Questions

The stability of the ions is determined by the energy of the lone pairs. Carbon has the least effective nuclear charge (Zeff) and so the lone pair on the CH3− ion has the highest energy, making it the least stable ion and so the strongest base. The Zeff increases as we move across the period until we get to fluorine which has the greatest Zeff and so its lone pairs have the lowest energy, making F− the least basic ion.

In order of decreasing basicity they are ranked LiCH3 > LiNH2 > LiOH > LiF. We are dealing with the ions F−, OH−, NH2− and CH3− and so the factor which influences their basicity is the stability of the ion compared to its conjugate acid.

In a chemical reaction, substances (elements or compounds) called reactants are changed into other substances (compounds or elements) called products. Hence, reactants are those which start the chemical reaction.

For example:

1. In the burning of natural gas, methane (CH4) and oxygen (O2) are the reactants in the chemical reaction. are the substances formed by a chemical reaction. In the burning of natural gas, carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) are the products formed by the reaction.

2. H2+O2 ----> H2O

Here H2 & O2 are called Reactants and H2O is called Product.

An Indian boy has won the world’s largest pre-college science competition in the US in the environmental engineering category for his project on biodegradation of pesticides. Prashant Ranganathan, a 12th grader from Jamshedpur, alongwith over 20 high school students from various parts of India, participated in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.