NCERT Solutions Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 10

The periodic table is divided into four sections. These four blocks are known as the s, p, d, and f-blocks, and they are divided based on  how full each shell (with electrons) is. The s-orbital is the very first orbital. When the last electron in an element enters the s-orbital, it is referred to as an s-block element.

The s-Block elements are discussed in Chemistry Chapter 10 Class 11. The two groups of the periodic table – groups 1 and 2 – are known as alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, respectively. These two groups are part of the s-block element family, which consists of 13 elements.

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 10 – The s-Block Elements

Chapter 10 teaches everything students should know about the elements in the modern periodic table. Alkali metals, hydroxides, and oxides’ physical, chemical, and general properties are covered. It also explains all structural and functional reactions, as well as the characteristics and applications of the s-block elements. This chapter will also discuss some important trends such as atomic radius, diagonal relationship, and so on.

Students can understand all of the important concepts and practise questions well enough before their examination by consulting the NCERT solutions for class 11. These Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 10 NCERT Solutions aid students in their preparation for the final exam as well as for competitive exams such as BITSAT, JEE, NEET, and others.

Access NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry Chapter – 10 The s-Block Elements

You can accessNCERT solutions for Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 10 on Extramarks website.

NCERT Exercise Solutions

The NCERT Solutions Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 10 by Extramarks are written in accordance with the guidelines given by CBSE. The answers to all of the exercise questions in the chapter s-block elements are there to help students review the entire syllabus and improve their grades.

Download NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry s Block Elements 

After studying  this chapter, students will be able to explain the general properties of alkali compounds as well as their metals. They will also study the general characteristics of alkali metals and their compounds, as well as their properties, manufacturing descriptions, and applications in industry.

On Extramarks, you’ll find the most accurate and detailed NCERT Solutions Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 10. Our chemistry subject expert solves these s-block element solutions. Furthermore, the solutions for this chapter are in accordance with CBSE guidelines.

Topic Wise Solutions of NCERT Solutions of S Block Elements Class 11th

There are two groups in the s-block (1&2). Important concepts of s-block elements are discussed in Ch 10 Chemistry Class 11 NCERT Solutions. Some of the concepts are: properties of group 1 and group 2 elements, their electronic configuration, their occurrence, general characteristics of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal compounds, anomalous behaviour of lithium and beryllium, important sodium and calcium compounds, and finally the biological importance of sodium and potassium. Students can find the detailed description of the chapter here:

Section Number Section Title
10.1 Group 1 Elements: Alkali Metals
10.2 General Characteristics of the Compounds of the Alkali Metals
10.2.1 Oxides and Hydroxides
10.2.2 Halides
10.2.3 Salts of oxo-Acids
10.3 Anomalous Properties of Lithium
10.4 Some Important Compounds of Sodium
10.5 Biological Importance of Sodium and Potassium
10.6 Group 2 Elements: Alkaline Earth Metals
10.7 General Characteristics of Compounds of the Alkaline Earth Metals
10.8 Anomalous Behaviour of Beryllium
10.9 Some Important Compounds of Calcium
10.10 Biological Importance of Magnesium and Calcium

10.1 Group 1 Elements: Alkali Metals

With increasing atomic number, the physical and chemical properties of alkali metals follow a predictable pattern. The electronic configuration, atomic and ionic radii, ionisation enthalpy, hydration enthalpy, physical and chemical properties, and applications of alkali metals are discussed in this topic.

10.2 General Characteristics of the Compounds of the Alkali Metals

The  most common compounds of Alkali metals are all ionic in nature. Some of their compounds’ general characteristics are discussed here.

10.2.1 Oxides and Hydroxides

All of the elements in group 2 produce metallic oxide when they are burned with oxygen gas. Alkaline earth metal oxides have lower basicity. When the electropositive character of an oxide increases, it becomes more basic. 

The tendency of alkaline earth metals to form hydroxides decreases as one moves down the group. All hydroxides are basic in nature, and their basicity decreases as they progress through the group.

10.2.2 Halides

Halides are two-part binary compounds in which one part is an element and the other is a halogen atom. This section also examines its reactions, precipitation, examples, types, and applications.

10.2.3 Salts of oxo-Acids

Oxoacid salts are compounds in which a highly electropositive alkali metal reacts with oxoacids to form salts. They are generally water-soluble and heat resistant. Definitions, formulae, and examples will be used to further explain these concepts in this section.

10.3 Anomalous Properties of Lithium

Lithium’s peculiar behaviour is due to two factors: (i) its atom and ion’s extremely small size, and (ii) its high polarising power (charge/ radius ratio). The differences between lithium and alkaline metals, as well as the similarities between lithium and magnesium, are discussed in this section.

10.4 Some Important Compounds of Sodium

Sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium chloride, and sodium hydroxide are all important industrial compounds of sodium. The large-scale production of these elements, as well as their applications, are discussed in this topic.

10.5 Biological Importance of Sodium and Potassium

The biological significance of sodium and potassium ions is explained, including how they help regulate the flow of water across cell membranes and how they activate many enzymes.

10.6 Group 2 Elements: Alkaline Earth Metals

Barium, Beryllium, Calcium, Magnesium, Radium, and Strontium make group 2. The electronic configuration, atomic and ionic radii, ionisation enthalpy, hydration enthalpy, physical and chemical properties, and applications of alkali earth metals are discussed in this topic. It also goes over the anomalous properties of Beryllium and important calcium compounds in depth.

10.7 General Characteristics of Compounds of the Alkaline Earth Metals

The chemistry of alkaline earth metals is very similar to alkali metals. In the case of alkaline earth metals, however, some differences arise due to smaller atomic and ionic sizes and higher cationic charges. Their oxides and hydroxides are less basic than the oxides and hydroxides of alkali metals. Other chemical characteristics are also discussed.

