Comprehensive CHEMISTRYXII

Value Based Questions

CHAPTER 1
1. Earth receives enormous amount of energy from
sunlight. The problem of shortage of power can
be solved if we could convert solar energy into
electricity. A device which generates electrical
power from sunlight is called solar cell or
photovoltaic cell. Solar cells are made up of silicon
doped with arsenic and silicon doped with boron.
Answer the following questions:
(i) When silicon is doped with arsenic, what type
of semiconductor is obtained? Explain.
(ii) What type of semiconductor is obtained by
doping silicon with boron?
(iii) Give any two applications (other than solar
cells) of semiconductors.

CHAPTER 2
2. A group of students, while on excursion trip is
camping in the hills. One morning, they find
themselves engulfed in a thick blanket of snow.
One of the senior member of the group suggests
to sprinkle common salt on the ice slit covering
the pavement.
Answer the following questions:
(i) What is the purpose of sprinkling common salt
on ice slit?
(ii) Can we use any other substance in place of
common salt?
(iii) What values are associated with the
phenomenon?
3. Purification of drinking water is a big problem.
In your locality, vendors of various companies
are promoting RO units for purification of water
for domestic use irrespective of whether it is
required or not.
Answer the following questions:
(i) What is the meaning of RO?
(ii) Would you recomend the installation of RO
units in all the areas?
(iii) Support your views with reasons.

CHAPTER 3
4. Kailash goes to the market to purchase battery
for his car. Two types of batteries are shown to
him, one with cadmium plates which is relatively
more costlier while the other one with lead plates
which is cheaper. The shopkeeper advises him
to go for cadmium plate battery instead of lead
plate battery.
Answer the following questions:
(i) As a chemistry student, do you agree with
shopkeepers advise?
(ii) Give two reasons to support his advise.
(iii) What are the values associated with his advise?
5. During the construction of some public building,
the contractor intends to fix iron frames for
windows and railings to reduce the cost of
construction. After due considerations, it is
finally recommended to use aluminium frames
for windows and steel railings instead of iron.
Answer the following questions:
(i) As a chemist, do you agree with the new
recommendations.
(ii) Give two reasons for your choice.
(iii) What values are associated with the decision?

CHAPTER 4
6. A catalyst is a substance that enhances the rate
of a reaction. There are two types of catalysis
i.e., homogeneous and heterogeneous. The
heterogeneous catalysis is an important
application in automobile catalytic converters.
Answer the following questions:
(i) As a student of chemistry, what chemical
process due to think occurs in the heterogeneous
catalysis in the converters?
(ii) Why the use of such catalytic converters in the
vehicles is important?
(iii) What environment values are associated with
the use of such converters?

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2
7. A message is always displayed at the traffic
signals, which reads Stop the vehicle engine at
the red lights to save the fuel.
Answer the following questions:
(i) Why it is recommended to stop the vehicle
engine at the red light signals?
(ii) As a student of chemistry, suggest the chemical
process associated with the vehicle engine on.
(iii) What are the values associated with this
message?
(iv) Will you support the message displayed by the
government or consider it to be violation of
human driving rights?

CHAPTER 5
8. On visit to your native village, you find that lot
of smoke, dust and some other gases are coming
out of the chimney of a recently set up factory
near the village.
Answer the following questions:
(i) As a chemistry student, what method you will
suggest the factory owner to manage dust and
smoke?
(ii) What is the basic principle involved in your
suggestion?
(iii) What values are associated with your advice?

CHAPTER 6
9. Roasting of sulphide ores such as copper pyrites,
galena, zinc blende, etc. releases sulphur dioxide.
Sulphur dioxide in the air is a pollutant that
causes respiratory diseases and contributes to
acid rain. In the air, sulphur dioxide is oxidized
to sulphur trioxide which dissolves in rain-water
to form sulphuric acid. Acid rain attacks
buildings and monuments made of limestone and
marble.
Answer the following questions:
(i) What is the need for converting sulphide ore
into its oxide?
(ii) Give chemical equations for roasting of copper
pyrites and zinc blende.
(iii) How does acid rain react with limestone?
(iv) How can we use SO2, released during roasting,
to manufacture some useful compound?

