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The P-Block Elements

Question
CBSEENCH12006969
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Discuss the properties of oxygen, sulphur, selenium, tellurium and polonium (group 16 elements) with reference of following: (i) metallic (non-metallic character), (ii) catenation, (iii) thermal stability of hydrides, (iv) oxidation states (v) allotropy.

Solution

i) metallic (non- metallic character) of group 16:

In group 16 metallic character increase down the group. This is due to the fact that the electrons become easier to lose as the atomic radius increases. The increase in atomic radius decreases attraction between the positive nucleus and the negative electrons, causing the electrons to be held more loosely.

ii) Catenation property:
In this group sulphur has strong tendency of catenation. Oxygen also shows this tendency to a limited extent.

iii) Thermal stability of hydrides:

The thermal stability decreases from H2O to H2Po because the size of the central atom (from O to Po) increases resulting in longer and weaker M – H bond consequently the bond strength decreases. This results in the decrease of the thermal stability.

 iv) Oxidation states:

The elements of Group 16 exhibit a number of oxidation states .The stability of -2 oxidation state decreases down the group. Polonium hardly shows –2 oxidation state. Since electronegativity of oxygen is very high, it shows only negative oxidation state as –2 except in the case of OF2 where its oxidation state is + 2. Other elements of the group exhibit + 2, + 4, + 6 oxidation states but + 4 and + 6 are more common. Sulphur, selenium and tellurium usually show + 4 oxidation state in their compounds with oxygen and + 6 with fluorine. The stability of + 6 oxidation state decreases down the group and stability of + 4 oxidation state increases (inert pair effect).

v) Allotropy: All elements of the group 16 exhibit allotropy 

Oxygen exist as O2 and O3.
sulphur exist as in number of allotropic forms, such as rhombic forms, such as rhombic, monoclnic plastic sulphur.
selenium has two common allotropic forms red and grey (non-metallic )
Tellurium occurs in two allotropic form, crystalline and amorphous
polonium also existin two allotropic from alpha and beta form.

Some More Questions From The p-Block Elements Chapter

Write a balanced equation for the hydrolytic reactions PCl5 in heavy water.

What is the basicity of H3PO4?

What happens when H3PO3 is heated?

List the important source of sulphur.

Write the order of thermal stability of the hydrides of Group 16 elements.

Why is H2O a liquid and H2S a gas?

Which of the following does not react with oxygen directly?
Zn, Ti, Pt, Fe

Complete the following reactions
(i) C2H4 + O2 →
(ii) 4Al + 3O2 →

Why does O3 act as a powerful oxidising agent?

How is O3 estimated quantitatively?

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