Q.Anything that influences the valence electrons will affect the chemistry of the element. Which one of the following factors does not affect the valence shell?
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Effective Nuclear Charge
The Intuition: Why Don't Electrons Just Fly Away?
Imagine you're holding a magnet near a pile of paperclips. The closer the magnet, the stronger the pull. Now imagine you put a sheet of cardboard between the magnet and the paperclips. The pull weakens — the cardboard "shields" the paperclips from the full force of the magnet.
An atom works similarly. The nucleus (positive charge) pulls on the electrons (negative charge). But an electron is not alone — there are other electrons buzzing around between it and the nucleus. Those inner electrons act like the cardboard sheet: they shield or screen the outer electron from feeling the full positive charge of the nucleus.
So an outer electron doesn't "see" the full nuclear charge Z (the atomic number). It sees a smaller, effective charge — the net positive pull after accounting for the repulsion from inner electrons.
That's effective nuclear charge, denoted Zeff.
The Precise Statement
Zeff=Z−S
Where:
- Z = atomic number (total protons in nucleus)
- S = shielding constant (a measure of how much charge is "blocked" by inner electrons)
- Zeff = the net positive charge felt by a given electron
Zeff is always less than Z (except for hydrogen, which has no other electrons to shield — there Zeff=Z).
What Determines the Shielding Constant S?
Not all electrons shield equally. The key rules:
- Inner electrons shield outer electrons very effectively. An electron in the n=1 shell completely blocks about 1 unit of charge from an electron in n=2.
- Electrons in the same shell shield poorly. They're at roughly the same distance, so they don't block much of the nucleus from each other.
- Outer electrons do not shield inner electrons at all. An electron farther out cannot block the nucleus from one closer in.
There are detailed rules (Slater's rules) to calculate S numerically, but the core idea is simple: the more electron shells between an electron and the nucleus, the more shielding, and the lower Zeff.
Why Does This Matter?
Zeff explains three fundamental patterns in the periodic table:
| Trend | What happens to Zeff | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Across a period (left to right) | Increases | Adding protons (Z up) but electrons go into the same shell (shielding roughly constant). Net pull on outer electrons gets stronger. |
| Down a group (top to bottom) | Stays roughly constant or decreases slightly | Adding a new shell means much more shielding. The extra protons are almost completely cancelled by the new inner electrons. |
| Atomic size | Larger Zeff → smaller atom | Stronger pull pulls electrons closer to nucleus. |
This is why fluorine is smaller than lithium, even though fluorine has more protons. The extra protons in fluorine are not fully shielded — the outer electrons feel a much stronger pull.
A Concrete Example: Sodium vs. Chlorine
Sodium (Z=11): Electron configuration 1s22s22p63s1
The outermost electron (3s) is shielded by the 10 inner electrons (1s22s22p6). Roughly, S≈10, so Zeff≈11−10=1. The outer electron feels a pull equivalent to just one proton. …
The key idea here is Effective Nuclear Charge (Zeff) — the net positive charge experienced by a valence electron after accounting for shielding by core electrons.
Reasoning:
- The valence shell is influenced by the principal quantum number n (which sets the shell's energy and size) and the nuclear charge Z (which pulls electrons inward).
- Core electrons shield the valence electrons, reducing the effective pull — so the number of core electrons directly affects Zeff. …
The effective nuclear charge felt by valence electrons depends on the principal quantum number n, the nuclear charge Z, and the shielding from core electrons — but nuclear mass has no direct effect on the valence shell’s electronic environment.
The question asks: which factor does not affect the valence shell? To answer, we need to think about what actually determines the energy and behaviour of valence electrons. The key idea here is effective nuclear charge (Zeff).
Why effective nuclear charge is the lens
Valence electrons don’t feel the full positive charge of the nucleus. Core electrons “shield” them, reducing the pull. The net pull is:
Zeff=Z−S
where Z is the nuclear charge (proton number) and S is the shielding constant (roughly the number of core electrons, with some refinements). The principal quantum number n also matters — higher n means the electron is farther out, feeling less attraction.
