Given below are two statements for catalytic properties of transition metals. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :
- Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
- Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
- Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
- Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
Answer
(2) Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
Solution
Statement I: As per NCERT, the catalytic activity of transition metals is due to their ability to use both 3d and 4s electrons to form bonds between reactant molecules and atoms of the catalyst surface (e.g. Ni in hydrogenation) — not 3d electrons only ⇒ Statement I is incorrect.
Statement II: These bonds increase the concentration of reactants at the catalyst surface and WEAKEN the bonds in the reacting molecules, lowering the activation energy — they do not strengthen them ⇒ Statement II is incorrect.
Answer: (2)