Question

State true or False.
The basic nature of the hydroxide of group (IIIB) decreases progressively down the group.
A. True
B. False

Answer 1

Here group (IIIB) is the 13th group of the boron family. And basic nature means strength, how it can react with acid and give salt. And we know that 13th group elements form hydroxides.

Complete step by step answer:
In a group of periodic tables on moving from top to bottom, the electropositive character of elements increases progressively. Due to increasing the electropositive character, the basic character of the hydroxides increases progressively down the group.

Basic nature increases as the element becomes more electropositive or acquired a more metallic character. Second ionization energy of boron is greater than that of carbon because of the smaller size of boron. All the elements of this group 13 form oxides and hydroxide.

Boron forms acidic oxides and hydroxides, while ‘Al’ and ‘Ga’ form amphoteric oxides and hydroxides. ‘In’ and ‘Tl’ form basic oxides and hydroxides. The acidic nature of hydroxides decreases down the group.

So, the given statement is “False”.

Note: Boron is the only element in the 13th of the periodic table which is non-metallic. Metal hydroxides must form a stable cation and anion boron does not form a stable cation. This is the reason why metals form basic hydroxides while boron forms a weak acid called boric acid.