JEE Main 2025: Most Expected Questions from d- and f-Block Elements
JEE Main 2025: Complete d- and f-Block Question Bank
Q1. Write the electronic configuration of Fe and Fe2+. (NCERT: Page 221)
Solution: The electronic configuration of Fe is [Ar] 3d6 4s2.
For Fe2+, 2 electrons are removed from the 4s orbital, making it [Ar] 3d6.
Q2. Explain why the electronic configuration of Cr is [Ar] 3d5 4s1 instead of [Ar] 3d4 4s2. (NCERT: Page 222)
Solution: Cr attains a half-filled d-orbital (3d5) configuration which is more stable due to exchange energy and
symmetrical distribution of electrons.
Q3. State the common oxidation states of Mn. (NCERT: Page 224)
Solution: Manganese shows oxidation states from +2 to +7. For example, Mn2+ (stable due to half-filled d5
configuration), MnO4- (+7).
Q4. Why do transition metals show variable oxidation states? (NCERT: Page 224)
Solution: Transition metals exhibit variable oxidation states because electrons from both ns and (n-1)d
orbitals can participate in bonding.
Q5. Calculate the magnetic moment of Fe3+ ion. (NCERT: Page 226)
Solution: Fe3+ has 5 unpaired electrons (3d5 configuration).
Magnetic moment (mu) = sqrtn(n+2) BM, where n = 5.
mu = sqrt5(5+2) = sqrt35 = 5.92 BM.
Q6. Which of the following ions is paramagnetic: Cu+, Cu2+? Explain. (NCERT: Page 228)
Solution: Cu+ is diamagnetic (3d10 configuration), while Cu2+ is paramagnetic (3d9 configuration) with one
unpaired electron.
Q7. Why is [Fe(CN)6]4- colorless while [Fe(H2O)6]3+ is colored? (NCERT: Page 231)
JEE Main 2025: Most Expected Questions from d- and f-Block Elements
Solution: [Fe(CN)6]4- has a low-spin configuration (t2g6) with no unpaired electrons, making it colorless.
[Fe(H2O)6]3+ has unpaired electrons, causing d-d transitions, hence colored.
Q8. What is the geometry of [Ni(CN)4]2-? (NCERT: Page 232)
Solution: [Ni(CN)4]2- is square planar because CN- is a strong field ligand, causing pairing of electrons in
Ni2+.
Q9. Explain why transition metals are good catalysts. (NCERT: Page 229)
Solution: Transition metals provide a surface for the reaction to occur, have variable oxidation states to form
intermediates, and possess empty d-orbitals to interact with reactants.
Q10. Why is KMnO4 used as an oxidizing agent in acidic medium? (NCERT: Page 235)
Solution: In acidic medium, Mn in KMnO4 is reduced from +7 to +2, causing oxidation of other species:
MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- -> Mn2+ + 4H2O.
Q11. What is the role of Ce4+ in redox reactions? (NCERT: Page 236)
Solution: Ce4+ is a strong oxidizing agent due to its ability to be reduced to Ce3+ (stable 4f1 configuration).
Q12. Write the electronic configuration of Fe and Fe2+. (NCERT: Page 221)
Solution: The electronic configuration of Fe is [Ar] 3d6 4s2.
For Fe2+, 2 electrons are removed from the 4s orbital, making it [Ar] 3d6.
Q13. Explain why the electronic configuration of Cr is [Ar] 3d5 4s1 instead of [Ar] 3d4 4s2. (NCERT: Page 222
Solution: Cr attains a half-filled d-orbital (3d5) configuration which is more stable due to exchange energy and
symmetrical distribution of electrons.
Q14. State the common oxidation states of Mn. (NCERT: Page 224)
Solution: Manganese shows oxidation states from +2 to +7. For example, Mn2+ (stable due to half-filled d5
JEE Main 2025: Most Expected Questions from d- and f-Block Elements
configuration), MnO4- (+7).
Q15. Why do transition metals show variable oxidation states? (NCERT: Page 224)
Solution: Transition metals exhibit variable oxidation states because electrons from both ns and (n-1)d
orbitals can participate in bonding.
