Chapter 13: Problem 15

Give reason for the following: (a) Carbon does not form complex compounds. (b) \(\mathrm{Pb}_{3} \mathrm{O}_{4}\) is a mixed oxide. (c) \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) is a gas while silica is a solid. (d) \(\mathrm{CCl}_{4}\) can not be hydrolysed in water. (e) \(\mathrm{SnO}_{2}\) is amphoteric.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Carbon does form complex compounds due to catenation. \(\mathrm{Pb}_{3} \mathrm{O}_{4}\) is a mixed oxide as it contains \(\mathrm{Pb}\) in two different oxidation states. \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) is a gas while silica is a solid due to their different molecular structures. \(\mathrm{CCl}_{4}\) can't be hydrolysed in water as carbon in \(\mathrm{CCl}_{4}\) is surrounded by chlorine atoms. \(\mathrm{SnO}_{2}\) is amphoteric as it reacts with both acids and bases.

Step by step solution

Answer (a)

Carbon can actually form complex compounds. This particular attribute of carbon is known as catenation. Carbon can form long chains, branched chains and rings by binding with its own atoms, producing millions of compounds.

Answer (b)

\(\mathrm{Pb}_{3} \mathrm{O}_{4}\) is a mixed oxide because it contains lead in two different oxidation states. It's actually a combination of two lead oxides - \(\mathrm{PbO}\) and \(\mathrm{PbO}_{2}\). Therefore, it is called a mixed oxide.

Answer (c)

\(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) is a gas while silica is a solid because of their different molecular structures. Carbon dioxide is a simple covalent molecule with weak van der Waals forces between the molecules, which easily overcome, thus it is a gas. On the other hand, silica, or silicon dioxide, has a giant covalent structure with strong covalent bonds between atoms throughout the structure, which makes it a solid.

Answer (d)

\(\mathrm{CCl}_{4}\) does not get hydrolysed in water because carbon in the \(\mathrm{CCl}_{4}\) molecule is surrounded by 4 chlorine atoms, making it impossible for water molecules to attack the carbon atom.

Answer (e)

\(\mathrm{SnO}_{2}\) is amphoteric because it can behave as both an acid and a base. This means, \(\mathrm{SnO}_{2}\) can react with both acids and bases to form salts and water, which is characteristic of an amphoteric oxide.

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Give reason for the following: (a) Carbon does not form complex compounds. (b) \(\mathrm{Pb}_{3} \mathrm{O}_{4}\) is a mixed oxide. (c) \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) is a gas while silica is a solid. (d) \(\mathrm{CCl}_{4}\) can not be hydrolysed in water. (e) \(\mathrm{SnO}_{2}\) is amphoteric.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Answer (a)

Answer (b)

Answer (c)

Answer (d)

Answer (e)

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