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SL Paper 2

Automobile air bags inflate by a rapid decomposition reaction. One typical compound used is guanidinium nitrate, C(NH2)3NO3, which decomposes very rapidly to form nitrogen, water vapour and carbon.

Deduce the equation for the decomposition of guanidinium nitrate.

[1]
a(i).

Calculate the total number of moles of gas produced from the decomposition of 10.0 g of guanidinium nitrate.

[1]
a(ii).

Calculate the pressure, in kPa, of this gas in a 10.0 dm3 air bag at 127°C, assuming no gas escapes.

[1]
a(iii).

Suggest why water vapour deviates significantly from ideal behaviour when the gases are cooled, while nitrogen does not.

[2]
a(iv).

Another airbag reactant produces nitrogen gas and sodium.

Suggest, including an equation, why the products of this reactant present a safety hazard.

[2]
b.



Explain the general increase in trend in the first ionization energies of the period 3 elements, Na to Ar.




There are many oxides of silver with the formula AgxOy. All of them decompose into their elements when heated strongly.

After heating 3.760 g of a silver oxide 3.275 g of silver remained. Determine the empirical formula of AgxOy.

[2]
a.i.

Suggest why the final mass of solid obtained by heating 3.760 g of AgxOy may be greater than 3.275 g giving one design improvement for your proposed suggestion. Ignore any possible errors in the weighing procedure.

[2]
a.ii.

Naturally occurring silver is composed of two stable isotopes, 107Ag and 109Ag.

The relative atomic mass of silver is 107.87. Show that isotope 107Ag is more abundant.

[1]
b.

Some oxides of period 3, such as Na2O and P4O10, react with water. A spatula measure of each oxide was added to a separate 100 cm3 flask containing distilled water and a few drops of bromothymol blue indicator.

The indicator is listed in section 22 of the data booklet.

Deduce the colour of the resulting solution and the chemical formula of the product formed after reaction with water for each oxide.

[3]
c.i.

Explain the electrical conductivity of molten Na2O and P4O10.

[2]
c.ii.

Outline the model of electron configuration deduced from the hydrogen line emission spectrum (Bohr’s model).

[2]
d.



Magnesium is a group 2 metal which exists as a number of isotopes and forms many compounds.

State the nuclear symbol notation, Z A X , for magnesium-26.

[1]
a.

Mass spectroscopic analysis of a sample of magnesium gave the following results:

Calculate the relative atomic mass, Ar, of this sample of magnesium to two decimal places.

[2]
b.

Magnesium burns in air to form a white compound, magnesium oxide. Formulate an equation for the reaction of magnesium oxide with water.

[1]
c.

Describe the trend in acid-base properties of the oxides of period 3, sodium to chlorine.

[2]
d.

In addition to magnesium oxide, magnesium forms another compound when burned in air. Suggest the formula of this compound

[1]
e.

Describe the structure and bonding in solid magnesium oxide.

[2]
f.

Magnesium chloride can be electrolysed.

Deduce the half-equations for the reactions at each electrode when molten magnesium chloride is electrolysed, showing the state symbols of the products. The melting points of magnesium and magnesium chloride are 922 K and 987 K respectively.

Anode (positive electrode):

Cathode (negative electrode):

[2]
g.



Iron may be extracted from iron (II) sulfide, FeS.

Iron (II) sulfide, FeS, is ionically bonded.

The first step in the extraction of iron from iron (II) sulfide is to roast it in air to form iron (III) oxide and sulfur dioxide.

Outline why metals, like iron, can conduct electricity.

[1]
a.

Justify why sulfur is classified as a non-metal by giving two of its chemical properties.

[2]
b.

Describe the bonding in this type of solid.

[2]
c(i).

State the full electron configuration of the sulfide ion.

[1]
c(ii).

Outline, in terms of their electronic structures, why the ionic radius of the sulfide ion is greater than that of the oxide ion.

[1]
c(iii).

