HSC Chemistry Question Bank 2026: Important Questions for Surface Chemistry, Metallurgy, p-Block, and d- & f-Block Elements
- Feb 17
- 4 min read
HSC Chemistry Question Bank 2026: Strategic Preparation for Maharashtra Board Exams
Preparing for the Maharashtra HSC (Class 12) Board exams requires more than just reading textbooks; it requires a focused approach toward the most weightage-heavy chapters. As we move into the 2026 academic cycle, students are looking for a reliable HSC Chemistry Question Bank 2026 that aligns with the latest SCERT Maharashtra guidelines and the evolving difficulty level of competitive exams like MHT-CET and NEET.
This guide focuses on four critical pillars of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry: Surface Chemistry, General Principles of Metallurgy, p-Block Elements, and d- and f-Block Elements. These chapters collectively account for a significant portion of your marks and are essential for any medical or engineering aspirant.
Important Questions for Surface Chemistry
Surface chemistry deals with phenomena that occur at the surfaces or interfaces. In the recent HSC board patterns, this chapter has shifted from purely theoretical to application-based questions.
High-Priority Theory Questions:
Distinguish between Physisorption and Chemisorption (frequently asked).
Explain the terms: Adsorption, Adsorbent, and Adsorbate.
What is the effect of temperature and pressure on the adsorption of gases on solids?
Define "Catalysis" and explain Homogeneous and Heterogeneous catalysis with examples.
Colloid and Emulsion Focus:
Classification of colloids based on the physical state of the dispersed phase and dispersion medium.
Explain Tyndall Effect and Brownian Movement.
What are Lyophilic and Lyophobic sols? Why are lyophilic sols more stable?
Formula Concepts to Study: Freundlich Adsorption Isotherm (Graphical representation).
General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements (Metallurgy)
Metallurgy is often seen as a memory-based chapter, but the HSC Chemistry Question Bank 2026 emphasizes the logical flow of extraction processes.
Key Extraction Processes:
Concentration of Ores: Explain the Froth Floatation process and Magnetic Separation.
Leaching: Describe the leaching of alumina from bauxite (Bayer’s process).
Refining: Explain Zone Refining and Mond’s Process for refining Nickel.
Critical Concepts:
Role of Cryolite in the electrolytic reduction of Alumina.
Distinguish between Calcination and Roasting.
Formula Concepts to Study: Ellingham Diagram (Significance of Gibbs Free Energy in reduction).
Mastery of p-Block Elements (Groups 16, 17, and 18)
The p-Block is the most vast section of the HSC Chemistry syllabus. For 2026, the focus is on the trends in periodic properties and the preparation of key compounds.
Important Trends and Structures:
Anomalous behavior of Oxygen and Fluorine.
Trends in atomic radius, ionization enthalpy, and electronegativity across Group 16 and 17.
Structures of Oxoacids of Sulphur .
Interhalogen compounds: Why are they more reactive than pure halogens?
Industrial Applications:
Manufacture of Ammonia by Haber’s Process (Conditions and Flowchart).
Manufacture of Sulphuric Acid by Contact Process.
Uses of Noble Gases (Group 18).
d- and f-Block Elements: Transition and Inner Transition
This chapter is a favorite for examiners because it links electronic configuration with physical properties like color and magnetism.
Transition Elements (d-Block):
General electronic configuration of 3d series.
Why do transition metals show variable oxidation states?
Explain the formation of colored ions and interstitial compounds.
Magnetic properties: Calculation of "Spin-only" magnetic moment.
Inner Transition Elements (f-Block):
Lanthanoid Contraction: Definition, cause, and its consequences (Highly Important).
Comparison between Lanthanoids and Actinoids.
Formula Concepts to Study: Magnetic Moment formula name (Spin-only formula).
Strategic Analysis: Repeating Patterns in HSC Board Papers
By analyzing previous years' question papers provided by MSBSHSE, certain patterns emerge for 2026. The board increasingly favors questions that test the "Why" behind a chemical property. For instance, instead of asking to define Lanthanoid contraction, the 2026 paper is likely to ask why Zirconium and Hafnium have similar chemical properties.
Quick Revision Checklist:
Definitions: Electrodialysis, Peptization, Gold Number, and Metallurgy terms.
Structures: XeF2, XeF4, PCl5, and Oxyacids.
Distinguish: Roasting vs. Calcination; Lyophilic vs. Lyophobic.
Official Resources and Links
To ensure you are studying the correct and updated material, always refer to the official portals:
Official Question Paper Archive: MSBSHSE Question Papers
Official SCERT Question Bank (Prashnapedhi): SCERT Maharashtra
Conclusion
Success in the 2026 HSC Chemistry exam lies in balancing theoretical knowledge with structural chemistry. By focusing on the HSC Chemistry Question Bank 2026 and mastering the trends in p-block and d-block elements, you can ensure a high percentile. Remember to practice the structures of oxoacids and the mechanisms of catalysis in surface chemistry, as these are "scoring" areas that require precision.
FAQ: HSC Chemistry Question Bank 2026
Q1: Where can I download the official HSC Chemistry Question Bank 2026?
A1: You can access the official question banks (Prashnapedhi) through the SCERT Maharashtra website at www.maa.ac.in. These are designed to help students understand the weightage of each chapter.
Q2: Is the HSC Chemistry Question Bank 2026 enough for scoring 90+?
A2: While the question bank covers the breadth of the syllabus, we recommend thorough textbook reading and solving at least the last 5 years of board papers for top scores.
Q3: Which chapters have the highest weightage in Inorganic Chemistry?
A3: The p-Block Elements and d- and f-Block Elements usually carry the highest marks in the inorganic section of the HSC exam.
Q4: How should I prepare for Metallurgy for the 2026 exam?
A4: Focus on the flowcharts of extraction (Bauxite to Aluminum) and the specific names of ores. Understanding the Ellingham diagram is also crucial for higher-order thinking questions.
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