Group VA

• What elements are included in Group VA (Nitrogen Family)?

  Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Arsenic, Antimony, Bismuth
• What oxidation states do elements in Group VA exhibit?

  • 3, 0, +3, and +5
• What hydrides are formed by elements in Group VA?

  • Ammonia (NH₃): Common hydride of nitrogen
  • Phosphine (PH₃): Toxic, used in fumigation
  • Arsine (AsH₃), Stibine (SbH₃), Bismuthine (BiH₃): Highly toxic gases
  • All except ammonia are inflammable and poisonous
• What are the two main allotropic forms of Phosphorus (P)?

  White Phosphorus and Red Phosphorus
• How does White Phosphorus behave when heated in the absence of air?

  It converts to Red Phosphorus
• What are the properties of White Phosphorus compared to Red Phosphorus?

  • White Phosphorus: Volatile, highly flammable, toxic
  • Red Phosphorus: Non-volatile, non-toxic, more stable
• What are the acid-base properties of the oxides of Group VA elements?

  Nitrogen and Phosphorus oxides are acidic, Arsenic and Antimony are amphoteric, Bismuth is basic
• What is the characteristic feature of the sulfides of Group VA elements?

  They are highly colored and commonly used as pigments
• What is the identity test for the Ammonium Ion (NH₄⁺)?

  • NaOH: Releases NH₃ gas, moist red litmus turns blue
  • Nessler’s Reagent: Forms orange precipitate (HgO·HgNH₂I)
• What is the identity test for the Cyanide Ion (CN⁻)?

  • AgNO₃: Forms white precipitate (AgCN)
  • Hg₂(NO₃)₂: Forms black precipitate (Metallic Hg)
• What is the identity test for the Nitrite Ion (NO₂⁻)?

  • Dilute H₂SO₄: Produces brown gas (NO₂)
  • Brown Ring Test: Forms FeNOSO₄, observed as a brown ring
• What is the identity test for the Nitrate Ion (NO₃⁻)?

  • Dilute H₂SO₄: No brown gas produced
  • Brown Ring Test: Forms FeNOSO₄, observed as a brown ring
• What is the identity test for the Antimony Ion (Sb³⁺)?

  • H₂S: Forms orange precipitate (Sb₂S₃, soluble in Na₂S)
  • All Metals: Forms black precipitate (Metallic Sb, insoluble in NaOBr)
• What is the identity test for the Bismuth Ion (Bi³⁺)?

  • H₂S: Forms brownish-black precipitate (Bi₂S₃, insoluble in Na₂S)
  • Na₂SnO₂: Forms black precipitate (Metallic Bi)
• What is the identity test for the Phosphate Ion (PO₄³⁻)?

  • AgNO₃: Forms yellow precipitate (Ag₃PO₄)
  • (NH₃)₂MoO₄: Forms yellow precipitate ((NH₄)₃PO₄·12MoO₃)
  • Magnesia Mixture: Forms white precipitate (MgNH₄PO₄)
• What is the identity test for the Arsenite Ion (AsO₃³⁻)?

  • AgNO₃: Forms yellow precipitate (Ag₃AsO₃)
  • (NH₃)₂MoO₄: No reaction, no precipitate
  • Magnesia Mixture: No reaction, no precipitate
• What is the identity test for the Arsenate Ion (AsO₄³⁻)?

  • AgNO₃: Forms brown or chocolate precipitate (Ag₃AsO₄)
  • (NH₃)₂MoO₄: Forms yellow precipitate ((NH₄)₃AsO₄·12MoO₃)
  • Magnesia Mixture: Forms white precipitate (MgNH₄AsO₄)