CHEMISTRYXII

CHAPTER 7
10. A boy baths in the first shower of rainfall during
rainy season and his body gets yellowish brown
colour patches on the whole body for which he
was medicated.
Answer the following questions:
(i) Why the skin of the boy got yellowish brown
patches.
(ii) As a student of chemistry what do you think
could be reason and the term you would use to
explain it?
(iii) Which values are promoted through this
activity?
(iv) Suggest two activities to promote these values.
11. The oxygen-ozone balance in atmosphere is
maintained by continuous formation and
dissociation of ozone. The uv light needed for this
purpose is absorbed from sunlight. In this way
ozone layer is helpful in protecting the earth from
uv rays which can otherwise cause variety of skin
problems and damage the DNA mutation. The
pioneer work of researchers discovered the
depletion of ozone layer.
Answer the following questions:
(i) As a student of chemistry what do you think
could be reason for the depletion of the ozone
layer? Explain it.
(ii) What do you think, is it a hoax or a matter of
deeper concern?
(iii) Which value is promoted through this activity?
What are the disadvantages and challenges
related to violation of this value?
(iv) Suggest two activities to promote these values.

CHAPTER 8
12. Cadmium ion is highly toxic. Why is cadmium
ion likely to be present in water from galvanized
iron pipes?
Hint: Cadmium occurs along with zinc in zinc
sulphide ores.
13. Many biologically important molecules such as
haemoglobin and vitamin B12 are complexes of
transition metals.
Molybdenum is the only element of the second
and third transition series that is essential for

VALUE BASED QUESTIONS

plant and animal life. Molybdenum is available

to organisms in the form of molybdate ion,
MoO42.
Answer the following questions:
(i) Name the transition metals present in
haemoglobin and vitamin B12 .
(ii) What are the oxidation states of these metals
in their complex molecules?
(iii) What is the oxidation state of Mo in molybdate
ion?
Hint: Haemoglobin contains Fe in +2 oxidation
state and vitamin B12 contains Co in +3 oxidation
state.

CHAPTER 9
14. Chelating ligands form a cyclic structure on their
co-ordination to the metal ion. EDTA is one such
ligand. The use of such reactions involving
chelation are being widely used in chelation
therapy.
Answer the following questions:
(i) What is full form of EDTA and what is its
denticity?
(ii) As a student of chemistry, what do you
understand by the term chelation therapy?
Explain quoting one example.
(iii) What values are reflected in the use of such
chelating agents?
15. The co-ordination complexes are known to be
having medicinal properties. Many such
complexes are being used as drugs for the cure
of contageous diseases. One such complex is
cis-platin and marketed as Cp DD or DDP or
cis-platino.
Answer the following questions:
(i) What is full form of DDP and how it is
prepared?
(ii) As a student of chemistry explain how the cis
isomer of DDP is used in cure of lung cancer?
(iii) What values are associated
preparation of complexes?

with

the

CHAPTER 10
16. Diphenyls are highly toxic compounds and are
potential threat to environment. Diphenyl is used
in organic synthesis and as fungicide.

Answer the following questions:

(i) How is diphenyl prepared from aryl halides?
(ii) What is this reaction called?
17. The chlorofluorocarbon compounds of methane
and ethane are collectively known as freons.
Freons are extremely stable, inert, non-irritating,
non-toxic, non-corrosive and easily liquefiable
compounds. Freon-12 is the most common freon
Answer the following questions:
(i) What is the formula of freon-12?
(ii) How is it prepared from carbon tetrachloride?
(iii) List the various uses of freons.
(iv) What is the adverse effect of freons on the
environment?
18. DDT is a chlorinated organic insecticide. It is
highly toxic to fish. Its use has been banned in
many countries.
Answer the following questions about DDT:
(i) What is the structural formula of DDT?
(ii) What is its IUPAC name?
(iii) How is DDT prepared?
(iv) Explain why is it a persistent environmental
poison?

