Chemistry AS Revision Questions

F332
Elements of the Sea
Calculations

1. Calculate the mass of propene required to produce

49.2g of bromopropane: C3H6+HBrC3H7Br
Molecules involved
Molecular mass of
each
Divide to get one
Multiply for mass you
want
Answer

C3H6: C3H7Br
42 : 122.9
42/122.9 : 1
16.8: 49.2
16.8g

2. 10.5 g of magnesium carbonate is heated strongly

so that it fully decomposes. MgCO3(s)MgO(s)+CO2(g)
a. Calculate the mass of magnesium oxide
Molecules involved
Molecular mass of
each
Divide to get one
Multiply for mass you
want
Answer

MgCO3: MgO
84.3 : 40.3
1:
40.3/84.3

10.5: 5
5g

b. Calculate the volume of gas produced

The ratio is 1:1 so the same number of
moles of carbon dioxide is produced as
magnesium oxide.

Number of moles = mass/molar mass

= 5/40.3
=0.125 moles
One mole takes up 24dm3 at r.t.p.
0.125 x 24 = 3dm3
3. A dry sample of barium sulphate was made as
follows: BaCl2(aq)+H2SO4(aq)BaSO4(s)+2HCl(aq)
a. If 25cm3 of 1.0mol/dm3 barium chloride
solution was used, how many moles of barium
chloride were available?
Number of moles = (concentration x
volume)/1000
= (1 x 25)/1000
=0.025 moles
b. What is the theoretical yield of barium
sulphate if the other reactants are in excess?
Ratio of moles = 1:1
0.025 x (137.3 + 32.1 + 64) = 5.83g
c. If 5.20g of dry barium sulphate were
recovered, what was the percentage yield of
barium sulphate?
Percentage yield= (actual/theoretical) x
100
= (5.2/5.83) x 100
= 89.2%
Titrations

1. Calculate the concentration of a solution of

ethanoic acid, CH3COOH, if 25.4cm3 of it is
neutralised by 14.6cm3 of 0.5M sodium hydroxide
solution. CH3COOH+NaOHCH3COONa+H2O
Molecules
Volumes
Concentration
s

CH3COOH
25.4cm3
?

NaOH
14.6cm3
0.5M

Moles are in a 1:1 ratio in this reaction

Moles of NaOH = (0.5 x 14.6)/1000
= 0.0073 = moles of
ethanoic acid
Concentration = (number of moles x
10000)/volume
= (0.0073 x 1000)/ 25.4
=0.287M
2. You are supplied with 0.75g of calcium carbonate
and a solution of 0.25M sulphuric acid. What
volume of acid will be needed to neutralise the
calcium carbonate?
CaCO3+H2SO4CaSO4+H2O+CO2
Moles of calcium carbonate= mass/molar
mass
= 0.75/100.1
0.0075 moles
Ratio =1:1 so 0.0075 moles of sulphuric acid.
Volume= (1000 x moles)/concentration
= (1000 x 0.0075)/0.25
= 30cm3
Electronic Structure

1. Potassium reacts with oxygen to form potassium

oxide, K2O.
a. Give the electron configuration of the
potassium atom.
1s22s22p63s23p64s1
b. Using arrow in box notation, give the electron
configuration of the oxygen atom.
c. Explain why it is the outer shell
electrons, not those in the inner shells, which
determine the chemistry the chemistry of
potassium and oxygen.

The outer shell electrons in potassium

and oxygen can get close to the outer
shells of neighbouring atoms so they can
be transferred or shared. Inner shell
electrons are held tightly to the nucleus
and shielded from the electrons in other
atoms.
2. This question concerns the electron configuration
of atoms and ions.
a. What is the electron configuration of a
manganese atom?
1s22p22p63s23p63d54s2
b. Identify the element with the 4th shell
configuration of 4s24p2
Manganese has 25 electrons, 5 more can
fit in 3d
Add 2 in the 4p sub-shell so 25+5+2=32
Atom with 32 electrons= Germanium
c. Using arrow in box notation, give the
electronic configuration of the aluminium
atom.

d. Suggest the identity of an atom, a positive ion

and a negative ion with the configuration
1s22s22p63s23p6.
Atom = Period 3, group 0 = Argon
Positive ion= one more proton = K+
Negative ion = one less proton = ClOxidation and Reduction

1. When hydrogen iodide gas is bubbled through

warm concentrated sulphuric acid, hydrogen
sulphide and iodine are produced.

