JEE Main · Chemistry ↑ Rising

p-Block Elements appeared 42 times across 3 years — 4.9% of Chemistry. This question is from Group 16 Hydrides.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 16 13 13 42

Given below are two statements: Statement I: H₂Se is more acidic than H₂Te. Statement II: H₂Se has higher bond enthalpy for dissociation than H₂Te. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Solution & Explanation

Core Logic

Let us analyze the periodic properties of chalcogen hydrides (Group 16):

  • Bond Dissociation Enthalpy (ΔdisH): As we descend the group from Selenium to Tellurium, the size of the central atom increases significantly (rTe > rSe). This increase in size leads to poorer orbital overlap with the small 1s orbital of hydrogen, resulting in a longer and weaker M-H bond. Consequently, the bond dissociation enthalpy decreases:
ΔdisH: H₂Se (276 kJ mol⁻¹) > H₂Te (238 kJ mol⁻¹)

Thus, Statement II is true.

  • Acidic Strength: A weaker bond dissociates more easily in aqueous solution to release H^+ ions. Since the Te-H bond is weaker than the Se-H bond, H₂Te releases protons much more readily than H₂Se, making it a stronger acid:
Acidic Strength: H₂Se < H₂Te

Thus, Statement I is false.

Pattern Recognition

For binary hydrides down any group (like Group 15, 16, or 17), atomic size increase weakens the covalent bond. A weaker bond releases protons more effectively, meaning that both acidic strength and reducing character increase down the group, while thermal stability decreases.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: p-Block Elements

Reference Study Guides

More p-Block Elements Previous-Year Questions — Page 6

Q44 jee_main_2025_07_april_evening Inert Pair Effect and Oxidation States
The correct statements from the following are: (A) Tl³⁺ is a powerful oxidising agent (B) Al³⁺ does not get reduced easily (C) Both Al³⁺ and Tl³⁺ are very stable in solution (D) Tl⁺ is more stable than Tl³⁺ (E) Al³⁺ and Tl⁺ are highly stable Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
  • A. (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E)
  • B. (A), (B), (D) and (E) only
  • C. (B), (D) and (E) only
  • D. (A), (C) and (D) only

Solution

Related Formula
Inert pair effect Stability of (+n-2) oxidation state increases down the main p-block groups.
Core Logic

Let's analyze the group 13 stability dynamics:

  • Inert Pair Effect: Down Group 13, the reluctance of inner ns² electrons to participate in bonding increases. Thus, for Thallium (Tl), the +1 oxidation state is significantly more stable than the +3 oxidation state (Tl^+ > Tl³⁺). This validates statement (D). [cite: 1020, 1032]
  • Because Tl³⁺ is highly unstable, it eagerly captures two electrons to reduce to Tl^+, acting as a powerful oxidizing agent, verifying statement (A). [cite: 1020, 1023]
  • Aluminum is small and highly electropositive. Its standard reduction potential is heavily negative (E⁰ = -1.66 V), meaning Al³⁺ resists reduction and remains highly stable in solution, validating statements (B) and (E). [cite: 1026, 1027, 1038]
Step 1: Eliminating Flawed Entries

Statement (C) states that both are highly stable in solution, which is false since Tl³⁺ is highly unstable and readily oxidizes surrounding species. Thus, the valid statements are (A), (B), (D), and (E) only.

Pattern Recognition

Inert pair shortcuts: For heavy p-block blocks (like Tl, Pb, Bi), the lowest oxidation state (+1, +2, +3 respectively) is always favored over the maximum group valence. Consequently, their high-valence ions act as excellent oxidizers.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: The p-Block Elements

Q38 jee_main_2025_24_jan_morning Group 16 Elements Physical Properties
The large difference between the melting and boiling points of oxygen and sulphur may be explained on the basis of
  • A. Atomic size
  • B. Atomicity
  • C. Electronegativity
  • D. Electron gain enthalpy

Solution

Core Logic

Oxygen exists naturally as a discrete diatomic element molecule system (O₂), displaying an atomicity count equal to 2. In contrast, sulphur forms a puckered multi-atom ring structure configuration (S₈), presenting a larger atomicity value equal to 8.

This high structural molecular mass significantly amplifies the surface area available for London dispersion forces. This creates much stronger intermolecular van der Waals attractions within molecular configurations of sulphur, accounting for its significantly elevated thermal properties relative to gaseous oxygen molecules.