CHAPTER 11
19. Ethyl alcohol to which another liquid has been
added to make it unfit for use as beverage is
called denatured alcohol. Ethyl alcohol denatured
by adding methyl alcohol, is highly poisonous.
Answer the following questions:
(i) Mention another way by which alcohol is
denatured.
(ii) Explain why methanol is highly toxic to human
beings?
(iii) How is methanol prepared on large-scale? Give
its two important uses.

CHAPTER 12
20. A boy argues with his sister not to use nail polish
and nail polish remover as frequently as it is
poisonous. His sister rubbishes his arguments
stating that all women polishing their nails to
beautify.
Answer the following questions:
(i) Is the brother of the girl justified in his
arguments?

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4
(ii) As a student of chemistry what do you think
could be reason for such a suggestion?
(iii) Suggest two activities to promote these values.
21. Rancidification of Oils. When oils and even
the oily eatables are not used over a time period
these are known to change its odor and its taste
i.e., unpleasant and noxious odors and flavours
are given by such samples.
Answer the following questions:
(i) Why the oils and oily eatables develop
unpleasant and noxious odors and flavors?
(ii) As a student of chemistry what do you think
could be reason and the term you would use to
explain it?
(iii) What you shall do to such eatables i.e., you
will dispose it off or give it to your maid?
(iv) Which values are promoted through your
actions?
22. Drugs Containing Carboxylic Acid. Organic
acids characterized by the presence of at least
one carboxyl group. The general formula of a
carboxylic acid is RCOOH. The carboxylic acids
find a use in the manufacture of many useful
drugs. One such important drug is aspirin.
Answer the following questions:
(i) What is the IUPAC name of the drug? Name
the functional groups present in the drug.
(ii) Can the drug be prepared in the lab?
(iii) A person goes to the shopkeeper to get aspirin
pills without doctors prescription. The chemist
is reluctant to give him pills without doctors
prescription.
(iv) Which values are reflected in chemists
approach?

CHAPTER 14
23. Vitamins are organic compounds which are
essential for maintenance of normal growth and
health of the organism. Certain vitamins cannot
be stored in our body and have to be supplied
regularly in diet while others can be stored in
the body. Vitamins are required only in small
amounts and should not be taken in excess.
Answer the following questions:
(i) Out of water soluble and fat soluble vitamins
which can be stored in our body?
(ii) Name any two water soluble and two fat
soluble vitamins.
(iii) Which of the vitamin belonging to B-complex
series can be stored in our body?

CHEMISTRYXII

(iv) Name the diseases caused by the deficiency of

following vitamins:
(a) Vitamin A
(b) Vitamin D

CHAPTER 15
24. Polyethylene and Bakelite are the two important
commercial polymers which are of immense
importance in our daily life. Inspite of their
enormous valuable uses, the indiscriminate use
of these polymers is being banned.
Answer the following questions:
(i) What is polythene and Bakelite, and why their
use is being discarded?
(ii) As a student of chemistry, why would you
advocate the use of paper bags instead of
polythene bags?
(iii) Which values are promoted through the use of
paper bag?
(iv) Suggest two activities to promote these values.

