Practice [54 marks]

1.

1-chloropentane reacts with aqueous sodium hydroxide.

The reaction was repeated at a lower temperature.

(a(i))

Sketch labelled Maxwell–Boltzmann energy distribution curves at the

original temperature (T1) and the new lower temperature (T2).

[2]

(a(ii))

Explain the effect of lowering the temperature on the rate of the

reaction.

[2]
2.

Sulfur trioxide is produced from sulfur dioxide.

2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2SO3 (g) ΔH = −196 kJ mol−1

(a)

Outline, giving a reason, the effect of a catalyst on a reaction.

[2]

The reaction between sulfur dioxide and oxygen can be carried out at
different temperatures.

(b)

On the axes, sketch Maxwell–Boltzmann energy distribution curves for

the reacting species at two temperatures T1 and T2, where T2 > T1.
 [3]

(c)

Explain the effect of increasing temperature on the yield of SO 3.

[2]

3.

This question is about the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.

(a)

Suggest why many chemicals, including hydrogen peroxide, are kept in

brown bottles instead of clear colourless bottles.
 [1]

Hydrogen peroxide decomposes to water and oxygen when a catalyst

such as potassium iodide, KI, is added.

KI (aq)
2H2O2 (aq) → O2 (g) + 2H2O (l)

(b)

In a laboratory experiment solutions of potassium iodide and hydrogen

peroxide were mixed and the volume of oxygen generated was
recorded. The volume was adjusted to 0 at t = 0.

The data for the first trial is given below.

Plot a graph on the axes below and from it determine the average rate
of
formation of oxygen gas in cm3 O2 (g) s−1.
Average rate of reaction:

[3]
(c)

Additional experiments were carried out at an elevated temperature. On

the axes below, sketch Maxwell–Boltzmann energy distribution
curves at two temperatures T1 and T2, where T2 > T1.

[2]
 (d)

Apart from a greater frequency of collisions, explain, by annotating your

graphs in (b)(iii), why an increased temperature causes the rate of
reaction to increase.

[2]

(e)

MnO2 is another possible catalyst for the reaction. State the IUPAC name
for MnO2.

[1]

4.

This question is about peroxides.

(a)
Suggest why many chemicals, including hydrogen peroxide, are kept in
brown bottles instead of clear colourless bottles.

[1]

Hydrogen peroxide decomposes to water and oxygen when a catalyst

such as potassium iodide, KI, is added.
KI (aq)
2H2O2 (aq) → O2 (g) + 2H2O (l)

(b)

In a laboratory experiment solutions of potassium iodide and hydrogen

peroxide were mixed and the volume of oxygen generated was
recorded. The volume was adjusted to 0 at t = 0.

The data for the first trial is given below.

Plot a graph on the axes below and from it determine the average rate
of formation of oxygen gas in cm3 O2 (g) s−1.
Average rate of reaction:

[3]

(c)

Additional experiments were carried out at an elevated temperature. On

the axes below, sketch Maxwell–Boltzmann energy distribution
curves at two temperatures T1 and T2, where T2 > T1.
 [2]

(d)

Apart from a greater frequency of collisions, explain, by annotating your

graphs in (b)(ii), why an increased temperature causes the rate of
reaction to increase.

[2]

(e)

Sodium percarbonate, 2Na2CO3•3H2O2, is an adduct of sodium carbonate

and hydrogen peroxide and is used as a cleaning agent.

Mr (2Na2CO3•3H2O2) = 314.04

Calculate the percentage by mass of hydrogen peroxide in sodium

percarbonate, giving your answer to two decimal places.

[2]
5.

The thermal decomposition of dinitrogen monoxide occurs according to

the equation:

2N2O (g) → 2N2 (g) + O2 (g)

The reaction can be followed by measuring the change in total pressure,

at constant temperature, with time.

The x-axis and y-axis are shown with arbitrary units.

(a)

Explain why, as the reaction proceeds, the pressure increases by the

amount shown.

[2]
(b)

Outline, in terms of collision theory, how a decrease in pressure would

affect the rate of reaction.

[2]

(c)

The experiment is repeated using the same amount of dinitrogen

monoxide in the same apparatus, but at a lower temperature.

Sketch, on the axes in question 2, the graph that you would expect.

[2]
(d)

The experiment gave an error in the rate because the pressure gauge
was inaccurate.

Outline whether repeating the experiment, using the same apparatus,

and averaging the results would reduce the error.

[1]

(e)

The graph below shows the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution of molecular

energies at a particular temperature.

The rate at which dinitrogen monoxide decomposes is significantly

increased by a metal oxide catalyst.

Annotate and use the graph to outline why a catalyst has this effect.

[2]
 (f)

Dinitrogen monoxide has a positive standard enthalpy of formation, ΔHfθ.

Deduce, giving reasons, whether altering the temperature would change

the spontaneity of the decomposition reaction.

[3]

6.

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.

(a)

The diagram shows the Maxwell-Boltzmann curve for the uncatalyzed

reaction.

Draw a distribution curve at a lower temperature (T 2) and show on the

diagram how the addition of a catalyst enables the reaction to take
place more rapidly than at T1.
 [2]

(b)

The hydrogen peroxide could cause further oxidation of the methanol.

Suggest a possible oxidation product.

[1]

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)

(c(i))

Determine the overall equation for the production of methanol.

[1]
(c(ii))

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]

Consider the first stage of the reaction.

CH4 (g) + H2O (g) ⇌ CO (g) + 3H2 (g)

(d(i))

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

Bond enthalpy of CO = 1077 kJ mol−1.

[3]
(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]

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