NEET ChemistryUpdated 19 Oct 2026

d- and f-Block Elements: NEET PYQs and weightage

d- and f-Block Elements carries 4.4 of 100 Chemistry marks in NEET by past-paper share: 31 of the 707 tagged NEET Chemistry PYQs in the ViJEEta bank (NEET 2013–2026). It ranks 7 of 26 Chemistry chapters.

Take the 25-question d- and f-Block Elements test Key facts ↓All NEET Chemistry chapters

4.4/100 Weight in Chemistry

Exam importance (3/5, by past-paper share)

31 NEET PYQs

365 Practice questions

310 With measured difficulty

How the weight is computed: this chapter's tagged NEET PYQs divided by all tagged NEET Chemistry PYQs in the bank (31 of 707), times 100, with repeated questions counted once. The bank does not store the year of each NEET question, so none is printed. Computed from the bank at build time. Updated 19 Oct 2026.

d- and f-Block Elements: key facts for NEET

16 facts the paper keeps asking, each with how it is asked. Copy it onto one page of your notebook: that page is this chapter's handbook.

Transition metal
A transition metal has an incomplete $d$ subshell in the atom or its ions; Zn, Cd, Hg ( $d^{10}$ in atom and common ions) are not transition metals.
Asked as: Which is not a transition element: Sc, Ag, Zn, Fe? (Zn; Ag counts because $A g^{2 +}$ is $4 d^{9}$ )
General configuration
$(n - 1) d^{1 - 10} n s^{1 - 2}$
Exceptions: Cr $3 d^{5} 4 s^{1}$ , Cu $3 d^{10} 4 s^{1}$ , Pd $4 d^{10} 5 s^{0}$ .
Asked as: Correct ground-state configuration of Cr / Cu (half-filled and full $d$ sets are extra stable)
Melting points and atomisation
Melting points peak near $d^{5}$ (Mn, Tc anomalous); Zn has the lowest enthalpy of atomisation in 3d ( $126 kJ mol^{- 1}$ ).
Asked as: Why is Zn's $Δ_{a} H^{\circ}$ lowest? (its $3 d$ electrons take no part in metallic bonding)
Lanthanoid contraction
Lanthanoid contraction makes $4 d$ and $5 d$ radii almost equal: Zr $160$ pm, Hf $159$ pm.
Asked as: Why do Zr and Hf occur together and resist separation? (lanthanoid contraction)
Ionisation enthalpy breaks
The steady rise in ionisation enthalpy breaks at $M n^{2 +}$ (2nd IE) and $F e^{3 +}$ (3rd IE), both $d^{5}$ .
Asked as: Why is the 3rd IE of Fe lower than that of Mn? ( $F e^{2 +}$ $d^{6} \to d^{5}$ is easy; $M n^{2 +}$ is already $d^{5}$ )
Oxidation states
Mn shows every oxidation state from $+ 2$ to $+ 7$ ; Sc shows no variable oxidation state; d-block states differ by one unit.
Asked as: Which 3d metal shows the most oxidation states? (Mn, most unpaired electrons)
E° of copper
$E^{\circ} (C u^{2 +} /Cu) = + 0.34 V$
This is the only positive value in 3d, so Cu does not liberate $H_{2}$ from acids.
Asked as: Why is $E^{\circ}$ of Cu positive? (high $Δ_{a} H^{\circ}$ and IE not balanced by hydration enthalpy)
Oxidising and reducing ions
$M n^{3 +}$ and $C o^{3 +}$ are the strongest oxidising agents in water; $T i^{2 +}$ , $V^{2 +}$ , $C r^{2 +}$ are strong reducing agents.
Asked as: Both $d^{4}$ , why is $C r^{2 +}$ reducing but $M n^{3 +}$ oxidising? ( $C r^{3 +}$ $d^{3}$ half-filled $t_{2 g}$ ; $M n^{2 +}$ $d^{5}$ )
Oxides vs fluorides
Oxygen stabilises higher states than fluorine: highest Mn fluoride $Mn F_{4}$ , highest Mn oxide $M n_{2} O_{7}$ (a covalent green oil).
Asked as: Why does oxygen stabilise a higher state than fluorine ( $M n_{2} O_{7}$ vs $Mn F_{4}$ )? (O forms multiple bonds to the metal); why is the highest state shown in oxides and fluorides? (small size, high electronegativity of O and F)
Cu⁺ disproportionation
$2 C u^{+} \to C u^{2 +} + Cu$
$C u^{+}$ disproportionates in water; $Cu I_{2}$ is unknown because $C u^{2 +}$ oxidises $I^{-}$ to $I_{2}$ .
Asked as: Why is $C u^{+}$ unstable in aqueous solution? (much more negative $Δ_{hyd} H^{\circ}$ of $C u^{2 +}$ )
Spin-only magnetic moment
$μ = n (n + 2) BM$
One unpaired electron gives $1.73$ BM; $M n^{2 +}$ ( $d^{5}$ ) gives $5.92$ BM.
Asked as: Spin-only moment of $M^{2 +}$ with $Z = 25$ / $Z = 27$ ( $5.92$ BM / $3.87$ BM)
Catalysts
$V_{2} O_{5}$ in the Contact process, finely divided Fe in the Haber process, Ni in hydrogenation, $TiC l_{4} + Al (C H_{3})_{3}$ as the Ziegler catalyst.
Asked as: Match the catalyst to the process; why are transition metals good catalysts? (variable oxidation states, complex formation)
Potassium dichromate
$Cr O_{4}^{2 -} (yellow) ⇌ C r_{2} O_{7}^{2 -} (orange)$
$K_{2} C r_{2} O_{7}$ is made from chromite ore $FeC r_{2} O_{4}$ ; the equilibrium shifts with pH, and Cr is $+ 6$ in both; dichromate has two tetrahedra sharing a corner, Cr–O–Cr $12 6^{\circ}$ .
Asked as: Effect of raising pH on dichromate (turns to yellow chromate); oxidation state of Cr in each
Dichromate as oxidant
$C r_{2} O_{7}^{2 -} + 6 e^{-} \to 2 C r^{3 +} (acidified)$
$E^{\circ} = 1.33 V$
$K_{2} C r_{2} O_{7}$ is a primary standard.
Asked as: Moles of $F e^{2 +}$ oxidised by one mole of dichromate (6)
Potassium permanganate
$Mn O_{4}^{-} + 5 e^{-} \to M n^{2 +} (in acid)$
$KMn O_{4}$ is made from pyrolusite $Mn O_{2}$ via green $K_{2} Mn O_{4}$ (paramagnetic, one unpaired $e^{-}$ ); $Mn O_{4}^{-}$ is diamagnetic; HCl is not used in its titrations.
Asked as: Why is HCl avoided in permanganate titrations? (HCl is oxidised to $C l_{2}$ ); n-factor of $KMn O_{4}$ in acid (5)
Lanthanoid and actinoid states
Lanthanoids are mainly $+ 3$ ; $C e^{4 +}$ is an oxidant ( $E^{\circ} = + 1.74 V$ ); $E u^{2 +}$ ( $f^{7}$ ) and $Y b^{2 +}$ ( $f^{14}$ ) are reductants; actinoids show more oxidation states, up to $+ 7$ for Np.
Asked as: Which lanthanoid shows $+ 4$ (Ce)? Why do actinoids show more states? ( $5 f$ , $6 d$ and $7 s$ have comparable energies)

