BACKGROUND

The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) is the lead agency, mandated by Government to promote and advance science and technology on a national level. SAASTA has been incorporated into the National Research Foundation (NRF) and serves as the science promotion pillar of the organisation. As a science council, the NRF is a non-profit entity, and is committed to supporting the development of human resource capacity for research, technology and innovation in the fields of science and technology. SAASTAs lead competency lies in the management of large-scale, national programmes in science promotion. Central to our operations are programmes that support school science (learner and educator support programmes, science-based materials resources, etc) and ones that urge young people to pursue science, engineering and technology-based careers. The National Science Olympiad is one of such programme. SAASTA is committed to high quality delivery of science and technology promotion programmes that will build the pool of competent learners in mathematics and science, and enhance the scientific skills base of the country, thus increase the SET human capital. The National Science Olympiad The National Science Olympiad is a project which was originally established for grade 12 learners with the objective of promoting Physical Science. Now in its 43rd year, the competition continues to be one of SAASTAs flagship projects. Our National Science Olympiad is not only able to contribute towards excellence in science, but has huge potential in heightening participation levels of previously excluded groups and simultaneously building their capability in the sciences. The project offers learners in grades 1 -12 an exciting opportunity to compete in the science arena with fellow learners from all the nine provinces and SADC countries, such as Namibia and Lesotho. The competition comprises an annual examination in science, and top learners and top schools stand a chance to win exciting prizes. The 2 6 Olympiad comprised three sections: General Science Knowledge, Physical Science (Physics and Chemistry) and Biology. Whereas the General Science Knowledge section was compulsory, learners were given the option of writing either Physical Science or Biology. During the July vacation, a group of approximately 1 learners who excelled or demonstrated potential in the 2 6 Olympiad examination, were invited to participate in a week-long science event consisting of stimulating lectures, industry visits and other fun events. The top national performers also stand a chance to win an all-

expenses-paid trip to the London International Youth Science Forum. This year three learners were selected to attend the 2 July/August. Project Objectives The following were identified as the objectives of the project: To identify and nurture talent in Science, Engineering and Technology. To recognise and reward learners who excel in the sciences. To motivate and encourage high performers and schools to engage with the sciences. To promote SET so that more learners study towards these careers in order to satisfy the demand for scientific human capital in the country. To expose learners to the SET fields, including careers and current trends. 6 London International Youth Science Forum during

2003
Note: Some of the questions are based on general chemistry knowledge and its bearing on daily life. The answers have been compiled from a variety of sources, mainly Wikipedia (the free online encyclopaedia), Encyclopaedia Britannica, the Kirk-Othmer Encyclopaedia of Chemical Technology and a variety of Chemistry textbooks. TO DO WELL IN THE NATIONAL SCIENCE OLYMPIAD AND IN STUDYING AND PRACTICING SCIENCE, YOU MUST READ EXTENSIVELY! The following questions and answers come from the General and Chemistry Sections of the examination

1.

Which one of the following is an alternative name for aspirin? 1 2 3 4 5 Isopropyl amide Butyl ethanoate Acetylsalicylic acid Ethyl butanoate Trimethyl glyoxime.

Answer:

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

Aspirin or acetylsalicylic acid (acetosal) is a drug in the family of salicylates, often used as an analgesic (against minor pains and aches), antipyretic (against fever), and anti-inflammatory. It has also an anticoagulant (blood-thinning) effect and is used in long-term low-doses to prevent heart attacks. The brand name Aspirin was coined by the Bayer company of Germany. Hippocrates, a Greek physician, wrote in the 5th century BC about a bitter powder extracted from willow bark that could ease aches and pains and reduce fevers. The active extract of the bark, called salicin, after the Latin name for the White willow (Salix alba), was isolated to its crystalline form in 1828 by Henri Leroux, a French pharmacist. In 1897, researcher Arthur Eichengrun and Felix Hoffmann, a research assistant at Friedrich Bayer & Co. in Germany, derivatized one of the hydroxyl functional groups in salicylic acid with an acetyl group (forming the acetyl ester), which became the aspirin we know. Butyl ethanoate, more commonly called butyl acetate is a carboxylic ester formed from acetic/ethanoic acid and butyl alcohol (also simply called butanol). n-Butyl acetate/ethanoate is an important industrial solvent used in rapid drying paints and coatings. It is also used as an industrial solvent for chemical reactions and in leather treatment. Like all esters, it has a distinct smell and its pleasant smell allows for its use in perfumes. Ethyl butanoate is an ester of ethanol and 1-butanoic cid. It is has a pleasant, pineapple aroma and is thus used in perfumes and food flavours. It is also used in the manufacture of rum.

2.

Which one of the following acids withdraws calcium from bones and is therefore very dangerous? 1 2 3 4 5 Sulphuric acid Hypochloric acid Hydrofluoric acid Super acid Nitric acid.

Answer:

Wikipedia

Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is a highly corrosive solution of hydrogen fluoride in water. Gaseous hydrogen fluoride is sometimes called anhydrous hydrofluoric acid. Hydrofluoric acid is a very toxic and corrosive acid. Hydrofluoric acid is notoriously known to dissolve glass (SiO2). Consequently, it must be stored in polyethylene or Teflon containers. It is also unique in its ability to dissolve almost all inorganic metal and semimetal oxides. In the body, hydrofluoric acid reacts with the ubiquitous ions of calcium and magnesium and so can disable tissues and organs whose proper function depends on these metal ions. Bones, rich in calcium as hydroxyapatite, suffer too.

Sulfuric acid (British English: sulphuric acid), H2SO4, is a strong mineral acid. It is soluble in water at all concentrations. It was once known as Zayt al-Zaj, or oil of vitriol, coined by the 8th-century Alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan, the chemical's probable discoverer. Sulfuric acid has many applications, and is produced in greater amounts than any other chemical besides water. Principal uses include ore processing, fertilizer manufacturing, oil refining, wastewater processing, and chemical synthesis. Sulfuric acid is produced from sulfur, oxygen and water via the contact process.

Nitric acid (HNO3), otherwise known as aqua fortis or spirit of nitre, is a colourless, corrosive liquid, a toxic acid which can cause severe burns. If the solution contains more than 86% nitric acid, it is referred to as fuming nitric acid, and can be separated into two kinds of fuming acids, white fuming nitric acid and red fuming nitric acid. Nitric acid is a monoprotic acid because there is only one dissociation. Commercial production of nitric acid is via the Ostwald process after Wilhelm Ostwald.

3.

Alfred Nobel was famous for his discovery of

1 2 3 4 5

dynamite penicillin the telephone the lift/elevator radioactive radiation

Answer:

Wikipedia

Alfred Bernhard Nobel (October 21, 1833, Stockholm, Sweden December 10, 1896, Sanremo, Italy) was a Swedish chemist, engineer, armaments manufacturer and the inventor of dynamite. He owned Bofors, a major armaments manufacturer, which he had redirected from its previous role as an iron and steel mill. In his last will, he used his enormous fortune to institute the Nobel Prizes. The synthetic element Nobelium was named after him. Penicillin (sometimes abbreviated PCN) refers to a group of -lactam antibiotics used in the treatment of bacterial infections caused by susceptible, usually Gram-positive, organisms. The serendipitous discovery of penicillin is usually attributed to Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming in 1928, though others had earlier noted the antibacterial effects of Penicillium. The chemical structure of penicillin was determined by Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin in the early 1940s, enabling synthetic production. A team of Oxford research scientists led by Australian Howard Walter Florey and including Ernst Boris Chain and Norman Heatley discovered a method of mass producing the drug. Florey and Chain shared the 1945 Nobel Prize in medicine and physiology with Fleming for this work. Penicillin has since become the most widely used antibiotic to date and is still used for many Gram-positive bacterial infections. The telephone was invented by Alexander Grahambell, among others. The elevator came through modernisation of rope/chain hoists and radioactive radiation discovered by Henri Becquerel.

4.

Which one of the following minerals was named Fools Gold? 1 2 3 4 5 Platinum Quartz Chromite Pyrites Calcite

Answer:

Wikipedia

The mineral pyrite, or iron pyrite, is iron disulfide, FeS2. It has isometric crystals that usually appear as cubes. Its metallic lustre and pale-to-normal brass-yellow hue have earned it the nickname fool's gold, but ironically, small quantities of actual gold are sometimes found in pyrite. In fact, such auriferous pyrite is a valuable ore of gold. Pyrite is the most common of the sulfide minerals. It is usually found associated with other sulfides or oxides in quartz veins, sedimentary rock and metamorphic rock, as well as in coal beds, and as the replacement mineral in fossils. Pyrite exposed to the environment during mining and excavation reacts with oxygen and water to form sulfuric acid, resulting in acid mine drainage. This results from the action of Thiobacillus bacteria, which generate their energy by using oxygen to oxidize ferrous iron (Fe2+) to ferric iron (Fe3+). The ferric iron in turn reacts with pyrite to produce ferrous iron and sulfuric acid. Platinum (from the Spanish name for silver, platina) is the transition metal and element number 78 in the Periodic Table. A heavy, malleable, ductile, precious, grey-white transition metal, platinum is resistant to corrosion and occurs in some nickel and copper ores along with some native deposits. Platinum is used in jewellery, laboratory equipment, electrical contacts, dentistry, and automobile emissions control devices. Platinum possesses remarkable resistance to chemical attack, excellent high-temperature characteristics, and stable electrical properties. Quartz is one of the most common minerals in the Earth's continental crust. It has a hexagonal crystal structure made of trigonal crystallized silica (silicon dioxide, SiO2), with a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale. Quartz is a common constituent of granite, sandstone, limestone, and many other igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Chromite, iron magnesium chromium oxide: (Fe,Mg)Cr2O4, is an oxide mineral belonging to the spinel group. Magnesium is always present in variable amounts, also aluminium and iron substitute for chromium. Chromite is found in peridotite and other layered ultramafic intrusive rocks and also found in metamorphic rocks such as serpentinites. Ore deposits of chromite form as early magmatic differentiates. It is commonly associated with olivine, magnetite, serpentine, and corundum. The vast Bushveld igneous complex of South Africa is a large layered mafic to ultramafic igneous body with some layers consisting of 90% chromite making the rare rock type, chromitite. Chromite is the chief ore of chromium. The carbonate mineral calcite is a calcium carbonate corresponding to the formula CaCO3 and is one of the most widely distributed minerals on the Earth's surface. It is a common constituent of sedimentary rocks, limestone in particular. It is also the primary mineral in metamorphic marble. It also occurs as a vein mineral in deposits from hot springs, and also occurs in caverns as stalactites and stalagmites. Calcite is often the primary constituent of the shells of marine organisms, e.g., plankton (such as coccoliths and planktic foraminifera), the hard parts of red algae, some sponges, brachiopoda, echinoderms, most bryozoa,

and parts of the shells of some bivalves, such as oysters and rudists). Calcite represents the stable form of calcium carbonate; aragonite will change to calcite at 470 C.

5.

