Question

Match the following List-I (Compounds) List-II (Use of 0 0 20 compounds) a (a) Magnesium hydroxide (p) As a fertilizer (b) Barium sulphate (q) As a purgative (c) Magnesium sulphate (r) As a constituent of lithopone (d) Calcium cyanamide (s) As a constituent of sorrel cement

Short answer

(a) - none (b) - r (c) - q (d) - p

Step-by-step solution

Match Magnesium Hydroxide

Magnesium hydroxide, known for its antacid properties, is not primarily used in fertilizers or purgatives. It is used as an antacid and laxative, but none of the options directly match this use. Hence, none of the given uses in List-II (p, q, r, s) fit magnesium hydroxide perfectly.

Match Barium Sulphate

Barium sulphate is commonly used as a constituent of lithopone, a white pigment used in paints. Thus, it matches with (r) As a constituent of lithopone.

Match Magnesium Sulphate

Magnesium sulphate, commonly known as Epsom salt, is often used as a purgative or laxative. Thus, it matches with (q) As a purgative.

Match Calcium Cyanamide

Calcium cyanamide is used as a fertilizer in agriculture to provide nitrogen. Thus, it matches with (p) As a fertilizer.

Key concepts

Magnesium Hydroxide

Magnesium hydroxide is a chemical compound with the formula \( \text{Mg(OH)}_2 \). It is a white, powdery substance that is naturally found in the mineral brucite. One of its most famous applications is as an antacid to relieve symptoms of indigestion, heartburn, or upset stomach. It neutralizes stomach acid through a simple chemical reaction that produces magnesium chloride and water.

Apart from its use as an antacid, magnesium hydroxide is also widely used in medical situations as a laxative. This helps certain patients stimulate bowel movements. However, in the context of our matching exercise, none of the options (p, q, r, s) directly correspond to its antacid or laxative uses. Thus, while an essential compound, magnesium hydroxide is not directly linked to the options provided.

Barium Sulphate

Barium sulphate is represented by the chemical formula \( \text{BaSO}_4 \). It is highly valuable in industries due to its significant properties, such as being opaque to X-rays and exhibiting excellent whiteness as a pigment. One of its primary uses is as a constituent in lithopone, a type of white pigment. Lithopone is widely used in paints, giving products a sheer white finish.

Due to its density and inert nature, barium sulphate is also employed in medical imaging. As a radiocontrast agent, it helps highlight structures during X-ray imaging and CT scans. However, for industrial and compound matching purposes, it is matched with its role in lithopone production, as indicated in option (r).

Magnesium Sulphate

Magnesium sulphate, commonly known as Epsom salt, has the chemical formula \( \text{MgSO}_4 \). It appears as colorless crystals or a white powder, which are both water-soluble. Its most notable use is in medicine as a purgative or laxative. Patients often use it to relieve occasional constipation due to its ability to increase water in the intestines, prompting bowel movements.

Beyond gastrointestinal uses, magnesium sulphate is popular in gardening to correct magnesium or sulfur deficiencies in soil. It promotes plant health when used properly. In the given matching exercise, however, we focus on its medical use, linking it to option (q) as a purgative.

Calcium Cyanamide

Calcium cyanamide, a chemical compound with the formula \( \text{CaCN}_2 \), is primarily recognized for its role in agriculture. This compound serves as a fertilizer due to its ability to provide plants with nitrogen—a crucial nutrient for plant growth. It slowly releases nitrogen into the soil, making it available for plants over time and improving their height and yield.

Besides its application as a fertilizer, calcium cyanamide is used in some industrial processes and even as a weed suppressant. In the context of our exercise, it fits option (p) in List-II, where its role as a nitrogen-providing fertilizer is emphasized.