English
Karnataka Board PUCPUC Science Class 11

Why are lithium salts commonly hydrated and those of the other alkali metal ions usually anhydrous? - Chemistry

Advertisements
Advertisements

Question

Why are lithium salts commonly hydrated and those of the other alkali metal ions usually anhydrous?

Answer in Brief
Advertisements

Solution

Lithium is the smallest in size among the alkali metals. Hence, Li+ ion can polarize water molecules more easily than other alkali metals. As a result, water molecules get attached to lithium salts as water of crystallization. Hence, lithium salts such as trihydrated lithium chloride (LiCl.3H2O) are commonly hydrated. As the size of the ions increases, their polarizing power decreases. Hence, other alkali metal ions usually form anhydrous salts.

shaalaa.com
  Is there an error in this question or solution?

RELATED QUESTIONS

What are the common chemical features of alkali metals?


Write a balanced equation for the reaction between KO2 and water.


For alkali metals, which one of the following trends is incorrect?


Which of the following statements is incorrect?


What are the common physical features of alkali metals?


The alkali metals are low melting. Which of the following alkali metal is expected to melt if the room temperature rises to 30°C?


Metals form basic hydroxides. Which of the following metal hydroxide is the least basic?


In the synthesis of sodium carbonate, the recovery of ammonia is done by treating NH4Cl with Ca(OH)2. The by-product obtained in this process is ______.


By adding gypsum to cement


Which of the following elements does not form hydride by direct heating with dihydrogen?


Metallic elements are described by their standard electrode potential, fusion enthalpy, atomic size, etc. The alkali metals are characterised by which of the following properties?

(i) High boiling point.

(ii) High negative standard electrode potential.

(iii) High density.

(iv) Large atomic size.


Write Lewis strucure of \[\ce{O^{-}2}\] ion and find out oxidation state of each oxygen atom? What is the average oxidation state of oxygen in this ion?


The stability of peroxide and superoxide of alkali metals increase as we go down the group. Explain giving reason.


The valence shell electronic configuration of alkali metals is ______. 


The ease of absorption of the hydrated alkali metals ions in an ion-exchange resin follows the order:


Match List-I with List-II.

List-I List-II
(Metal) (Emitted light wavelength (nm))
(a) Li (I) 780.0
(b) Na (II) 455.5
(c) Rb (III) 670.8
(d) Cs (IV) 589.2

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:


A white precipitate was formed when BaCl2 was added to extract of an inorganic salt. Farther, a gas 'X' with characteristic odour was released when the formed white precipitate was dissolved in dilute HCl. The anion present in the inorganic salt is ______.


The metal mainly used in devising photoelectric cells is ______.


The correct order of hydration enthapies of alkali metal ions is ______.


Nitrogen combines with metals to form ______.


Share
Notifications

Englishहिंदीमराठी


      Forgot password?
Use app×