10.8 Anomalous Behaviour of Beryllium

Beryllium, the first element in group 2, has several properties that set it apart from the other elements in its group, resulting in unusual behaviour. Students will investigate the factors that cause Beryllium’s unusual behaviour.

10.9 Some Important Compounds of Calcium

Calcium oxide (lime), calcium hydroxide (slaked lime), calcium sulphate (Plaster of Paris), calcium carbonate (limestone), and cement are all industrially important calcium compounds. This section also includes calcium-based construction and industrial materials.

10.10 Biological Importance of Magnesium and Calcium

All enzymes that use ATP require magnesium as a cofactor. Magnesium can be found in green plants’ chlorophyll pigment. Students will explore further the biological importance of Calcium and Magnesium. 

There are 32 questions in this chapter’s exercise. This NCERT Solutions Class 11 Chemistry has been curated by our chemistry experts and comprises solutions to all the questions discussed in s-block elements chapter.

Short Questions

The first section of the Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 10 NCERT Solutions contains short questions and answers such as: 

  • What are the physical and chemical properties of alkali metals?
  • Why is alkali not found in nature?
  • Why is potassium more reactive than sodium?

Very Short Questions

This section of the Ch 10 Chemistry Class 11 NCERT Solutions contains a number of questions with very short answers. Some of the questions are:

  • Which compounds are used in the Solvay process for washing soda production?
  • Which electrolyte is added in Castner’s process for sodium production?

Long Questions

The NCERT Solutions Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 10 also include detailed solutions to a number of lengthy questions, the majority of which are conceptual. For example:

  • Why is lithium the best reducing agent, particularly in aqueous solutions?
  • How to determine the oxidation state of alkali metals?

Multiple Choice Questions

The final section of this NCERT solutions Class 11 includes a number of multiple-choice questions and answers. 

Why Should Students Choose NCERT Solution of s-block Elements Class 11?

Students can download and access Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 10 NCERT Solutions as per their convenience. The solutions are prepared by subject-matter experts,after extensive research. Here are some of the reasons why students should choose NCERT solutions of s-block elements Class 11 by Extramarks:

  • NCERT Solutions Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 10 are written in a comprehensive manner, and simple language, making it easier for students to understand the concepts.
  • Due to the detailed nature of solutions, students can refer to these for revision purpose.
  • Each answer includes the necessary equations and diagrams to keep students engaged in the topic.

Related Questions

  1. Q) For photoemission, the best metal to use is:
  2. Potassium
  3. Sodium 
  4. Caesium
  5. Lithium

Ans. Caesium

  1. Q) Why does Li2CO3 decompose at a lower temperature but Na2CO3 decomposes at a higher temperature?

Ans. Li2CO3 decomposes at a lower temperature, however, Na2CO3 decomposes at a higher temperature. This is because

  • Lithium is less electropositive than Sodium
  • Na2CO3 is more stable in comparison to Li2CO3
  • Lithium carbonate is not stable to heat, whereas, Sodium carbonate is very stable to heat
  1. Q) Potassium nitrate is also known as 
  2. Mohr’s salt
  3. Indian saltpetre
  4. Gypsum
  5. Chile saltpetre

Ans. Indian saltpetre

  1. Q) Which combination of elements will have the most violent reaction?
  2. Lithium and chlorine
  3. Potassium and chlorine
  4. Lithium and iodine
  5. Potassium and iodine

Ans. Potassium and chlorine

  1. Q) It is critical that no toxic or flammable products form when dealing with a spill of metallic sodium. In the event of a spill of metallic sodium, what material should be used?
  2. Dilute Hydrochloric acid
  3. Ethanol
  4. Sand
  5. Water spray 

Ans. Sand

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

The last electron of an element’s electronic configuration is present in the s orbital, making it an s-block element. In the periodic table, they form a distinct group. These elements, as well as all of their unique physical and chemical properties, are taught to students. Their interactions with other s-block elements are investigated in-depth, and  their unique identification characteristics are studied. 

The chapter in Chemistry has a lot of topics and sub-topics to learn and remember, but some of these require extra attention from students. The most important topics in Chemistry Chapter 10 Class 11 are listed below –

Alkali metals (Group 1)

  • General characteristics of the compounds of the alkali metals 
  • Anomalous properties of Lithium 
  • Some important compounds of Sodium 
  • Biological importance of Sodium and Potassium 

Alkaline metals (Group 2)

  • General characteristics of compounds of the alkali metals 
  • Anomalous properties of beryllium 
  • Some important compounds of Calcium 
  • Biological importance of Magnesium and Calcium 

Extramarks has compiled a list of all the exercises and their solutions in NCERT Class 11 Chemistry Chapter 10 solutions. Referring to the solutions will assist students in gaining a better understanding of the topics covered. After studying a chapter, students frequently make the mistake of not answering questions. Students will be able to find the answers to all the questions they are having trouble answering by referring to solutions available on Extramarks.

We’ve already discussed how s-block elements are classified into two groups. There are 13 elements in total in the s-block, 7 from group 1 and 6 from group 2.

 Lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), caesium (Cs), and francium (Fr) are the elements of Group 1. (Fr). They are collectively called alkali metals

 Barium (Ba), Beryllium (Be), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Strontium (Sr), and Radium (Ra) are the elements of Group 2. (Ra). They are collectively called alkaline earth metals.

In the final CBSE examination, Chemistry Chapter 10 Class 11 is worth a total of three marks. In NEET, NCERT class 11 Chemistry chapter 10 is worth 2% of total marks, and at least one question from this chapter is asked every year in JEE Main.