3.2.

1 Enthalpy Changes MCQ

Enthalpy (MCQ)
1. A reversible reaction has the enthalpy profile diagram shown below.

Which statement about this reaction is correct?

A The activation energy of the forward reaction is 120 kJ mol−1.

B The activation energy of the reverse reaction is 270 kJ mol−1.
C The enthalpy change of the forward reaction is −30 kJ mol−1.
D The reverse reaction is exothermic.

Your answer [1]

2. Hydrogen and chlorine react as shown below.

H2(g) + Cl 2(g) → 2HCl (g) ΔH ө = −184.6 kJ mol−1

Which statement about this reaction is correct?

A Less energy is released on bond making than is taken in during bond breaking.
B The enthalpy change for the reverse equation is +184.6 kJ mol−1.
C The enthalpy change of formation of HCl (g) is −184.6 kJ mol−1.
D The temperature decreases during the reaction.

Your answer [1]

3.2.1 Enthalpy Changes MCQ

3. The equation for the reaction of aluminium sulfide, Al2S3, with oxygen is shown below.

2Al2S3(s) + 9O2(g) → 2Al2O3(s) + 6SO2(g)

The table shows standard enthalpy changes of formation, Δf H o̶.

Substance Al2S3(s) O2(g) Al2O3(s) SO2(g)

Δf H o̶ / kJ mol−1 −723.8 0 −1675.7 −296.8

What is the standard enthalpy change of combustion of Al2S3(s), in kJ mol−1?

A −3684.6
B −1842.3
C +1842.3
D +3684.6

Your answer [1]

4. A student carried out an experiment to measure the enthalpy change of combustion of methanol.

The energy from the combustion of methanol was used to heat a beaker containing water.

The student’s calculated enthalpy change of combustion was more exothermic than the value in
data books.

Which error could have caused this difference?

A Some methanol had evaporated from the wick before the final weighing.
B In the calculation, the student used the molar mass of ethanol instead of methanol.
C There was incomplete combustion.
D The water boiled for 5 minutes before the final temperature was taken.

Your answer [1]

3.2.1 Enthalpy Changes MCQ

5. 50.0 cm3 of 1.00 mol dm−3 NaOH is neutralised by 50.0 cm3 of 1.00 mol dm−3 HNO3.
The temperature increases by 6.0 °C.

The experiment is repeated using:

25.0 cm3 of 1.00 mol dm−3 NaOH and 25.0 cm3 of 1.00 mol dm−3 HNO3.

What is the increase in temperature in the second experiment?

A 1.5°C
B 3.0°C
C 6.0°C
D 12.0°C

[1]
Your answer

6. The table shows standard enthalpy changes of combustion, ΔcH.

Substance ΔcH / kJ mol−1

C(s) −393.5

H2(g) −285.8

C4H10(g) −2876.5

What is the enthalpy change for the following reaction?

4C(s) + 5H2(g) → C4H10(g)

A −2197.2 kJ mol−1
B −126.5 kJ mol−1
C +126.5 kJ mol−1
D +2197.2 kJ mol−1

[1]
Your answer
3.2.1 Enthalpy Changes MCQ

7. The enthalpy change of formation of butane can be calculated using the enthalpy changes of
combustion, ΔcH, below.

Substance C(s) H2(g) C4H10(s)

ΔcH / kJ mol−1 −394 −286 −2877

Calculate the enthalpy change of formation of C4H10(g).

4C(s) + 5H2(g) → C4H10(g)

A −2197 kJ mol−1
B −129 kJ mol−1
B +129 kJ mol−1
D +2197 kJ mol−1

Your answer
[1]

8(a). A student used the apparatus below in an experiment to determine the enthalpy change of
combustion of methanol.

The student measured 100 cm3 and poured it into the beaker.

The student measured a temperature rise of 10.5 °C.

The student calculated the amount of energy transferred to the water.

Which of the following uses the appropriate number of significant figures and correct standard
form to represent the result of the calculation?

A. 4.389 × 103 J
B. 4.39 × 103 J
C. 43.9 × 102 J
D. 44.0 × 102 J

Your answer

[1]
3.2.1 Enthalpy Changes MCQ

(b). The student’s calculated enthalpy change was less exothermic than the value in data books.

Which of the following errors could have contributed to this result?

After the final temperature was recorded, the student removed the burner
Error 1: from under the beaker. The flame burnt for a further 5 minutes before
weighing the spirit burner.
The student recorded the final temperature 5 minutes after removing the
Error 2:
burner.
The student spilt some water on the bench when pouring the water from the
Error 3:
measuring cylinder into the beaker.

A. 1, 2 and 3
B. Only 1 and 2
C. Only 2 and 3
D. Only 1

Your answer
[1]

9. The table below shows standard enthalpy changes of formation, ΔfH.

Compound NH4NO3(s) H2O(g) CO2(g)

ΔfH / kJ mol−1 −366 −242 −394

What is the enthalpy change for the following reaction?

2NH4NO3(s) + C(s) → 2N2 (g) + 4H2O(g) + CO2(g)

A. –630 kJ mol–1
B. –540 kJ mol–1
C. +540 kJ mol–1
D. +630 kJ mol–1

Your answer
[1]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

3.2.1 Enthalpy Changes MCQ

Mark scheme – Enthalpy (MCQ)

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

Examiner’s Comments

This part discriminated extremely well. Most

candidates correctly identified option B but
a sizeable number of less able candidates
1 B 1 (AO1.2)
chose the different options in almost equal
amounts. It was difficult to recognise where
candidates were having problems and the
incorrect responses were probably mainly
guesses.

Total 1

Examiner’s Comments

Many candidates found this question

difficult with less than half choosing the
correct option of B. Options A and C proved
to be the main discriminators in almost
equal amounts. Although first encountered
at GCSE level, energies associated with
2 B 1 (AO1.1)
bond breaking and bond making continue to
cause candidates problems at AS and A
Level. The discriminator C would have been
chosen by candidates who did not
recognise that −184.6 kJ is released when 2
mol HCl is formed and that the enthalpy
change of formation would be half this
value.

Total 1

Examiner’s Comments

This question proved to be the most difficult

of the multiple-choice questions. Most
candidates constructed a correct energy
cycle using the provided equation. This
3 B 1
gave an energy change of −3684.6 kJ mol−1
(A). The question asks for the enthalpy
change of combustion for Al2S3, which is
half this value (option B). As with question
2, candidates are advised to read the
question carefully.

Total 1

Examiner’s Comments

4 B 1
Candidates find questions based on
practical procedures difficult and this
3.2.1 Enthalpy Changes MCQ

question proved to be no exception. A

similar number of candidates selected each
option, suggesting that most guessed. The
correct option is B.

Total 1

Examiner’s Comments
Very few candidates obtained the correct
temperature change and this proved to be
5 C 1
the most difficult of the multiple choice
questions. The majority of candidates
incorrectly answered as B, based on halving
the quantities, leading to halving the
temperature change.

Total 1

Examiner’s Comments
6 B 1 The majority of candidates obtained the
correct answer. As expected, the common
incorrect answer was C: the correct value
but the incorrect sign.

Total 1

Examiner's Comments
7 B 1
Generally scored well.

Total 1

8 a B 1

b B 1

Total 2

9 A 1

Total 1