At a height of 500 km above the earths crust the atmosphere consists of

1 2 3 4 5

mainly nitrogen gas a mixture of nitrogen and oxygen gas helium and neon gas positive and negative ions, free electrons, neutral atoms and molecules a vacuum.

Answer:

Encyclopaedia Britannica

Earths atmosphere is a layer of gases surrounding the planet Earth and retained by the Earth's gravity. The atmosphere extends from the surface of the Earth to heights of thousands of kilometres, where it gradually merges with the solar wind. The composition of the atmosphere as measured by its mean density (the average mass per unit volume) is more or less constant with height to altitudes of about 100 kilometres. This state of approximate uniformity arises as a result of motion and as a consequence of the high frequency with which molecules of a particular species are involved in collisions with their neighbours. A representative oxygen molecule, O2, for example, encounters a nitrogen molecule, N2, on average once every 10-9 second at the surface. Even at heights of 100 kilometres, where the density of air molecules is much lower, the encounter time is still comparatively brief, about 10-3 second. A force imparted to one molecule is rapidly transferred to all.

The atmosphere tends to behave as though it were composed of a single molecular species with an effective molecular mass set by its mean composition. The bulk of the lower atmosphere is composed of N2 and O2, with relative abundances of, respectively, 0.78 and 0.21, based on the average number of molecules present in a representative volume of air. The mass of the hypothetical mean molecule of the lower atmosphere is 28.97 atomic units (one atomic unit corresponds to the mass of a hydrogen atom, 1.66 10-24 gram). This value is intermediate between that of N2 (28 atomic units) and that of O2 (32 atomic units) and reflects the presence in the atmosphere of trace quantities of water (18 atomic units), argon (40 atomic units), carbon dioxide (44 atomic units), and other less abundant compounds as well. The collisional interaction between individual molecules becomes progressively less efficient at altitudes above 100 kilometres. Molecules begin to experience a force of gravity proportional to their individual molecular masses. Heavy gases are bound more closely to the Earth, whereas lighter gases are free to float higher. The average molecular mass of the atmosphere therefore declines steadily with increasing altitude. Atomic oxygen is more abundant

than N2 above about 160 kilometres. In turn, atomic oxygen gives way to helium above 600 kilometres, and hydrogen is the major constituent at altitudes higher than 1,000 kilometres. The region above 100 kilometres is referred to as the heterosphere, a name intended to emphasize the importance of the change in composition as a function of altitude. In the same vein, the region lower than 100 kilometres was given the name homosphere. 6. Fritz Haber, after whom the Haber process has been named, meant a great deal to his country (Germany) during the First World War. By making use of the ammonia synthesis reaction it was possible to produce cheap explosives. After the war, he again tried to apply his knowledge to serve his country but he was unsuccessful. He 1 2 tried to develop a new kind of fertilizer to help the ailing agriculture tried to develop the Haber process for the production of ammonia to make the process even more effective 3 4 5 tried to extricate gold from sea water to help pay for the post-war damages became involved in the development of the first atomic bomb became involved in the production of synthetic fabrics.

Answer:

Wikipedia

Fritz Haber (9 December 1868 29 January 1934) was a German chemist, who received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1918 for his development of synthetic ammonia, important for fertilizers and explosives. He is also credited as the "father of chemical warfare" for his work developing and deploying chlorine and other poison gases during World War I; this role is thought to have provoked his wife to commit suicide. Despite his contributions to the German war effort, Haber was forced to emigrate from Germany in 1933 by the Nazis because of his Jewish background; many of his relatives were killed by the Nazis in concentration camps, possibly by another of his creations, Zyklon B. He died in the process of emigration.

7.

Pure water has a pH of 7.5, but the pH of rainwater is supposed to be more or less 5.6. In North-eastern America, the pH in the past number of years was down to 4.5. The rain does damage to amongst others, the environment, buildings and statues. The following are the possible causes of acid rain:

A B

Free CO2 in the atmosphere dissolves in water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3) Nitrogen monoxide (NO) forms during electric storms when N2 and O2 react with each other. The NO the reacts with O2 to form NO2, which dissolves in rain, water to produce nitric acid (HNO3)

NO(g) is a product of high temperature combustion, as in car engines an power plants. It reacts with oxygen in the air to form nitric acid when the NO2 dissolves in water

SO2(g) is produced when sulphur-rich coal combusts and eventually leads via the formation of sulfur trioxide in the presence of oxygen to the production of sulphuric acid

Which of the above named causes is in truth responsible for acid rain?

1 2 3 4 5

A, B and C A, C and D A, B, C and D A and D B and C

Answer:

Wikipedia

Acid precipitation (or acid rain) occurs when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are emitted into the atmosphere, undergo chemical transformations and are absorbed by water droplets in clouds. The droplets then fall to earth as rain, snow, or sleet. Acid rain is defined as any type of precipitation with a pH that is unusually low. Dissolved carbon dioxide dissociates to form weak carbonic acid giving a pH of approximately 5.6 at typical atmospheric concentrations of CO2. Therefore a pH of <5.6 has sometimes been used as a definition of acid rain. However, natural sources of acidity mean that in remote areas, rain has a pH which is between 4.5 and 5.6 with an average value of 5.0 and so rain with a pH <5 is a more appropriate definition.

10

8.

Who was responsible for the drawing up of the Periodic Table? 1 2 3 4 5 Niels Bohr Dmitri Mendeleev Ernest Rutherford Wolfgang Pauli Werner Heisenberg

Answer:

Wikipedia

Dmitri Mendeleev was born in Tobolsk, Siberia, to Ivan Pavlovich Mendeleev and Maria Dmitrievna Mendeleeva (nee Kornilieva). Mendeleev became Professor of Chemistry at the Saint Petersburg Technological Institute and the University of St. Petersburg in 1863, achieved tenure in 1867, and by 1871 had transformed St. Petersburg into an internationally recognized centre for chemistry research. Mendeleev crater on the Moon, as well as element number 101, the radioactive mendelevium, are named after him. Mendeleev, after becoming a teacher, wrote the definitive two-volume textbook at that time: Principles of Chemistry (1868-1870). As he attempted to classify the elements according to their chemical properties, he noticed patterns that led him to postulate his Periodic Table. By adding additional elements following this pattern, he developed his version of the Periodic Table. On March 6, 1869, Mendeleev made a formal presentation to the Russian Chemical Society, entitled The Dependence Between the Properties of the Atomic Weights of the Elements, which described elements according to both weight and valence.

Aage Niels Bohr (born June 19, 1922 in Copenhagen) is a Danish physicist and the son of Margrethe and Niels Bohr. Growing up among physicists like Wolfgang Pauli and Werner Heisenberg, he became a notable nuclear physicist in his own right, being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1975. In 1946 he became an associate at the Niels Bohr Institute of Theoretical Physics at the University of Copenhagen. He served as the director of the institute from 1963 to 1970. In 1948 Bohr worked with Ben Mottelson and Leo James Rainwater in Copenhagen to summarize the current knowledge of nuclear structure in a monograph. The first volume, Single-Particle Motion, appeared in 1969, and the second volume, Nuclear Deformations, in 1975. Their efforts on this project and their collaboration on nuclear theory led all three of them to receive the 1975 Nobel Prize in Physics, for research on the quantum mechanical description of nucleons orbiting inside an oscillating rotating droplet. Ernest Rutherford, 1st Baron Rutherford of Nelson, OM, PC, FRS (August 30, 1871 October 19, 1937), was a nuclear physicist from New Zealand. He was known as the "father" of nuclear physics,

11

pioneered the orbital theory of the atom, notably in his discovery of Rutherford scattering off the nucleus with the gold foil experiment. Wolfgang Ernst Pauli (April 25, 1900 December 15, 1958) was an Austrian physicist noted for his work on the theory of spin, and in particular the discovery of the Exclusion principle, which underpins the whole of chemistry. The German annexation of Austria in 1938 made him a German citizen, which became a difficulty with the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. Pauli moved to the United States in 1940, where he was Professor of Theoretical Physics at Princeton. After the end of the war, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1946 before returning to Zurich, where he mostly remained for the rest of his life. Also in 1945, he received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his "decisive contribution through his discovery in 1925 of a new law of Nature, the exclusion principle or Pauli principle." He had been nominated for the prize by Einstein.

Werner Karl Heisenberg (December 5, 1901 February 1, 1976) was a celebrated German physicist and Nobel laureate, one of the founders of quantum mechanics, and acknowledged to be one of the most important physicists of the twentieth century. He is most well-known for discovering the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, one of the central principles of modern physics. In his book The 100, Michael H. Hart ranks Heisenberg as the 46th most influential person in history.

9.

On the Periodic Table there are only two elements, which, in their natural form at room temperature, are pure liquids (radioactive elements excluded). They are

1 2 3 4 5

iodine and bromine mercury and iodine bromine and mercury mercury and lead bromine and lead

12

Answer: The answer should be easy after studying the colour-coded Periodic Table below. Carefully note the legend.

10.

Which gases in excess in the atmosphere are mainly responsible for global warming? 1 2 3 4 5 N2, CO2 and H2O O3, N2O and H2S H2O, CO2, CCl2F2 and CH4 O3, H2O and CO2 CCl2F2, O3, O2 and CO2 Wikipedia and Encyclopaedia Britannica

Answer:

Global warming is the observed increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans in recent decades. The Earth's average near-surface atmospheric temperature rose 0.6 0.2 Celsius (1.1 0.4 Fahrenheit) in the 20th century. The prevailing scientific opinion on climate change is that "most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities". The major natural

13

greenhouse gases are water vapor, which causes about 36-70% of the greenhouse effect on Earth (not including clouds); carbon dioxide, which causes 9-26%; methane, which causes 4-9%, and ozone, which causes 3-7%. Note that it is not really possible to assert that a certain gas causes a certain percentage of the greenhouse effect, because the influences of the various gases are not additive. (The higher ends of the ranges quoted are for the gas alone; the lower ends, for the gas counting overlaps.) Other greenhouse gases include, but are not limited to, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons (see IPCC list of greenhouse gases). The major atmospheric constituents (N2 and O2) are not greenhouse gases, because homonuclear diatomic molecules (e.g. N2, O2, H2) do not emit in the infrared as there is no net change in the dipole moment of these molecules.

11.

What are the three main groups of fossil fuels?