Suggest why chemists find it convenient to classify bonding into ionic, covalent and metallic.

[1]
c(iv).

Write the equation for this reaction.

[1]
d(i).

Deduce the change in the oxidation state of sulfur.

[1]
d(ii).

Suggest why this process might raise environmental concerns.

[1]
d(iii).

Explain why the addition of small amounts of carbon to iron makes the metal harder.

[2]
e.



Chlorine undergoes many reactions.

2.67g of manganese(IV) oxide was added to 200.0cm3 of 2.00moldm-3 HCl.

MnO2(s)+4HCl(aq)Cl2(g)+2H2O(l)+MnCl2(aq)

Chlorine gas reacts with water to produce hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid.

Cl2(g)+H2O(l)HClO(aq)+HCl(aq)

CCl2F2 is a common chlorofluorocarbon, CFC.

State the full electron configuration of the chlorine atom.

[1]
a(i).

State, giving a reason, whether the chlorine atom or the chloride ion has a larger radius.

[1]
a(ii).

Outline why the chlorine atom has a smaller atomic radius than the sulfur atom.

[2]
a(iii).

The mass spectrum of chlorine is shown.

NIST Mass Spectrometry Data Center Collection © 2014 copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the United States of America. All rights reserved.

Outline the reason for the two peaks at m/z=35 and 37.

[1]
a(iv).

Explain the presence and relative abundance of the peak at m/z=74.

[2]
a(v).

Calculate the amount, in mol, of manganese(IV) oxide added.

[1]
b(i).

Determine the limiting reactant, showing your calculations.

[2]
b(ii).

Determine the excess amount, in mol, of the other reactant.

[1]
b(iii).

Calculate the volume of chlorine, in dm3, produced if the reaction is conducted at standard temperature and pressure (STP). Use section 2 of the data booklet.

[1]
b(iv).

State the oxidation state of manganese in MnO2 and MnCl2.

[2]
b(v).

Deduce, referring to oxidation states, whether MnO2 is an oxidizing or reducing agent.

[1]
b(vi).

Hypochlorous acid is considered a weak acid. Outline what is meant by the term weak acid.

 

[1]
c(i).

State the formula of the conjugate base of hypochlorous acid.

[1]
c(ii).

Calculate the concentration of H+(aq) in a HClOaq solution with a pH=3.61.

[1]
c(iii).

State the type of reaction occurring when ethane reacts with chlorine to produce chloroethane.

[1]
d(i).

Predict, giving a reason, whether ethane or chloroethane is more reactive.

[1]
d(ii).

Write the equation for the reaction of chloroethane with a dilute aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide.

[1]
d(iii).

Deduce the nucleophile for the reaction in d(iii).

[1]
d(iv).

Ethoxyethane (diethyl ether) can be used as a solvent for this conversion. Draw the structural formula of ethoxyethane

[1]
d(v).

Deduce the number of signals and their chemical shifts in the H1 NMR spectrum of ethoxyethane. Use section 27 of the data booklet.

[2]
d(vi).

Calculate the percentage by mass of chlorine in CCl2F2.

[2]
e(i).

Comment on how international cooperation has contributed to the lowering of CFC emissions responsible for ozone depletion.

[1]
e(ii).



Calcium carbide, CaC2, is an ionic solid.

Describe the nature of ionic bonding.

[1]
a.

State the electron configuration of the Ca2+ ion.

[1]
b.

When calcium compounds are introduced into a gas flame a red colour is seen; sodium compounds give a yellow flame. Outline the source of the colours and why they are different.

[2]
c.

Suggest two reasons why solid calcium has a greater density than solid potassium.

[2]
d.i.

Outline why solid calcium is a good conductor of electricity.

[1]
d.ii.

Calcium carbide reacts with water to form ethyne and calcium hydroxide.

CaC2(s) + H2O(l) → C2H2(g) + Ca(OH)2(aq)

Estimate the pH of the resultant solution.

[1]
e.



Dinitrogen monoxide, N2O, causes depletion of ozone in the stratosphere.

Different sources of N2O have different ratios of 14N:15N.

Outline why ozone in the stratosphere is important.

[1]
a.

State one analytical technique that could be used to determine the ratio of 14N:15N.

[1]
b(i).

A sample of gas was enriched to contain 2 % by mass of 15N with the remainder being 14N.

Calculate the relative molecular mass of the resulting N2O.

[2]
b(ii).

Predict, giving two reasons, how the first ionization energy of 15N compares with that of 14N.

[2]
b(iii).

Suggest why it is surprising that dinitrogen monoxide dissolves in water to give a neutral solution.

[1]
c.



The emission spectrum of an element can be used to identify it.

Elements show trends in their physical properties across the periodic table.

Draw the first four energy levels of a hydrogen atom on the axis, labelling n = 1, 2, 3 and 4.

[1]
a.i.

Draw the lines, on your diagram, that represent the electron transitions to n = 2 in the emission spectrum.

[1]
a.ii.

Outline why atomic radius decreases across period 3, sodium to chlorine.

[1]
b.i.

Outline why the ionic radius of K+ is smaller than that of Cl.

[2]
b.ii.

Copper is widely used as an electrical conductor.

Draw arrows in the boxes to represent the electronic configuration of copper in the 4s and 3d orbitals.

[1]
c.i.

Impure copper can be purified by electrolysis. In the electrolytic cell, impure copper is the anode (positive electrode), pure copper is the cathode (negative electrode) and the electrolyte is copper(II) sulfate solution.

Formulate the half-equation at each electrode.

 

[2]
c.ii.

Outline where and in which direction the electrons flow during electrolysis.

[1]
c.iii.



Electrons are arranged in energy levels around the nucleus of an atom.

The diagram represents possible electron energy levels in a hydrogen atom.

Explain why the first ionization energy of calcium is greater than that of potassium.

[2]
a.

All models have limitations. Suggest two limitations to this model of the electron energy levels.

[2]
b(i).

Draw an arrow, labelled X, to represent the electron transition for the ionization of a hydrogen atom in the ground state.

[1]
b(ii).

Draw an arrow, labelled Z, to represent the lowest energy electron transition in the visible spectrum.

[1]
b(iii).



Rhenium, Re, was the last element with a stable isotope to be isolated.

One chloride of rhenium has the empirical formula ReCl3.

Before its isolation, scientists predicted the existence of rhenium and some of its properties.

Suggest the basis of these predictions.

[2]
a.

Describe how the relative reactivity of rhenium, compared to silver, zinc, and copper, can be established using pieces of rhenium and solutions of these metal sulfates.

[2]
b.

State the name of this compound, applying IUPAC rules.

[1]
c(i).

Calculate the percentage, by mass, of rhenium in ReCl3.

[2]
c(ii).



Trends in physical and chemical properties are useful to chemists.

The Activity series lists the metal in order of reactivity.

Explain the general increasing trend in the first ionization energies of the period 3 elements, Na to Ar.

[2]
a.

Explain why the melting points of the group 1 metals (Li → Cs) decrease down the group.

[2]
b.

State an equation for the reaction of phosphorus (V) oxide, P4O10 (s), with water.

[1]
c.

Describe the emission spectrum of hydrogen.

[2]
d.

Identify the strongest reducing agent in the given list.

[1]
e.i.

A voltaic cell is made up of a Mn2+/Mn half-cell and a Ni2+/Ni half-cell.

Deduce the equation for the cell reaction.

[1]
e.ii.

The voltaic cell stated in part (ii) is partially shown below.

Draw and label the connections needed to show the direction of electron movement and ion flow between the two half-cells.

[2]
e.iii.



Magnesium is a reactive metal often found in alloys.

Organomagnesium compounds can react with carbonyl compounds. One overall equation is:

Compound B can also be prepared by reacting an alkene with water.

Iodomethane is used to prepare CH3MgI. It can also be converted into methanol:

CH3I + HO → CH3OH + I

Magnesium can be produced by the electrolysis of molten magnesium chloride.

Write the half-equation for the formation of magnesium.

[1]
a.

Suggest an experiment that shows that magnesium is more reactive than zinc, giving the observation that would confirm this.

[2]
b.

State the name of Compound A, applying International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) rules.

[1]
c(i).

Identify the strongest force between the molecules of Compound B.

[1]
c(ii).

Draw the structural formula of the alkene required.

[1]
d(i).

Deduce the structural formula of the repeating unit of the polymer formed from this alkene.

[1]
d(ii).

Deduce what would be observed when Compound B is warmed with acidified aqueous potassium dichromate (VI).

[1]
e.

Identify the type of reaction.

[1]
f(i).

Outline the requirements for a collision between reactants to yield products.

[2]
f(ii).

The polarity of the carbon–halogen bond, C–X, facilitates attack by HO.

Outline, giving a reason, how the bond polarity changes going down group 17.

[1]
f(iii).



The properties of elements can be predicted from their position in the periodic table.

Explain why Si has a smaller atomic radius than Al.

[2]
a(i).

Explain the decrease in radius from Na to Na+.

[2]
a(ii).

State the condensed electron configurations for Cr and Cr3+.

[2]
b(i).

Describe metallic bonding and how it contributes to electrical conductivity.

[3]
b(ii).

Deduce the Lewis (electron dot) structure and molecular geometry of sulfur dichloride, SCl2.

[2]
c.

Suggest, giving reasons, the relative volatilities of SCl2 and H2O.

[3]
d.

Consider the following equilibrium reaction:

2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) 2SO3 (g)

State and explain how the equilibrium would be affected by increasing the volume of the reaction container at a constant temperature.

[3]
e.



Properties of elements and their compounds can be related to the position of the elements in the periodic table.

Explain the decrease in atomic radius from Na to Cl.

[2]
a.

Explain why the radius of the sodium ion, Na+, is smaller than the radius of the oxide ion, O2−.

[2]
b.i.

State a physical property of sodium oxide.

[1]
b.ii.



Lithium reacts with water to form an alkaline solution.

A 0.200 g piece of lithium was placed in 500.0 cm3 of water.

Determine the coefficients that balance the equation for the reaction of lithium with water.

[1]
a.

Calculate the molar concentration of the resulting solution of lithium hydroxide.

[2]
b(i).

Calculate the volume of hydrogen gas produced, in cm3, if the temperature was 22.5 °C and the pressure was 103 kPa. Use sections 1 and 2 of the data booklet.

[2]
b(ii).

Suggest a reason why the volume of hydrogen gas collected was smaller than predicted.

[1]
b(iii).

The reaction of lithium with water is a redox reaction. Identify the oxidizing agent in the reaction giving a reason.

[1]
c.

Describe two observations that indicate the reaction of lithium with water is exothermic.

[2]
d.



This question is about compounds of sodium.

Sodium peroxide is used in diving apparatus to produce oxygen from carbon dioxide.

2Na2O2 (s) + 2CO2 (g) → 2Na2CO3 (s) + O2 (g)

Describe the structure and bonding in solid sodium oxide.

[2]
a(i).

Write equations for the separate reactions of solid sodium oxide and solid phosphorus(V) oxide with excess water and differentiate between the solutions formed.

Sodium oxide, Na2O:

Phosphorus(V) oxide, P4O10:

Differentiation:

[3]
a(ii).

Sodium peroxide, Na2O2, is formed by the reaction of sodium oxide with oxygen.

2Na2O (s) + O2 (g) → 2Na2O2 (s)

Calculate the percentage yield of sodium peroxide if 5.00 g of sodium oxide produces 5.50 g of sodium peroxide.

[2]
b.

Determine the enthalpy change, ΔH, in kJ, for this reaction using data from the table and section 12 of the data booklet.

