Which of the following is the correct order with respect to the property indicated?
Correct Answer :
K2O > Na2O > Al2O3 (Basic nature)
K2O > Na2O > Al2O3 (Basic nature)
Solution :
The correct option is K2O > Na2O > Al2O3 (Basic nature).
Let us analyze each of the given options to understand the correct order of the properties:
1. Basic nature of oxides: K2O > Na2O > Al2O3
- The basic character of oxides depends on the metallic character of the element forming the oxide. The more metallic the element, the more basic its oxide will be.
- Metallic character increases down a group and decreases across a period from left to right.
- Potassium () and Sodium () belong to Group 1 (alkali metals), which are highly electropositive and form strongly basic oxides. Since potassium lies below sodium in Group 1, it is more metallic, making more basic than .
- Aluminium () is a Group 13 metal. Its oxide, , is amphoteric (shows both acidic and basic properties) and is significantly less basic than the alkali metal oxides.
- Therefore, the correct decreasing order of basic nature is:
2. Ionisation energy: Cl > F
- Ionisation energy is the energy required to remove an electron from an isolated gaseous atom.
- As we move down a group, the atomic size increases and shielding effect increases, making it easier to remove an electron. Consequently, ionisation energy decreases down the group.
- Fluorine () and Chlorine () belong to Group 17 (halogens), with sitting above .
- Thus, fluorine has a higher ionisation energy than chlorine (). The order Cl > F is incorrect.
3. Metallic character: K > Na > Al > Mg
- Metallic character (electropositive character) increases down a group and decreases from left to right across a period.
- Looking at the positions of the elements in the periodic table:
- Group 1:
- Period 3:
- Comparing them all, the correct decreasing order of metallic character is K > Na > Mg > Al. The order given in the option (K > Na > Al > Mg) is incorrect.
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