Zaymiey

🧪 Chemistry  ·  s-Block Elements  ·  NEET & JEE

When lithium, sodium and potassium are heated in excess oxygen, the principal products are respectively:

Answer: Monoxide, peroxide and superoxide.

  • A Peroxide, superoxide and monoxide
  • B Superoxide, monoxide and peroxide
  • C Monoxide, peroxide and superoxide
  • D Monoxide, superoxide and peroxide

Correct answer: C. Monoxide, peroxide and superoxide

Explanation: Lithium forms mainly the monoxide Li<sub>2</sub>O, sodium forms the peroxide Na<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, and potassium (and heavier metals) form superoxides such as KO<sub>2</sub>.

Flame Test Colours (s-Block Elements)LicrimsonNagolden yellowKlilac/violetCabrick redBaapple green

Each s-block metal ion emits a characteristic flame colour because heating excites electrons to higher energy levels; light is emitted as they fall back, with the colour determined by the specific energy gap.

Concept context

Group 1 (alkali metals) and Group 2 (alkaline earth metals). Learn their reactions with water and air, important compounds like NaOH, Na₂CO₃, and CaCO₃, and anomalous behaviour of lithium and beryllium.

Read the full s-Block Elements notes →