1 2 3 4 5

Alcohols, coal and natural gas Petrol, coal and methane gas Oil, coal and butane gas Coal, oil and natural gas Sunflower oil, hydrogen gas and wood

Answer:

Encyclopaedia Britannica

A fossil fuel is any of a class of materials of biological origin occurring within the Earth's crust that can be used as a source of energy. Fossil fuels include coal, natural gas, petroleum, shale oil, and bitumen. They all contain carbon and were formed as a result of geologic processes from the remains of organic matter produced by photosynthesis hundreds of millions of years ago. All fossil fuels can be burned with air or with oxygen derived from the air to provide heat. This heat may be employed directly, as in the case of a home furnace, or utilized to produce steam with which to drive a turbo generator so that it can supply electricity. In still other cases, as, for example, gas turbines used in jet aircraft, the heat yielded by burning a fossil fuel can serve to increase both the pressure and the temperature of the combustion products to furnish motive power. 12. In the late 1980s scientists like Louis Ignarro found that a well known gas, liberated by nitroglycerine, helps in the treatment of heart diseases like angina. It was also found that the gas acts as a neuro-transmitter in the brain, that it regulates blood pressure and controls the flow of blood to different organs. This gas is

14

1 2 3 4 5

nitrogen dioxide nitrogen monoxide dinitrogen oxide ammonia dinitrogen tetroxide

Answer:

Wikipedia

The chemical compound nitric oxide is a gas with chemical formula NO. It is an important signalling molecule in the body of mammals including humans, one of the few gaseous signalling molecules known. It is also a toxic air pollutant produced by automobile engines and power plants. Nitric oxide (NO) should not be confused with nitrous oxide (N2O), a general anaesthetic, or with nitrogen dioxide (NO2) which is another poisonous air pollutant. The nitric oxide molecule is a free radical, which makes it very reactive and unstable. In air, it quickly reacts with oxygen to form the poisonous nitrogen dioxide. Nitric oxide is a selective pulmonary vasodilator. It is inhaled as a gas in concentrations of 1 to 80 parts per million as a therapy for hypoxemia (low blood oxygen levels) of the newborn. Other common but unapproved uses are for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in children and adults. Because of its production in allergic reactions, there is research on using levels of exhaled nitric oxide testing to optimize treatment of asthma.

Nitrogen dioxide is the chemical compound NO2. It is one of several nitrogen oxides (NOx). This orange/brown gas has a characteristic sharp, biting odour. NO2 is one of the most prominent air pollutants and a poison by inhalation.

Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula NH3. At standard temperature and pressure, ammonia is a gas. It is toxic and corrosive to some materials, and has a characteristic pungent odour. Ammonia used commercially is called anhydrous ammonia to distinguish it from ammonium hydroxide solution, which is household ammonia. The main uses of ammonia are in the production of fertilizers, explosives and polymers. It is also an ingredient in certain household glass cleaners. Industrially, ammonia is produced through the Haber process. The Haber Process (also Haber-Bosch process) is the reaction of nitrogen and hydrogen to produce ammonia. Dinitrogen tetroxide, N2O4, is a dimer of NO2 at low temperatures.

15

13.

Identify the chemical element Sn 1 2 3 4 5 zinc strontium tin cyanide thallium

Answer: Study the Periodic Table given earlier and make sure you remember the symbols and names. Not all elements have their symbols derived from their English names. Some of them were named from Latin or Greek, hence, for example, K (kalium) for potassium and Sn from the Latin word stannum. Of the five possible answers, only cyanide (CN-) is not an element but a molecular ion (negatively charged thus anion).

14.

Which one of the following empirical formulas is written correctly? 1 2 3 4 5 PbNO3 Pb2NO3 Pb(NO3)2 Pb3NO2 Pb(NO2)2

Answer: In deciding on the answer, remember to look at the positive ion, if an element, recall its common oxidation states then look at the negative ion. If it is a molecular ion, work out its charge based on common oxidation sates of its constituents based on their group numbers. Thus, the answer to the above question is as follows: The element lead (Pb) is metal and is in the same group as carbon. Thus, it adopts the same oxidation state as carbon (4+). However, much heavier and larger than carbon, the other two electrons of lead are sometimes not involved in bonding but instead remain as a lone pair and giving lead another oxidation state (2+). This is referred to as the inert pair effect. On the basis of this information alone, it is clear that answers 1 and 5 are incorrect since they suggest an oxidation number of +1 for lead.

The nitrate anion (negative ion) has an overall charge of -1. This is because nitrogen, being in group 5, period 2, has up to 5 electrons to use in bonding with more electronegative atoms. Oxygen on the other hand, has 2 electrons short of an octet structure. Of the three oxygen atoms bonding to nitrogen in forming

16

the nitrate anion, only two will obtain enough electrons to attain octet structure. The third oxygen atom will have one electron and will carry the -1 charge. Thus, to work out the correct answer of the remaining three, possible answer 2 is wrong because it suggests that lead carries half a positive charge to neutralise a nitrate anion.

The final answer requires background knowledge on NO2. This is not an anion but a neutral molecule with an unpaired electron (radical). Thus, possible answer 4 (and 5) are wrong. This leaves only three as the safest option and on the basis of the inert pair effect, it is indeed correct (lead carries a charge of +2 and requires two nitrate anions, each with charge -1 to form the neutral salt lead(II) nitrate.

15.

One of the following chemical reactions will not be spontaneous. Which one? Ag + CuSO4 Mg + ZnSO4 Al + CuSO4 Fe + AgNO3 Ca + CuCl2

1 2 3 4 5

Answer: All these reactions, if they were to occur, would be redox reactions. The standard reduction potentials for all the metals involved are: Cu2+ + 2e- Cu +0.337 V Ag+ +e- Ag Mg + 2e Mg-2.37 V Zn2+ + 2e- Zn -0.763 V Al3+ + 3e- Al Fe + 2e Fe
2+ 2+ 2+ -

+0.7991 V

-1.66 V -0.44 V

Ca + 2e Ca +0.337 V Taking the first option, the reaction that would occur would be: 2Ag + CuSO4 Ag2SO4 + Cu Silver has been oxidised from its metallic/elemental state (oxidation sate zero) to Ag+. Copper on the other hand was reduced from Cu2+ to Cu (element/metal). Cu2+ + 2e- Cu +0.337 V (reduced) 2Ag 2Ag+ +2e-0.7991 V (oxidised, thus we reversed the reaction as given in the table

and changed its sign of reduction potential. We did not multiply it by 2 even though 2 moles of silver are involved!)

17

The overall cell potential is:

Ecell = Eox + Ered = -0.7991 + 0.337 = -0.4621V A spontaneous reaction has Ecell that is positive. This is because a spontaneous reaction must have negative standard Gibbs free energy (G < 0). G = -nFEcell -2 mol 96.485 kJ V-1 mol-1 -0.4621 V = +89.171 kJ. THIS IS NOT SPONTANEOUS!

Using the same reasoning, try and do the calculations for the other 4 options. You will find all of them to be spontaneous (positive Ecell values!)

16.

The electron configuration of a certain element can be represented as 1s2, 2s2 2p6, 3s2 3p4. The period, group number and ionic charge of the element are

PERIOD 1 2 3 4 5 3 3 3 4 4

GROUP 4 6 4 3 3

CHARGE 4+ 22+ 3+ 3-

Answer: Invalid question, no correct answer! Electron configuration tells us the total number of electrons that are there in the atom (neutral, cationic or anionic!). On the basis of this, we have 16 electrons. If this species was neutral (zero charge), it would be element no 16, which is Sulfur. No answer contains zero charge (right column in table). If this species was in period 3 (the one that spans the elements sodium to argon) and group 4, it would demand that this be Si. To have 16 electrons in total, Si will have to gain 2 electrons to become Si2- However, the charge given (+4), which means four electrons were lost, makes option 1 wrong. If the species was in period 3, group 6, it would demand that this be S in the neutral form. However, the charge given is -2, which means two electrons were acquired, thus option 2 is also wrong! If the species was in period 3, group 4 (Si), it would require an additional 2 electrons, demanding a charge of -2. Option 3 is also wrong on the basis of the given charge. If the species was in period 4 (spanning the elements potassium to krypton) and in group 3, it would demand to be gallium (Ga, element no 31, with 31 electrons in the neutral state). However, to have a

18

total of 16 electrons as given in the electron configuration, Ga will have to lose 15 electrons to be Ga15+! The given charge renders option 4 also incorrect. On this basis, option 5 is also incorrect.

17.

The pressure and volume of a dry gas in a closed container is p and V. The pressure on the gas is now doubled whilst the temperature is kept constant. The volume of the gas is now 1 2 3 4 5 V 2V V/2 4/V Cannot be calculated because the temperature is unknown

Answer: From the ideal gas equation PV = nRT, the relation between Pressure and Volume at constant Temperature (n is the no of moles and R the universal gas constant) is inversely proportion; P=

nRT

Thus, if Pressure is doubled, the Volume must decrease to half the original.

18.

The behaviour of any gas approaches that of an ideal gas under conditions of

1 2 3 4 5 Answer:

high pressure and low temperature high pressure and high temperature low pressure and low temperature low pressure and high temperature standard pressure and temperature

According to the kinetic molecular theory, ideal gas molecules are so small that they can be regarded as having no volume and do not attract each other. Real gases approximate this behaviour at low pressures and elevated temperatures.

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19.

The volume of 1.2 1024 O2 gas molecules at standard temperature and pressure is 1 2 3 4 5 22.4 dm3 32 dm3 1.2 dm3 22.7 dm3 44.8 dm3

Answer: The volume occupied by 1 mole of any gas at standard temperature (0.00 C, 273.15 K) and pressure (1 atmosphere, 760 mmHg, 101.325 kPa) is 22.4 litres (cubic decimetres, dm3). A mole of any substance is that amount of substance that contains Avogadros number (6.0221367 1023) of atoms, molecules or ions.

To calculate the number of moles of O2 we divide the given number of molecules by Avogadros number: n=

1.2 10 molecules

24

6.0221367

10 molecules. mol

23

n = 1.99 moles (or roughly 2) Therefore, we have two moles of Oxygen gas which at STP must occupy 2 22.4 L = 44.8 dm3

20.

The percentage nitrogen in ammonium nitrate is (the relative atomic mass of N is 14; H is 1 and O is 16) 1 2 3 4 5 17.5% 35% 29.6% 42.9% 22.2%

Answer: The chemical formula for ammonium nitrate is NH4NO3. The molar mass of this compound is (2 14) for nitrogens + (4 1) for hydrogens + (16 3) for oxygens: M = 28+4+48 = 80 g.mol-1 (grams per mol.)

20

The percentage nitrogen is the mass of all nitrogens as a fraction of the molar mass:

%N = 28/80 100 = 35%.

21.

A chemical reaction is exothermic when 1 2 3 4 5 the activation energy is more than the heat of reaction the activation energy is negative the heat of reaction is positive energy has to be added to the system continuously the products are at a lower energy level than the reactants

Answer: If the products are at a lower energy level than the reactants, the difference in energy will be given off as heat. This is an exothermic reaction. The other 4 possible answers are wrong, based on the definition of the concepts below. Heat of Reaction is the amount of heat that must be added or removed during a chemical reaction in order to keep all of the substances present at the same temperature. If the pressure in the vessel containing the reacting system is kept at a constant value, the measured heat of reaction also represents the change in the thermodynamic quantity called enthalpy, or heat content, accompanying the processi.e., the difference between the enthalpy of the substances present at the end of the reaction and the enthalpy of the substances present at the start of the reaction. Thus, the heat of reaction determined at constant pressure is also designated the enthalpy of reaction, represented by the symbol DH. If the heat of reaction is positive, the reaction is said to be endothermic; if negative, exothermic. Activation energy is the minimum amount of energy that is required to activate atoms or molecules to a condition in which they can undergo chemical transformation or physical transport. In terms of the transition-state theory (q.v.), the activation energy is the difference in energy content between atoms or molecules in an activated or transition-state configuration and the corresponding atoms and molecules in their initial configuration. The activation energy is usually represented by the symbol Ea in mathematical expressions for such quantities as the reaction-rate constant, k = Aexp(-Ea/RT), and the diffusion coefficient, D = Doexp(-Ea/RT). Activation energies are determined from experimental rate constants or diffusion coefficients that are measured at different temperatures. Activation energy cannot be negative!

