
HL Paper 2
Phosphoric acid, H3PO4 can form three different salts depending on the extent of neutralisation by sodium hydroxide.
Formulate an equation for the reaction of one mole of phosphoric acid with one mole of sodium hydroxide.
Formulate two equations to show the amphiprotic nature of H2PO4−.
Calculate the concentration of H3PO4 if 25.00 cm3 is completely neutralised by the addition of 28.40 cm3 of 0.5000 mol dm−3 NaOH.
Outline the reasons that sodium hydroxide is considered a Brønsted–Lowry and Lewis base.
The concentration of a solution of a weak acid, such as ethanedioic acid, can be determined
by titration with a standard solution of sodium hydroxide, NaOH (aq).
5.00 g of an impure sample of hydrated ethanedioic acid, (COOH)2•2H2O, was dissolved in water to make 1.00 dm3 of solution. 25.0 cm3 samples of this solution were titrated against a 0.100 mol dm-3 solution of sodium hydroxide using a suitable indicator.
(COOH)2 (aq) + 2NaOH (aq) → (COONa)2 (aq) + 2H2O (l)
The mean value of the titre was 14.0 cm3.
(i) Suggest a suitable indicator for this titration. Use section 22 of the data booklet.
(ii) Calculate the amount, in mol, of NaOH in 14.0 cm3 of 0.100 mol dm-3 solution.
(iii) Calculate the amount, in mol, of ethanedioic acid in each 25.0 cm3 sample.
(iv) Determine the percentage purity of the hydrated ethanedioic acid sample.
Draw the Lewis (electron dot) structure of the ethanedioate ion, –OOCCOO–.
Outline why all the C–O bond lengths in the ethanedioate ion are the same length and suggest a value for them. Use section 10 of the data booklet.
Explain how ethanedioate ions act as ligands.
Butanoic acid, CH3CH2CH2COOH, is a weak acid and ethylamine, CH3CH2NH2, is a weak base.
State the equation for the reaction of each substance with water.
Draw a diagram showing the delocalization of electrons in the conjugate base of butanoic acid.
Deduce the average oxidation state of carbon in butanoic acid.
A 0.250 mol dm−3 aqueous solution of butanoic acid has a concentration of hydrogen ions, [H+], of 0.00192 mol dm−3. Calculate the concentration of hydroxide ions, [OH−], in the solution at 298 K.
Determine the pH of a 0.250 mol dm−3 aqueous solution of ethylamine at 298 K, using section 21 of the data booklet.
Sketch the pH curve for the titration of 25.0 cm3 of ethylamine aqueous solution with 50.0 cm3 of butanoic acid aqueous solution of equal concentration. No calculations are required.
Explain why butanoic acid is a liquid at room temperature while ethylamine is a gas at room temperature.
State a suitable reagent for the reduction of butanoic acid.
Deduce the product of the complete reduction reaction in (e)(i).
Graphing is an important tool in the study of rates of chemical reactions.
The graph represents the titration of 25.00 cm3 of 0.100 mol dm−3 aqueous ethanoic acid with 0.100 mol dm−3 aqueous sodium hydroxide.
Deduce the major species, other than water and sodium ions, present at points A and B during the titration.
Calculate the pH of 0.100 mol dm−3 aqueous ethanoic acid.
Ka = 1.74 × 10−5
Outline, using an equation, why sodium ethanoate is basic.
Predict whether the pH of an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride will be greater than, equal to or less than 7 at 298 K.
Formulate the equation for the reaction of nitrogen dioxide, NO2, with water to form two acids.
Formulate the equation for the reaction of one of the acids produced in (e)(i) with calcium carbonate.
A student titrated two acids, hydrochloric acid, HCl (aq) and ethanoic acid, CH3COOH (aq), against 50.0 cm3 of 0.995 mol dm–3 sodium hydroxide, NaOH (aq), to determine their concentration. The temperature of the reaction mixture was measured after each acid addition and plotted against the volume of each acid.
Using the graph, estimate the initial temperature of the solutions.
Determine the maximum temperature reached in each experiment by analysing the graph.
Suggest why the enthalpy change of neutralization of CH3COOH is less negative than that of HCl.
Sulfur trioxide is produced from sulfur dioxide.
2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) 2SO3 (g) ΔH = −196 kJ mol−1
The reaction between sulfur dioxide and oxygen can be carried out at different temperatures.
Outline, giving a reason, the effect of a catalyst on a reaction.
On the axes, sketch Maxwell–Boltzmann energy distribution curves for the reacting species at two temperatures T1 and T2, where T2 > T1.
Explain the effect of increasing temperature on the yield of SO3.
Draw the Lewis structure of SO3.
Explain the electron domain geometry of SO3.
State the product formed from the reaction of SO3 with water.
State the meaning of a strong Brønsted–Lowry acid.
Soluble acids and bases ionize in water.
A solution containing 0.510 g of an unknown monoprotic acid, HA, was titrated with 0.100 mol dm–3 NaOH(aq). 25.0 cm3 was required to reach the equivalence point.
The following curve was obtained using a pH probe.
State, giving a reason, the strength of the acid.
State a technique other than a pH titration that can be used to detect the equivalence point.
Deduce the pKa for this acid.
The pKa of an anthocyanin is 4.35. Determine the pH of a 1.60 × 10–3 mol dm–3 solution to two decimal places.
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.
Identify a metal, in the same period as magnesium, that does not form a basic oxide.
Calculate the amount of magnesium, in mol, that was used.
Determine the percentage uncertainty of the mass of product after heating.
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.
Evaluate whether this, rather than the loss of product, could explain the yield found in (b)(iii).
Suggest an explanation, other than product being lost from the crucible or reacting with nitrogen, that could explain the yield found in (b)(iii).
Calculate coefficients that balance the equation for the following reaction.
Ammonia is added to water that contains a few drops of an indicator. Identify an indicator that would change colour. Use sections 21 and 22 of the data booklet.
Determine the oxidation state of nitrogen in Mg3N2 and in NH3.
Deduce, giving reasons, whether the reaction of magnesium nitride with water is an acid–base reaction, a redox reaction, neither or both.
State the number of subatomic particles in this ion.
Some nitride ions are 15N3–. State the term that describes the relationship between 14N3– and 15N3–.
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.
Suggest, giving a reason, whether magnesium or nitrogen would have the greater sixth ionization energy.
Suggest two reasons why atoms are no longer regarded as the indivisible units of matter.
State the types of bonding in magnesium, oxygen and magnesium oxide, and how the valence electrons produce these types of bonding.
Carbonated water is produced when carbon dioxide is dissolved in water under pressure. The following equilibria are established.
Equilibrium (1) CO2 (g) CO2 (aq)
Equilibrium (2) CO2 (aq) + H2O (l) H+ (aq) + HCO3− (aq)
Carbon dioxide acts as a weak acid.
Soda water has sodium hydrogencarbonate, NaHCO3, dissolved in the carbonated water.
Distinguish between a weak and strong acid.
Weak acid:
Strong acid:
The hydrogencarbonate ion, produced in Equilibrium (2), can also act as an acid.
State the formula of its conjugate base.
When a bottle of carbonated water is opened, these equilibria are disturbed.
State, giving a reason, how a decrease in pressure affects the position of Equilibrium (1).
At 298 K the concentration of aqueous carbon dioxide in carbonated water is 0.200 mol dm−3 and the pKa for Equilibrium (2) is 6.36.
Calculate the pH of carbonated water.
Identify the type of bonding in sodium hydrogencarbonate.
Between sodium and hydrogencarbonate:
Between hydrogen and oxygen in hydrogencarbonate:
Predict, referring to Equilibrium (2), how the added sodium hydrogencarbonate affects the pH.(Assume pressure and temperature remain constant.)
100.0cm3 of soda water contains 3.0 × 10−2g NaHCO3.
Calculate the concentration of NaHCO3 in mol dm−3.
The uncertainty of the 100.0cm3 volumetric flask used to make the solution was ±0.6cm3.
Calculate the maximum percentage uncertainty in the mass of NaHCO3 so that the concentration of the solution is correct to ±1.0 %.
The reaction of the hydroxide ion with carbon dioxide and with the hydrogencarbonate ion can be represented by Equations 3 and 4.
Equation (3) OH− (aq) + CO2 (g) → HCO3− (aq)
Equation (4) OH− (aq) + HCO3− (aq) → H2O (l) + CO32− (aq)
Discuss how these equations show the difference between a Lewis base and a Brønsted–Lowry base.
Equation (3):
Equation (4):
Aqueous sodium hydrogencarbonate has a pH of approximately 7 at 298 K.
Sketch a graph of pH against volume when 25.0cm3 of 0.100 mol dm−3 NaOH (aq) is gradually added to 10.0cm3 of 0.0500 mol dm−3 NaHCO3 (aq).
Benzoic acid, C6H5COOH, is another derivative of benzene.
Identify the wavenumber of one peak in the IR spectrum of benzoic acid, using section 26 of the data booklet.
Identify the spectroscopic technique that is used to measure the bond lengths in solid benzoic acid.
Outline one piece of physical evidence for the structure of the benzene ring.
Draw the structure of the conjugate base of benzoic acid showing all the atoms and all the bonds.
Outline why both C to O bonds in the conjugate base are the same length and suggest a value for them. Use section 10 of the data booklet.
The pH of an aqueous solution of benzoic acid at 298 K is 2.95. Determine the concentration of hydroxide ions in the solution, using section 2 of the data booklet.
Formulate the equation for the complete combustion of benzoic acid in oxygen using only integer coefficients.
The combustion reaction in (f)(ii) can also be classed as redox. Identify the atom that is oxidized and the atom that is reduced.
Suggest how benzoic acid, Mr = 122.13, forms an apparent dimer, Mr = 244.26, when dissolved in a non-polar solvent such as hexane.
State the reagent used to convert benzoic acid to phenylmethanol (benzyl alcohol), C6H5CH2OH.
A molecule of citric acid, C6H8O7, is shown.
The equation for the first dissociation of citric acid in water is
C6H8O7 (aq) + H2O (l) C6H7O7− (aq) + H3O+ (aq)
Identify a conjugate acid–base pair in the equation.
The value of Ka at 298 K for the first dissociation is 5.01 × 10−4.
State, giving a reason, the strength of citric acid.
The dissociation of citric acid is an endothermic process. State the effect on the hydrogen ion concentration, [H+], and on Ka, of increasing the temperature.
Calculate the standard Gibbs free energy change, , in kJ mol−1, for the first dissociation of citric acid at 298 K, using section 1 of the data booklet.
Comment on the spontaneity of the reaction at 298 K.
Outline two laboratory methods of distinguishing between solutions of citric acid and hydrochloric acid of equal concentration, stating the expected observations.
A student performs a titration to determine the concentration of ethanoic acid, , in vinegar using potassium hydroxide.
The pH curve for the reaction is given.
Write a balanced equation for the reaction.
Identify the major species, other than water and potassium ions, at these points.
State a suitable indicator for this titration. Use section 22 of the data booklet
Suggest, giving a reason, which point on the curve is considered a buffer region.
State the expression for ethanoic acid.
Calculate the of the conjugate base of ethanoic acid using sections 2 and 21 of the data booklet.
In a titration, of vinegar required of potassium hydroxide to reach the end-point.
Calculate the concentration of ethanoic acid in the vinegar.
Potassium hydroxide solutions can react with carbon dioxide from the air. The solution was made one day prior to using it in the titration.
State the type of error that would result from the student’s approach.
Potassium hydroxide solutions can react with carbon dioxide from the air. The solution was made one day prior to using it in the titration.
Predict, giving a reason, the effect of this error on the calculated concentration of ethanoic acid in 5(e).
Chlorine undergoes many reactions.
of manganese(IV) oxide was added to of .
Chlorine gas reacts with water to produce hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid.
is a common chlorofluorocarbon, .
State the full electron configuration of the chlorine atom.
State, giving a reason, whether the chlorine atom or the chloride ion has a larger radius.
Outline why the chlorine atom has a smaller atomic radius than the sulfur atom.
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 and .
Explain the presence and relative abundance of the peak at .
Calculate the amount, in , of manganese(IV) oxide added.
Determine the limiting reactant, showing your calculations.
Determine the excess amount, in , of the other reactant.
Calculate the volume of chlorine, in , produced if the reaction is conducted at standard temperature and pressure (STP). Use section 2 of the data booklet.
State the oxidation state of manganese in and .
Deduce, referring to oxidation states, whether is an oxidizing or reducing agent.
Hypochlorous acid is considered a weak acid. Outline what is meant by the term weak acid.
State the formula of the conjugate base of hypochlorous acid.
Calculate the concentration of in a solution with a .
State the type of reaction occurring when ethane reacts with chlorine to produce chloroethane.
Predict, giving a reason, whether ethane or chloroethane is more reactive.
Explain the mechanism of the reaction between chloroethane and aqueous sodium hydroxide, , using curly arrows to represent the movement of electron pairs.
Ethoxyethane (diethyl ether) can be used as a solvent for this conversion.
Draw the structural formula of ethoxyethane
Deduce the number of signals and chemical shifts with splitting patterns in the 1H NMR spectrum of ethoxyethane. Use section 27 of the data booklet.
Calculate the percentage by mass of chlorine in .
Comment on how international cooperation has contributed to the lowering of emissions responsible for ozone depletion.
s produce chlorine radicals. Write two successive propagation steps to show how chlorine radicals catalyse the depletion of ozone.
Limestone can be converted into a variety of useful commercial products through the lime cycle. Limestone contains high percentages of calcium carbonate, CaCO3.
Thermodynamic data for the decomposition of calcium carbonate is given.
The second step of the lime cycle produces calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2.
Calcium hydroxide reacts with carbon dioxide to reform calcium carbonate.
Ca(OH)2 (aq) + CO2 (g) → CaCO3 (s) + H2O (l)
Calcium carbonate is heated to produce calcium oxide, CaO.
CaCO3 (s) → CaO (s) + CO2 (g)
Calculate the volume of carbon dioxide produced at STP when 555 g of calcium carbonate decomposes. Use sections 2 and 6 of the data booklet.
Calculate the enthalpy change of reaction, ΔH, in kJ, for the decomposition of calcium carbonate.
Calculate the change in entropy, ΔS, in J K−1, for the decomposition of calcium carbonate.
Determine the temperature, in K, at which the decomposition of calcium carbonate becomes spontaneous, using b(i), b(ii) and section 1 of the data booklet.
(If you do not have answers for b(i) and b(ii), use ΔH = 190 kJ and ΔS = 180 J K−1, but these are not the correct answers.)
Sketch an energy profile for the decomposition of calcium carbonate based on your answer to b(i), labelling the axes and activation energy, Ea.
State how adding a catalyst to the reaction would impact the enthalpy change of reaction, ΔH, and the activation energy, Ea.
Write the equation for the reaction of Ca(OH)2 (aq) with hydrochloric acid, HCl (aq).
Determine the volume, in dm3, of 0.015 mol dm−3 calcium hydroxide solution needed to neutralize 35.0 cm3 of 0.025 mol dm−3 HCl (aq).
Saturated calcium hydroxide solution is used to test for carbon dioxide. Calculate the pH of a 2.33 × 10−2 mol dm−3 solution of calcium hydroxide, a strong base.
Determine the mass, in g, of CaCO3 (s) produced by reacting 2.41 dm3 of 2.33 × 10−2 mol dm−3 of Ca(OH)2 (aq) with 0.750 dm3 of CO2 (g) at STP.
2.85 g of CaCO3 was collected in the experiment in d(i). Calculate the percentage yield of CaCO3.
(If you did not obtain an answer to d(i), use 4.00 g, but this is not the correct value.)
Outline how one calcium compound in the lime cycle can reduce a problem caused by acid deposition.
Limescale, CaCO3(s), can be removed from water kettles by using vinegar, a dilute solution of ethanoic acid, CH3COOH(aq).
Predict, giving a reason, a difference between the reactions of the same concentrations of hydrochloric acid and ethanoic acid with samples of calcium carbonate.
Dissolved carbon dioxide causes unpolluted rain to have a pH of approximately 5, but other dissolved gases can result in a much lower pH. State one environmental effect of acid rain.
Write an equation to show ammonia, NH3, acting as a Brønsted–Lowry base and a different equation to show it acting as a Lewis base.
Determine the pH of 0.010 mol dm−3 2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid solution.
Ka (2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid) = 9.333 × 10−6
Explain, using appropriate equations, how a suitably concentrated solution formed by the partial neutralization of 2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid with sodium hydroxide acts as a buffer solution.
Both vinegar (a dilute aqueous solution of ethanoic acid) and bleach are used as cleaning agents.
Bleach reacts with ammonia, also used as a cleaning agent, to produce the poisonous compound chloramine, NH2Cl.
Outline why ethanoic acid is classified as a weak acid.
A solution of bleach can be made by reacting chlorine gas with a sodium hydroxide solution.
Cl2 (g) + 2NaOH (aq) ⇌ NaOCl (aq) + NaCl (aq) + H2O (l)
Suggest, with reference to Le Châtelier’s principle, why it is dangerous to mix vinegar and bleach together as cleaners.
Draw a Lewis (electron dot) structure of chloramine.
State the hybridization of the nitrogen atom in chloramine.
Deduce the molecular geometry of chloramine and estimate its H–N–H bond angle.
Molecular geometry:
H–N–H bond angle:
State the type of bond formed when chloramine is protonated.
Sketch a graph of pH against volume of hydrochloric acid added to ammonia solution, showing how you would determine the pKa of the ammonium ion.
Suggest a suitable indicator for the titration, using section 22 of the data booklet.
Explain, using two equations, how an equimolar solution of ammonia and ammonium ions acts as a buffer solution when small amounts of acid or base are added.
Ammonia is soluble in water and forms an alkaline solution:
NH3 (g) + H2O (l) NH4+ (aq) + HO– (aq)
State the relationship between NH4+ and NH3 in terms of the Brønsted–Lowry theory.
Determine the concentration, in mol dm–3, of the solution formed when 900.0 dm3 of NH3 (g) at 300.0 K and 100.0 kPa, is dissolved in water to form 2.00 dm3 of solution. Use sections 1 and 2 of the data booklet.
Calculate the concentration of hydroxide ions in an ammonia solution with pH = 9.3. Use sections 1 and 2 of the data booklet.
Calculate the concentration, in mol dm–3, of ammonia molecules in the solution with pH = 9.3. Use section 21 of the data booklet.
An aqueous solution containing high concentrations of both NH3 and NH4+ acts as an acid-base buffer solution as a result of the equilibrium:
NH3 (aq) + H+ (aq) NH4+ (aq)
Referring to this equilibrium, outline why adding a small volume of strong acid would leave the pH of the buffer solution almost unchanged.
Magnesium salts form slightly acidic solutions owing to equilibria such as:
Mg2+ (aq) + H2O (l) Mg(OH)+ (aq) + H+ (aq)
Comment on the role of Mg2+ in forming the Mg(OH)+ ion, in acid-base terms.
Mg(OH)+ is a complex ion, but Mg is not regarded as a transition metal. Contrast Mg with manganese, Mn, in terms of one characteristic chemical property of transition metals, other than complex ion formation.
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.
Justify why sulfur is classified as a non-metal by giving two of its chemical properties.
Sketch the first eight successive ionisation energies of sulfur.
Describe the bonding in this type of solid.
State a technique that could be used to determine the crystal structure of the solid compound.
State the full electron configuration of the sulfide ion.
Outline, in terms of their electronic structures, why the ionic radius of the sulfide ion is greater than that of the oxide ion.
Suggest why chemists find it convenient to classify bonding into ionic, covalent and metallic.
Write the equation for this reaction.
Deduce the change in the oxidation state of sulfur.
Suggest why this process might raise environmental concerns.
Explain why the addition of small amounts of carbon to iron makes the metal harder.