Q.68 Chemistry ⭐ 360° Option Elimination Active

NEET 2023 Chemistry Question 68 Solution

Topic: The p-Block Elements · Official NTA Booklet Code G5

Question

Match List - I with List - II: List I: A. Coke; B. Diamond; C. Fullerene; D. Graphite. List II: I. Carbon atoms are sp³ hybridised; II. Used as a dry lubricant; III. Used as a reducing agent; IV. Cage like molecules. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

✓

Verified Against NTA Final Answer Key

Option (4) : A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II

📚 The p-Block Elements Easy

📋 Given Parameters & Problem Setup

List I (Carbon forms) A: Coke, B: Diamond, C: Fullerene, D: Graphite

List II (Characteristics) I: sp³ hybridised, II: Dry lubricant, III: Reducing agent, IV: Cage-like molecules

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The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ Structure & Usage Pairing Hack

⏱️ Save ~30 seconds

Diamond = sp³ hybridized (B-I). Graphite = dry lubricant (D-II). Fullerene = cage-like buckyballs (C-IV). Coke = metallurgical reducing agent (A-III). Sequence: A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II in 10 seconds!

1 Match B (Diamond): In diamond, each carbon atom is covalently bonded to four other carbons in a rigid tetrahedral network with sp³ hybridization ⟶ B matches I.

2 Match D (Graphite): Graphite has a layered hexagonal lattice with weak van der Waals forces between sheets; layers slip easily, making it an excellent dry lubricant at high temperatures ⟶ D matches II.

3 Match C (Fullerene): Fullerenes (like C₆₀ buckminsterfullerene) consist of discrete closed spherical cage-like carbon clusters ⟶ C matches IV.

4 Match A (Coke): Coke is an impure amorphous carbon form obtained by destructive distillation of coal, used as a primary reducing agent in blast furnaces ⟶ A matches III.

5 Matching code: A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II.

6 Select Option (4) directly!

🛡️

Why You Can 100% Trust This Shortcut: Inorganic Chemistry · Group 14 Allotropes of Carbon (Distinct hybridization and bonding dictate mechanical and metallurgical applications: sp³ for diamond, layered lubricant for graphite, cage structure for fullerene).

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Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof

Step 1

Matching A (Coke) with Characteristic III

Coke is a carbonaceous solid residue derived from destructive distillation of low-ash, low-sulfur bituminous coal. Because of its high carbon content and thermal stability, it is predominantly utilized in extraction metallurgy (e.g., blast furnace reduction of iron ore) as a reducing agent:

\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 + 3\text{C (coke)} \xrightarrow{\Delta} 2\text{Fe} + 3\text{CO} \implies \text{A matches III}

Step 2

Matching B (Diamond) with Characteristic I

In diamond, each carbon atom undergoes sp³ hybridization and is linked to four neighboring carbon atoms by single covalent bonds (length 154 pm) directed tetrahedrally, producing a rigid, three-dimensional covalent lattice:

\text{Diamond: } \text{All carbon atoms are } sp^3 \text{ hybridised } \implies \text{B matches I}

Step 3

Matching C (Fullerene) with Characteristic IV

Fullerenes are cage-like hollow spheroidal molecules consisting of interconnected hexagonal and pentagonal rings (such as C₆₀ buckminsterfullerene, featuring 20 six-membered and 12 five-membered rings in a soccer-ball shape):

\text{Fullerene: Discrete cage-like cluster } (\text{e.g., C}_{60}) \implies \text{C matches IV}

Step 4

Matching D (Graphite) with Characteristic II

Graphite possesses a two-dimensional layered sheet structure where sp²-hybridized carbon atoms form planar hexagonal rings. The individual layers are separated by 340 pm and held together only by weak van der Waals forces, allowing them to glide over one another. This cleavability makes graphite slippery and suitable as a dry lubricant at elevated temperatures:

\text{Graphite: Layered sheets slide easily } \implies \text{Used as dry lubricant (D matches II)}

⭐

360° Option Elimination Engine Key Feature

Diagnose every choice: Know exactly why the right option works and why distractors fail.

4-Option Deep Scan

1 (1)

✗ Incorrect

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Mismatches Diamond (calls it cage-like) and Fullerene (calls it sp³).

⚠️

Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Candidate mixed up diamond and fullerene structures.

2 (2)

✗ Incorrect

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect pairings throughout.

⚠️

Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Candidate guessed without verifying graphite lubrication.

3 (3)

✗ Incorrect

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Calls Coke cage-like and Graphite a reducing agent.

⚠️

Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Candidate confused amorphous carbon with fullerenes.

4 (4)

✓ 100% Correct

Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Accurate: Coke (Reducing agent, III), Diamond (sp³ hybridised, I), Fullerene (Cage-like, IV), Graphite (Dry lubricant, II).

💡

Why this is airtight: None. Candidate executed one-to-one property matching flawlessly.

⚠️

NTA Trap Alert: Confusing Fullerene Hybridization with Diamond

Diamond is 100% sp³ hybridized (tetrahedral network). Fullerenes consist of sp²-like hybridized carbons with slight curvature/strain. Choosing sp³ for fullerene is a frequent conceptual slip.

🛡️ How to avoid the -1 mark: Anchor on the most distinctive fact: Diamond is sp³ (B-I); Fullerene is the soccer-ball cage (C-IV).

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Core NEET Syllabus Standard

National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) · The p-Block Elements Standard Benchmark

Core Scientific Principle Tested:

"Diamond has sp³ carbons; graphite is a layered lubricant; fullerenes are cage-like clusters; coke is a metallurgical reducing agent."

Syllabus Focus: Group 14 Elements – Allotropes of Carbon

Preserved in Rationalized Curriculum Syllabus & Academic Standards ↗

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NEET 2023 Chemistry Question 68 Solution

Question

The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ Structure & Usage Pairing Hack

Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof

Matching A (Coke) with Characteristic III

Matching B (Diamond) with Characteristic I

Matching C (Fullerene) with Characteristic IV

Matching D (Graphite) with Characteristic II

360° Option Elimination Engine Key Feature

NTA Trap Alert: Confusing Fullerene Hybridization with Diamond

Core NEET Syllabus Standard

Ready to attempt under real exam pressure?

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