Pattern Recognition

O₂ molecular setups form simple gaseous configurations, while S₈ molecular configurations establish thick, heavy crown-packed chains.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: The p-Block Elements

Q45 jee_main_2025_28_jan_evening Group 15 Elements and Qualitative Analysis
Identify the inorganic sulphides that are yellow in colour: (A) (NH₄)₂S (B) PbS (C) CuS (D) As₂S₃ (E) As₂S₅ Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
  • A. (A) and (C) only
  • B. (A), (D) and (E) only
  • C. (A) and (B) only
  • D. (D) and (E) only

Solution

Related Formula

Specific metal sulfide precipitates exhibit characteristic colors used in qualitative inorganic analysis schemes.

Core Logic

Evaluating the colors of the specified inorganic sulfides:

  • (NH₄)₂S (Ammonium sulfide solution / yellow ammonium sulfide compound matrix) arrow Yellow
  • PbS (Lead sulfide) arrow Black
  • CuS (Copper sulfide) arrow Black
  • As₂S₃ (Arsenic(III) sulfide) arrow Yellow
  • As₂S₅ (Arsenic(V) sulfide) arrow Yellow
Step 1: Identifying Valid Items

The sulfides matching the yellow color description are (A), (D), and (E).

Pattern Recognition

In qualitative salt analysis, arsenic belongs to Group IIB and precipitates as a bright yellow sulfide (As₂S₃). Transition metal sulfides like PbS and CuS typically form dark black precipitates.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: p-Block Elements

Q49 jee_main_2025_28_jan_evening Group 15 Elements - Hydrides and Bonding
A group 15 element forms dπ-dπ bond with transition metals. It also forms hydride, which is a strongest base among the hydrides of other group members that form dπ-dπ bond. The atomic number of the element is ______.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 15 to 15

Solution

Related Formula

Basic strength order among Group 15 hydrides drops down the group due to an increase in size and a decrease in charge density:

NH₃ > PH₃ > AsH₃ > SbH₃ > BiH₃
Core Logic

Let's analyze the properties specified:

  • The element must be able to form dπ-dπ bonds with transition metals. Nitrogen cannot form these bonds because it lacks vacant d-orbitals in its valence shell. Therefore, nitrogen is excluded.
  • Among the remaining elements (Phosphorus, Arsenic, Antimony, Bismuth) that contain available d-orbitals, basic strength decreases down the group. Phosphorus forms phosphine (PH₃), which is the strongest base among the remaining members.
Step 1: Identify the Atomic Number

The identified element is Phosphorus (P).

The atomic number of Phosphorus is 15.

Pattern Recognition

Pay attention to qualifying statements like 'among elements that form dπ-dπ bonds'. This explicitly excludes second-period elements (like Nitrogen), making Phosphorus (Z=15) the top choice for basicity.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: p-Block Elements

Q68 jee_main_2024_01_february_morning Group 15 Elements
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A) : PH₃ has lower boiling point than NH₃. Reason (R): In liquid state NH₃ molecules are associated through vander waal's forces, but PH₃ molecules are associated through hydrogen bonding. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
  • A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
  • B. (A) is not correct but (R) is correct
  • C. Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
  • D. (A) is correct but (R) is not correct

Solution

Core Logic

NH₃ undergoes extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding due to the high electronegativity and small size of Nitrogen. PH₃ (Phosphine) molecules are only held together by weak van der Waals (dispersion) forces because Phosphorus is less electronegative and larger, unable to form strong hydrogen bonds.

Step 1: Evaluate Statements

Assertion (A) is correct: PH₃ has a lower boiling point than NH₃ because breaking H-bonds in NH₃ requires more energy. Reason (R) is incorrect: It falsely claims NH₃ has van der Waals association and PH₃ has hydrogen bonding. It is exactly the opposite.

Pattern Recognition

N, O, and F are the only atoms electronegative enough to form stable hydrogen bonds in simple hydrides. Boiling point anomaly: NH₃ > PH₃ purely due to H-bonding in NH₃.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Chemistry: The p-Block Elements Class 11 Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

More p-Block Elements Questions — jee_main_2025_08_april_evening

Practice all p-Block Elements previous-year questions →

Rankbit System
JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%) | JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%)