21

In the Arrhenius equation, the activation energy (E) represents the minimum amount of energy required to transform reactants into products in a chemical reaction. On a potential energy curve, the value of the activation energy is equivalent to the difference in potential energy between particles in an intermediate configuration (known as the activated complex, or transition state) and particles of reactants in their initial state. The activation energy thus can be visualized as a barrier that must be overcome by reactants before products can be formed. 22. The forces between molecules of CO2 in dry ice are very weak. Dry ice sublimes (goes directly from the solid phase to the gas phase). Which of the following statements give an explanation for this phenomenon? A B C D The molecules of CO2 are symmetrical The CO2 molecules have no poles The forces between the molecules are London forces The atoms in the molecules are bound by polar covalent bonds

1 2 3 4 5 Answer:

A, B, C and D A, B and C A, C and D B and C Only A

The carbon dioxide molecule (O=C=O) contains two double bonds and has a linear shape. It has no electrical dipole. As it is fully oxidized, it is not very reactive and, in particular, not flammable. At temperatures below 78 C, carbon dioxide changes directly from a gas to a white solid called dry ice

22

through a process called deposition. Liquid carbon dioxide forms only at pressures above 5.1 atmospheres; at atmospheric pressure, it passes directly between the solid phase and the gaseous phase in a process called sublimation.

Polar bonds have a positive end (+) and a negative end (-). We say these bonds possess a dipole, a separation of charge. The extent of polarity of a molecule is measured by its dipole moment. Molecules that contain two or more polar bonds may or may not be polar, depending on their molecular geometry. If the bonds in a molecule are arranged such that their dipoles cancel, then the molecule is non-polar. This is the situation with CO2; each of the bonds is polar but the molecule as a whole is non-polar. The bond polarities cancel because they are pointed in opposite directions. In their bulk (as liquids or solids), non-polar molecules such as those of CO2 are held only by weak intermolecular interactions.

23.

Water boils 1 2 3 4 5 Always at 100 C when the water starts to evaporate when the surface tension is a maximum when the cohesive forces are equal to the adhesive forces when the vapour pressure above the water equals the atmospheric pressure

Answer:

Encyclopaedia Britannica and Wikipedia

Boiling is the rapid vaporization of a liquid, which typically occurs when a liquid is heated to a temperature such that its vapor pressure is above that of the surroundings, such as air pressure. Thus, a liquid may also boil when the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere is sufficiently reduced, such as the use of a vacuum pump or at high altitudes. Boiling occurs in three characteristic stages, which are nucleate, transition and film boiling. These stages generally take place from low to high surface temperatures, respectively.

The boiling point of a substance is the temperature at which it can change its state from a liquid to a gas throughout the bulk of the liquid at a given pressure. A liquid may change to a gas at temperatures below the boiling point through the process of evaporation. Any change of state from a liquid to a gas is considered vaporization. However, evaporation is a surface phenomenon, in which only molecules located near the gas/liquid surface could evaporate. Boiling on the other hand is a bulk process, so at the boiling point molecules anywhere in the liquid may be vaporized, resulting in the formation of vapor bubbles. A

23

somewhat clearer (and perhaps more useful) definition of boiling point is "the temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid equals the pressure of the surroundings."

24.

An aqueous solution contains hydronium as well as hydroxide ions. Which one of the following graphs is the best representation of the ratio between the H3O+ and OH- ions in the solution?

H3O+

H3O+

H3O+

OH-

H3O+

H3O+

Answer: Options 1, 3 and 5 are incorrect because they all suggest an increase in the concentration of hydronium ions as the concentration of hydroxide ions increases. Neutralization reactions demand a decrease in the concentration of one species as that of the other increases. Graph 2 with x and y intercepts, suggests that there is a point where hydronium and hydroxide ion concentrations reach zero. From the definition of pH, this is not possible, the concentrations just decrease until barely detectable but they are still part of the equilibrium. Thus, the asymptotic ends of the of the graph 4 showing slower change by the concentration of one species (H3O+ or OH-) to changes in the concentration of the other, in line with reestablishment of an equilibrium, make option 4 the best choice. From the relationship between pH, pOH and the self-ionization constant of water, we know that

pH + pOH = 14 -log[H3O+] = 14 (-log[OH-])

24

25.

The pH of a basic solution decreases. A possible explanation is that A B C water has been added acid has been added more of the same basic solution has been added

Which of the above statements give/s an explanation for this decrease?

1 2 3 4 5

Only A Only B A and B A and C A, B and C

Answer:

A basic solution has pH greater than 7. It has more hydroxide ions in solution. If its pH decreases, this means the concentration of the hydroxide ions is decreased by dilution (adding more water) or by neutralisation (adding hydronium ions (acid) to react with the hydroxide ions and form water). The following are important reminders. pH is defined as the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a solution. Acids dissociate in water to give hydronium ions (H3O+) whilst bases dissociate to give hydroxide ions (OH-). Water itself, can act as both an acid as well as a base: H2O + H2O H3O+ + OHIts self-ionization constant (Kw) is given as: Kw = [H3O+][ OH-] = 1.0 10-14 (at 25 C) From the mathematical representation of pH (pH = -log[H+]), we can easily calculate the pH of acids and bases using the self ionisation constant of water. We could use pOH (pOH = -log[OH-]) for bases. However, we normally do not measure pOH values and instead calculate them from pH values based on the equation:

pH + pOH = pKw = 14.

25

26.

In the Haber process for the manufacture of ammonia in industry, the system is heated to a temperature of 400 C. N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g) This temperature causes H < 0

1 2 3 4 5

a high yield of ammonia at a slower rate a high yield of ammonia at a faster rate a low yield of ammonia at a faster rate a low yield of ammonia at a slower rate the reverse reaction not to take place at all

Answer: At 298 K, the standard free energy change for the formation of two moles of NH3(g) from the elements is G = -33.0 kJ while the standard enthalpy change is H = -92.2 kJ. The equilibrium constant is

( PNH 3 ) 2 ( PH 2 ) 3 ( PN 2 )

= K298 = e

G / RT

= 6 105

This favours the formation of ammonia on thermodynamic grounds. Unfortunately, the reaction is very slow at 298 K and temperature must be raised to speed the reaction. However, because the reaction is exothermic, an increase in temperature leads to a decrease in the equilibrium constant and therefore product yield. There is competition between thermodynamic factors (which favour a high yield of ammonia at low temperature) and kinetic factors (which favour the use of high temperature).The compromise adopted in industrial production involves a temperature of 700 to 900 K. Under these conditions, product yield is greatly reduced. To increase it, pressure is increased (an increase in pressure favours products because two moles of product gas are produced from four moles of reactant gases). At a total pressure of 200 atm, the reaction yields 15 to 30 % of the ammonia that would be produced by complete consumption of the reactants. The rate of reaction is increased by using a catalyst. The ammonia produced in liquefied to separate it from unreacted nitrogen and hydrogen which are then recycled.

27.

Which one of the following salts will, when dissolved in water, have a pH of less than 7? 1 2 3 4 5 Na2CO3 (NH4)2SO4 (NH4)2CO3 Na2SO4 NaCl

26

Answer: A pH of less than 7 means the solution is acidic. This means the salt ionised to give hydronium ions in solution. An acidic salt results from reaction of a weak base to a strong acid. Adding a strong base to a weak acid gives a basic salt i.e., the salt ionises to give hydroxide ions in solution. When you mix stoichiometric amounts of a weak acid and a weak base, you can never predict the pH of the resultant salt solution!

1 Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3,the active ingredient in washing powder!) results from reaction of sodium hydroxide (NaOH, a strong base, i.e. it ionises completely in water) and carbonic acid (H2CO3, a weak acid formed by dissolving carbon dioxide gas in water, it ionises only partly in water and it is what gives Coca Cola and other sodas the fizz): 2NaOH + H2CO3 Na2CO3 + H2O

pH > 7 (basic)

The salt thus formed ionises in water to give hydroxide ions as follows: (i) Na2CO3 + H2O 2Na+ + CO32- + H2O (ii) CO32-(aq) + H2O HCO3-(aq) + OH-(aq) (These hydroxide ions make the pH > 7!) 2 Ammonium sulphate comes from reaction of ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH, a weak base) and sulphuric acid (H2SO4, a strong acid). The result is an acidic salt solution as follows: (i) 2NH4OH + H2SO4 (NH4)2SO4 + 2H2O (ii) (NH4)2SO4 + H2O 2NH4+(aq) + SO42-(aq) (iii) NH4+ + H2O NH3 + H3O+ (these hydronium ions makes pH < 7!) 3 Ammonium carbonate (NH4)2CO3) results from a weak base (NH4OH, ammonium hydroxide) and a weak acid (H2CO3, carbonic acid). We cannot predict the pH! 2NH4OH + H2CO3 (NH4)2CO3 + 2H2O 4 Sodium sulphate (Na2SO4) results from reaction of a strong base (NaOH, sodium hydroxide) and a strong acid (H2SO4). The pH of the resultant salt solution is neutral (pH = 7), 2NaOH + H2 SO4 Na2SO4 + 2H2O pH = 7 (neutral)

5 Sodium chloride (NaCl, table salt) also results from addition of a strong base (NaOH) and a strong acid (hydrochloric acid, HCl). The solution will be neutral. NaOH + HCl NaCl + H2O pH = 7 (neutral)

27

28.

C23H48 is the molecular formula for a well-known compound. Select the best match for this compound from the table below.

Group 1 2 3 4 5 Alkanes Alkenes Alkanes Alkenes Alkanols

Common name Petroleum jelly Grease Candle wax Sunflower oil Glycerine

Answer: The given molecular formula conforms to the general alkane formula CnH2n+2. Alkanes, also commonly called paraffins, are any of the saturated hydrocarbons having the general formula CnH2n+2, C being a carbon atom, H a hydrogen atom, and n an integer. The paraffins are major constituents of natural gas and petroleum. Paraffins containing fewer than 5 carbon atoms per molecule are usually gaseous at room temperature, those having 5 to 15 carbon atoms are usually liquids of varying viscosities, and the straightchain paraffins having more than 15 carbon atoms per molecule are solids. Branched-chain paraffins have a much higher octane number rating than straight-chain paraffins and, therefore, are the more desirable constituents of gasoline. The hydrocarbons are immiscible with water but are soluble in absolute alcohol, ether, and acetone. All paraffins are colourless.

29.

The following graph is drawn for the rate at which a certain reaction takes place. The reactants are placed in the reaction vessel; the system is closed and is allowed to react. The forward reaction is endothermic.

Rate

T1

T2

Time

28

What happens at time T1 and at time T2?

T1 1 2 Equilibrium is reached

T2 The temperature is decreased

The reverse reaction starts taking The temperature is increased place

The forward and reverse reactions are The temperature is decreased equal

The reverse and forward reactions The temperature is increased take place at the same rate

Equilibrium is reached

The concentration of the reactants is increased

Answer: Between T1 and T2, the reaction rate does not change with time. This means equilibrium has been reached. At T2, the reaction rate suddenly shoots up. This is an indication of disturbance of the equilibrium and in line with Le Charteliers principle; the system eventually establishes a new equilibrium. If the disturbance introduced at T2 was a temperature increase, the reaction rate would not suddenly rise but gradually do so in line with the vant Hoff equation

K H 1 1 ln( 2 ) = [ ] K1 R T2 T1
o

Thus, this disturbance can only be due to an increase in the concentration of reactants.

30.

The menisci of liquids differ. The meniscus of mercury is the inverse of that of water.

Mercury

W ater

29

The reason for this phenomenon is that

A B C D

the adhesive forces in water are bigger than the cohesive forces mercurys cohesive forces are bigger than the adhesive forces the surface tension of mercury is bigger than that of water the viscosity of mercury is bigger than that of water

Which of the above statements give the best reasons for this phenomenon?

1 2 3 4 5

A, B, C and D A, B and C A, B and D C and D A and B

Answer:

Because mercury atoms are held together by strong metallic bonds (mercury is a metal and in its liquid form, atoms are held together by very strong cohesive forces), they cling to each other more tightly than any other liquid and do not have much preponderance to adhere to surfaces (weak adhesive forces), hence the observed shape of the meniscus. Water molecules on the other hand are held by relatively weak hydrogen bonds and have a tendency to adhere to surfaces, hence the observed shape of the meniscus. Thus, both A and B are correct. Options C and D are true statements but have nothing to do with the observed shapes on meniscuses! Surface tension is a property of a liquid surface displayed by its acting as if it were a stretched elastic membrane. This phenomenon can be observed in the nearly spherical shape of small drops of liquids and of soap bubbles. Because of this property, certain insects can stand on the surface of water. A razor blade also can be supported by the surface tension of water. The razor blade is not floating: if pushed through the surface, it sinks through the water. Surface tension depends mainly upon the forces of attraction between the particles within the given liquid (cohesive forces) and also upon the gas, solid, or liquid in contact with it. The molecules in a drop of water, for example, attract each other weakly. Water molecules well inside the drop may be thought of as being attracted equally in all directions by the surrounding molecules. However, if surface molecules could be displaced slightly outward from the surface, they would be attracted back by the nearby molecules. The energy responsible for the phenomenon of surface tension may be thought of as approximately equivalent to the work or energy required to remove the surface layer of molecules in a unit area. Surface tension may be expressed, therefore, in units of energy (joules) per unit area (square metres). Water has a surface tension of 0.07275 joule per square metre at 20 C (68 F). In

30

comparison, organic liquids, such as benzene and alcohols, have lower surface tensions, whereas mercury has a higher surface tension. An increase in temperature lowers the net force of attraction among molecules and hence decreases surface tension. Surface tension is also viewed as the result of forces acting in the plane of the surface and tending to minimize its area. On this basis, surface tension is often expressed as an amount of force exerted in the surface perpendicular to a line of unit length. The unit then is newtons per metre, which is equivalent to joules per square metre.

Viscosity is resistance of a fluid (liquid or gas) to a change in shape, or movement of neighbouring portions relative to one another. Viscosity denotes opposition to flow. The reciprocal of the viscosity is called the fluidity, a measure of the ease of flow. Molasses, for example, has a greater viscosity than water. Because part of a fluid that is forced to move carries along to some extent adjacent parts, viscosity may be thought of as internal friction between the molecules; such friction opposes the development of velocity differences within a fluid. Viscosity is a major factor in determining the forces that must be overcome when fluids are used in lubrication and transported in pipelines. It controls the liquid flow in such processes as spraying, injection molding, and surface coating.

For many fluids the tangential, or shearing, stress that causes flow is directly proportional to the rate of shear strain, or rate of deformation that results. In other words, the shear stress divided by the rate of shear strain is constant for a given fluid at a fixed temperature. This constant is called the dynamic, or absolute, viscosity and often simply the viscosity. Fluids that behave in this way are called Newtonian fluids in honour of Sir Isaac Newton, who first formulated this mathematical description of viscosity. The viscosity of liquids decreases rapidly with an increase in temperature; the viscosity of gases increases with an increase in temperature. Thus, upon heating, liquids flow more easily, whereas gases flow more sluggishly. The dimensions of dynamic viscosity are force times time divided by area. The unit of viscosity, accordingly, is newton-second per square metre. For some applications the kinematic viscosity is more useful than the absolute, or dynamic, viscosity. Kinematic viscosity is the absolute viscosity of a fluid divided by its mass density. (Mass density is the mass of a substance divided by its volume.) The dimensions of kinematic viscosity are area divided by time; the appropriate units are metre squared per second. The unit of kinematic viscosity in the centimetre-gram-second (CGS) system, called the stokes in Britain and the stoke in the U.S., is named for the British physicist Sir George Gabriel Stokes. The stoke is defined as 1 cm squared per second.

31

31.

The molecular formula of a certain organic compound is C6H12O2. Which one of the following is not a structural isomer of others? 1 2 3 4 5 Ethyl butanoate Hexanoic acid Propyl propanoate Pentyl methanoate Hexyl ethanoate

Answer: The linear formulae of all five possible answers are depicted below: Ethyl butanoate CH3CH2OCOCH2CH2CH3 (C6H12O2) Hexanoic acid CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2COOH (C6H12O2) Propyl propanoate CH3CH2CH2OCOCH2CH3 (C6H12O2) Pentyl methanoate CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2OCOH (C6H12O2) Hexyl ethanoate CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH2OCOH (C7H15O2!) 32. To distinguish between a saturated and an unsaturated carbohydrate, bromine is added to both carbohydrates at the same moment. Which one of the following statements is the best description of what happens afterwards? 1 The saturated carbohydrate is halogenated and the brick red colour disappears first in this carbohydrate 2 The saturated carbohydrate undergoes substitution and the brick red colour disappears first in this carbohydrate 3 The unsaturated carbohydrate is halogenated and the brick red colour disappears last in this carbohydrate 4 The unsaturated carbohydrate undergoes addition and the brick red colour does not appear at all 5 The unsaturated carbohydrate undergoes addition and the brick red colour disappears first in this carbohydrate

Answer: Bromine reacts with unsaturated double bonds to form 1,2-dibromoalkanes. The sequence of events (these are very fast!) that occurs at the molecular level (Mechanism of reaction) are:

32

(i) The double bond, being electron rich (between the two carbons of the alkene are 4 electrons) polarises the bromine molecule, generating a transient negative and positive pole. (ii) The double bond then attacks the positive end of the bromine to give a bromonium ion and a bromide anion. (iii) The bromide then reacts with one end of the bromonium ion to give the 1,2-dibromoalkane. The reactions are very fast and the characteristic colour of bromine disappears at step (ii), when new chemical bonds are formed. To the naked eye, the bromine colour does not show at all upon hitting the solution! Alkanes (saturated carbohydrates included) on the other hand are very unreactive. They can only undergo substitution reactions which are slow and in the case of halogens, require the presence of light to cleave the bromine covalent bonds and generate radicals. This is a slow process and the initial colour of bromine even after adding just a few droplets, will persist for a long time

33.

Which of the statements below is/are true for the gases hydrogen sulphide (H2S) sulphur dioxide (SO2)? A B C D H2S is a reducing agent SO2 is a reducing agent SO2 is an oxidising agent H2S is an oxidising agent A, B and C A, B and D A, C and D B, C and D A, B, C and D

and

1 2 3 4 5

Answer: Sulfur forms compounds in oxidation states -2 (sulfide, S2-), +4 (sulfite, SO32-), and +6 (sulfate, SO42-). It combines with nearly all elements. An unusual feature of some sulfur compounds results from the fact that sulfur is second only to carbon in exhibiting catenationi.e., the bonding of an atom to another identical atom. This allows sulfur atoms to form ring systems and chain structures. Compounds in which sulfur is in its lowest oxidation state (-2) are reducing agents and in their Redox reactions, sulfur gets oxidized (loses electrons). Compounds with sulfur in its highest oxidation sate (+6) are oxidizing agents, sulfur gets reduced (accepts electrons) in the process. (Compounds with) sulfur in its intermediate oxidation states (0, +2 and +4) can be either a reductant or oxidant, depending on the reacting partner.

33

34.

IUPAC is the abbreviation for 1 2 3 4 5 International United Physics and Chemistry Organisation International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry International Union for Physics and Chemistry Inter United Pact for Applied Chemistry International Union for Physical Applied Chemistry

Answer:

www.iupac.org

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) serves to advance the worldwide aspects of the chemical sciences and to contribute to the application of chemistry in the service of Mankind. As a scientific, international, non-governmental and objective body, IUPAC can address many global issues involving the chemical sciences. IUPAC was formed in 1919 by chemists from industry and academia.

Over nearly eight decades, the Union has succeeded in fostering worldwide communications in the chemical sciences and in uniting academic, industrial and public sector chemistry in a common language. IUPAC has long been recognized as the world authority on chemical nomenclature, terminology, standardized methods for measurement, atomic weights and many other critically evaluated data. The Union continues to sponsor major international meetings that range from specialized scientific symposia to CHEMRAWN meetings with societal impact. During the Cold War, IUPAC became an important instrument for maintaining technical dialogue among scientists throughout the world.

IUPAC is an association of bodies, National Adhering Organizations, which represent the chemists of different member countries. There are 45 National Adhering Organizations, and 20 other countries are also linked to IUPAC in the status of Associate National Adhering Organizations. Almost 1000 chemists throughout the world are engaged on a voluntary basis in the scientific work of IUPAC, primarily through projects, which are components of eight Divisions and several other Committees.

34

35.

For the early 19th century chemists, Organic Chemistry was the study of available from live matter. In 1828, Friedrich Wohler compound in the laboratory, which did not compound was prepared from the living

compounds only first organic This

originate

matter.

1 2 3 4 5

creatinine urea fibrinogen albumin rennin

Answer:

Wikipedia and Encyclopaedia Britannica

Friedrich Whler (born July 31, 1800, Eschersheim, near Frankfurt am Main, Germany, died Sept. 23, 1882, Gttingen, Germany.) was the German chemist first to synthesize (1828) an organic compound (urea) from an inorganic substance. About the same time, he developed a process for preparing metallic aluminium. He was born in Eschersheim near Frankfurt am Main. In 1823 Whler finished his study of medicine in Heidelberg at the laboratory of Leopold Gmelin, who arranged for him to work under Jns Jakob Berzelius in Stockholm. He taught chemistry from 1825 to 1831 at the Polytechnic School in Berlin; then till 1836 he was stationed at the Higher Polytechnic School at Cassel, and then he became Ordinary Professor of Chemistry in the University of Gttingen, where he remained till his death. Whler was also a co-discoverer of beryllium and silicon, as well as the synthesis of calcium carbide, among others. In 1834, Whler and Liebig published an investigation of the oil of bitter almonds. They proved by their experiments that a group of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms can behave like an element, take the place of an element, and can be exchanged for elements in chemical compounds. Thus the foundation was laid of the doctrine of compound radicals, a doctrine which had a profound influence on the development of chemistry. Creatinine is a breakdown product of creatine phosphate in muscle, and is usually produced at a fairly constant rate by the body (depending on muscle mass). Its is removed, or cleared, from blood plasma by glomeruli and is excreted in the urine. Fibrinogen is the precursor of fibrin, a protein involved in the clotting of blood. It is a fibrillar protein that is polymerised to form a "mesh" that forms a haemostatic plug or clot (in conjunction with platelets) over a wound site. Fibrinogen, is a soluble plasma glycoprotein that is synthesised by the liver. Processes in the coagulation cascade activate the zymogen prothrombin to the serine protease thrombin, which is responsible for converting fibrinogen into fibrin. Fibrin is then cross linked by factor XIII to form a clot.

35

Albumin is a type of protein that is soluble in water and in water half saturated with a salt such as ammonium sulfate. Serum albumin is a component of blood serum; a-lactalbumin is found in milk. Ovalbumin constitutes about 50 percent of the proteins of egg white; conalbumin is also a component. Seeds contain very small amounts of albumins (0.10.5 percent by weight). See also proteinuria. The term albumen was once applied to water-soluble protein systems, such as egg white, containing proteins other than albumins.

Rennin, also called Chymosin, protein-digesting enzyme that curdles milk by transforming caseinogen into insoluble casein; it is found only in the fourth stomach of cud-chewing animals, such as cows. Its action extends the period in which milk is retained in the stomach of the young animal. In animals that lack rennin, milk is coagulated by the action of pepsin (q.v.), as is the case in humans. A commercial form of rennin, rennet, is used in manufacturing cheese and preparing junket.

36

2004
1.
The following chemical properties are ascribed to a certain chemical chemical substance substance. The

I II III IV

Accepts electrons Accepts protons Donates electrons Donates protons

If the chemical substance should be calcium hydroxide, which of the following properties above is/are true?

1 2 3 4 5

Only I Only II Only IV Both I and IV Both II and III

Answer:

Here the definitions of acids and bases are fundamental. There are three definitions that need to be clarified. Arrhenius defined an acid as a substance that dissociates or ionises in water to produce a proton (H+) and a base as a substance that dissociates or ionise to produce hydroxide ion (OH-) in water. This definition is the most primitive since it only recognises acid-bases in aqueous media (water as solvent). Lowry-Bronsted defined an acid as a proton (H+, H3O+) donor and a base as a proton acceptor and Lewis defined an acid as a substance that accepts an electron pair and a base as a substance that donates an electron pair. Using the above definitions we can thus analyse the question as follows; the substance considered is calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2]. When Ca(OH)2 dissociates in water, it yields Ca2+ and OH- ions consistent with strong bases (remember that hydroxides of group IA and IIA are strong bases). Bases, according to Arrhenius definition, produce hydroxide ion (OH-) in water, act as proton acceptors (Lowry-Bronsted definition) and electron pair donors (Lewis definition). This assessment renders option 5 correct.

37

2.

In the following reaction a precipitate and a soluble salt are produced as Ca(NO3)2 + Na2SO4 CaSO4 + 2NaNO3

products.

The precipitate and the soluble product are

Precipitate 1 2 3 4 5 CaSO4 CaSO4 NaNO3 Na2SO4 Ca(NO3)2

Soluble product NaNO3 Na2SO4 CaSO4 CaSO4 CaSO4

Answer: Guidelines to determine the solubility of ionic compounds are as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. Salts that contain Na+, K+, NH4+, NO3-, ClO4-, ClO3-, CH3COO- are always soluble. Salts of OH-, S2-, CO32-, PO43- are insoluble (except for Na+, K+, NH4+ salts that are soluble). Salts of Cl-, Br-, I- are soluble (except for Ag+, Hg2+, Pb2+ salts that are insoluble). Salts of SO42- are soluble (except for Ca2+, Ba2+, Pb2+ salts that are insoluble).

Using the guidelines above we can answer the question as follows: The two clear solutions (Ca(NO3)2 and Na2SO4) are mixed to produce a precipitate (it can only be CaSO4, check guideline 4 above about salts of SO42-) and a soluble product (NaNO3, check guideline 1 above about salts of NO3-). This renders option 1 correct.

3.

Which of the following chemical equations is not correct? 1 2 3 4 5 Acid + base salt + water Acid + metal salt + hydrogen Acid + metal oxide salt + water Carbonate + acid salt + base + carbon dioxide Acid + metal hydroxide salt + water

Answer:

(a) (b)

An exchange reaction between an acid and a base always yields a salt and water as [eg NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)].

products

A reaction between and acid and a metal always yield a salt and hydrogen gas [eg Na(s) + HCl(aq) NaCl(aq) + H2(g)].

38

(c) (d) (e)

When an acid reacts with a metal oxide, a salt and water are produced [eg 2HCl(aq) + MgCl2(aq) + H2O(l)].

MgO(s)

When a carbonate reacts with an acid the products are salt, carbon dioxide and water [eg Na2CO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) 2NaCl(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)]. The interaction of an acid with a hydroxide is an acid base reaction that always yields a water (see reaction (a) above). salt and

Using the guidelines stated above, option 4 violates the five rules and its the only incorrect option. In this case, a base is not one of the products of the reaction of an acid with a carbonate.

4.

Which one of the following chemical equations describes the reaction that take place at the cathode of the electrochemical cell? Cu Cu2+ + 2e2Cl- Cl2 + 2eNa + e- Na+ H2 2H+ + 2eAg+ + e- Ag

can possibly

1 2 3 4 5

Answer: Redox reactions are electron transfer reactions. When an electrochemical cell is set-up two metal rods (electrodes) are in contact with their respective salt solutions and a conduction wire is connected between the two rods whilst a salt-bridge is used to complete the circuit and allows the migration of ions (see question 23 below for a schematic diagram). This kind of an electrochemical cell is called a Galvanic or Voltaic cell. The electrode on the left hand side is referred to as the anode (negatively charged electrode) and oxidation (loss of electrons take place). The cathode (positively charged electrode) is located on the right hand side and reduction (gain of electrons) takes place. During oxidation, the substance that loses electron is said to be oxidised and has the ability to act as reducing agent (a reagent that causes reduction by providing electrons, sometimes called a reductant). During reduction, the substance that gains electron is said to be reduced and it has the ability to act as an oxidising agent (a reagent that causes oxidation by accepting electrons, sometimes called an oxidant). Note that oxidation and reduction reactions do not take place in isolation, immediately when one substance is oxidised, the electrons are immediately used up during the reduction reaction. We can thus answer the question as follows: At the cathode, reduction reaction (gain of electrons) takes place, thus options, 1, 2 and 4 that shows the removals/loss of electrons are wrong. Option 3 and 5 shows

39

the addition of electrons but option 3 is incorrect because the product of the reaction, Na+, should have been Na- if an electron was added. Thus option 5 is the only correct answer.

5.

2p3 is found in the electron configuration of 1 2 3 4 5 Aluminium Bohr Phosphorous Nitrogen Silicon

Answer: The number 2 in the electron configuration 2p3 suggests that the electrons concerned are in the second energy level (shell l). The symbol p in the electron configuration 2p3 suggests that element concerned has valence electrons that populate/occupy the p-orbitals (subshell). Based solely on the above descriptions, the elements aluminium, phosphorous and silicon do not have valence electrons in the 2p3 subshell (options 1, 3 and 5 respectively). Option 2 is totally incorrect because there is no element known as Bohr in the Periodic Table (note that Niels Bohr was the scientist that came up with the shell atomic model commonly called the Bohr model). Option 4, nitrogen is the only option left and indeed contains 5 valence electrons three of which occupy the 2p3 orbital. You already know that 1s22s22p3 is the electron configuration of nitrogen, an element with 7 electrons)

6.

The person responsible for the discovery of the neutron, was 1 2 3 4 5 Niels Bohr Dmitri Mendeleyev James Chadwick Hans Geiger John Dalton

Answer:

Wikipedia

In physics, the neutron is a subatomic particle with no net electric charge and a mass of 939.573 MeV/c (1.6749 10-27 kg, slightly more than a proton). Its spin is . Its antiparticle is called the antineutron. The neutron, along with the proton, is a nucleon. The nucleus of most atoms (all except the most common

40

isotope of hydrogen, protium, which consists of a single proton only) consists of protons and neutrons. The number of neutrons determines the isotope of an element. (For example, the carbon-12 isotope has 6 protons and 6 neutrons, while the carbon-14 isotope has 6 protons and 8 neutrons.) Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same atomic number but different masses due to a different number of neutrons. In 1930 Walther Bothe and H. Becker in Germany found that if the very energetic alpha particles emitted from polonium fell on certain light elements, specifically beryllium, boron, or lithium, an unusually penetrating radiation was produced. At first this radiation was thought to be gamma radiation although it was more penetrating than any gamma rays known, and the details of experimental results were very difficult to interpret on this basis. The next important contribution was reported in 1932 by Irne JoliotCurie and Frdric Joliot in Paris. They showed that if this unknown radiation fell on paraffin or any other hydrogen-containing compound it ejected protons of very high energy. This was not in itself inconsistent with the assumed gamma ray nature of the new radiation, but detailed quantitative analysis of the data became increasingly difficult to reconcile with such a hypothesis. Finally (later in 1932) the physicist James Chadwick in England performed a series of experiments showing that the gamma ray hypothesis was untenable. He suggested that in fact the new radiation consisted of uncharged particles of approximately the mass of the proton, and he performed a series of experiments verifying his suggestion. Such uncharged particles were eventually called neutrons, apparently from the Latin root for neutral and the Greek ending on (by imitation of electron and proton).

7.

Which one of the following metals is the most reactive? 1 2 3 4 5 Silver Copper Magnesium Iron Zinc

Answer:

Check the standard reduction potential table. The most reactive metal is the one with the most negative Eo(V) in that the metal does not like to be reduced but likes to be oxidised (it prefers to lose electrons that gains. Therefore magnesium is the most reactive element in the list.

41

8.