a. Balance the equation below for the reaction

H2SO4 (l) +8HI (g) H2S (g) +4I2(s) +4H2O (l)
b. Calculate the oxidation state of sulphur in
H2SO4 and H2S.
H = +1 so +2 in total
O = -2 so -8 in total = -6
Overall must = 0 so sulphur in H2SO4 =+6
H = +1 so +2 in total
Overall must = 0 so sulphur in H2S = -2
c. In this reaction, which is the reducing agent?
Give a reason.
Iodide because it was -1 in the reactants
and 0 in the products. An increase in
oxidation number means it is oxidised
and is the reducing agent.
d. Write a half-equation to show the conversion
of iodide, I-, into iodine, I2.
2I- I2 + 2ee. Write a half-equation to show the conversion
of sulphuric acid into hydrogen sulphide.
H2SO4 + 8H+ + 8e- H2S + 4H2O
Electronegativity

1. Many covalent have a permanent dipole, due to

differences in electronegativities.
a. Define Electronegativity.
The ability for an atom to attract the
electrons in a covalent bond
b. Draw the shapes and predict the overall
polarity of the following molecules:
i. Br2
Non- polar
B
B
ii. H2O
r
r
More electronegative
O
towards
oxygen
H
+

H+

iii. CCl4

iv. NH3

c. Fluorine is the most electronegative element.

NF3 is the same shape as NH3 yet it has no
permanent dipole. Why is this?
The lone pair of electrons enough to
cancel out the dipole on NF3 as hydrogen
is not electronegative; the lone pair is
able to cause a dipole in the NH3
molecule.
2. Draw diagrams to show the shape of the covalently
bonded molecules below. Indicate any permanent
dipoles on your diagrams.
a. Boron(III)chloride (BCl3)

b. Nitrogen(III)chloride (NCl3)

Intermolecular Forces

1. The molecules in the table all have the molecular

formula C5H12. Explain the differences in the
strengths of the intermolecular forces.
Molecule

Relative strength of
intermolecular forces
Pentane
Strong
2-methylbutane
Intermediate
2,2-dimethylpropane
Weak
Pentane is a straight chained alkane so it has the
greatest surface area. It also makes it easier for
temporary dipoles to be induced on it which
causes stronger intermolecular forces. As you go
down the table there is more branching so there
is less surface area so the intermolecular forces
are weaker.
Ionisation Enthalpies

1. The graph shows how first ionisation enthalpy

varies across Period 2.
a. Explain why there is a
general increase in
ionisation enthalpy across
the period.
As you go across the
period the attraction
between the outer shell
electrons and the nucleus increases
because the number of protons in the

nucleus is increasing, giving more

positive charge. The shielding is roughly
constant because the shielding remains
roughly the same.
b. Explain how the graph provides evidence for
the electronic structure of these elements
For Lithium and Beryllium the 2s subshell is filling. From Boron to Nitrogen
the 2p sub-shell is half filling. This subshell is further out so it is easier to move
electrons. From O to Ne, the electrons
begin spin-pairing in the 2p sub-shell.
There is extra repulsion between the
electrons so they are easier to remove.
Group 7-The Halogens

1.

a. Write an ionic equation for the reaction

between iodide solution and sodium astatide.
(NaAt)
I2 + 2At- At2 + 2Ib. For that equation, deduce which substance is
oxidised.
The sodium Astatide because its
oxidation number increases from -1 to 2
2. The extraction of bromine from seawater can be
represented by the following equation:
Cl2 (aq) +2Br-(aq) Br2 (aq) +2Cl-(aq)
a. Explain why this is classed as a redox reaction
Bromine is oxidised chlorine is reduced
b. Identify the oxidising agent in this reaction
Chlorine
c. Using your knowledge of periodic trends,
suggest which halogen(s) could be used to

extract chlorine from a concentrated solution

of chloride ions.
Fluorine because it is more reactive so is
able to displace the chlorine.
More about the Halogens

1. Chlorine is a very important industrial chemical.

a. Explain why chlorine is normally produced on
the same site as where it is to be used.
Chlorine is toxic and very reactive. It is
difficult to store and expensive to
transport in large quantities.
b. Name two important compounds made using
chlorine, and give an example of how each is
used
It is used in PVC for insulating electric
wires and it is used in bleach for water
treatment.
c. Write the equations for the electrolysis of
concentrated sodium chloride solution.
2Cl- Cl2 + 2e2H+ + 2e- H2
2. Bromine can be extracted by the electrolysis of a
concentrated solution of potassium bromide.
a. Write the equations for the reactions at the
anode and the cathode.
Anode: 2Br-(aq) Br2 (aq) + 2eCathode : 2H+ + 2e- H2
b. Bromine can be used to make the pesticide
bromomethane. Suggest why bromomethane
is likely to be made on the site where the
bromine is produced.
Bromine is a toxic substance and it is
safer to transport it as a compound