Trap

when an ion forms, the ns electrons leave before the (n–1)d electrons. Fe²⁺ is 3d⁶, not 3d⁴4s², and Cu²⁺ is 3d⁹.

How does NEET ask d- and f-Block Elements?

8 real previous-year questions from this chapter, as printed in the paper, each with its worked solution. Answer the first one here with no sign-in.

Q1ChemistryNEET UG PYQPhysical Properties of d Block Elements

Try right here · No sign-in

Identify the correct statement from the following:

Answer key (B) & worked solution

Correct answer: Option B

(a) Vapour phase refining is carried out for nickel by Mond process. (b) Pig iron is molten iron obtained from blast furnace after smelting it can be moulded into variety of shapes. (c) Wrought iron is the purest form of iron which has less than 4% carbon. (d) Blister copper has blistered appearance due to evolution of

S O_{2}

Q2ChemistryNEET UG PYQGeneral Characteristics of f-Block Elements

The pair of lanthanoid ions which are diamagnetic is

ACe

^{3 +}

and Eu

^{2 +}

BGd

^{3 +}

and Eu

^{3 +}

CPm

^{3 +}

and Sm

^{3 +}

DCe

^{4 +}

and Yb

^{2 +}

Answer key (D) & worked solution

Correct answer: Option D

Ce 4f

^{1}

^{1}

^{2}

^{+ 4}

^{0}

Zero unpaired electron Yb 4f

^{14}

^{2}

^{2 +}

^{14}

Zero unpaired electron

Q3ChemistryNEET UG PYQGeneral Introduction of d Block Elements

Identify the incorrect match. NameIUPAC Official Name(a) Unnilunium(i) Mendelvium(b) Unniltrium(ii) Lawrencium(c) Unnilhexium(iii) Seaborgium(d) Unununnium(iv) Darmstadtium

A(c) – (iii)

B(d) – (iv)

C(a) – (i)

D(b) – (ii)

Answer key (B) & worked solution

Correct answer: Option B

101 - Unnilunium – Mendelevium103 - Unniltrium – Lawrencium106 - Unnilhexium – Seaborgium111 - Unununium – Roentgenium110 - Ununnilium - Darmstadtium

Q4ChemistryNEET UG PYQPhysical Properties of d Block Elements

Zr (Z = 40) and Hf (Z = 72) have similar atomic and ionic radii because of:

Alanthanoid contraction

Bhaving similar chemical properties

CBelonging to same group

Ddiagonal relationship

Answer key (A) & worked solution

Correct answer: Option A

Due to presence of 4f electrons in Hf it’s Z

_{e f f}

increases, size remains the same. This is also known as lanthanoid contraction.

