CHEM1901/1903 Example Multiple Choice Questions

The following multiple choice questions are provided to illustrate the type of questions used in this
section of the paper and to provide you with extra practice.
It is not a sample quiz. The questions in the paper will be in the style of these questions but may
well cover different topics.
In the exam, the answer should be indicated by clearly circling the letter next to the choice you
make and by filling in the corresponding box on the computer-marked sheet provided. The marks
for each correct answer are given beside each question.

Instructions for use of the computer sheet. Draw a thick line through the centre and crossing
both edges of each box selected, as in this example.

A B C D E

Use a dark lead pencil so that you can use an eraser if you make an error. Errors made in ink
cannot be corrected – you will need to ask the examination supervisor for another sheet. Boxes
with faint or incomplete lines or not completed in the prescribed manner may not be read. Be sure
to complete the SID and name sections of the sheet.
Your answer as recorded on the sheet will be used in the event of any ambiguity.
There is only one correct choice for each question.
Negative marks will not be awarded for any question.
CHEM1901/1903 June 2008 Example Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which one of the following sets of quantum numbers is valid? Marks

1
n l ml ms
A 4 3 4 –½
B 3 1 0 +½
C 1 –1 1 +½
D 2 1 2 –½
E 2 3 –3 +½

2. How many protons (p), neutrons (n) and electrons (e) are present in the 1
barium isotope 123
56 Ba ?

A 56 p 67 n 56 e
B 56 p 123 n 67 e
C 123 p 56 n 56 e
D 67 p 56 n 67 e
E 67 p 123 n 56 e

3. What is the ground state electronic configuration of the bromine atom? 1

A 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 4d15

B 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p5
C 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 4d10 4p6
D 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d9 4p6
E 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 4d10 4p5
222
4. Rn is unstable and decays by emits two alpha and two beta particles. What is the 1
final decay product?
218
A Bi
216
B Bi
216
C Pb
214
D Po
212
E Tl
CHEM1901/1903 June 2008 Example Multiple Choice Questions
5. For which one of the following species is it possible to solve the wave equation Marks
analytically and obtain an equation for its electronic energy levels? 1

A He
B Li2+
C H2
D H–
E He–

6. Which of the following atoms has the highest first ionisation energy? 1

A Rb
B Na
C K
D Cs
E Si

7. Which of the following quantities is proportional to the electron density at a point? 1

A the wavefunction
B the square of the wave function
C the de Broglie wavelength
D the reciprocal of the de Broglie wavelength
E the Rydberg constant

8. How many valence electrons are there in the P3– ion? 1

A 3
B 5
C 8
D 15
E 18

9. The 14C activity of a sample of wood is 0.250 of a modern standard. What is the 1
radiocarbon age of the sample (to 3 significant figures)?

A 2780 years
B 5570 years
C 11,100 years
D 16,100 years
E 22,300 years
CHEM1901/1903 June 2008 Example Multiple Choice Questions
10. Which one of the following best describes a 3p orbital? Marks
1
A A function with 2 spherical nodes and 1 planar node.
B A function with 1 spherical node and 0 planar nodes.
C A function with 2 spherical nodes and 2 planar nodes.
D A function with 1 spherical node and 1 planar node.
E A function with 0 spherical nodes and 1 planar node.
1
11. Which one of the following is a lobe representation for a σ bonding molecular
orbital?

A B C

D E

12. Which one of the following diagrams best represents a smectic A liquid crystal 1
phase? (Each ellipse represents a molecule.)

A B C D E

13. Which one of the following diagrams best represents an n-type semi-conductor? 1
(Dark grey denotes filled electron energy levels, light grey denotes unfilled levels.)

A B C D E
Energy
CHEM1901/1903 June 2008 Example Multiple Choice Questions
14. LiF and NaBr are ionic salts that both form a simple cubic lattice. The ionic radii Marks
of Li+, F–, Na+ and Br– are 0.76, 1.33, 1.02 and 1.96 Å respectively. Which one of 1
the following statements is true?

A The atomic radius of Na is smaller than 1.0 Å.

B The atomic radius of F is larger than 1.4 Å.
C Each Li+ ion in LiF has 8 F– ions as nearest neighbours.
D The lattice energy of LiF is greater in magnitude than the lattice energy of
NaBr.
E The boiling point of NaBr is higher than the boiling point of LiF.

15. How would the concentration of Pb2+(aq) ions in equilibrium with PbI2(s) be 1
affected if the concentration of I–(aq) ions were doubled?