CHAPTER 16
25. Artificial sweetening agents such as saccharin,
aspartame and sucrolose do not have any
nutritional value and do not add to calorie intake.
Artificial sweeteners of great value to diabetic
persons and to the persons who need to control
intake of calories. Certain artificial sweeteners
can be used only in cold foods and soft drinks
because they are unstable at cooking
temperature.
Answer the following questions:
(i) Name the first popular artificial sweetener.
(ii) Name an artificial sweetener which can be
used only in soft drinks and other cold food
items.
(iii) Name an artificial sweetener which is stable
to cooking temperature.
26. Some synthetic detergents are more easily
biodegraded than the others. Synthetic
detergents which are not biodegraded easily get
accumulated in water bodies such as rivers,
ponds, etc., and pollute them. They cause foaming
in these water bodies.
Answer the following questions:
(i) What type of synthetic detergents are preferred,
ones with straight hydrocarbon chain or the
ones with branched hydrocarbon chain?
Explain why?
(ii) Give one example of cationic detergent.

VALUE BASED QUESTIONS

HINTS/ANSWERS
l Chapter 1 l
1.

(i) When silicon is doped with arsenic, it forms

an n-type semiconductor. Arsenic has five
electrons in its valence shell. After forming
four bonds with silicon atoms, one electron is
left on arsenic atom. This electron is
responsible for conduction. Thus, silicon
doped with arsenic conducts electricity
through movement of free electrons and
behaves as an n-type semiconductor.
(ii) A p-type semiconductor is obtained by doping
silicon with boron.
(iii) They are used to make diodes which are
used as rectifiers.
They are used to make transistors which
are used to detect or amplify radio signals.

l Chapter 2 l
2.

(i) When common salt is sprinkled on icy roads,

ice/snow starts melting from the surface
because freezing point of water is lowered.
The softened ice/snow can be easily cleared
from the roads.
(ii) Calcium chloride can be used in place of
common salt. It can lower the freezing point
up to 55C.
(iii) In the hills icy roads can be cleared by
spreading common salt or CaCl2 over snow
and thus, traffic is easily restored in hilly
areas.
3. (i) The abbreviation RO means reverse osmosis.
The water purification unit based on reverse
osmosis is called RO unit.
(ii) Installation of RO units for purifying the
drinking water in all the areas is not
recommended.
(iii) An RO plant generally removes about 95% of
TDS (total dissolved salts) in water that is
treated by RO. The desirable level of TDS as
per Indian standard is 500 ppm. Before
installing RO unit it is important to check the
TDS level of your input water. If it is up to
500 ppm, RO treatment is not required.

l Chapter 3 l
4.

(i) Yes, shopkeeper is right to advise him to

purchase cadmium plate battery.

(ii) It is wise to choose sustained long-term benefit

than short-term gain with regards to health/
money. Lead produces harmful effects on
human beings and environment.
(iii) Knowledge is useful only when put into
practice. Knowledge of harmful effects of lead
make us aware of less usage of lead batteries
and also lead free petrol to keep ourselves and
our environment healthy.
5. (i) Yes, the new recommendations are more
appropriate in the light of long-term benefit.
(ii) Iron grills and railings are more prone to
corrosion which causes damage to the
construction gradually. Aluminium and steel
are relatively safer in this respect.
(iii) Knowledge of corrosion/rusting of iron and its
prevention makes is aware of its proper
application in construction work so as to avoid
damage and accidents.

l Chapter 4 l
6.

(i) The use of heterogeneous catalysis in

automobile exhausts helps to reduce polluting
gases, NO and CO which help in forming
photochemical smog.
(ii) The catalytic converter, which is a part of
automobile exhaust system, oxidses CO to CO2
and NO to N2 gas.
(iii) Value: Reducing environment pollution by
removing highly toxic gases, CO and NO.
7. (i) It is recommended to stop the vehicle engine
at the red light signals in order to minimize
the emissions of highly poisonous gases like
CO, NO etc., from the automotive exhaust.
(ii) With the vehicle engine on, the incomplete
combustion of hydrocarbon fuel carbon
monoxide and nitric oxide is produced.
(iii) Value: Reducing environment pollution, a
need of the hour, a concern for environmental
protection.
(iv) Will support governments move. The move is
for the common good.

l Chapter 5 l
8.