We have two elements X and Y from the Periodic Table, of which the chemical bond between them, according to Lewis structure method, is the following:
XX X X XX

X Y
XO

XO

OX OX

X X

This chemical bond can possibly be

1 2 3 4 5

Sulphur dioxide Nitrogen dioxide Water Carbon dioxide Magnesium chloride

Answer:

The Lewis structure shown shows the central atom Y to have 4 valence electrons (there are 4 small circles representing the electrons of Y). This automatically rules out options 2, and 5 containing the elements nitrogen and magnesium that do not have 4 valence electrons. The other atom, X has six valence electrons shown by the 6 small xs around X consistent with the element oxygen (the case in the three remaining options). Note however that the Lewis diagram shows that there are no lone pairs around the central atom, which would have been the case if options 1 (sulphur dioxide) and 3 (water) were represented. This leaves out option 4 to be the only correct option. Note also that the Lewis structure suggests two double bonds between carbon and oxygen atoms that is consistent with CO2 structure.

9.

Which one of the following everyday names is not correct for the given formula?

1 2 3 4 5

CaCO3 CaSO4 CuSO4 MgSO4 NaHCO3

Marble Plaster of Paris Caustic soda Epsom salt Bicarbonate of soda

Answer:

The chemical formula CaCO3 is calcium carbonate commonly called limestone or marble. The formula CaSO4 has the chemical name calcium sulphate and is commonly called plaster of Paris. CuSO4 is a chemical formula of copper(II) sulphate that is commonly called blue vitriol. Caustic soda is a common

42

name for sodium hydroxide and has the chemical formula NaOH. MgSO4 is a chemical formula of magnesium sulphate commonly called Epsom salt. NaHCO3 is a chemical formula of sodium bicarbonate / sodium hydrogen carbonate that is known as baking soda / bicarbonate of soda.

10.

In the chemical reaction taking place according to the chemical equation 2H2S + SO2 3S + 2H2O 1 2 3 4 5 SO2 is the reducing agent and H2S the oxidising agent SO2 is the oxidising agent and H2S is being reduced H2S is the reducing agent and SO2 is being oxidised H2S is being oxidised and SO2 is being reduced SO2 is being reduced and is also the reducing agent

Answer: Question 4 above dealt with redox reactions in details. We answer the question by assigning oxidation numbers. The oxidation number of sulphur in H2S is -2 (since H+ always carries an oxidation number of +1). The oxidation number of S in SO2 is +4 because each oxygen atom in the molecule is assigned -2 oxidation number. The oxidation number of S in solid sulphur is zero because an element in its elemental form always carries a zero oxidation number. In the conversion H2S 3S, the oxidation number of S increases from -2 to 0. This suggests an oxidation half-reaction and the reactant (H2S) is a reducing agent (or H2S is being oxidised). In the conversion SO2 3S, the oxidation number of S decreases from +4 to 0. This suggests a reduction half-reaction and the reactant is an oxidizing agent (SO2 is being reduced).

11.

1 mol bromine (Br2) I II III IV Consists of 6 x 1023 bromine atoms Has a volume of 22,4 dm3 at STP Has a mass of 160 g Consists of 6 x 1023 diatomic molecules

43

Assume that the relative atomic mass of bromine is 80. Which of the following statements above is/are true? 1 2 3 4 5 Only I and II Only III and IV Only II, III and IV Only I, II and III I, II, III and IV

Answer: Bromine is a liquid at room temperature composed of Br2 molecules. If we assume atomic mass of bromine to be 80, then the molar mass (mass of one mole) of Br2 is 160 g. Since a mole is a counting unit that equals 6 x 1023 constituents of the substance counted, it means that a mole of Br2 contains 6 x 1023 diatomic molecules. There are 2(6 x 1023) Br atoms, i.e., 1.2 x 1024. Using the analysis above III and IV are correct. If at standard temperature and pressure (0 C and 1 atm) bromine was a gas, then II would have been correct. Therefore the only option that contains the correct answer is 2.

12.

The pressure on an enclosed gas is P. What will the pressure on the gas be if the volume is halved and the temperature of the particles stays constant? 1 2 3 4 5 P 2P 4P P/4 P/2

Answer: Simplify the combined gas equation to get P1V1 = P2V2 at constant temperature. The above equation suggests that there is an inverse proportionality between P and V (Boyles law). Therefore when the volume containing the gas is halved, the pressure of the gas will double and vice versa. This renders option 2 correct.

44

13.

Which one of the following conditions can cause the behaviour of a normal gas to be more like that of an ideal gas?

1 2 3 4 5

The temperature of the gas must be 0 C The pressure of the gas must be very high The volume of the gas must be 22.4 dm3 The average kinetic energy of the gas particles must be very high The molecules of the gas must be relatively large

Answer: The correct answer here is option 4. An ideal gas obeys the ideal gas equation, PV = nRT at all conditions. Characteristics of an ideal gas are summarised below. I II The particles that make up an ideal gas must have identical shape The particles do not occupy volume (meaning that the particles must very small in size) III The collision between the particles and between particles with the side of the container perfectly elastic (no energy loss due to collision) IV There are no forces of attraction between particles of an ideal gas are

An ideal gas does not exist. We only have real gases (or normal gases) like H2, N2, H2O, NH3, Cl2 etc. These gases unfortunately have mass and occupy volume and there are forces of attraction between molecules/particles that constitute them. This implies that all known gases will liquefy and sometimes solidify at low temperatures and high pressures. Therefore, real gases deviate from ideal gas behaviour at low temperatures and high pressures. Conditions that will make real gases behave like an ideal gas are high temperatures and low pressures. The two real gases that behave closest to an ideal gas are He (helium) followed by H2 (hydrogen). Both these gases have small masses (2 amu each) but the former is a noble gas element that exists as mono-atomic particles with much less forces of attraction between the particles. The latter exists as a diatomic molecule and the forces of attraction (intermolecular forces) that exist between molecules account for its slight deviation from ideal gas behaviour at low temperatures and high pressures. NB! One mole (abbreviated mol) of all real gases at STP (standard temperature and pressure occupies 22.4 L (dm3). The standard temperature is set to be 0 C and standard pressure is 101.3 kPa (the atmospheric pressure at sea level). Remember the definition of temperature, a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles/molecules. Hence when the temperature is high, it implies that the average kinetic energy of the particles is high and vice versa.

45

14.

Which one of the following chemical formulas is the correct one for the acid vinegar?

in

1 2 3 4 5

CH3COOH C2H5COOH (COOH)2 CH3OOCH H2CO3

Answer: The acid found in vinegar is known as acetic acid and its formula is shown in option 1above. Option 2 is the formula for propionic (systematically named propanoic acid) which is a naturally occurring carboxylic acid. In the pure state, it is a colorless, corrosive liquid with a pungent odor. The anion CH3CH2COO as well as the salts and esters of propionic acid are known as propionates (or propanoates). Propionic acid inhibits the growth of mold and some bacteria. Accordingly, most propionic acid produced is used as a preservative for both animal feed and food for human consumption. For animal feed, it is used either directly or as its ammonium salt. In human foods, especially bread and other baked goods, it is used as its sodium or calcium salt. Similar usage occurs in some of the older anti-fungal foot powders. Propionic acid is also useful as a chemical intermediate. It can be used to modify synthetic cellulose fibers. It is also used to make pesticides and pharmaceuticals. The esters of propionic acid are sometimes used as solvents or artificial flavorings. Option 3 shows the formula for oxalic acid. Option 4 is incorrect as a formula and option 5 is the formula for carbonic acid, which is formed by dissolving carbon dioxide in water. The salts of carbonic acid are called bicarbonates (or hydrogen carbonates) and carbonates. The equilibrium between carbon dioxide and carbonic acid is very important for controlling the acidity of body fluids, and almost all living organisms have an enzyme, carbonic anhydrase, which catalyzes the conversion between the two compounds, increasing the reaction rate by a factor of nearly a billion.

15.

Which organic compound can be a structural isomer for the hydrocarbon below?
H H C H H C H H C H H C C H H C H H

I II III

2-methyl-1-pentene 3-hexane 3-methyl-2-pentene

46

Choose from the possibilities above

1 2 3 4 5 Answer:

Only I Only II Only III Only II and III I, II and III

The name of the compound shown above is 2-methyl-1-pentene. Thus it cannot serve as a structural isomer of itself (option I is incorrect). 3-Hexane does not exist, we only use numbers to indicate the position of functional groups/substituents on the carbon backbone and hexane, a saturated hydrocarbon, contains none! (option II is incorrect). 3-Methyl-2-pentene contains the same number of carbon and hydrogen atoms as 2methyl-1-pentene but differs in the positions of the double bond and the methyl group substituent. It thus serves as a structural isomer of 2-methyl-1-pentene. The analysis above suggests that option 3 is correct.

16.

Ammonia is prepared in industry by using the Haber process. Which one of the following statements is NOT TRUE for this process? 2NH3(g), H < 0

N2(g) + 3H2(g) 1 2 3 4 5

It takes place at very high temperatures to accelerate the process It takes place at very high pressure to increase the production of ammonia The process is exothermic The catalyst used is vanadium pentoxide Ammonia is continually pumped out of the system to produce more ammonia

Answer:

The conditions of the Haber process are: (i) temperature of 450-600 C (although the reaction is exothermic, i.e., it releases heat, the forward reaction is favoured by lower temperatures. However, the temperature range stated above is required for the reaction to take place significantly before catalysis is initiated). (ii) Pressure of 200-600 atmospheres (this is consistent with the reaction where fewer moles of gases are produced from the starting gases). (iii) The catalyst used is usually iron or iron oxide. (iv) The produced ammonia gas is usually removed from the equilibrium mixture so that the forward reaction is favoured (Le Charteliers principle). Therefore the only incorrect option is 4.

47

17.

Sulphuric acid is a I II III Strong acid Dehydrating agent Oxidising agent

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1 2 3 4 5

Only I Both II and III Both I and II Both I and III I, II and III

Answer: Sulphuric acid is a strong acid and an oxidising agent (when hot). It has very high affinity for water to the extent that it acts as a powerful dehydrating agent. Thus option 5 is correct.

18.

The first step in the preparation of nitric acid in industry, the Ostwald Process, is the catalytic oxidation of ammonia. Which one of the statements below is not true for this process? The chemical equation is 4NH3 + 5O2 4NO2 + 5H2O The catalyst is platinum The reaction is highly exothermic The platinum wire glows because of the heat developed during the reaction 5 The reaction mixture must be heated

1 2 3 4

Answer: The balanced chemical equation for the initial step in Ostwald process is: 4NH3 + 5O2 4NO2 + 6H2O.

48

Platinum wire (gauze) is used as a catalyst. The process is initiated by heating but once operational, the heat generated is enough to sustain the reaction. In fact the platinum gauze may glow during the reaction. Option 1 is the only incorrect answer for this question.

19.

The type of bonds between atoms, ions, molecules, etc can be put into the following order, from weak to strong:

1 2 3 4 5

Hydrogen, covalent, ionic, van der Waals Van der Waals, hydrogen, ionic, covalent Hydrogen, van der Waals, ionic, covalent Covalent, ionic, hydrogen, van der Waals Ionic, van der Waals, covalent, hydrogen

Answer: Intermolecular forces (forces that hold molecules together) are much weaker than intramolecular forces (forces that hold atoms of a molecule together, covalent). Van der waals forces (London/dispersion, dipoledipole and ion-dipole) are weak forces. A special intermolecular force called hydrogen forces is slightly stronger than van der Waals forces. The bond strengths of ionic and covalent compounds vary greatly depending on the atoms involved but generally, covalent bonds are stronger. Hence option B is correct.