The Chemical Industry

1. Ethanol is made by the addition of steam to

ethane: C2H4(g)+H2O
C2H5OH(g)
a. The atom economy of this reaction is 100%.
Explain why reactions with high atom
economies are used as often as possible in
industry.
Addition reactions produce no waste
products so they make better use of the
resources.
b. Suggest one reason why the percentage yield
of this reaction is always less than 100%.
Not all of the starting materials react.
c. Ethene is made by cracking oil or natural gas.
Explain why this may affect the choice of
location for a plant producing ethanol.
You would build it near an oil refinery so
that it doesnt have to be transported far.
2. Chemical A is used to make chemical B. Using
500Kg of chemical A, the reaction equation
indicates that you should theoretically get 300Kg
of chemical B. You actually get 250Kg.
a. Calculate the percentage yield of this reaction
Percentage yield = (actual
yield/theoretical) x 100
= (250/300) x 100
=83.3%
b. Chemical B is made from Chemical A in a
continuous process. Give one advantage and
one disadvantage of using a continuous
process compared to using a batch process.
There are less labour costs but the plant
is more expensive to build

Halogenoalkanes

1. In 1956 the anaesthetic Halothane was

developed by ICI. It has the chemical formula
CF3CHBrCl. Give the chemical name for this
structure and draw its displayed formula.
2-bromo, 2-chloro, 1, 1, 1-trifluoroethane

2. A chemist has samples of three Halogenoalkanes in

tubes labelled A, B and C. The boiling points of the
three Halogenoalkanes are: Tube A=71C, Tube
B=46C, Tube C=102C. The Halogenoalkanes in
the three tubes are
1-chloroprapane, 1bromopropane and 1-iodopropane. Which
halogenoalkane is in which tube? Explain your
answer.
Tube A is 1-bromopropane, tube B is 1chloropropane and tube C is 1-iodopropane.
The more electrons the halogen has the
stronger the instantaneous dipole induced
dipole forces are and the more energy
required to overcome them.
More about Halogenoalkanes

1. The equation for the reaction between water and

2-bromopropane is shown below:
CH3CHBrCH3 + H2O CH3CH(OH)CH3 + HBr
a.
i. Name the type of reaction
Nucleophilic Substitution
ii. Name the organic product
Propan-2-ol

b. Under the same conditions, 2-iodopropane was

used in place of 2-bromopane in the reaction
above. What difference would you expect in
the rate of reaction? Explain your answer.
The reaction would happen faster
because the C-I bond is weaker than the
C-Br bond.
c. Draw the mechanism for the reaction between
2-bromopropane and aqueous potassium
hydroxide.

The Atmosphere
Giant Structures

1. Look at the data below on the compound born

nitride (BN).
Melting point: 2700C
Electrical conductivity of liquid: zero
Solubility in water: zero
a. On the basis of this data suggest the bond
type and structure in boron nitride. Explain
your choices.
It is a Giant covalent lattice. You can tell
it is covalently bonded because it does

not conduct electricity as it has no free

electrons. It is giant as it has such a high
melting point.
b. Boron(III) chloride has a boiling point of
-107C.
i. Suggest the bond type and structure in
boron(III)chloride
Simple molecular, Covalent
ii. Explain why boron(III)chloride has a much
lower melting point than boron nitride.
Only weak instantaneous dipole
induced dipole forces are holding the
molecules together. These are weak
so do not require much energy to
overcome. This gives it a low melting
point.
Reaction Rates

1. Nitrogen monoxide (NO) and ozone (O3) sometimes

react to produce nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and oxygen
(O2). A collision between the two molecules does
not always lead to a reaction. Explain why.
For a reaction to occur atoms and molecules
must be in the right orientation or they will
just bounce off of each other. They must also
have enough activation energy.
2. Use collision theory to explain why the reaction
between a solid and a liquid is generally faster
than that between two solids.
The particles in a liquid are able to move
freely and collide with the solid particles.
Particles in a solid only vibrate around fixed
positions, so only those on the touching
surface of the solid will be able to react.