(i) The dust and smoke coming out of chimney

can be controlled by installing Cottrell smoke
precipitator.

Comprehensive

(iii) Value: The concern for environmental

protection. The disadvantages and challenges
related to violation of this value are:
(a) Exposure to harmful uv radiations.
(b) Rise in the temperature of Earth planet
making impossible for life to exist on this
planet.
(iv) Alternatives much be searched for CFCs and
decreasing NOn emissions into the
atmosphere.

(ii) Cottrell precipitator consist of two metal discs

charged to a high electrical potential. The
charge on colloidal dust and carbon particles
of smoke is neutralised and they get
precipitated while free gases escape out of
chimney.
(iii) The knowledge of Cottrell precipitator and
management of dust and carbon particles of
smoke can help us to clean our environment
and make it healthier.

l Chapter 6 l
9.

(i) Because oxides are more easily reduced than

sulphides.
(ii)

2CuFeS2

Copper pyrites

2ZnS

Zinc blende

+ O2 Cu2S + 2FeS + SO2

+ 3O2 2ZnO + 2SO2

(iii) Acids present in the acid rain react with

limestone, liberate CO2 and form soluble salt.
CaCO3 + H2SO4 CaSO4 + CO2 + H2O
In the process the limestone gets corroded.
(iv) SO2 gas released during roasting of sulphide
ores can be used to manufacture sulphuric acid
(H2SO4), a very useful chemical

l Chapter 8 l
12. Cadmium occurs along with zinc in sulphide ores
of zinc. Therefore, zinc metal obtained from such
ores always contains cadmium as impurity. Zinc
metal is used to galvanise iron pipes. When these
pipes are used to carry water, the cadmium ions
may be leached into water. Thus, cadmium ions
are likely to be present in water from galvanised
iron pipes.
13. (i) Haemoglobin contains iron while vitamin B12
contains cobalt.
(ii) Haemoglobin contains Fe in + 2 state while
vitamin B12 contains CO in + 3 oxidation state.
(iii) + 6

l Chapter 9 l

V2O5
2SO2 + O2
2SO3

SO3 + H2O H2SO4

14.

l Chapter 7 l
(i) The first shower of rainfall contains acid
(HNO3).
(ii) When water containing acid comes in contact
with the skin, denaturation of proteins occurs.
(iii) Value: Reducing environmental pollution of
poisonous gases which are given out by various
industries.
(iv) Many precautions can be taken to minimize
such pollutions by (a) spreading awareness
(b) educating people.
11. (i) The cause for depletion of the ozone layer is
probably the frequent use of CFCs (chlorofluorohydrocarbons) in refrigerators, rocket
fuels etc.
(ii) It is not hoax but a matter of deeper concern
because the depletion of ozone layer shall
expose us to harmful uv radiations of sun and
cause DNA mutation.

CHEMISTRYXII

10.

(i) EDTA is ethylenediaminetetraacetate. It can

have denticity of 2 or 4 or 6.
(ii) Chelation therapy is curing patients with lead
or mercury poisoning but giving medicines
which can form chelating complexes with Pb
or Hg and hence are excreated in urine.
(iii) Value: Serving mankind and saving life.

15.

(i) DDP is Dichlorodiamineplatinum.

Preparation:
[PtCl4]2 + 2 NH3

H2N

Cl
Pt

H2N

Cl

cis-platin
(ii) The cis isomer is pharmocologically active
form and is cytotoxic to tumor cells. It modifies
the DNA structure, inhibits DNA synthesis.
As a result the rapidly dividing cells cannot
duplicate DNA for mitosis.
(iii) Value: Life saving drug, serving mankind.

VALUE BASED QUESTIONS

l Chapter 10 l
16.

(i) 2

Uses:
Methanol is used in the manufacture of
formaldehyde.
It is also used as denaturant for ethyl alcohol.
It is also used as solvent.