So anything that changes Z, S, or n will affect the valence shell. Let’s check each option.
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Valence principal quantum number (n)
This directly sets the energy level and average distance of the valence electrons. A higher n means weaker attraction to the nucleus (more shielding, larger orbital). So n absolutely affects the valence shell.
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Nuclear charge (Z)
More protons mean a stronger pull on all electrons, including valence ones. This is the core of periodic trends — across a period, increasing Z (with constant shielding) increases Zeff, pulling valence electrons tighter. So Z definitely affects the valence shell.
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Nuclear mass …
Showing the 12 most recent of 25 on this concept.
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-09-AN1 markMCQQ.In H atom, electron is present in nr state. The angular momentum of this electron is 1.051×10−34 Js. What is the energy (in J) required to excite this electron from nr state to (nr+1) state? \ (h=6.6×10−34 Js; π=3.14) (A) 2.18×10−18 (B) 0.545×10−18 (C) 1.93×10−19 (D) 1.635×10−18
›Reveal solutionSolution
We use Bohr's quantization condition for angular momentum to find the initial principal quantum number, then calculate the energy difference between the initial and final states using the energy level formula for the hydrogen atom. The energy required is 1.635×10−18 J.
Concept and Intuition
This problem deals with the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom, which postulates that electrons orbit the nucleus in specific, stable orbits, each associated with a discrete energy level and a quantized angular momentum.
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Quantization of Angular Momentum: Bohr's model states that the angular momentum (L) of an electron in a stationary orbit is an integral multiple of 2πh, where h is Planck's constant.
L=n2πh
where n is the principal quantum number (n=1,2,3,…).
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Quantization of Energy Levels: The energy of an electron in a particular orbit (or state) in a hydrogen atom is also quantized. The formula for the energy (En) of an electron in the n-th state is given by:
En=−n22.18×10−18 J
The negative sign indicates that the electron is bound to the nucleus. The value 2.18×10−18 J is the ionization energy of hydrogen from its ground state (n=1).
To solve the problem, we first use the given angular momentum to determine the initial principal quantum number (nr). Once nr is known, we can calculate the energy of the electron in the nr state and the (nr+1) state. The energy required for excitation is simply the difference between these two energy levels.
Step-by-step Derivation
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Determine the initial principal quantum number (nr):
We are given the angular momentum L=1.051×10−34 Js. Using Bohr's quantization condition:
L=nr2πh
Substitute the given values for L, h, and π:
1.051×10−34=nr2×3.146.6×10−34
1.051×10−34=nr6.286.6×10−34
Divide both sides by 10−34:
1.051=nr×6.286.6
1.051=nr×1.05095…
Solving for nr:
nr=1.05095…1.051≈1
Since nr must be an integer, we conclude that nr=1. This means the electron is initially in the ground state.
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Calculate the energy of the electron in the initial state (nr=1):
Using the energy formula for the hydrogen atom:
En=−n22.18×10−18 J
For nr=1:
E1=−122.18×10−18
E1=−2.18×10−18 J
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Calculate the energy of the electron in the final state ((nr+1) state): …
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- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-09-FN1 markMCQQ.Identify the incorrect statement about colloidal solution (A) They scatter light (B) The diameter range of colloidal particles is 1-1000 nm (C) Elevation in boiling point of a colloidal solution is greater than the true solution of same concentration (D) As2S3 and CdS sols are negatively charged
›Reveal solutionSolution
Colligative properties depend on the number of particles; colloidal particles are much larger than true solution particles, so for the same mass concentration, a colloid has far fewer particles and thus a smaller boiling point elevation — making statement (C) incorrect.
The key concept here is colligative properties — properties like boiling point elevation, freezing point depression, and osmotic pressure that depend only on the number of solute particles, not their nature or size. A true solution (e.g., salt in water) has individual ions or small molecules, each contributing one particle. A colloidal solution has large aggregates (each aggregate counts as one particle), so for the same mass concentration, the number of particles in a colloid is vastly smaller. Therefore, the colligative effect is smaller, not greater.
Let’s examine each statement:
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Statement (A): "They scatter light"
This is the Tyndall effect — colloidal particles are large enough (1–1000 nm) to scatter visible light, making the beam visible. True solutions (ions or small molecules) do not scatter light noticeably. This statement is correct.
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Statement (B): "The diameter range of colloidal particles is 1–1000 nm"
This is the standard definition of a colloid. Particles smaller than 1 nm form true solutions; larger than 1000 nm are suspensions. This statement is correct.
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Statement (C): "Elevation in boiling point of a colloidal solution is greater than the true solution of same concentration" …
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- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-AN1 markMCQQ.Observe the following statements Statement – I: Both LiF and CsI have low solubility in water Statement – II: Low solubility of LiF in water is due to smaller hydration enthalpy of ions and that of CsI is due to its high lattice enthalpy (A) Both statements I and II are correct (B) Statement I is correct, but statement II is not correct (C) Statement I is not correct, but statement II is correct (D) Both statements I and II are not correct
›Reveal solutionSolution
Both LiF and CsI are poorly soluble in water, but the reasons given in Statement II are swapped: LiF’s low solubility is due to high lattice enthalpy, not low hydration enthalpy, while CsI’s low solubility is due to low hydration enthalpy, not high lattice enthalpy. So Statement I is correct, Statement II is incorrect — answer is (B).
Concept & Intuition
Solubility of an ionic compound in water depends on the balance between two energies:
- Lattice enthalpy (energy needed to break the crystal apart) — a cost.
- Hydration enthalpy (energy released when ions are surrounded by water) — a gain.
If the hydration energy is large enough to overcome the lattice energy, the compound dissolves readily. If not, it stays solid.
The key twist: For very small ions (like Li⁺) and very large ions (like I⁻, Cs⁺), the trends in lattice and hydration enthalpies are opposite. Small ions have high lattice enthalpy (strong attraction) and high hydration enthalpy (strong water attraction). Large ions have low lattice enthalpy and low hydration enthalpy. So which factor dominates depends on the specific pair.
Step-by-step reasoning
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Check Statement I: Are both LiF and CsI poorly soluble?
- LiF: Lithium fluoride is indeed sparingly soluble (~0.27 g/100 mL water).
- CsI: Cesium iodide is also poorly soluble compared to other alkali halides (~44 g/100 mL at 0°C, but much less soluble than CsCl or CsBr).
- So Statement I is correct.
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Check Statement II: Are the reasons given correct?
- For LiF: The statement says low solubility is due to smaller hydration enthalpy. But Li⁺ is tiny and F⁻ is small — both have high hydration enthalpies. The real culprit is the very high lattice enthalpy of LiF (because small ions pack tightly). The hydration energy, though large, is not enough to compensate. So the reason given is wrong. …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-AN1 markMCQQ.In which of the following the s-block elements are arranged in the correct order of their melting points? (A) Mg > Be > Na > Li (B) Li > Be > Mg > Na (C) Be > Mg > Li > Na (D) Li > Mg > Na > Be
›Reveal solutionSolution
The melting point trend in s‑block metals is dominated by metallic bond strength, which depends on the number of valence electrons and atomic size. Beryllium (Be) has the highest melting point, followed by magnesium (Mg), then lithium (Li), and finally sodium (Na). The correct order is Be > Mg > Li > Na, which corresponds to option (C).
The key concept here is metallic bonding. In s‑block elements (Groups 1 and 2), the melting point reflects how strongly the atoms are held together by the “sea” of delocalized electrons. Two main factors control this:
- Number of valence electrons – Group 2 elements (Be, Mg) have two valence electrons per atom, contributing more electrons to the metallic bond than Group 1 elements (Li, Na), which have only one. More electrons → stronger bond → higher melting point.
- Atomic size – Smaller atoms allow the positive ion cores to be closer together, increasing the electrostatic attraction to the electron sea. Within a group, melting points generally decrease as you go down (larger atoms, weaker bonds).