Q16. Calculate the magnetic moment of Fe3+ ion. (NCERT: Page 226)
Solution: Fe3+ has 5 unpaired electrons (3d5 configuration).
Magnetic moment (mu) = sqrtn(n+2) BM, where n = 5.
mu = sqrt5(5+2) = sqrt35 = 5.92 BM.
Q17. Which of the following ions is paramagnetic: Cu+, Cu2+? Explain. (NCERT: Page 228)
Solution: Cu+ is diamagnetic (3d10 configuration), while Cu2+ is paramagnetic (3d9 configuration) with one
unpaired electron.
Q18. Why is [Fe(CN)6]4- colorless while [Fe(H2O)6]3+ is colored? (NCERT: Page 231)
Solution: [Fe(CN)6]4- has a low-spin configuration (t2g6) with no unpaired electrons, making it colorless.
[Fe(H2O)6]3+ has unpaired electrons, causing d-d transitions, hence colored.
Q19. What is the geometry of [Ni(CN)4]2-? (NCERT: Page 232)
Solution: [Ni(CN)4]2- is square planar because CN- is a strong field ligand, causing pairing of electrons in
Ni2+.
Q20. Explain why transition metals are good catalysts. (NCERT: Page 229)
Solution: Transition metals provide a surface for the reaction to occur, have variable oxidation states to form
intermediates, and possess empty d-orbitals to interact with reactants.
Q21. Why is KMnO4 used as an oxidizing agent in acidic medium? (NCERT: Page 235)
JEE Main 2025: Most Expected Questions from d- and f-Block Elements
Solution: In acidic medium, Mn in KMnO4 is reduced from +7 to +2, causing oxidation of other species:
MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- -> Mn2+ + 4H2O.
Q22. Write the electronic configuration of Fe and Fe2+. (NCERT: Page 221)
Solution: The electronic configuration of Fe is [Ar] 3d6 4s2.
For Fe2+, 2 electrons are removed from the 4s orbital, making it [Ar] 3d6.
Q23. Explain why the electronic configuration of Cr is [Ar] 3d5 4s1 instead of [Ar] 3d4 4s2. (NCERT: Page 222
Solution: Cr attains a half-filled d-orbital (3d5) configuration which is more stable due to exchange energy and
symmetrical distribution of electrons.
Q24. State the common oxidation states of Mn. (NCERT: Page 224)
Solution: Manganese shows oxidation states from +2 to +7. For example, Mn2+ (stable due to half-filled d5
configuration), MnO4- (+7).
Q25. Why do transition metals show variable oxidation states? (NCERT: Page 224)
Solution: Transition metals exhibit variable oxidation states because electrons from both ns and (n-1)d
orbitals can participate in bonding.
Q26. Calculate the magnetic moment of Fe3+ ion. (NCERT: Page 226)
Solution: Fe3+ has 5 unpaired electrons (3d5 configuration).
Magnetic moment (mu) = sqrtn(n+2) BM, where n = 5.
mu = sqrt5(5+2) = sqrt35 = 5.92 BM.
Q27. Which of the following ions is paramagnetic: Cu+, Cu2+? Explain. (NCERT: Page 228)
Solution: Cu+ is diamagnetic (3d10 configuration), while Cu2+ is paramagnetic (3d9 configuration) with one
unpaired electron.
JEE Main 2025: Most Expected Questions from d- and f-Block Elements
Q28. Why is [Fe(CN)6]4- colorless while [Fe(H2O)6]3+ is colored? (NCERT: Page 231)
Solution: [Fe(CN)6]4- has a low-spin configuration (t2g6) with no unpaired electrons, making it colorless.
[Fe(H2O)6]3+ has unpaired electrons, causing d-d transitions, hence colored.
Q29. What is the geometry of [Ni(CN)4]2-? (NCERT: Page 232)
Solution: [Ni(CN)4]2- is square planar because CN- is a strong field ligand, causing pairing of electrons in
Ni2+.
Q30. Explain why transition metals are good catalysts. (NCERT: Page 229)
Solution: Transition metals provide a surface for the reaction to occur, have variable oxidation states to form
intermediates, and possess empty d-orbitals to interact with reactants.
