronic configuration of 4f and Sf series elements.

Ans: Refer Q.91. and Q.115.
Q.117. Write the electronic configurations ofthe elements with the atomic numbers 61, 91 and 101.
(NCERT) [Mar 2013 old course]
Ans: The electronic configurations are given in the following table.

Q.118. Write down the electronic configuration of Th4+.

Ans: Electronic configuration of Th4+ = [Rn]5f06d07s0
Q.119. The electronic configurations of actinoid elements are not known with certainty. Explain.
Ans: In actinoids, 5f and 6d subshells are close in energy. The outermost 7s orbital remains filled with 2 electrons
(7s2). The electron can easily jump from 5f to 6d or vice versa. Further, irregularities in electronic
configurations are also related to the stabilities of f0, f7 and f4 occupancy of the 5f-orbitals. Hence, they
show a large number of oxidation states (Moreover, they are radioactive with short half-fives. Hence, their
properties cannot be studied easily). (NCERT)
Q.120.Explain the oxidation states of actinoids
OR
Write a short note on oxidation states of actinoids.
Ans: i) Actinoids have variable oxidation states ranging from + 2 to + 7 due to availability of 5f, 6d and 7s
orbitals.
ii) The dominant oxidation state of actinoid elements is +3. Besides +3, actinoids also exhibit + 4 oxidation
state.
iii) +3 oxidation state is formed by loss of two 7s and one 5f or 6d electrons.
iv) Actinoids have more compounds in +3 oxidation state than in +4 oxidation state.
v) Compounds ofactinoids in +3 and +4 oxidation states have tendency to undergo hydrolysis.
vi) The maximum oxidation state first increases upto middle of the series and then decreases. eg. Oxidation
state increases from +4 for the Th to +5, +6 and +7 for Pa, U and Np but decreases in the succeeding
elements.
Oxidation states .of actinium and actinolds:
 d and f- Block Elements 34

Q.121.The chemistry of the actinoid elements is not so smooth as that of the lanthanoids. Justify this
statement by giving some examples from the oxidation state of these elements. (NCERT)
Ans: Lanthanoids show limited number of oxidation state, viz., +2, +3 and +4 (out of which +3 is most common).
This is because of large energy gap between 4f and 5d-subshells. The dominant oxidation state of actinoids
is also +3 but they show a number of other oxidation states also. ego uranium (Z = 92) and plutonium
(Z = 94), show +3, +4, +5 and +6, neptunium (Z = 93) shows +3, +4, +5, +6 and +7 etc. This is due to small
energy difference between 5f, 6d and 7s-subshells of the actinoids.
Q.122.Which is the last element in the series of the actinoids? Write the electronic configuration of
this elements. Comment on the possible oxidation state of this element. (NCERT)
Ans: Last element: Lawrencium (Z = 103)
Electronic Configuration : [Rn] 5f146d17s2
Possible oxidation state : +3
Q.123.Compare the chemistry of actinoids with that of the Iantha no ids with special reference to :
(NCERT)
i) electronic configuration
ii) oxidation state
iii) atomic size and ionic sizes
iv) chemical reactivity

Ans:

Q.124. Differentiate between lanthanoids and actinoids.

Ans:
 d and f- Block Elements 35

Q.125.The extent of actinoid contraction is greater than lanthanoid contraction, Explain why ?
OR
Actinoid contraction is greater from element to element than lanthanoid contraction.
Why? (NCERT)
Ans: Actinoid contraction is greater than lanthanoid contraction:
i) The size of the atoms or ions of actinoids decrease regularly along the series with the increase in
atomic number from actinium to lawrencium.
ii) This steady decrease in the ionic radii with the increase in atomic number is called actinoid contraction.
iii) The actinoid contraction is due to the imperfect shielding of 5f-electron.
iv) Despite of the imperfect shielding of 5f-orbitals, the effective nuclear charge increases which results
in contraction of the size.
v) It may be noted that in actinoid contraction, there are bigger jumps in ionic size between the consecutive
members as compared to lanthanoids.
vi) This is due to lesser shielding of 5f-electrons which results in greater increase in the effective nuclear
charge and therefore, larger attraction.
Q.126. Write a short note on usesof actinoids.
Ans: Uses of actinoids:
The three most important actinoids which find uses as such or in the form of their compounds are thorium,
uranium and plutonium.
i) Thorium: It is used in atomic reactors and in the treatment of cancer. Its salts are used in making
incandescent gas mantles.
ii) Uranium: It is used as a nuclear fuel. Its salts are used in glass industry (for imparting green colour),
textile industry, ceramic industry and in medicines.
iii) Plutonium: It is used as a fuel for atomic reactors as well as for making atomic bombs.
Quick Review
* d and f- Block Elements :
d and f- Block Elements 36
d and f- Block Elements 37
 d and f- Block Elements 38