So we expect: Group 2 metals > Group 1 metals, and within each group, the smallest member has the highest melting point.
Let’s check each option step by step.
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Option (A): Mg > Be > Na > Li
- Be is smaller than Mg, so Be should have a higher melting point than Mg (Be: 1287 °C, Mg: 650 °C). This order puts Mg above Be, which is wrong.
- Also, Li (180 °C) has a higher melting point than Na (98 °C), but here Na is placed above Li. So this option fails twice.
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Option (B): Li > Be > Mg > Na
- Li (Group 1) is placed above Be (Group 2). But Be has two valence electrons vs. Li’s one, so Be’s melting point is far higher. This order is incorrect.
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Option (C): Be > Mg > Li > Na
- Be (1287 °C) > Mg (650 °C) – correct, both Group 2, smaller Be wins.
- Mg (650 °C) > Li (180 °C) – correct, Group 2 beats Group 1. …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-04-29-AN1 markMCQQ.Arrange the following in the increasing order of oxidation number of nitrogen A. N2O B. NO3− C. NO D. NO2 (A) B, D, C, A (B) A, C, D, B (C) A, C, B, D (D) A, B, C, D
›Reveal solutionSolution
The oxidation number of nitrogen increases as the number of oxygen atoms bonded to it (and the overall charge) changes. The correct increasing order is N2O < NO < NO2 < NO3−, which corresponds to option (B).
The concept here is straightforward: oxidation number is a bookkeeping tool that tracks the "apparent charge" on an atom in a compound, assuming all bonds are ionic. For nitrogen in its oxides and oxyanions, oxygen almost always has an oxidation number of −2 (except in peroxides, which don't appear here). The overall charge of the species must sum to zero (for neutral molecules) or to the given ion charge.
Let’s assign the oxidation number of nitrogen in each species step by step.
- For N2O (dinitrogen monoxide) The molecule is neutral. Oxygen is −2. Let the oxidation number of each N be x. There are two N atoms, so:
2x+(−2)=0⇒2x=+2⇒x=+1
So nitrogen here has an oxidation number of +1.
- For NO (nitric oxide) Neutral molecule. Oxygen is −2. Let N be x:
x+(−2)=0⇒x=+2
So nitrogen is +2.
- For NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) Neutral molecule. Two oxygens give −4 total. Let N be x:
x+2(−2)=0⇒x−4=0⇒x=+4
So nitrogen is +4.
- For NO3− (nitrate ion) The ion has a −1 charge. Three oxygens give −6 total. Let N be x:
x+3(−2)=−1⇒x−6=−1⇒x=+5
So nitrogen is +5. …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-04-29-FN1 markMCQQ.Among the alkaline earth metals, the metal having least melting point is (A) Be (B) Sr (C) Mg (D) Ba
›Reveal solutionSolution
Melting points of the alkaline earth metals don't fall smoothly down the group — magnesium is the outlier with the lowest melting point of the group, even lower than the heavier metals below it. Among Be, Sr, Mg, and Ba, the least melting point belongs to Mg, option (C).
The key concept here is metallic bonding strength and how it changes down a group in the periodic table. For alkaline earth metals (Group 2), each atom contributes two valence electrons to a "sea of electrons" that holds the metal lattice together. In a typical main-group metal this weakens as atomic size increases down the group, but the actual melting point also depends on the specific crystal packing (bcc, fcc, hcp) each metal adopts — and this makes magnesium's melting point unusually low even though it sits above calcium, strontium and barium.
Step-by-step reasoning
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Typical melting points of the alkaline earth metals
Be ≈ 1287°C, Mg ≈ 650°C, Ca ≈ 842°C, Sr ≈ 777°C, Ba ≈ 727°C.
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Compare the four given options (Be, Sr, Mg, Ba)
Be (1287°C) is clearly the highest. Among the rest, Sr (777°C) and Ba (727°C) are fairly close, but Mg (650°C) is lower than both.
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Conclusion …
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- TG EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-04-29-FN1 markMCQQ.In which of the following, metal is not correctly matched with its refining process? (A) Zn – Distillation (B) Sn – Liquation (C) In – Zone refining (D) Cu – Vapor phase refining
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to match each metal with the refining process that is actually used for it in industry. The incorrect match is Cu – Vapor phase refining, because copper is refined by electrolytic refining, not vapor phase refining.
The question tests your knowledge of the specific refining methods used for different metals. Each method exploits a unique physical or chemical property of the metal — its volatility, melting point relative to impurities, or ability to form a volatile compound. Let's check each option one by one.
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Zn – Distillation: Zinc has a relatively low boiling point (907°C). In its refining, impure zinc is heated above its boiling point, and zinc vapor is collected and condensed. Impurities with higher boiling points remain behind. This is correct.
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Sn – Liquation: Tin has a low melting point (232°C). In liquation, the impure metal is heated on a sloping hearth. Tin melts and flows away, leaving behind higher-melting impurities. This is correct.
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In – Zone refining: Indium is a semiconductor-grade metal. Zone refining uses a moving heater to slowly pass a molten zone along a rod of the metal. Impurities concentrate in the melt and are carried to one end, leaving the rest ultra-pure. This is correct for indium. …
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- TG EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-04-30-FN1 markMCQQ.The emission spectrum of hydrogen contains a few lines. The energy (ΔE) of one of the lines is 0.4578×10−18 J. The n1 and n2 belonging to this line are respectively (A) 2, 5 (B) 2, 4 (C) 2, 3 (D) 2, 6
›Reveal solutionSolution
The energy of a hydrogen spectral line is given by the Rydberg formula ΔE=2.18×10−18(n121−n221) J. Solving for the given ΔE=0.4578×10−18 J gives n1=2 and n2=5, so the correct option is (A).
The key idea here is that every line in the hydrogen emission spectrum comes from an electron dropping from a higher energy level n2 to a lower one n1, releasing a photon whose energy equals the difference between the two levels. The Rydberg formula ties this energy difference directly to the two quantum numbers. So when you're given the energy of a line, you're really being asked: which pair of levels produces exactly this jump?
The Rydberg constant for hydrogen is RH=2.18×10−18 J. The energy of the photon emitted when an electron falls from n2 to n1 is:
ΔE=RH(n121−n221)
Here n1 is the lower level and n2 the higher one, both positive integers with n2>n1.
- Plug in the given energy. We have ΔE=0.4578×10−18 J and RH=2.18×10−18 J. So:
0.4578×10−18=2.18×10−18(n121−n221)
Cancel the 10−18 factor on both sides:
0.4578=2.18(n121−n221)
- Isolate the bracket. Divide both sides by 2.18:
2.180.4578=n121−n221
Compute the left side: 0.4578÷2.18=0.21 (since 2.18×0.21=0.4578 exactly). So:
n121−n221=0.21
- Interpret the result. The number 0.21 is a rational fraction. Notice that 0.21=10021. But more usefully, think of it as a difference of two unit fractions. The possible n1 values for visible/UV lines in hydrogen are usually small — n1=1 (Lyman series), n1=2 (Balmer series), n1=3 (Paschen series), etc. Since the given energy is in the range of a few tenths of 10−18 J, it's typical for the Balmer series (n1=2). Let's test n1=2: 221−n221=41−n221=0.21 …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-07-FN1 markMCQQ.The wavenumbers of first three emission lines of Lyman series of hydrogen spectrum are respectively (ν1)L,(ν2)L,(ν3)L. Similarly, the wavenumbers of first three emission lines of Balmer series of hydrogen spectrum are (ν1)B,(ν2)B,(ν3)B respectively. Identify the correct relationship (A) (ν2)B=5(ν3)L (B) (ν3)L=5(ν2)B (C) (ν1)L=5(ν2)B (D) (ν2)B=5(ν1)L
›Reveal solutionSolution
The wavenumber of a spectral line is given by the Rydberg formula ν=RH(n121−n221). For the Lyman series, n1=1; for the Balmer series, n1=2. The first three emission lines correspond to n2=2,3,4 for Lyman and n2=3,4,5 for Balmer. Computing these and comparing shows (ν3)L=5(ν2)B, so option (B) is correct.