Q31. Why is KMnO4 used as an oxidizing agent in acidic medium? (NCERT: Page 235)
Solution: In acidic medium, Mn in KMnO4 is reduced from +7 to +2, causing oxidation of other species:
MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- -> Mn2+ + 4H2O.
Q32. Write the electronic configuration of Fe and Fe2+. (NCERT: Page 221)
Solution: The electronic configuration of Fe is [Ar] 3d6 4s2.
For Fe2+, 2 electrons are removed from the 4s orbital, making it [Ar] 3d6.
Q33. Explain why the electronic configuration of Cr is [Ar] 3d5 4s1 instead of [Ar] 3d4 4s2. (NCERT: Page 222
Solution: Cr attains a half-filled d-orbital (3d5) configuration which is more stable due to exchange energy and
symmetrical distribution of electrons.
Q34. State the common oxidation states of Mn. (NCERT: Page 224)
Solution: Manganese shows oxidation states from +2 to +7. For example, Mn2+ (stable due to half-filled d5
configuration), MnO4- (+7).
JEE Main 2025: Most Expected Questions from d- and f-Block Elements
Q35. Why do transition metals show variable oxidation states? (NCERT: Page 224)
Solution: Transition metals exhibit variable oxidation states because electrons from both ns and (n-1)d
orbitals can participate in bonding.
Q36. Calculate the magnetic moment of Fe3+ ion. (NCERT: Page 226)
Solution: Fe3+ has 5 unpaired electrons (3d5 configuration).
Magnetic moment (mu) = sqrtn(n+2) BM, where n = 5.
mu = sqrt5(5+2) = sqrt35 = 5.92 BM.
Q37. Which of the following ions is paramagnetic: Cu+, Cu2+? Explain. (NCERT: Page 228)
Solution: Cu+ is diamagnetic (3d10 configuration), while Cu2+ is paramagnetic (3d9 configuration) with one
unpaired electron.
Q38. Why is [Fe(CN)6]4- colorless while [Fe(H2O)6]3+ is colored? (NCERT: Page 231)
Solution: [Fe(CN)6]4- has a low-spin configuration (t2g6) with no unpaired electrons, making it colorless.
[Fe(H2O)6]3+ has unpaired electrons, causing d-d transitions, hence colored.
Q39. What is the geometry of [Ni(CN)4]2-? (NCERT: Page 232)
Solution: [Ni(CN)4]2- is square planar because CN- is a strong field ligand, causing pairing of electrons in
Ni2+.
Q40. Explain why transition metals are good catalysts. (NCERT: Page 229)
Solution: Transition metals provide a surface for the reaction to occur, have variable oxidation states to form
intermediates, and possess empty d-orbitals to interact with reactants.
Q41. Why is KMnO4 used as an oxidizing agent in acidic medium? (NCERT: Page 235)
Solution: In acidic medium, Mn in KMnO4 is reduced from +7 to +2, causing oxidation of other species:
JEE Main 2025: Most Expected Questions from d- and f-Block Elements
MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- -> Mn2+ + 4H2O.
Q42. Write the electronic configuration of Fe and Fe2+. (NCERT: Page 221)
Solution: The electronic configuration of Fe is [Ar] 3d6 4s2.
For Fe2+, 2 electrons are removed from the 4s orbital, making it [Ar] 3d6.
Q43. Explain why the electronic configuration of Cr is [Ar] 3d5 4s1 instead of [Ar] 3d4 4s2. (NCERT: Page 222
Solution: Cr attains a half-filled d-orbital (3d5) configuration which is more stable due to exchange energy and
symmetrical distribution of electrons.
Q44. State the common oxidation states of Mn. (NCERT: Page 224)
Solution: Manganese shows oxidation states from +2 to +7. For example, Mn2+ (stable due to half-filled d5
configuration), MnO4- (+7).
Q45. Why do transition metals show variable oxidation states? (NCERT: Page 224)
Solution: Transition metals exhibit variable oxidation states because electrons from both ns and (n-1)d
orbitals can participate in bonding.