Points To Remember
* Transition elements are classified as those whose atoms or ions have partly filled d-orbitals.
* General electronic configuration of transition elements is (n–l) d1–10 nsl–2
* Transition metals possess high density and high melting and boiling points.
* Due to lanthanoid contraction, there is a gradual decrease in the atomic and ionic radii of lanthanoids with
increase in the atomic number.
* The ionization enthalpies of transition elements increase across a period, but this increase is not regular.
This is due to imperfect shielding power of (n–l) d electrons.
* The atomic radii for transition metals are smaller than their corresponding s-block elements.
* An important feature of transition elements is the colour of their compounds. The colour is linked with the
electronic configurations of ions and d-d transitions. Ions with d0 and d10 configurations are. colourless
while d5 ions show light colours.
* Transitions elements exhibit a variety of oxidation states. Atoms having high electronegativity such as O or
F stabilize higher oxidation states as seen in CrO 24 (Cr in +6 oxidation state) and MnO4 (Mn in +7
oxidation state).
* Transition metals and their compounds find applications as catalysts in various chemical reactions.
* Many transition metals and their compounds show magnetic behaviour. The number of unpaired electrons
present can be obtained from the measurement of magnetic moments () as  = n(n  2) B.M, where
n is the number of unpaired electrons.
* Two series of f-block elements (4f and 5f) are embedded in transition elements. These are called inner
transition elements. Elements in 4f series are known as lanthanoids and those of 5f series as actinoids.
* In the lanthanoid series, with increasing atomic number, the atomic and ionic radii decreases from one
element to another but the decrease is very small. This is called lanthanoid contraction.
* Similar contraction is shown by the actinoids. This is known as actinoid contraction.
* Actinoid contraction is greater from element to element than lanthanoid contraction.
* Transuranic elements are the man-made elements with atomic number higher than 92 (the atomic number
of uranium)
 d and f- Block Elements 39