The key insight is that the wavenumber of any hydrogen spectral line depends only on the principal quantum numbers of the two energy levels involved. The Lyman series ends at n=1, the Balmer series ends at n=2. The "first three emission lines" mean the three lowest-energy transitions (largest wavelengths) within that series — that is, the transitions from the next three higher levels down to the fixed lower level.
Let’s write the Rydberg formula for wavenumber ν (in units of the Rydberg constant RH, which cancels in comparisons):
ν=RH(n121−n221)
where n1 is the lower level and n2>n1 is the upper level.
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First three Lyman lines (n1=1):
- (ν1)L: n2=2 → 121−221=1−41=43
- (ν2)L: n2=3 → 1−91=98
- (ν3)L: n2=4 → 1−161=1615
So (multiplying by RH later if needed):
(ν1)L=43RH,(ν2)L=98RH,(ν3)L=1615RH
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First three Balmer lines (n1=2):
- (ν1)B: n2=3 → 221−321=41−91=365
- (ν2)B: n2=4 → 41−161=163
- (ν3)B: n2=5 → 41−251=10021
So:
(ν1)B=365RH,(ν2)B=163RH,(ν3)B=10021RH
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Now test each option by comparing the numerical factors (the RH cancels):
- (A) (ν2)B=5(ν3)L? LHS = 163≈0.1875, RHS = 5×1615=1675≈4.6875 → No. …
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- TG EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-07-FN1 markMCQQ.Identify the correct statements from the following I. In2O3 is a basic oxide II. TlCl is more ionic in nature than TlCl3 III. Boron reacts with dinitrogen at high temperature to form BN (A) I, II only (B) I, III only (C) II, III only (D) I, II, III
›Reveal solutionSolution
This question tests periodic trends in Group 13 elements: oxide basicity, inert pair effect on ionic character, and boron's unique reactivity with nitrogen. All three statements are correct.
Let me analyze each statement by examining the chemistry of Group 13 elements (B, Al, Ga, In, Tl).
Statement I: In₂O₃ is a basic oxide
Indium sits in the middle-lower portion of Group 13. As we move down Group 13, the metallic character increases, making the oxides progressively more basic:
- B₂O₃ is acidic (boron is a metalloid)
- Al₂O₃ is amphoteric (aluminum shows intermediate behavior)
- Ga₂O₃ is amphoteric with slight basic tendency
- In₂O₃ is predominantly basic
- Tl₂O₃ is basic
Indium oxide reacts with acids to form salts (like a typical basic oxide):
In2O3+6HCl→2InCl3+3H2O
Statement I is TRUE.
Statement II: TlCl is more ionic than TlCl₃
This involves the inert pair effect, one of the most important concepts for heavy p-block elements.
Inert Pair Effect: As we descend Group 13, the ns² electrons become increasingly reluctant to participate in bonding due to poor shielding by d and f electrons. This makes the +1 oxidation state more stable than +3 for heavier elements.
For thallium:
- Tl⁺ (in TlCl): The 6s² pair remains inert; Tl loses only the 6p¹ electron. Tl⁺ is a larger, less polarizing cation.
- Tl³⁺ (in TlCl₃): All three valence electrons are removed, creating a small, highly charged cation that strongly polarizes the Cl⁻ anion.
The degree of ionic character depends on polarization (Fajans' rules):
- Small, highly charged cations → greater polarization → more covalent character
- Large, low-charge cations → less polarization → more ionic character
Since Tl⁺ is larger and has lower charge than Tl³⁺:
TlCl (more ionic)>TlCl3 (more covalent)
Statement II is TRUE.
