Animated Solution for Chemistry - s and p-Block Elements: Match the following items in Column I with the corresponding items in Column II. $\begin{array}{ll}\mathbf{Column}\mathbf{I}& \mathbf{Column}\mathbf{II}\\ \text{(i) }{\text{Na}}_2{\text{CO}}_3\cdot 10{\text{H}}_2\text{O}& \text{A. Portland cement ingredient}\\ \text{(ii) }\text{Mg}({\text{HCO}}_3{)}_2& \text{B. Castner-Kellner process}\\ \text{(iii) }\text{NaOH}& \text{C. Solvay process}\\ \text{(iv) }{\text{Ca}}_3{\text{Al}}_2{\text{O}}_6& \text{D. Temporary hardness}\end{array}$

The world of industrial chemistry is fascinating, as it connects simple molecules to massive, real-world applications. In this problem, we are tasked with matching four distinct chemical compounds with their corresponding industrial processes or physical properties. Let's break down each compound and uncover its story.

We are given a classic match-the-column scenario. On the left, we have a list of chemical formulas: sodium carbonate decahydrate, magnesium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, and tricalcium aluminate. On the right, we have a mix of manufacturing processes and physical phenomena. Our goal is to logically pair them up based on our knowledge of s-block elements and water chemistry.

Let's start with the first compound, ${\text{Na}}_2{\text{CO}}_3\cdot 10{\text{H}}_2\text{O}$. This is commonly known as washing soda.

When we think of the industrial production of sodium carbonate, one famous name should immediately come to mind: the Solvay process. In this elegant process, ammonia and carbon dioxide are passed through a cold, saturated solution of sodium chloride (brine). This leads to the precipitation of sodium bicarbonate, which is then heated to yield sodium carbonate.

Therefore, the first item perfectly matches with the Solvay process (C).

Next up is $\text{Mg}({\text{HCO}}_3{)}_2$, or magnesium bicarbonate.

If you recall the chapter on water and its properties, hardness is a major topic. Hard water doesn't lather easily with soap. This hardness is classified into two types: temporary and permanent. Temporary hardness is specifically caused by the presence of dissolved bicarbonates of calcium and magnesium. The beauty of temporary hardness is that it can be easily removed by simply boiling the water, which decomposes the bicarbonates into insoluble carbonates.

Thus, the second item is directly responsible for temporary hardness (D).

Moving on to the third compound, we have $\text{NaOH}$, widely known as caustic soda.

Sodium hydroxide is a highly versatile and crucial industrial chemical. It is manufactured on a large scale using the Castner-Kellner process. This process involves the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride (brine) using a mercury cathode and a carbon anode. The use of a mercury cathode is a brilliant engineering trick that allows sodium to form an amalgam, preventing it from reacting violently with water during the electrolysis.

So, the third item matches flawlessly with the Castner-Kellner process (B).

Finally, we look at ${\text{Ca}}_3{\text{Al}}_2{\text{O}}_6$, which is tricalcium aluminate.

This compound might look complex, but it is a fundamental building block of our modern infrastructure. Tricalcium aluminate is one of the key ingredients in Portland cement, alongside tricalcium silicate and dicalcium silicate. When water is added to cement, it is the tricalcium aluminate that reacts most rapidly, contributing to the initial setting and hardening of the cement mixture.

Therefore, the fourth item is a Portland cement ingredient (A).

Now that we have analyzed every single compound, let's compile our matches.

We found that (i) matches with (C), (ii) matches with (D), (iii) matches with (B), and (iv) matches with (A).

Looking at our given options, this exact sequence corresponds to option (d). This problem serves as a fantastic reminder of how interconnected different chapters of inorganic chemistry truly are!