Multiple Choice Questions 13. Which lanthanoid has the smallest atomic radius?
a) Gadolinium c) Lutetium
1. The general outer electronic configuration of b) Scandium d) Cerium
transition elements is__. 14. The lanthanoid contraction is responsible for the
a) (n–l)d1–10 ns1 b) (n–l) d10ns2 fact that Zr and__.
1–10 l–2
c) (n–l)d ns d) (n–1)d5ns1 a) Y have about same radius
2. Which of the following is a lanthanoid ? b) Nb have similar oxidation state
a) Ta b) Th c) Hfhave about same radius
c) Lu d) Rh d) Zn have same oxidation state
3. Which of the following belongs to the actinoid 15. The atomic number of an element is 22. The
series? highest oxidation state exhibited by it in its
a) U b) Yb compounds is__.
c) Lu d) Tb a) 1 b) 2
4. Lanthanoid contraction implies__. c) 3 d) 4
a) decrease in density 16. A reduction in atomic size with increase in atomic
b) decrease in mass number is a characteristic of___.
c) decrease in ionic radii a) inert gases
d) decrease in radioactivity b) inner transition elements
5. Which one of the following does NOT show c) halogens
different oxidation states ? d) all of these
a) Iron b) Copper 17. The elements belonging to the first transition series
c) Zinc d) Manganese have atomic number from___.
6. When KOH solution is added to potassium a) 19 to 37 b) 22 to 32
dichromate solution the colour of solution changes c) 24 to 30 d) 21 to 30
to yellow, because__. [Oct 2013] 18. The variable valency in transition elements occurs
a) chromate ion changes to dichromate ion due to___.
b) dichromate ion changes to chromate ion. a) difference in the energies between the (n – 1)
c) oxidation number of chromium changes from d and np electrons
+ 6 to + 4. b) similarity in the energies between the ns and
d) oxidation number of chromium changes from np electrons
+ 4 to +6. c) similarity in the energies between the ns and
7. In KMnO4, oxidation number of Mn is__. (n – 1) d electrons
a) + 2 b) + 4 d) difference in the energies between the ns and
c) + 6 d) + 7 (n – 1) d electrons
8. Which of the following would be diamagnetic? 19. Zinc is a member of 12th group of periodic table.
a) Cu2+ b) Ni2+ The other members of this group are___.
2+
c) Cd d) Ti3+ a) boron and aluminium
9. Which among the following pairs is NOT a b) cadmium and mercury
chemical twin ? [Mar 2013 old course] c) silver and gold
a) Mo - W b) Nb - Mo d) tin and lead
c) Nb - Ta d) Zr - Hf 20. Which one of the following ions is colourless?
10. Which of the following has the maximum number a) Cu+ b) CO 2+
of unpaired electrons ? c) Ne 2+ d) Fe 3+
a) Fe 2+ b) Cr 3+ 21. The d-block elements include___.
c) Fe 3+ d) Co2+ a) both metals and non-metals
11. Which of the following is a component of Ziegler- b) only non-metals
Natta catalyst ? c) only metals
a) V 3O 5 b) TiCl4 d) metals, non-metals and metalloids
c) CuCl2 d) NiCl2 22. The most abundant transition metal is___.
12. Which of the following ions has the highest a) Zn b) Fe
magnetic moment? c) Hg d) Au
a) Te + b) Sc 3+ 23. Which of the following statement is NOT TRUE?
2+
c) Mn d) Zn2+ a) Colourless compounds of transition elements
 d and f- Block Elements 40
are paramagnetic table
b) Coloured compounds of transition elements are c) third group and 7th and 6th period of periodic
paramagnetic table
c) Colourless compounds of transition elements d) fourth and third group of the periodic table
are diamagnetic 33. __ is paramagnetic in nature.
d) Transition elements form the complex a) La 3+ b) Lu3+
compounds c) Gd3+ d) Ce 4+
24. The maximum oxidation state shown by actinoids 34. Which of the following factors may be regarded
is___. as the main cause of lanthanoid contraction?
a) + 6 b) + 7 a) The extent of shielding for electrons is less in
c) + 5 d) + 4 4f subshell as compared to electrons in 5d
25. The element with the electronic configuration subshell.
[Xe]544f145d1 6s2is a___. b) The extent of shielding' for electrons is more
a) trans-uranic element in 4f subshell as compared to electrons in 5d
b) transition element subshell.
c) lanthanoid c) The extent of shielding for electrons is less in
d) actinoid 6s subshell as compared to electrons in 5d
26. With increase in atomic number, the ionic radii of subshell.
actinoids,___. d) The extent of shielding for electrons is more
a) contract slightly in 6s subshell as compared to electrons in 5d
b) increase gradually subshell
c) show no change 35. Cerium can show the oxidation state of + 4.
d) change irregularly because,___.
27. 5d orbital contains one electron in 5d subshell in a) it resembles alkali metals
case of___. b) it has very low value of I.E.
a) La, Gd and Lu c) of its tendency to attain noble gas configuration
b) Th, Nd and Ho of xenon
c) Ce, Pr and Sm d) of its tendency to attain 4f configuration
d) Tm, Yb and Dy 36. Which is the strongest base among the following?
28. The Lanthanoid ions are coloured due to a) La(OH)3
a) d-d transition b) Lu(OH)3
b) d-f transition c) Ce(OH) 3
c) f-f transition d) Yb(OH)3
d) All of these 37. Contraction in atomic and ionic radii is shown
29. Actinoids ___. by___.
a) are all synthetic elements a) 1anthanoids but not actinoids
b) include element 104 b) actinoids but not 1anthanoids
c) are non-radioactive c) both lanthanoids and actinoids
d) have variable valency d) neither 1anthanoids nor actinoids
30. Ni has valuable catalytic properties in process 38. Chemical formula of pyrolusite is___.
involving___. a) Mn2O3 b) MnO3
a) halogenation c) MnO2 d) Mn2O7
b) oxidation 39. Which one of the following ions is coloured ?
c) hydrogenation a) Sc 3+ b) Ti4+
d) nitration c) Zn2+ d) V 2+
31. Which ion has the highest ionic radii ? 40. In which of the following pair highest oxidation
a) Cr 3+ b) Mn3+ states of transition metals are found? [Mar 2013]
3+
c) Fe d) Co3+ a) nitriles and chlorides
32. Actinoid and Lanthanoid are placed respectively b) fluorides and chlorides
in___. c) fluorides and oxides
a) third group and 6th and 7th period of periodic d) nitriles and oxides
table 41. Which among the following pairs of elements is
b) fourth group and 7th and 6th period of periodic NOT an example of chemical twins? [Mar 2014]
 d and f- Block Elements 41
a) Zr and HF b) Nb and Ta
c) Mo and W d) Ta and Re

Answer Keys
1. c) 2. c) 3. a) 4. c) 5. c) 6. b) 7. d) 8. c) 9. b) 10. c)
11. b) 12. c) 13. c) 14. c) 15. d) 16. b) 17. d) 18. c) 19. b) 20. a)
21. c) 22. b) 23. a) 24. b) 25. c) 26. a) 27. a) 28. c) 29. d) 30. c)
31. a) 32. c) 33. c) 34. a) 35. c) 36. a) 37. c) 38. c) 39. d) 40. c)
41. d)