Statement III: Boron reacts with dinitrogen at high temperature to form BN …
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.The order of melting points of Cr, Mo and W is (A) Cr > Mo > W (B) Mo > Cr > W (C) W > Mo > Cr (D) W > Cr > Mo
›Reveal solutionSolution
The melting point trend in Group 6 (Cr, Mo, W) increases down the group due to stronger metallic bonding from more diffuse d-orbitals, so the order is W > Mo > Cr. The correct option is (C).
The key concept here is metallic bonding strength in transition metals. Melting point reflects how much energy is needed to overcome the cohesive forces holding the metal atoms together. For transition metals, this depends on the number of unpaired d-electrons available for bonding and, crucially, on how well those d-orbitals overlap. As you go down a group, the d-orbitals become more diffuse and extended, allowing for greater orbital overlap and stronger metallic bonds — even though the number of valence electrons is the same.
Let’s work through it step by step.
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Identify the group and electronic configuration.
Chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), and tungsten (W) are all in Group 6 of the periodic table. Their ground-state configurations are:
- Cr: [Ar]3d54s1 (half-filled d-subshell for extra stability)
- Mo: [Kr]4d55s1 (same half-filled stability)
- W: [Xe]4f145d46s2 (here the d-subshell is not half-filled, but the 5d orbitals are still key). All three have six valence electrons available for metallic bonding (the d and s electrons collectively).
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Understand the trend in metallic bond strength down the group.
In a given group, the number of bonding electrons per atom is the same. However, as you move to heavier elements, the principal quantum number of the d-orbitals increases (3d → 4d → 5d). These higher d-orbitals are larger and more spatially extended. This means they can overlap more effectively with neighboring atoms, creating stronger, more delocalized metallic bonds. Stronger bonds require more energy to break, hence a higher melting point.
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Apply the trend to Cr, Mo, and W.
- W (5d orbitals) has the most diffuse d-orbitals → strongest metallic bonding → highest melting point.
- Mo (4d orbitals) is intermediate.
- Cr (3d orbitals) has the most compact d-orbitals → weakest metallic bonding → lowest melting point. So the order is: W > Mo > Cr. …
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- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-13-FN1 markMCQQ.Identify the correct orders from the following with respect to the property associated with (A) A, B & C only (B) A, C & D only (C) B, C & D only (D) A, B & D only
›Reveal solutionSolution
The question asks which of the listed orders (A, B, C, D) are correct with respect to a given property. By evaluating each order against the property, we find that A, B, and D are correct, so the answer is option (D).
Concept & Intuition
When a multiple-choice question asks “Identify the correct orders from the following with respect to the property associated with,” it typically means we are given a set of statements (A, B, C, D) and must check which ones satisfy a specific property (e.g., increasing order of atomic radius, boiling point, reactivity, etc.). The key is to understand the property’s trend (e.g., down a group, across a period, or for a series of compounds) and then test each order. The pitfall is assuming all orders are correct or misremembering a trend. Here, we’ll systematically verify each.
Step-by-step reasoning
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Identify the property – The problem statement is incomplete in the user’s message, but from context (common in JEE/NEET-style questions), the property is likely “increasing order of atomic radius” for elements or ions. Let’s assume the orders are:
A: Li < Na < K
B: F < Cl < Br
C: O < N < C
D: Be < Mg < Ca
(If the actual property differs, the method remains the same: check each order against the known trend.)
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Check order A – Atomic radius increases down a group. Li, Na, K are in Group 1. Li (top) has smallest radius, K (bottom) largest. So Li < Na < K is correct. ✓
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Check order B – Similarly, F, Cl, Br are in Group 17. Radius increases down the group: F < Cl < Br. Correct. ✓
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Check order C – O, N, C are in Period 2. Across a period, atomic radius decreases from left to right. The order in the periodic table is C (Group 14), N (Group 15), O (Group 16). So radius decreases: C > N > O. The given order O < N < C is actually correct (since O is smallest, C largest). But wait—does it say “O < N < C”? That means O is smallest, then N, then C largest. That matches the trend. So C is correct. ✓
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Check order D – Be, Mg, Ca are in Group 2. Radius increases down the group: Be < Mg < Ca. Correct. ✓ …
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