[3]
c(i).

Outline why bond enthalpy values are not valid in calculations such as that in (c)(i).

[1]
c(ii).

The reaction of sodium peroxide with excess water produces hydrogen peroxide and one other sodium compound. Suggest the formula of this compound.

[1]
d.

State the oxidation number of carbon in sodium carbonate, Na2CO3.

[1]
e.



When heated in air, magnesium ribbon reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide.

The reaction in (a)(i) was carried out in a crucible with a lid and the following data was recorded:

Mass of crucible and lid = 47.372 ±0.001 g

Mass of crucible, lid and magnesium ribbon before heating = 53.726 ±0.001 g

Mass of crucible, lid and product after heating = 56.941 ±0.001 g

 

When magnesium is burnt in air, some of it reacts with nitrogen to form magnesium nitride according to the equation:

3 Mg (s) + N2 (g) → Mg3N2 (s)

The presence of magnesium nitride can be demonstrated by adding water to the product. It is hydrolysed to form magnesium hydroxide and ammonia.

Most nitride ions are 14N3–.

Write a balanced equation for the reaction that occurs.

[1]
a(i).

State the block of the periodic table in which magnesium is located.

[1]
a(ii).

Identify a metal, in the same period as magnesium, that does not form a basic oxide.

[1]
a(iii).

Calculate the amount of magnesium, in mol, that was used.

[1]
b(i).

Determine the percentage uncertainty of the mass of product after heating.

[2]
b(ii).

Assume the reaction in (a)(i) is the only one occurring and it goes to completion, but some product has been lost from the crucible. Deduce the percentage yield of magnesium oxide in the crucible.

 

[2]
b(iii).

Evaluate whether this, rather than the loss of product, could explain the yield found in (b)(iii).

[1]
c(i).

Suggest an explanation, other than product being lost from the crucible or reacting with nitrogen, that could explain the yield found in (b)(iii).

[1]
c(ii).

Calculate coefficients that balance the equation for the following reaction.

__ Mg3N2 (s) + __ H2O (l) → __ Mg(OH)2 (s) + __ NH3 (aq)

[1]
d(i).

Determine the oxidation state of nitrogen in Mg3N2 and in NH3.

[1]
d(ii).

Deduce, giving reasons, whether the reaction of magnesium nitride with water is an acid–base reaction, a redox reaction, neither or both.

[2]
d(iii).

State the number of subatomic particles in this ion.

[1]
e(i).

Some nitride ions are 15N3–. State the term that describes the relationship between 14N3– and 15N3–.

[1]
e(ii).

The nitride ion and the magnesium ion are isoelectronic (they have the same electron configuration). Determine, giving a reason, which has the greater ionic radius.

[1]
e(iii).

Suggest two reasons why atoms are no longer regarded as the indivisible units of matter.

[2]
f.

State the types of bonding in magnesium, oxygen and magnesium oxide, and how the valence electrons produce these types of bonding.

[4]
g.



Titanium is a transition metal.

TiCl4 reacts with water and the resulting titanium(IV) oxide can be used as a smoke screen.

Describe the bonding in metals.

[2]
a.

Titanium exists as several isotopes. The mass spectrum of a sample of titanium gave the following data:

Calculate the relative atomic mass of titanium to two decimal places.

[2]
b.

State the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in the 22 48 Ti  atom.

[1]
c.

State the full electron configuration of the 22 48 Ti 2+ ion.

[1]
d.i.

Explain why an aluminium-titanium alloy is harder than pure aluminium.

[2]
d.ii.

State the type of bonding in potassium chloride which melts at 1043 K.

[1]
e.i.

A chloride of titanium, TiCl4, melts at 248 K. Suggest why the melting point is so much lower than that of KCl.

[1]
e.ii.

Formulate an equation for this reaction.

[2]
f.i.

Suggest one disadvantage of using this smoke in an enclosed space.

[1]
f.ii.