3. This graph shows the rate that oxygen is evolved

when hydrogen peroxide decomposes at 25C.
Which of the curves, X, Y or Z, shows the rate that
oxygen is evolved when
the same amount of
hydrogen peroxide
decomposes at 15C?
Explain your answer.
Y. The same amount of
hydrogen peroxide is decomposed, so the
same amount of oxygen will be evolved
therefore it cannot be a curve. Curve Y also
shows it decomposing slower than at 25C,
which would be correct because reaction
rates are slower at cooler temperatures.
More on Reaction Rates

1. Explain how homogeneous catalysts speed up

chemical reactions.
The homogeneous catalyst forms an
intermediate compound. The activation
energy required to form th intermediates and
then the products is less than would be
needed to make the products directly.
2. Enzymes are proteins that catalyse specific
biological reactions. Draw a fully labelled enthalpy
profile for an enzyme catalysed reaction and an
uncatalysed reaction.

3. Homogeneous catalysts speed up a reaction by

forming intermediate compounds. Explain why
they are classed as catalysts, even though they are
chemically altered during the reaction.
The catalyst is reformed by the time the
products form. It is chemically unchanged at
the end of the process.
Reversible Reactions

1. Nitrogen and oxygen gasses were reacted together

in a closed flask and allowed to reach equilibrium
with the nitrogen monoxide formed. The forward
reaction is endothermic.
N2(g) + O2(g)
2NO(g)
a. State Le Chateliers principle
If a reaction at equilibrium is subject to a
change in concentration, pressure or
temperature, the equilibrium will shift to
try and oppose the change.
b. Explain how the following changes would
affect the position of the above reaction:
i. Pressure is increased

There will be no change as there is

the same number of molecules on
each side of the equation
ii. Temperature is reduced
This removes heat which will favour
the exothermic reaction so the
equilibrium shifts to the left.
iii. Nitrogen monoxide is removed.
Removing nitrogen monoxide reduces
its concentration. They reaction will
oppose this by shifting the
equilibrium to the right to increase it
again.
c. What would be the effect of a catalyst on the
composition of the equilibrium mixture?
There would be no affect on the
equilibrium position because a catalyst
speeds up both directions of the reaction
equally.
The Atmosphere

1. The Earth absorbs radiation from the Sun. It also

emits radiation.
a. What are the main types of radiation emitted
by the Sun and the Earth?
Visible light and infra red.
b. Name the type of radiation that can cause an
increase in some covalent bonds vibrational
energy. What types of molecules are not
affected?
Infrared. Molecules made up of identical
atoms are not affected.
2. Calculate the energy absorbed when one molecule
of HCl changes from its ground vibrational level to

the next level, given that the frequency of

radiation absorbed is 8.19x10Hz.
E = hf
=6.63 x 10-34 x 8.19x10
= 5.43 x 10-20J
The Greenhouse Affect

1.
a. Name the three greenhouse gasses
Water vapour, carbon dioxide and
methane
b. Explain how greenhouse gasses keep the
temperature in the lower layers of the Earths
atmosphere higher than it otherwise would be.
The bonds absorb infrared radiation
which increases their vibrational energy.
Energy is transferred to other molecules
by collision. This increases the average
kinetic energy of the molecule which in
turn increases the temperature.
2. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earths
atmosphere has increased over the last 50 years.
a. Describe one piece of scientific evidence for
the increase
Oceans have become more acidic
because carbonic acid has formed in
them as they have dissolved more
atmospheric carbon dioxide.
b. Describe two methods that chemists are
developing as a way of reducing carbon
dioxide emissions.
Developing more renewable energy
resources and by increasing
photosynthesis.

Halogenoalkanes and CFCs

1. 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane is an example of a
hydrochlorofluoroalkane (HCFC).
a. Draw the displayed formula of this molecule

b. In the presence of strong sunlight,

1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane undergoes
homolytic fission to generate a chlorine radical
and a molecular radical. Write an equation to
represent this reaction.
CH3CF2Cl CH3CF2 + Cl
2. CFCs were invented in 1928. They were widely
used in the 20th century.
a. Give three important uses of CFCs
Coolants in fridges
b. What useful properties do CFCs have?
Unreactive, non-flammable and non-toxic
c. Why was the use of CFCs banned by the
Montreal Protocol?
Because they were destroying the ozone
layer.
d. What alternatives to CFCs have been used
and what are their drawbacks?
HFCs and hydrocarbons are greenhouse
gasses. HCFCs still damage the ozone
layer.
Ozone

1. The ozone layer lies mostly between 15 and

30Km above the Earths surface.
a. Explain how ozone forms in this part of the
atmosphere

2.

UV radiation from the Sun split oxygen

molecules to form oxygen free radicals.
These react with more oxygen molecules
to form ozone.
b. What are the benefits to humans of the ozone
layer?
Ozone prevents most of the harmful UV
radiation from the Sun from reaching the
Earths surface.
c. How does the ozone layer absorb harmful
radiation without being permanently
destroyed?
The ozone molecules interact with the UV
radiation to form an oxygen molecule and
a oxygen free radical. The radical
produced then goes and reacts with
another oxygen molecule to make ozone
again.
a. Explain why large amounts of ground-level
ozone can be a problem
It is toxic to humans.
b. Why are these problems most frequently
encountered in heavily industrialised areas?
Ground level ozone forms as a result of
sunlight acting on mixtures of nitrogen
dioxide and hydrocarbons which are
emitted by power stations and vehicles.

The Polymer Revolution

Addition Reactions of Alkenes

1. Cyclohexane and hex-1-ene both have the

molecular formula C6H12.

a. Hex-1-ene can be described as an unsaturated

hydrocarbon. Explain what is meant by the
term unsaturated as applied to hydrocarbons.
It contains one or more carbon-carbon
double bond.
b. Draw the displayed formulae of cyclohexane
and
hex-1-ene.

c. Give details of a chemical test that would

enable you to distinguish between samples of
these substances. You should include details of
how your results should be interpreted.
Add bromine water to samples of each
substance. With cyclohexane the solution
will remain orange. With hex-1-ene the
solution will turn colourless.
2.

a. There are two straight chain alkenes with the

molecular formula C5H10. Give the structural
formulae and names of both isomers.
CH3CH2CH2CH=CH2 and CH3CH2CH=CHCH3
b. Write an equation for the reaction of one of
these alkenes with hydrogen gas.
CH3CH2CH2CH=CH2 + H2
CH3CH2CH2CH2CH3
3. Ethene can undergo a hydrolysis reaction with cold
water in the presence of a catalyst.
a. Name a catalyst that can be used in the above
reaction.
Concentrated sulphuric acid

b. Describe the two stages in this reaction.

The ethene reacts with the sulphuric acid to
form
Alcohols and other Organic Compounds

1. The formula
C4H9OH can
represent
the three
alcohols shown. Name each alcohol and class it as
primary, secondary or tertiary.
2. Alcohols A and B both have the molecular formula
C3H8O. Alcohol A is a primary alcohol, alcohol B is a
secondary alcohol.
a. State which of these alcohols can be oxidised
to a carboxylic acid and name the product
formed.
b. Describe the reagents and the conditions used
for this oxidation.
3. A student wanted to produce an aldehyde from the
alcohol propan-1-ol. He set up a reflux apparatus
using acidified potassium dichromate(VI) as the
oxidising agent.
a. Draw a labelled diagram of a reflux apparatus.
Explain the purpose of a reflux apparatus
b. The student tested his product and found that
he had not produced an aldehyde
i. What type of product had the student
formed?
ii. Write equations to show the two stage
reaction. Use [O] to represent the
oxidising agent
iii. What technique should the student have
used and why?

c. The student also tried to oxidise 2methylpropan-2-ol, unsuccessfully.

i. Draw the full structural formula for
2-methylpropan-2-ol.
ii. Why is it not possible to oxidise
2-methylpropan-2-ol with potassium
dichromate(VI)?
Polymers

1. Chloroethene CH2CHCl forms the polymer

poly(Chloroethene), commonly known as PVC.
a. Write an equation to show the polymerisation
of Chloroethene. Your equation should show
clearly the structure of the repeating unit in
poly(Chloroethene)
b. Poly(Chloroethene) is an example of a
thermosoftening polymer. Explain, in terms of
molecular structure, why thermosoftening can
be remoulded.
2. The polymer poly(propene) can be made by an
addition polymerisation reaction involving the
monomer propene.
a. Draw
i. The displayed formula of propene
ii. The repeat unit of poly(propene)
b. A second polymer that can
be made by addition
polymerisation has the
repeat unit shown.
Name the monomer that
gives rise to this polymer.
E/Z Isomerism

1.

a. Draw and name the E/Z isomers of pent-2-ene.

b. Explain why alkenes can have E/Z isomerism

but alkanes cannot
2. An alkane has four different groups attached, A, B,
X and Y. Which of the following is the E-isomer if A
and X have priority?

Infrared Spectroscopy

1. A molecule with molecular mass of 74 produces

the following IR spectrum

a. Which functional groups are responsible for

the functional groups at A and B?
b. Suggest the molecular formula and name of
this molecule. Explain your answer.