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A LEVEL CHEMISTRY Specimen Assessment Materials 5

Candidate Name Centre Number Candidate Number

A LEVEL CHEMISTRY

COMPONENT 1

Physical and Inorganic Chemistry

SPECIMEN PAPER

2 hours 30 minutes

For Examiner’s use only

Maximum Mark
Question
Mark Awarded
Section A 1. to 11. 15
Section B 12. 15
13. 10
14. 10
15. 7
16. 15
17. 12
18. 22
19. 14
Total 120

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

In addition to this examination paper, you will need a data sheet and a calculator.

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

Use black ink or black ball-point pen. Do not use gel pen. Do not use correction fluid.

Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the spaces at the top of this page.

Answer all questions in the spaces provided in this booklet.

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

The number of marks is given in brackets at the end of each question or part-question.

You are reminded of the need for good English and orderly, clear presentation in your
answers.

No certificate will be awarded to a candidate detected in any unfair practice during the
examination.

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A LEVEL CHEMISTRY Specimen Assessment Materials 6

SECTION A

Answer all questions in the spaces provided.

1. Explain the term dynamic equilibrium. [1]

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………......

2. Place the following compounds in order of increasing bond angles. [1]

CH4 H2O BF3 NH3

smallest .................... .................... .................... .................... largest

3. Draw a dot and cross diagram to show the bonding present in an ammonium ion, NH4+.
[1]

4. The table below gives the electronegativity values.

Atom B H C O Cl

Electronegativity value 2.0 2.1 2.5 3.5 3.0

Use the data in the table to identify any dipoles present in the following bonds,
marking their polarity clearly. [2]

O—H C—H B—Cl C=O

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5. XeF2 is one of the few noble gas compounds known. It reacts with water in the
presence of a base according to the equation below.

2XeF2 + 2H2O → 2Xe + 4HF + O2

Complete the table below to give the initial and final oxidation states of the xenon and
oxygen atoms, noting whether oxidation or reduction has occurred. [2]

Element Initial oxidation state Final oxidation state Oxidation/Reduction

xenon

oxygen

6. The reaction of magnesium metal with phosphoric acid, H3PO4, produces magnesium
phosphate. Give the formula of magnesium phosphate. [1]

…………………………………………………………………................................…….....

7. The diagrams below represent the arrangement of particles in two substances.

substance A substance B

Choose the names of the substances represented from the following list:

sodium chloride, diamond, ice, graphite, caesium chloride

[1]

Substance A …………………………………………………………………………………..

Substance B …………………………………………………………………………………..

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8. Place the following in order of increasing entropy, giving a reason. [1]

Br2(l) Cl2(g) I2(s)

Lowest entropy Highest entropy

……………………………… ……………….…………… …………………………....

Reason………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………......…………………………………………………………………

9. Ammonia is produced from hydrogen and nitrogen in the Haber process.

N2(g) + 3H2(g) ⇌ 2NH3(g)

Write the expression for the equilibrium constant in terms of pressure, Kp,
for this reaction Give the units for Kp assuming that pressures are given in
atmospheres (atm). [2]

Units ………………………………

10. 1 mol of a gas occupies 24.0 dm3 at 298 K and 1 atm. Calculate the temperature at
which it occupies 25.0 dm3 at the same pressure. [2]

Temperature = ……………… K

11. Write an ionic equation for the reaction of aqueous I‒ and Cu2+ ions to form
copper(I) iodide and iodine. [1]

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

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SECTION B

Answer all questions in the spaces provided.

12. Our current understanding of the structure of the atom is based on evidence that has
been collected over many years and from many sources.

(a) Rutherford introduced the idea of a small nucleus surrounded by a space

where the electrons are found, based on an experiment where alpha particles
fired at a thin gold film passed straight through it.

(i) An isotope of gold, 190Au, can be produced by the emission of an

alpha particle from a radioactive atom. This in turn decays by positron
emission. Deduce the mass number and symbol of the initial and final
nuclides in this decay series. [2]

Mass number Symbol

Initial nuclide

Final nuclide

(ii) Four other radioactive isotopes with the same mass are given in the
table.

Isotope Half-life Radioactive emission

190
W 30 minutes β
190
Re 3.1 minutes β
190
Pt 6.5 × 1011 years α
190
Bi 6.3 seconds α

Describe why radioactivity is dangerous to living cells. Use all the data
given to identify which of these isotopes would cause most damage to
cells if consumed. [4]

............…………………………………………………………………………………

.............………………………………………………………………………………...

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............……………………………………………………………………..................

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(b) The energy levels of electrons are quantised, with the higher energy levels
becoming closer together. These energy levels form shells and there are fixed
maximum numbers of electrons in each shell.

(i) Part of the evidence for this model comes from the atomic emission
spectra of the elements. Describe the atomic emission spectrum of
hydrogen and explain how this provides evidence for aspects of the
model above. [6]

(Your ability to construct an extended response will be assessed in this question.)

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(ii) Further evidence for this model comes from successive ionisation energies.
Explain how these provide evidence for aspects of the model described.
Sketch the expected pattern of successive ionisation energies for an atom of
aluminium and use it to illustrate your answer. [3]

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13. Sodium and magnesium are both typical s-block metals while copper is a typical
d-block metal.

(a) Describe what happens when sodium oxide and magnesium oxide are added
separately to cold water. Your answer should be illustrated by relevant
chemical equations. [2]

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………......

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(b) Describe one chemical test, other than a flame test, which would distinguish
between unlabelled aqueous solutions of sodium chloride and magnesium
chloride. Your answer should include reagent(s) used and observations in
each case. [2]

Reagent(s) …………………………………………………………………………....

Observation(s)………………………………………………………………………...

……………………………………………………………………………………….....

……………………………………………………………………………………........

(c) Sodium ethanoate and sodium chloride are both salts of sodium.
Explain why an aqueous solution of sodium ethanoate has a pH greater than
7 while the pH of aqueous sodium chloride is 7. [2]

………………………………………………………………………………………….............

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(d) The enthalpy of formation of copper(II) fluoride, CuF2, can be determined

indirectly using a Born-Haber cycle. Use the data given below to calculate
the enthalpy change of formation of copper(II) fluoride in kJ mol‒1. [4]

Process ΔH ϴ (kJ mol‒1)

Cu(s) Cu(g) 339
½F2(g) F(g) 79
+ ‒
Cu(g) Cu (g) + e 745
Cu+(g) Cu2+(g) + e‒ 1960
F(g) + e‒ F‒(g) ‒348
‒
2+
Cu (g) + 2F (g) CuF2 (s) ‒3037

‒1
Enthalpy change of formation = .................................. kJ mol

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14. Dinitrogen pentoxide, N2O5, decomposes in the gas phase according to the equation
below.

2N2O5(g) → 4NO2(g) + O2 (g)

colourless gas brown gas colourless gas

(a) One method of studying the rate of this reaction is to measure the pressure of
the gas at constant volume. State how the pressure will change during the
reaction. Explain why this is the case. [2]

.......................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................
.

(b) The initial rates of this reaction for different concentrations of N2O5 were
measured and are given in the table below.

Concentration of N2O5 (mol dm‒3) Initial rate (mol dm‒3 s‒1)

4.00 × 10‒3 5.97 × 10‒5

6.00 × 10‒3 8.98 × 10‒5

8.00 × 10‒3 1.19 × 10‒4

The rate equation for this reaction is:

Rate = k[N2O5]1

(i) Show that the rate equation is consistent with the data above. [2]

............................................................................................................................

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(ii) Two possible mechanisms have been suggested for this reaction.
These are shown below.

Mechanism A Mechanism B

N2O5 → NO2 + NO3 2N2O5 → 2NO3 + N2O4

NO3 → NO + O2 NO3 + N2O4 → NO + 2NO2 + O2

NO + N2O5 → 3NO2 NO + NO3 → 2NO2

Giving your reasons, state which of the mechanisms is compatible

with the rate equation. [2]

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(c) The activation energy of the reaction can be calculated by finding the value of
the rate constant, k, at a series of different temperatures, T.

The following graph shows a plot of ln k against 1/T. The gradient, m, of

the line is related to the activation energy, Ea.

m = ‒Ea
R (R = 8.31 J K‒1 mol‒1)

Find the activation energy for this reaction in kJ mol‒1. [4]

Activation energy = .......................................... kJ mol‒1

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15. Methanol, CH3OH, can be oxidised according to the equation below.

CH3OH(l) + 1½O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2H2O(l)

Standard enthalpy change of Entropy, S

Substance
formation, ΔfH ϴ (kJ mol‒1) (J K‒1 mol‒1)

CH3OH(l) ‒239 127

O2(g) 0 206

CO2(g) ‒394 214

H2O(l) ‒286 70

(a) Use the information in the table to calculate the Gibbs free energy, ΔG,
for this reaction at 298 K. You must show your working. [6]

ΔG = .......................................... kJ mol‒1

(b) State what information your answer to part (a) gives about the feasibility of
the reaction. [1]

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16. (a) (i) Bromine is obtained commercially by passing chlorine into sea water,
which contains bromide ions. Write an ionic equation for this reaction.
[1]

............................................................................................................................

(ii) Describe a test to show that an aqueous solution contains bromide

ions, stating reagent(s) and observation(s). [2]

Reagent(s)..............................................................................................

Observation(s)........................................................................................

(b) Sodium chloride and sodium bromide both react with concentrated sulfuric
acid but with different results.

(i) When solid sodium chloride reacts, a steamy gas is produced.

Name this gas. [1]

............................................................................................................................

(ii) When solid sodium bromide reacts, a steamy gas, a brown gas and a
colourless gas are produced. Name the colourless gas. [1]

............................................................................................................................

(c) Write the equation for the reaction of chlorine with aqueous sodium hydroxide
at room temperature and explain why this is classified as a disproportionation
reaction. [3]

Equation

............................................................................................................................

Explanation

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(d) A buffer solution was made by adding 19.6 g of sodium 3-chloropropanoate,

CH2ClCH2COONa, to 1 dm3 of 0.100 mol dm‒3 3-chloropropanoic acid,
CH2ClCH2COOH, at 298 K.

(Ka for 3-chloropropanoic acid = 7.94 × 10‒5 mol dm‒3 at 298 K)

Calculate the pH of the buffer solution at 298 K. [4]

pH = .................

(e) Explain how an aqueous solution of 3-chloropropanoic acid and

sodium 3-chloropropanoate can act as a buffer solution when a small
amount of acid and alkali is separately added to it. You may assume that
3-chloropropanoic acid and sodium 3-chloropropanoate act in a similar way
to ethanoic acid and sodium ethanoate. [3]

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17. Schönite is a hydrated ionic compound with general formula Q2Z(SO4)y.xH2O where
Q and Z are two different s-block metal ions with atomic numbers of less than 40.

(a) A flame test on a sample of schönite gives a lilac flame. State what
information this test provides. [1]

........................................................................................................................................

(b) In order to find the value of x in the formula above a sample of schönite was
heated and weighed several times until the sample reached constant mass.

(i) Give a reason why the sample is heated to constant mass. [1]

............................................................................................................................

(ii) When a sample of 0.010 mol of schönite was heated to constant

mass, the mass lost was 1.081 g. Use this information to calculate the
value of x. [2]

x = ...................................

(c) 25.0 cm3 of a solution of schönite of concentration 0.100 mol dm‒3 was treated
with excess barium chloride solution, which produced a precipitate of barium
sulfate.

(i) Write an ionic equation for the reaction. [1]

............................................................................................................................

(ii) Explain why an excess of barium chloride solution was needed and
suggest how you could ensure that sufficient barium chloride had been
added. [2]

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(iii) The barium sulfate produced was isolated and dried, and its mass
was found to be 1.166 g. Calculate the value of y in the formula
Q2Z(SO4)y.xH2O. [3]

y = ........................................

(d) The Mr of the anhydrous schönite produced in part (c) was 294.7. Use all
the information above to write the formula of schönite, explaining your
reasoning. [2]

.......................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................

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18. Cobalt forms the complex ions [Co(H2O)6]2+ and [CoCl4]2–.

(a) Draw the structures of these two complex ions. [2]

(b) The two different coloured Co(II) complex ions exist together in equilibrium in
solution in the presence of chloride ions:
‒ 2‒
[Co(H2O)6]2+(aq) + 4Cl (aq) ⇌ [CoCl4] (aq) + 6H2O(l)

These complexes are coloured and the visible spectra below show the
absorbance of light of different wavelengths by the two compounds.

(i) Both complexes have the same percentage absorption at 590 nm.
Calculate the energy associated with this wavelength. [2]

h = 6.63 × 10‒34 J s c = 3.00 × 108 m s‒1

Energy = .......................................... J

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(ii) One of the two complexes is blue. State which complex this is, giving
a reason for your choice. Explain why this complex ion is coloured.
[6]

(Your ability to construct an extended response will be assessed in this question.)

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(iii) The relationship between the percentage of light absorbed and the
concentration of a complex ion can be used to find the concentration
of a given solution.

The graph below shows the relationship between the percentage of

light of a particular wavelength absorbed and the concentration of
[Co(H2O)6]2+.

This relationship can also be expressed as a mathematical equation:

2+ ‒3
concentration of [Co(H2O)6] = 1.942 × 10 × percentage of light absorbed

Determine a value for the concentration of a solution that absorbs 33.6 %

of the light of this wavelength using the graph and another value using the
equation. Comment on the values obtained. [3]

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(c) (i) Write an expression for the equilibrium constant, Kc, for the equilibrium
between [Co(H2O)6]2+ and [CoCl4]2‒. [1]
2+ ‒ 2‒
[Co(H2O)6] + 4Cl ⇌ [CoCl4] + 6H2O

(ii) A non-aqueous solution initially containing 0.20 mol dm‒3 [Co(H2O)6]2+

and 0.50 mol dm-3 Cl‒ was allowed to come to equilibrium. The
concentration of [CoCl4]2‒ at equilibrium was 0.08 mol dm‒3.
Calculate the value of Kc under these conditions and give its units. [4]

Kc = ...........................................

Units ..........................................

(d) Silver nitrate solution is added to a solution containing [CoCl4]2‒ ions which
causes the solution to become cloudy and then change colour. Explain these
observations. [4]

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19. A student was given a solution containing a mixture of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions (solution X)
and was asked to determine the concentrations of each ion in the solution. He followed
Method A described below.

Method A

Part 1

Pipette 25.00 cm3 of solution X into a conical flask and add 10 cm3 of dilute sulfuric
acid. Titrate this solution with a 0.0200 mol dm‒3 solution of potassium
manganate(VII) until the first permanent pink colour remains in the solution. Repeat
the titration as many times as necessary and calculate a mean titre.
The results of the titrations were 15.00 cm3, 14.90 cm3, 15.70 cm3 and 14.95 cm3.

Part 2

Pipette 25.00 cm3 of solution X into a conical flask and add acid and granulated zinc.
Warm the flask for 10 minutes to allow the all of the Fe3+ ions to be reduced to Fe2+
ions. After the solution has cooled, remove the excess zinc by filtering and titrate it
against the same manganate(VII) solution used in Part 1. This time 19.10 cm3 of the
manganate(VII) solution were required.

(a) (i) Outline two safety precautions that the student would have taken
during the experiment, giving a reason for each. [2]

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(ii) The half-equations for the reaction between Fe2+ ions and acidified
manganate(VII) ions are:
2+ 3+ ‒
Fe (aq) → Fe (aq) + e
‒ + ‒ 2+
MnO4 (aq) + 8H (aq) + 5e → Mn (aq) + 4H2O(l)

Use the titration results from Method A Part 1 to calculate the

‒3 2+
concentration, in mol dm , of the Fe ions in the mixture. [3]

2+ ‒3
Concentration Fe = .......................................... mol dm

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(iii) Use the results from Method A Part 2 to calculate the concentration, in
mol dm‒3, of the total Fe2+ and Fe3+ content in the mixture. Hence
calculate the concentration, in mol dm‒3, of the Fe3+ ions in the
mixture. [3]

3+ ‒3
Concentration Fe = .......................................... mol dm

(iv) Comment on the accuracy and reliability of the measurements in

Method A Part 1 and suggest improvements that could be made to
improve the accuracy of the results. [3]

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Method B includes an alternative to Part 2. The concentration of Fe3+ ions is

determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy.

In this technique a sample of a solution is vaporised and atomised. A beam of light is

passed through this and the absorbance of a specific wavelength of the light is
measured using an electronic detector. This frequency is one of the absorption
frequencies of the metal’s atomic absorption spectrum.
To use this device, a control (usually a mixture of distilled water and another solution) is
used in the spectrometer to calibrate the machine. After the device has been calibrated
the concentration can be found by repeating the procedure using solution X.

(b) Justify which of the two procedures would be likely to give the more accurate
result for the concentration of Fe3+ ions in solution X. [3]

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