Ether
Cl + 2Na

l Chapter 12 l

+ 2NaCl
Diphenyl

20.

(ii) Fittig reaction: Diphenyls can also be

prepared by Ulmann reaction.
17. (i) CF2Cl2
(ii) It is prepared by the reaction of CCl4 with
antimony fluoride (SbF3) in the presence of
antimony pentafluoride.
3CCl4 + 2SbF3 2SbCl3 + 3CF2Cl2
This reaction is known a Swarts reaction.
(iii) Freons are used as refrigerant in refrigerators
and air conditioners. They are also used as
aerosol propellants.
(iv) They cause depletion of ozone layer in the
upper atmosphere. Ozone layer protects us
from the harmful radiation coming from the
sun.

Cl

18.

(i) HCCCl
Cl

(i) The brother of the girl is justified in his

arguments because Nail polish contains two
most common chemicals i.e., formaldehyde
and toluene. Both are toxic substances and
are
carcinogenic
compounds
(cancer
producing compounds).
(ii) (a) The frequent use may expose to cancer
risk.
(b) Breathing in toluene irritate eyes, throat
and lungs.
(iii) Spreading awareness about the risk of cancer.
21. (i) The unpleasant odour and flavor results
because the fatty acids.
(ii) Formed due to decomposition of fats, oil on
hydrolysis or oxidation then undergo further
auto oxidation to generate highly reactive
molecules in rancid oils and hence produce
unpleasant odour and flavor.
(iii) Such eatables should be disposed off because
due to rancidity nutrients as well as the
vitamins in the food are destroy due to highly
reactive molecules in rancid oil.
(iv) Value: Nutritional significance.
22. (i) Aspirin is acetyl salicyclic acid,

O
(ii) 1, 1, 1-Trichloro-2, 2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)
ethane.
(iii) DDT is prepared by heating a mixture of
chloral and chlorobenzene with concentrated
sulphuric acid.
(iv) DDT is a persistent environmental poison
because it is highly toxic and is not easily
biodegradable.

l Chapter 11 l
19.

(i) By adding small amount of pyridine and

copper sulphate.
(ii) In human body methanol is oxidized to
methanoic acid (HCOOH) which is highly
toxic.
(iii) Methanol is manufactured by catalytic
hydrogenation of carbon monoxide.
573 K, 200 atm
CO + 2H2
CH3OH
CuOZnOCr O
2 3

OCCH3
COOH
. IUPAC name: 2-Acetoxy
benzoic acid or 2-Acetoxy benzene
carboxylic acid.
(ii) It can be prepared in lab, by the reaction of
salicyclic acid with acetic anhydride.
OH
COOH
+ (CH3CO)2O
(Salicyclic acid)

OCOCH3
COOH
+ CH3COOH
(Aspirin)

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23.

(iii) No medicines should be given without

prescription as an overdose of these pills may
result in death of a person.
(iv) Value: Professional commitment.

polymers and hence the use is being

discarded.
(ii) The use of paper bags instead of polythene
bags would help in reducing pollution.

l Chapter 14 l

(iii) Value: Reducing environmental pollution and

concern for environmental protection.

(i) Fat soluble vitamins can be stored in our body.

(ii) Water soluble vitaminsvitamin C and
vitamin B6.
Fat soluble vitaminsvitamin A and
vitamin D.
(iii) B12
(iv) (a) Night blindness
(b) Osteomalacia.

l Chapter 15 l
24.

CHEMISTRYXII

(i) Polyethylene is [CH2CH2]n and bakelite

is a condensation polymer of phenol and
formaldehyde. Both are biodegradable

(iv) (a) Organising mass campaigns for spreading

awareness.
(b) Use of mass media to educate people.

l Chapter 16 l
25.

(i) Saccharin
(ii) Aspartame
(iii) Sucrolose

26.

(i) The synthetic detergent with straight chain

hydrocarbon are preferred because they are
easily biodegradable.
(ii) Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide.