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HL Paper 2

Consider the following equilibrium reaction:

2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) 2SO3 (g)

State the equilibrium constant expression, Kc, for the reaction above.

[1]
a.

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

[3]
b.

SO2 (g), O2 (g) and SO3 (g) are mixed and allowed to reach equilibrium at 600 °C.

Determine the value of Kc at 600 °C.

[2]
c.



Urea, (H2N)2CO, is excreted by mammals and can be used as a fertilizer.

Urea can also be made by the direct combination of ammonia and carbon dioxide gases.

2NH3(g) + CO2(g) (H2N)2CO(g) + H2O(g)     ΔH < 0

Calculate the percentage by mass of nitrogen in urea to two decimal places using section 6 of the data booklet.

[2]
a.i.

Suggest how the percentage of nitrogen affects the cost of transport of fertilizers giving a reason.

[1]
a.ii.

The structural formula of urea is shown.

M18/4/CHEMI/HP2/ENG/TZ1/01.b_01

Predict the electron domain and molecular geometries at the nitrogen and carbon atoms, applying the VSEPR theory.

M18/4/CHEMI/HP2/ENG/TZ1/01.b_02

 

[3]
b.

Urea can be made by reacting potassium cyanate, KNCO, with ammonium chloride, NH4Cl.

KNCO(aq) + NH4Cl(aq) → (H2N)2CO(aq) + KCl(aq)

Determine the maximum mass of urea that could be formed from 50.0 cm3 of 0.100 mol dm−3 potassium cyanate solution.

[2]
c.

State the equilibrium constant expression, Kc.

[1]
d.i.

Predict, with a reason, the effect on the equilibrium constant, Kc, when the temperature is increased.

[1]
d.ii.

Determine an approximate order of magnitude for Kc, using sections 1 and 2 of the data booklet. Assume ΔGΘ for the forward reaction is approximately +50 kJ at 298 K.

[2]
d.iii.

Suggest one reason why urea is a solid and ammonia a gas at room temperature.

[1]
e.i.

Sketch two different hydrogen bonding interactions between ammonia and water.

[2]
e.ii.

The combustion of urea produces water, carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

Formulate a balanced equation for the reaction.

[2]
f.

Calculate the maximum volume of CO2, in cm3, produced at STP by the combustion of 0.600 g of urea, using sections 2 and 6 of the data booklet.

[1]
g.

Describe the bond formation when urea acts as a ligand in a transition metal complex ion.

[2]
h.

The C–N bonds in urea are shorter than might be expected for a single C–N bond. Suggest, in terms of electrons, how this could occur.

[1]
i.

The mass spectrum of urea is shown below.

M18/4/CHEMI/HP2/ENG/TZ1/01.j_01

Identify the species responsible for the peaks at m/z = 60 and 44.

[2]
j.

The IR spectrum of urea is shown below.

M18/4/CHEMI/HP2/ENG/TZ1/01.k_01

Identify the bonds causing the absorptions at 3450 cm−1 and 1700 cm−1 using section 26 of the data booklet.

[2]
k.

Predict the number of signals in the 1H NMR spectrum of urea.

[1]
l.i.

Predict the splitting pattern of the 1H NMR spectrum of urea.

[1]
l.ii.

Outline why TMS (tetramethylsilane) may be added to the sample to carry out 1H NMR spectroscopy and why it is particularly suited to this role.

[2]
l.iii.



White phosphorus is an allotrope of phosphorus and exists as P4.

An equilibrium exists between PCl3 and PCl5.

PCl3 (g) + Cl2 (g) PCl5 (g)

Sketch the Lewis (electron dot) structure of the P4 molecule, containing only single bonds.

 

[1]
a(i).

Write an equation for the reaction of white phosphorus (P4) with chlorine gas to form phosphorus trichloride (PCl3).

[1]
a(ii).

Deduce the electron domain and molecular geometry using VSEPR theory, and estimate the Cl–P–Cl bond angle in PCl3.

[3]
b(i).

Outline the reason why PCl5 is a non-polar molecule, while PCl4F is polar.

[3]
b(ii).

Calculate the standard enthalpy change (ΔH) for the forward reaction in kJ mol−1.

ΔHf PCl3 (g) = −306.4 kJ mol−1

ΔHf PCl5 (g) = −398.9 kJ mol−1

[1]
c(i).

Calculate the entropy change, ΔS, in J K−1 mol−1, for this reaction.

 

Chemistry 2e, Chpt. 21 Nuclear Chemistry, Appendix G: Standard Thermodynamic Properties for Selected Substances https://openstax.org/books/chemistry-2e/pages/g-standard-thermodynamic-properties-for- selectedsubstances# page_667adccf-f900-4d86-a13d-409c014086ea © 1999-2021, Rice University. Except where otherwise noted, textbooks on this site are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

[1]
c(ii).

Calculate the Gibbs free energy change (ΔG), in kJ mol−1, for this reaction at 25 °C. Use section 1 of the data booklet.

If you did not obtain an answer in c(i) or c(ii) use −87.6 kJ mol−1 and −150.5 J mol−1 K−1 respectively, but these are not the correct answers.

[2]
c(iii).

Determine the equilibrium constant, K, for this reaction at 25 °C, referring to section 1 of the data booklet.

If you did not obtain an answer in (c)(iii), use ΔG = –43.5 kJ mol−1, but this is not the correct answer.

[2]
c(iv).

State the equilibrium constant expression, Kc, for this reaction.

[1]
c(v).

State, with a reason, the effect of an increase in temperature on the position of this equilibrium.

[1]
c(vi).



A mixture of 1.00 mol SO2(g), 2.00 mol O2(g) and 1.00 mol SO3(g) is placed in a 1.00 dm3 container and allowed to reach equilibrium.

2SO2(g) + O2(g)  2SO3(g)

Nitrogen oxide is in equilibrium with dinitrogen dioxide.

2NO(g)  N2O2(g)     ΔHΘ < 0

Deduce, giving a reason, the effect of increasing the temperature on the concentration of N2O2.

[1]
c.i.

A two-step mechanism is proposed for the formation of NO2(g) from NO(g) that involves an exothermic equilibrium process.

First step: 2NO(g)  N2O2(g)     fast

Second step: N2O2(g) + O2 (g) → 2NO2(g)     slow

Deduce the rate expression for the mechanism.

[2]
c.ii.

The rate constant for a reaction doubles when the temperature is increased from 25.0 °C to 35 °C.

Calculate the activation energy, Ea, in kJ mol−1 for the reaction using section 1 and 2 of the data booklet.

[2]
d.



A student performs a titration to determine the concentration of ethanoic acid, CH3COOH, in vinegar using potassium hydroxide.

The pH curve for the reaction is given.

Write a balanced equation for the reaction.

[1]
a.

Identify the major species, other than water and potassium ions, at these points.

[2]
b(i).

State a suitable indicator for this titration. Use section 22 of the data booklet

[1]
b(ii).

Suggest, giving a reason, which point on the curve is considered a buffer region.

[1]
b(iii).

State the Ka expression for ethanoic acid.

[1]
c.

Calculate the Kb of the conjugate base of ethanoic acid using sections 2 and 21 of the data booklet.

[1]
d.

In a titration, 25.00cm3 of vinegar required 20.75cm3 of 1.00moldm-3 potassium hydroxide to reach the end-point.

Calculate the concentration of ethanoic acid in the vinegar.

[2]
e.

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.

[1]
f(i).

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).

 

[2]
f(ii).



Many reactions are in a state of equilibrium.

The following reaction was allowed to reach equilibrium at 761 K.

H2 (g) + I2 (g) 2HI (g)               ΔHθ < 0

The pH of 0.010 mol dm–3 carbonic acid, H2CO3 (aq), is 4.17 at 25 °C.

H2CO3 (aq) + H2O (l) HCO3 (aq) + H3O+ (aq).

State the equilibrium constant expression, Kc , for this reaction.

[1]
a.i.

The following equilibrium concentrations in mol dm–3 were obtained at 761 K.

Calculate the value of the equilibrium constant at 761 K.

[1]
a.ii.

Determine the value of ΔGθ, in kJ, for the above reaction at 761 K using section 1 of the data booklet.

[1]
a.iii.

Calculate [H3O+] in the solution and the dissociation constant, Ka , of the acid at 25 °C.

[3]
c.i.

Calculate Kb for HCO3 acting as a base.

[1]
c.ii.



This reaction is used in the manufacture of sulfuric acid.

2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) 2SO3 (g)        Kc = 280 at 1000 K

State why this equilibrium reaction is considered homogeneous.

[1]
a.

Predict, giving your reason, the sign of the standard entropy change of the forward reaction.

[1]
b.

Calculate the standard Gibbs free energy change, ΔGΘ, in kJ, for this reaction at 1000 K. Use sections 1 and 2 of the data booklet.

[2]
c.

Predict, giving your reasons, whether the forward reaction is endothermic or exothermic. Use your answers to (b) and (c).

[2]
d.

0.200 mol sulfur dioxide, 0.300 mol oxygen and 0.500 mol sulfur trioxide were mixed in a 1.00 dm3 flask at 1000 K.

Predict the direction of the reaction showing your working.

[3]
e.



Hydrogen peroxide can react with methane and oxygen to form methanol. This reaction can occur below 50°C if a gold nanoparticle catalyst is used.

Now consider the second stage of the reaction.

CO (g) + 2H2 (g) CH3OH (l)          ΔH = –129 kJ

Hydrogen peroxide can react with methane and oxygen to form methanol. This reaction can occur below 50°C if a gold nanoparticle catalyst is used.

Methanol is usually manufactured from methane in a two-stage process.

CH4 (g) + H2O (g) CO (g) + 3H2 (g)
CO (g) + 2H2 (g) CH3OH (l)

Consider the first stage of the reaction.

CH4 (g) + H2O (g) CO (g) + 3H2 (g)

The diagram shows the Maxwell-Boltzmann curve for the uncatalyzed reaction.

Draw a distribution curve at a lower temperature (T2) and show on the diagram how the addition of a catalyst enables the reaction to take place more rapidly than at T1.

[2]
a.

The hydrogen peroxide could cause further oxidation of the methanol. Suggest a possible oxidation product.

[1]
b.

Determine the overall equation for the production of methanol.

[1]
c(i).

8.00 g of methane is completely converted to methanol. Calculate, to three significant figures, the final volume of hydrogen at STP, in dm3. Use sections 2 and 6 of the data booklet.

[3]
c(ii).

Determine the enthalpy change, ΔH, in kJ. Use section 11 of the data booklet.

Bond enthalpy of CO = 1077 kJ mol−1.

[3]
d(i).

State one reason why you would expect the value of ΔH calculated from the Hf values, given in section 12 of data booklet, to differ from your answer to (d)(i).

[1]
d(ii).

State the expression for Kc for this stage of the reaction.

[1]
d(iii).

State and explain the effect of increasing temperature on the value of Kc.

[1]
d(iv).

The equilibrium constant, Kc, has a value of 1.01 at 298 K.

Calculate ΔG, in kJ mol–1, for this reaction. Use sections 1 and 2 of the data booklet.

[2]
e(i).

Calculate a value for the entropy change, ΔS, in J K–1 mol–1 at 298 K. Use your answers to (e)(i) and section 1 of the data booklet.

If you did not get answers to (e)(i) use –1 kJ, but this is not the correct answer.

[2]
e(ii).

Justify the sign of ΔS with reference to the equation.

[1]
e(iii).

Predict, giving a reason, how a change in temperature from 298 K to 273 K would affect the spontaneity of the reaction.

[1]
e(iv).



Compound A is in equilibrium with compound B.

Predict the electron domain and molecular geometries around the oxygen atom of molecule A using VSEPR

 

[2]
a.

State the type of hybridization shown by the central carbon atom in molecule B.

[1]
b.

State the number of sigma (σ) and pi (π) bonds around the central carbon atom in molecule B.

[1]
c.

The IR spectrum of one of the compounds is shown:

COBLENTZ SOCIETY. Collection © 2018 copyright by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce on behalf of the United States of America. All rights reserved.

Deduce, giving a reason, the compound producing this spectrum.

[1]
d.

Compound A and B are isomers. Draw two other structural isomers with the formula C3H6O.

[2]
e.

The equilibrium constant, Kc, for the conversion of A to B is 1.0×108 in water at 298K.

Deduce, giving a reason, which compound, A or B, is present in greater concentration when equilibrium is reached.

[1]
f(i).

Calculate the standard Gibbs free energy change, G, in kJmol1, for the reaction (A to B) at 298K. Use sections 1 and 2 of the data booklet.

[1]
f(ii).

Propanone can be synthesized in two steps from propene. Suggest the synthetic route including all the necessary reactants and steps.

[3]
g(i).

Propanone can be synthesized in two steps from propene.

Suggest why propanal is a minor product obtained from the synthetic route in (g)(i).

[2]
g(ii).