Lesson Plan

Lesson : Group 14 : Chlorides

Aim :

To study the stability of the chlorides of Group 14 elements.

Learning Outcomes :

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• explain the bonding and molecular shapes of Group 14 tetrachlorides

• explain the thermal stability of MCl4

• correlate the stability of +2 state with the inert pair effect

• explain the hydrolysis of MCl4

• state the environmental effects of freons.

Assumed prior knowledge :

Students should already be familiar with:

1. the shapes of simple molecules

2. the concept of standard reduction potential.

Underlying Principles

1. Making the invisible, visible.

2. Enabling students to know what to look for.

Differentiation

Questions in the student notes are designed to enable all students to complete the activity.
The pop-up answers are provided for the students to view when they have considered their
responses. Worksheet questions include questions that require recall, understanding and
application of the new concepts learned.

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Development of Lesson :

No. Steps Strategy Resources

1 Set Induction.
(Ascertaining prior • Teacher to get students to recall the
knowledge and shapes of some simple molecules and the
introducing lesson concept of standard reduction potential.
topic for the day). • Teacher to point out lesson objectives of
the day.

2 Student Activity Teacher to go through Activities 1 - 3 • Courseware

with the students.

Activity 1 : Bonding and molecular

shape

Students get to find out the physical

states and boiling points of the
tetrachlorides of Group 14 elements and
relate these properties to their structure
and bonding.

Activity 2 : Stability of chlorides

Students get to compare the the relative

stabilities of the +2 and +4 oxidation
states of the Group 14 elements. They
also get to view the hydrolysis of a few
tetrachlorides.

Activity 3 : Freons

Students get to find out the environmental

damage caused by freons.

3 Evaluation • Students to answer questions in the • Worksheet

student worksheet on their own.

4 Extension activity • Students to read up reference materials • References

on their own.

© 2004 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 2 of 3

Worksheet Answers

1. Bonding and molecular shape

1.1 a. Tetrahedral

b. SnCl4 decomposes into SnCl2 and Cl2.

SnCl4 SnCl2 + Cl2

c. White fumes are released because of hydrolysis.

SnCl4 + 2H2O SnO2 + 4HCl

2. Stability of chlorides

2.1 a. Cl

M
Cl
Cl Cl

Tetrahedron

b. They are non-polar covalent molecules. There are weak van der Waals forces
between the molecules.

c. i. No observable change.
CCl4 does not undergo hydrolysis.
Carbon cannot expand its octet as there are no 2d orbitals.

ii. White fumes are given off, a brown solid is formed.

Hydrolysis occurs.
Lead can expand its octet because of the presence of vacant 6d
orbitals.

PbCl4 + 2H2O PbO2 + 4HCl

2.2 a. Sn2+ + 2Fe3+ Sn4+ + 2Fe2+

b. Brown iodine solution is decolourised.

3. Freons

3.1 CFCl3 dissociates in the presence of ultra-violet light to form a chlorine radical which
reacts with ozone to form an oxygen molecule. A chlorine radical is regenerated.
hν
CFCl3 CFCl2 + Cl•
Cl• + O3 ClO + O2
ClO + O• Cl• + O2

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