Q5ChemistryNEET UG PYQUses of d Block Elements

Match List-I with List-II. List-I (Ores)List-II (Composition)(a) Haematite(i) Fe

_{3}

_{4}

(b) Magnetite(ii) ZnCO

_{3}

_{2}

_{3}

(d) Kaolinite(iv) [Al

_{2}

(OH)

_{4}

_{2}

_{5}

] Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

A(a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)

B(a)-(iii), (b)-(i), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iv)

C(a)-(iii), (b)-(i), (c)-(iv), (d)-(ii)

D(a)-(i), (b)-(iii), (c)-(ii), (d)-(iv)

Answer key (B) & worked solution

Correct answer: Option B

(i) Fe

_{3}

_{4}

⇒ Magnetite (ii) ZnCO

_{3}

⇒ Calamine (iii) Fe

_{2}

_{3}

⇒ Haematite (iv) [Al

_{2}

(OH)

_{4}

_{2}

_{5}

] ⇒ Kaolinite

Q6ChemistryNEET UG PYQGeneral Introduction of d Block Elements

Which of the following statements about the interstitial compounds is incorrect?

AThey retain metallic conductivity

BThey are chemically reactive

CThey are much harder than the pure metal

DThey have higher melting points than the pure metal

Answer key (B) & worked solution

Correct answer: Option B

They are chemical inert.

Q7ChemistryNEET UG PYQUses of d Block Elements

A compound of which of the following transition elements is used in a dry cell?

AIron

BChromium

CSilver

DManganese

Answer key (D) & worked solution

Correct answer: Option D

Manganese dioxide paste is used in a dry cell.

Q8ChemistryNEET UG PYQChemical Properties of d Block Elements

Which one of the following ions exhibits d-d transition and paramagnetism as well?

M n O_{4}^{-}

C r_{2} O_{7}^{2 -}

C r O_{4}^{2 -}

M n O_{4}^{2 -}

Answer key (D) & worked solution

Correct answer: Option D

C r O_{4}^{2 -} \Rightarrow C r^{6 +} = [A r]

Unpaired electron (n) = 0; Diamagnetic

C r_{2} O_{4}^{2 -} \Rightarrow C r^{6 +} = [A r]

Unpaired electron (n) = 0; Diamagnetic

M n O_{4}^{2 -} = M n^{6 +} = [A r] 3 d^{1}

Unpaired electron (n) = 1; Paramagnetic

M n O_{4}^{-} = M n^{7 +} = [A r]

Unpaired electron (n) = 0; Diamagnetic

Which topics in d- and f-Block Elements carry the most questions?

All 10 topics, by tagged PYQs, then practice questions. Counted from the bank. Updated 19 Oct 2026.

Topic	PYQs	Practice questions
Chemical Properties of d Block Elements	8	114
Physical Properties of d Block Elements	7	87
General Characteristics of f-Block Elements	7	47
General Introduction of d Block Elements	4	22
Uses of d Block Elements	3	14
f-Block Elements	1	29
Potassium Permanganate	1	18
Potassium Dichromate	0	29
Classification of d Block Elements	0	3
Uses of f Block Elements	0	2

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Chapters either side of d- and f-Block Elements by weight

Alcohols, Phenols, and Ethers Weight 5.0/100 Chemical Kinetics Weight 4.5/100 Electrochemistry Weight 4.2/100 Thermodynamics Weight 4.2/100

d- and f-Block Elements: NEET PYQs and weightage

d- and f-Block Elements: key facts for NEET

Transition metal

General configuration

Melting points and atomisation

Lanthanoid contraction

Ionisation enthalpy breaks

Oxidation states

E° of copper

Oxidising and reducing ions

Oxides vs fluorides

Cu⁺ disproportionation

Spin-only magnetic moment

Catalysts

Potassium dichromate

Dichromate as oxidant

Potassium permanganate

Lanthanoid and actinoid states

How does NEET ask d- and f-Block Elements?

Which topics in d- and f-Block Elements carry the most questions?

Why does d- and f-Block Elements show "–" until you answer 3 questions?

What happens when you test d- and f-Block Elements?

Chapters either side of d- and f-Block Elements by weight