4.

2 Applications of Electrolysis
Question Paper

Course CIE IGCSE Chemistry

Section 4. Electrochemistry
Topic 4.2 Applications of Electrolysis
Di culty Easy
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Time Allowed 40
Score /31
Percentage /100

Page 1 of 16

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Question 1a
Hydrogen and oxygen react together to form water.
Complete the word equation for this reaction:

hydrogen + ____________________ → water

[1 mark]

Question 1b
The reaction between hydrogen and oxygen is used in hydrogen fuel cells.
Complete these sentences about hydrogen fuel cells using words from the list.

reduction combustion electricity

temperature change gas oxidation

Water is produced when hydrogen undergoes .......................................................

This causes the fuel cell to produce ..................................................

[2 marks]

Page 2 of 16

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Question 1c
The diagram below shows a hydrogen fuel cell.

Complete the table to show the functions each of the substances perform in a hydrogen fuel cell using words from the list.

electrolyte electrode waste product

source of oxygen fuel anode

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 Substance Function
Potassium hydroxide solution
Hydrogen
Water
[3 marks]

Question 1d
Extended Only
Give two advantages of using hydrogen fuel cells compared with using petrol engines to power motor vehicles.
[2 marks]

Page 4 of 16

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Question 2a
The diagram below shows a fuel cell.

Hydrogen can be used as the fuel.

Complete the balanced symbol equation for the reaction that occurs in a hydrogen fuel cell.
___ H2 + O2 → ___ H2O
[1 mark]

Page 5 of 16

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Question 2b
Extended Only
The graph below shows the reaction pathway diagram for the reaction of hydrogen and water in a hydrogen fuel cell.

Which of the labels represents hydrogen and oxygen?

Tick one box.

Z
[1 mark]

Page 6 of 16

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Question 2c
Extended Only
Which of the labels in the reaction pathway diagram in part (b) represents water?

Tick one box.

Z
[1 mark]

Question 2d
Extended Only
The rst vehicle powered by a hydrogen fuel cell was built in 1966 by General Motors. It could travel at up to 70 mph in 30
fi
seconds.

Suggest two disadvantages of using a hydrogen fuel cell in a car.

[2 marks]

Page 7 of 16

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Question 3a
Separate: Chemistry Only
An application of electrolysis is electroplating.
Which of the these statements about electroplating is correct?
Tick one box.

It is used to extract metals from their ores

It is a process used to break down a substance using heat

It is used to coat the surface of one metal with a layer of a di erent metal
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It is a method of sacri cial protection
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[1 mark]

Page 8 of 16

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Question 3b
Separate: Chemistry Only
The diagram shows the equipment needed to electroplate a metal spoon with silver.

Complete the labels in the boxes using words from the list.

anode power supply electrolyte

electrolysis cathode

[3 marks]

Page 9 of 16

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Question 3c
Separate: Chemistry Only
Which one of these substances would be a suitable electrolyte when plating an iron spoon with silver?
Tick one box.

Silver

Iron

Silver nitrate

Iron(II) nitrate
[1 mark]

Question 3d
Separate: Chemistry Only
Give one change that would need to be made to the equipment in part (b) to coat the metal spoon with nickel instead of
silver.
[1 mark]

Pa e 10 of 16

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Question 4a
Chemistry Only
A student wanted to use electrolysis to electroplate an object with nickel.
Match the part of the apparatus used for electroplating on the left with its correct identity on the right.

[3 marks]

Page 11 of 16

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Question 4b
Chemistry Only
Which of the following equations shows the correct half-equation for the reaction that occurs at the cathode?
Tick one box.

Ni2+ → Ni + e–

Ni + e– → Ni2+

Ni2+ + 2e– → Ni

Ni + 2e– → Ni2+
[1 mark]

Question 4c
Chemistry Only
What occurs at the anode, oxidation or reduction?
[1 mark]

Page 12 of 16

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Question 4d
Chemistry Only
Which two of the reasons about why objects are electroplated are correct.
Tick two boxes.

It improves the appearance of the object

It is more expensive

It increases the melting point of the object

It makes the object more resistance to corrosion

It makes the object harder

[2 marks]

Page 13 of 16

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Question 5a
Separate: Chemistry Only
A student wants to electroplate objects made out of di erent materials.

ff
Which of the following materials would not be suitable for electroplating?
You may tick more than one box.

Glass

Copper

Poly(ethene)

Iron
[2 marks]

Page 14 of 16

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Question 5b
Separate: Chemistry Only
The student sets up the following equipment to electroplate an iron rod with nickel.

What error did they make when setting up the equipment?

Tick one box.

The solution should contain iron ions

The circuit should contain a switch

Both electrodes should be made from iron

The strip of nickel and iron rod are connected to the

wrong terminal of the power supply
[1 mark]

Pa e 15 of 16

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Question 5c
Extended Only
In a di erent experiment, copper was used to electroplate a metal spoon. This was the half-equation on the surface of the
ff
spoon.

Cu2+ + 2e– → Cu
Explain how this equation shows that copper is reduced.
[1 mark]

Question 5d
Separate: Chemistry Only
Which of the following substances could be used as the electrolyte when electroplating an iron spoon with copper?
Tick one box.

an iron rod

aqueous iron nitrate

a copper rod

aqueous copper nitrate

[1 mark]

Page 16 of 16

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