A no change
B increased by a factor of 2
C decreased by a factor of 2
D decreased by a factor of 4
E decreased by a factor of 16
1
16. List the following "ideal" gases in order of increasing density at 25 °C and 1 atm.
Cl2 H2 N2 NO2 O2

A H2 < N2 < O2 < NO2 < Cl2

B Cl2 < NO2 < O2 < N2 < H2
C H2 < N2 < O2 < Cl2 < NO2
D NO2 < Cl2 < O2 < N2 < H2
E All ideal gases have the same density

17. What is the oxidation number of the oxygen atoms in O3? 1

A –3
B – 1/ 3
C 0
D + 1/ 3
E +3
CHEM1901/1903 June 2008 Example Multiple Choice Questions
18. Which type of rocket fuel is chosen for a space engine that needs to be turned on Marks
and off frequently? 1

A solid fuel
B hypergolic fuel
C petroleum fuel
D cryogenic fuel
E any of the above

19. Consider the idealised graph of various 1

pollutants shown. Which one of the following
statements concerning these species is false?

A NO and hydrocarbons are primary pollutants.

B NO2 and O3 are secondary pollutants.
C NO2 decomposes to form NO via: NO2 + hν → NO + O
D When the concentrations of NO2 and O3 are very high, the nitrate radical,
NO3 can form, leading to acid rain.
E The production of NO2 and O3 is considered to be bad for the atmosphere
because they are both greenhouse gases.

20. Consider the following reaction, for which the equilibrium constant, Kc = 100. 1

N2(g) + 2O2(g) 2NO2(g)

What is Kc for the reaction below?
NO2(g) O2(g) + ½N2(g)
A 0.0100
B 0.100
C 1.00
D 10.0
E 100
CHEM1901/1903 June 2008 Example Multiple Choice Questions
21. Which intermolecular force is most important in allowing Xe gas to liquefy? Marks
1
A dipole-dipole
B hydrogen-bonding
C ionic
D instantaneous dipole-induced dipole
E ion-dipole

22. Which type of rocket fuel provides the best efficiency in terms of energy per mass 1
of reactants.

A solid fuel
B hypergolic fuel
C petroleum fuel
D cryogenic fuel

23. The reaction below has reached equilibrium. 1

Ag+(aq) + Fe2+(aq) Ag(s) + Fe3+(aq) ΔH < 0

Which one of the following would cause precipitation of more silver?

A warming
B removing some of the solid silver
C increasing the concentration of Fe2+(aq) ions
D increasing the concentration of Fe3+(aq) ions
E decreasing the concentration of Fe2+(aq) ions

24. Consider the following information: 1

A + B → C + D ΔH° = –10.0 kJ
C + D → E ΔH° = 15.0 kJ

Which one of the following reactions would have ΔH° = –10 kJ?

A C + D → A + B
B 2C + 2D → 2A + 2B
C A + B → E
D ½E → ½C + ½D
E 2E → 2A + 2B
CHEM1901/1903 June 2008 Example Multiple Choice Questions
25. The enthalpy change for which of the following processes represents the standard Marks
enthalpy of formation of AgCl? 1

A Ag+(aq) + Cl–(aq) → AgCl(s)

B Ag(s) + Cl(g) → AgCl(s)
C AgCl(s) → Ag(s) + ½Cl2(g)
D Ag(s) + AuCl(s) → Au(s) + AgCl(s)
E Ag(s) + ½Cl2(g) → AgCl(s)

26. Consider the following reaction and its equilibrium constant. 1

1
A + 3B 2C K=
[A][B]3
What reaction conditions could give rise to the observed equilibrium expression?

A A, B and C are in aqueous solution.

B A, B and C are liquids.
C A and B are liquids, C is a gas.
D C is a gas, A and B are solids.
E C is a solid, A and B are in aqueous solution.

Questions 27 and 28 relate to the smelting of iron from iron oxide. The overall reaction
for this process is:
Fe2O3(s) + 3CO(g) 2Fe(l) + 3CO2(g)

27. What is the role of the CO(g) in this reaction? 1

A A catalyst
B An oxidant
C A reductant
D A fuel
E A solvent

28. What would happen to the equilibrium position if the total pressure were 1
increased?

A The reaction would move to the left.

B The reaction would move to the right.
C The equilibrium would not change.
D Not sufficient information to decide.
CHEM1901/1903 June 2008 Example Multiple Choice Questions
2+ 2+
29. The figure below shows a Zn |Zn and Sn |Sn voltaic cell. Relevant electrode Marks
potentials are on the separate data sheet. 2

Which one of the following best describes the chemical operation of the cell?

A The Zn electrode is the cathode; Zn is being oxidised;

electrons travel from right to left.
B The Zn electrode is the anode; Zn is being oxidised;
electrons travel from left to right.
C The Sn electrode is the anode; Zn2+ is being reduced;
electrons travel from left to right.
D The Sn electrode is the cathode; Sn is being oxidised;
electrons travel from right to left.
E The Zn electrode is the anode; Sn2+ is being reduced;
electrons travel from right to left.

30. Consider the following reaction. 1

2Fe3+(aq) + Sn2+(aq) 2Fe2+(aq) + Sn4+(aq)

Which one of the following is the correct expression for the Nernst equation for
this reaction?

RT [Fe 2+ ]2 [Sn 4 + ]
A E = E° – × 2.303 log
2F [Fe 3+ ]2 [Sn 2+ ]
RT [Fe 3+ ] 2 [Sn 2 + ]
B E = E° – × 2.303 log
2F [Fe 2 + ]2 [Sn 4 + ]

RT [Fe 2+ ]2 [Sn 4 + ]
C E = E° – × 2.303 log
F [Fe 3+ ]2 [Sn 2+ ]
RT [Fe 3+ ] 2 [Sn 2 + ]
D E = E° – × 2.303 log
F [Fe 2 + ]2 [Sn 4 + ]

RT [Fe 2 + ][Sn 4 + ]
E E = E° – × 2.303 log
F [Fe 3+ ][Sn 2 + ]
CHEM1901/1903 June 2008 Example Multiple Choice Questions
31. Why do lead-acid batteries maintain an approximately constant voltage? Marks
1
A They never run down.
B No aqueous species appear in the equation for the overall cell reaction.
C Their E° values are very high.
D They are primary batteries.
E The concentrations of reagents in the half cell reactions remain
approximately constant.

32. Which one of the following statements is correct? 1

A In anodic inhibition, corrosion of a metal is minimised by forming an

impermeable barrier at its surface.
B In cathodic protection, corrosion of a metal is minimised by forming a
contact to another metal with a higher reduction potential.
C In fuel cells oxidation and reduction occur at the same electrode.
D Iron corrodes in oxygen-free water.
E Iron corrodes more rapidly in salty water because the electrochemical
potential is higher.

33. Why do mercury batteries and silver batteries maintain a constant voltage? 1

A They never run down.

B No aqueous species appear in the equation for the overall cell reaction.
C Their E° values are very high.
D They are primary batteries.
E The concentrations of reagents in the half cell reactions remain
approximately constant.

34. Using the relevant half cell reduction potentials calculate the standard electrode 1
potential for the hydrogen fuel cell.

A 0.83 V
B 1.77 V
C 0.68 V
D 2.07 V
E 1.23 V
CHEM1901/1903 June 2008 Example Multiple Choice Questions

Questions 35 and 36 refer to the following reaction. Marks

2CO(g) + O2(g) 2CO2(g)

35. What is the equilibrium constant expression, Kc, for this reaction? 1

A Kc = k[CO]2[O2]
[CO]2 [O2 ]
B Kc =
[CO2 ]
[CO2 ]
C Kc =
[CO][O2 ]

[CO2 ]2
D Kc =
[CO]2 [O2 ]

[CO]2 [O2 ]
E Kc =
[CO2 ]2
1
36. Suppose the equation is rewritten as CO(g) + ½O2(g) CO2(g)
with an equilibrium constant Kc'. What is the relationship between Kc and Kc'?

A Kc' = Kc (i.e. no change)

B Kc' = (Kc)½
C Kc' = ½(Kc)
D Kc' = (Kc)2
E Kc' = (Kc)–1

37. The following reaction is at equilibrium. 1

CF2Br2(g) CF2(g) + 2Br(g) ΔH= 424 kJ mol–1
How will the system respond if the temperature is decreased?

A The reaction will shift to the left.

B The reaction will shift to the right.
C There will be no change to the equilibrium position.

38. The following reaction is at equilibrium. 1

Cl2(g) + 3F2(g) 2ClF3(g)
How will the system respond if the volume is increased at constant temperature?

A The reaction will shift to the left.

B The reaction will shift to the right.
C There will be no change to the equilibrium position.
CHEM1901/1903 June 2008 Example Multiple Choice Questions
39. Consider the following Ellingham diagram, representing the temperature Marks
dependence of the following reactions. 1

Zn(s) + ½O2(g) ZnO(s) and C(s) + ½O2(g) CO(g)

80

ln Kp 60 Zn - ZnO

40

20 C - CO

0
400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Temperature (K)

Which one of the following statements is FALSE?

A At T > 1200 K, carbon will reduce ZnO(s) to Zn(s).

B At T < 1200 K, the reaction ZnO(s) + C(s) Zn(s) + CO(g)
favours the reactants.
C At T < 1200 K, the reaction C(s) + ½O2(g) CO(g)
favours the reactants.
D The reaction Zn(s) + ½O2(g) ZnO(s) favours the products at all
temperatures shown.
E The reaction C(s) + ½O2(g) CO(g) favours the products at all
temperatures shown.

40. Which one of the following processes is endothermic? 1

A When concentrated sulfuric acid is added to water, the water gets hot.
B Natural gas (CH4) is burned in a Bunsen burner.
C Water is frozen in a freezer.
D Glucose is metabolised to warm the body.
E Water is boiled in a kettle.
CHEM1901/1903 June 2008 Example Multiple Choice Questions

Answers

Question 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Answer B A B D B E B C C D

Question 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Answer D D D D D A C B E B

Question 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Answer D D C E E E C C B A

Question 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
Answer E A B E D B A A C E