Q46. Calculate the magnetic moment of Fe3+ ion. (NCERT: Page 226)
Solution: Fe3+ has 5 unpaired electrons (3d5 configuration).
Magnetic moment (mu) = sqrtn(n+2) BM, where n = 5.
mu = sqrt5(5+2) = sqrt35 = 5.92 BM.
Q47. Which of the following ions is paramagnetic: Cu+, Cu2+? Explain. (NCERT: Page 228)
Solution: Cu+ is diamagnetic (3d10 configuration), while Cu2+ is paramagnetic (3d9 configuration) with one
unpaired electron.
Q48. Why is [Fe(CN)6]4- colorless while [Fe(H2O)6]3+ is colored? (NCERT: Page 231)
JEE Main 2025: Most Expected Questions from d- and f-Block Elements
Solution: [Fe(CN)6]4- has a low-spin configuration (t2g6) with no unpaired electrons, making it colorless.
[Fe(H2O)6]3+ has unpaired electrons, causing d-d transitions, hence colored.
Q49. What is the geometry of [Ni(CN)4]2-? (NCERT: Page 232)
Solution: [Ni(CN)4]2- is square planar because CN- is a strong field ligand, causing pairing of electrons in
Ni2+.
Q50. Explain why transition metals are good catalysts. (NCERT: Page 229)
Solution: Transition metals provide a surface for the reaction to occur, have variable oxidation states to form
intermediates, and possess empty d-orbitals to interact with reactants.
Q51. Why is KMnO4 used as an oxidizing agent in acidic medium? (NCERT: Page 235)
Solution: In acidic medium, Mn in KMnO4 is reduced from +7 to +2, causing oxidation of other species:
MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- -> Mn2+ + 4H2O.
Q52. Write the electronic configuration of Fe and Fe2+. (NCERT: Page 221)
Solution: The electronic configuration of Fe is [Ar] 3d6 4s2.
For Fe2+, 2 electrons are removed from the 4s orbital, making it [Ar] 3d6.
Q53. Explain why the electronic configuration of Cr is [Ar] 3d5 4s1 instead of [Ar] 3d4 4s2. (NCERT: Page 222
Solution: Cr attains a half-filled d-orbital (3d5) configuration which is more stable due to exchange energy and
symmetrical distribution of electrons.
Q54. State the common oxidation states of Mn. (NCERT: Page 224)
Solution: Manganese shows oxidation states from +2 to +7. For example, Mn2+ (stable due to half-filled d5
configuration), MnO4- (+7).
Q55. Why do transition metals show variable oxidation states? (NCERT: Page 224)
JEE Main 2025: Most Expected Questions from d- and f-Block Elements
Solution: Transition metals exhibit variable oxidation states because electrons from both ns and (n-1)d
orbitals can participate in bonding.
Q56. Calculate the magnetic moment of Fe3+ ion. (NCERT: Page 226)
Solution: Fe3+ has 5 unpaired electrons (3d5 configuration).
Magnetic moment (mu) = sqrtn(n+2) BM, where n = 5.
mu = sqrt5(5+2) = sqrt35 = 5.92 BM.
Q57. Which of the following ions is paramagnetic: Cu+, Cu2+? Explain. (NCERT: Page 228)
Solution: Cu+ is diamagnetic (3d10 configuration), while Cu2+ is paramagnetic (3d9 configuration) with one
unpaired electron.
Q58. Why is [Fe(CN)6]4- colorless while [Fe(H2O)6]3+ is colored? (NCERT: Page 231)
Solution: [Fe(CN)6]4- has a low-spin configuration (t2g6) with no unpaired electrons, making it colorless.
[Fe(H2O)6]3+ has unpaired electrons, causing d-d transitions, hence colored.
Q59. What is the geometry of [Ni(CN)4]2-? (NCERT: Page 232)
Solution: [Ni(CN)4]2- is square planar because CN- is a strong field ligand, causing pairing of electrons in
Ni2+.
Q60. Explain why transition metals are good catalysts. (NCERT: Page 229)
Solution: Transition metals provide a surface for the reaction to occur, have variable oxidation states to form
intermediates, and possess empty d-orbitals to interact with reactants.