20.

The following equilibrium exists in a closed container: N2(g) + 3H2(g) 2NH3(g), H < 0

If the temperature is increased

I II III

The forward reaction will be favoured The rate of the forward as well as the reverse reaction will increase The production of ammonia will increase

49

Which statement/s is/are true?

1 2 3 4 5

Only I Only II Only III I and III I, II and III

Answer: The enthalpy of the reaction is negative (H < 0) that is consistent with an exothermic reaction. Such reactions are favored by lower temperatures. Thus when the temperature of the equilibrium mixture is increased, the reverse reaction will be favored (Le Charteliers principle). This suggest that the rate of the reverse reaction will increase, meaning that the production of ammonia will decrease. There is no correct answer for this question. Option 4 would have been correct if the temperature was decreased.

21.

If the system in the previous question reaches equilibrium again after the temperature increase, the:

1 2 3 4 5

Equilibrium constant will increase Equilibrium constant will stay the same Concentration of the products will be lower Concentrations will not have changed at all Rate of the forward reaction will be higher than the rate of the reverse reaction

Answer: The only factor that affects the equilibrium constant of a system at equilibrium, Keq or Kc, is a temperature change. All other factors (pressure, amount of reactants and products, and catalyst) only affect the position of equilibrium. Once a new equilibrium is reached, both the forward and reverse of reactions will take place at the same rate. Note however that the reactants and products concentrations will have changed to accommodate the temperature change. Specifically, the concentration of products will decrease while the concentrations of reactants increase. This suggests that the equilibrium constant will decrease. Option 3 is the only correct option.

50

22.

Which one of the following salts will, when dissolved in water, have pH of smaller than 7?

1 2 3 4 5

NH4Cl NaCl Na2CO3 (NH4)2CO3 KNO3

Answer:

Here you need to remember that the acidity/basicity of a salt is determined by the acid-base combination that formed it during the neutralisation reaction. When a strong acid interacts with a strong base, the resulting salt will be neutral. When a strong acid interacts with a weak base, the resulting salt will be acidic. When a weak acid interacts with a strong base, the resulting salt will be basic. When we analyse the salts given, option 1 is for a salt that came from a weak base (say NH3) and a strong acid (HCl) and as such it will be an acidic salt (its pH will be less than 7). This is the only correct option. NaCl is a product of a strong acid (HCl) and a strong base (NaOH) and as such it is a neutral salt. Na2CO3 is a product of a strong base NaOH with a weak acid (say H2CO3), thus a basic salt. (NH4)2CO3 is a product of a weak acid (say H2CO3) and a weak base (NH3). We cannot safely predict its pH and will have to experimentally determine it. KNO3 is a product of a strong base (KOH) and strong acid HNO3 thus neutral.

23.

An electrochemical cell consists of a zinc half cell and a copper half cell. The solutions in the half cells are respectively copper sulphate and zinc chloride.

Zn Cu CuSO4(aq) ZnCl2(aq)

51

At first the

I II III IV

Copper ions will move to the anode Sulphate ions will move to the cathode Zinc ions will move to the copper half cell Chloride ions will move through the salt bridge

Which description of the migration of the ions above is correct?

1 2 3 4 5

I and II II and III III and IV Only III Only IV

Answer:

The first question to ask is which half cell (of the two given half cells) is the anode and which is the anode? You can answer this question by checking the standard reduction potentials in aqueous solution at 25 C table (the table is given at the back of the question paper together with the periodic table of the elements). Hint!! Check to see whether the table is indeed given as reduction half potentials (i.e., electrons are written on the left hand side of the reaction arrow (sometimes, examiners give the table as oxidation half potentials and the electrons in this case will be on the right hand side of the reaction arrow and the E will have the same value but opposite sign. If the table given is reduction potentials values, elements that have positive E values have greater affinity for electrons and as such prefer to accept electrons (generally, these elements will appear at the top of the table). Similarly element that have negative E values are those that do not want to accept electrons, i.e., they prefer to donate/give away electrons and they are listed lower in the table. For the electrochemical cell shown above, the E value of the reaction Cu2+(aq) + 2e- Cu(s) is +0.337 V whilst that of Zn2+(aq) + 2e- Zn(s) is -0.763 V. The values tell you that copper has greater affinity for electrons than zinc (its E value is more positive). Therefore Zn/Zn2+ will be half-cell where electrons are lost (oxidation) and Cu/Cu2+ the half-cell where electrons are gained (reduction). Further more we can now safely say that the anode is Zn and the cathode is Cu. This piece of information deduced above is critical to determine the direction of electron flow!!

Let us now go through the redox reaction steps: electrons are generated at the anode (oxidation reaction), i.e., Zn(s) Zn2+(aq) + 2e-. Note that the reaction is now written the correct way to show the generation of

52

electrons (electrons shown on the right hand side of the arrow as products). This equation also means that the Zn electrode is continually consumed as more Zn atoms form Zn2+ in solution. The electrons generated then move through the wire that connects the two electrodes (Zn and Cu). In the cathode (Cu), reduction reaction is immediately triggered, i.e., Cu2+(aq) + 2e- Cu(s). This equation also tells us that the Cu electrode increases in size as more Cu atoms are deposited from the CuSO4 solution. To complete the circuit, SO42- ions in the reduction half cell migrates through the salt-bridge to the oxidation half cell. Note that the electrochemical cell drawn above did not follow the general convention of having the anode on the left and the cathode on the right.

Now let us answer the question by looking at the options given specifically: I Copper ions will move to the anode? This cannot happen because electrons, which are negatively charged, are only transported by anions in solution, not by Cu2+, a cation. This statement is false. II Sulphate ions will move to the cathode? The sulphate ions are already on the reduction half reaction cell (cathode). They can however migrate to the anode through the salt bridge as electron carriers as hinted earlier. This statement is also false. III Zinc ions will move to the copper half cell? This again cannot happen because there is no electromotive force or push that will move Zn2+, through the salt bridge, to the cathode This statement is also false. IV Chloride ions will move through the salt bridge. We do not know what constituted the salt bridge. If it was, say KCl or NaCl, or MgCl2 etc then indeed Cl- ions would migrate If however the salt bridge contained, say dissolved (NH4)2SO4, at all that Cl ions will move through the salt bridge. Remember that will drive the SO4 ions through the salt bridge due to the anode to the cathode in the completed circuit. All facts considered there was no correct option for this question, but the closest answer (option 5) was chosen assuming that the salt bridge contained chloride ions.
2-

half cell.

in the salt bridge. there is no chance electromotive force

then the

movement of electrons from the

24.

The pH of a strong diprotic acid with concentration 0.1 mol/dm3 is

1 2 3 4 5

0.7 1.0 1.3 3.0 6.6

53

Answer: A diprotic acid, for example, H2SO4, has two ionisable protons. Therefore the concentration of protons in solution will be double that of the intact acid. Since pH = -log[H+], then log (-2) = 0.7, which is option 1.

25.

Oxidation is the

1 2 3 4 5

Loss of electrons Addition of electrons Loss of protons Addition of protons Exchange of electrons

Answer: Check the details of answers to Question 4 above for this question.

26.

Which one of the following formulas is the correct one for candle wax? 1 2 3 4 5 C15H30 C23H48 C20H40 C23H46 C15H32

Answer: This was dealt with in the previous question paper (2003)

27.

How many planes does a dodecahedron have? 1 2 3 4 5 11 12 15 20 22

Answer: A dodecahedron is any polyhedron with twelve faces, but usually a regular dodecahedron is meant: a Platonic solid composed of twelve regular pentagonal faces, with three meeting at each vertex. It has

54

twenty vertices and thirty edges. Its dual polyhedron is the icosahedron. A polyhedron is a threedimensional shape that is made up of a finite number of polygonal faces which are parts of planes, the faces meet in edges which are straight-line segments, and the edges meet in points called vertices. Cubes, prisms and pyramids are examples of polyhedra. The polyhedron surrounds a bounded volume in threedimensional space; sometimes this interior volume is considered to be part of the polyhedron. A polyhedron is a three-dimensional analog of a polygon. The general term for polygons, polyhedra and even higher dimensional analogs is polytope.

Names of polyhedra by number of faces are tetrahedron, pentahedron, hexahedron, octahedron, decahedron, etc. Such terms are, in particular, used with "regular" in front or implied (in the five cases in which this is applicable) because for each there are different types which have not much in common except having the same number of faces. For a tetrahedron this applies to a much lesser extent, it is always a triangular pyramid. Classical polyhedra include the five regular convex polyhedra: tetrahedron (4 sides), cube (6 sides), octahedron (8 sides), dodecahedron (12 side) and icosahedron (20 sides), four regular non convex polyhedra (the Kepler-Poinsot solids), thirteen convex Archimedean solids and the 53 remaining uniform polyhedra. Dual polyhedra of the classical polyhedra can also be considered classical. Based on the descriptions above, option 2 is correct.

28.

Which one of the following wave is not electromagnetic?

1 2 3 4 5

Micro waves Visible light Radio waves Sound waves X-rays

Answer: Electromagnetic radiation is generally described as a self-propagating wave in space with electric and magnetic components. These components oscillate at right angles to each other and to the direction of propagation, and are in phase with each other. Electromagnetic radiation is classified into types according to the frequency of the wave: these types include, in order of increasing frequency, radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and gamma rays. In some technical contexts the entire range is referred to as just 'light'. The options provided for this question are all correct. Therefore there is no correct answer for this question.

55

29.

Which greenhouse gas has the greatest influence on the greenhouse-effect? 1 2 3 4 5 Ozone Carbon dioxide Water vapour Nitrogen dioxide Oxygen

Answer: Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gaseous components of the atmosphere that contribute to the "greenhouse effect". Although uncertainty exists about exactly how earth's climate responds to these gases, global temperatures are rising. Some greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere, while others result from human activities. Naturally occurring greenhouse gases include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. Certain human activities, however, add to the levels of most of these naturally occurring gases. The greenhouse effect: When sunlight reaches the Earth's surface, some is absorbed and warms the earth. Because the earth is much cooler than the sun, it radiates energy at much longer wavelengths than the sun; some of these longer wavelengths are absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere before they are lost to space. The absorption of this long wave radiant energy warms the atmosphere (the atmosphere also is warmed by transfer of sensible and latent heat from the surface). Greenhouse gases also emit long wave radiation both upward to space and downward to the surface. The downward part of this long wave radiation emitted by the atmosphere is the "greenhouse effect." The term is in fact a misnomer, as this process is not the primary mechanism that warms greenhouses. The major natural greenhouse gases are water vapor, which causes about 36-70% of the greenhouse effect on Earth (not including clouds); carbon dioxide, which causes 9-26%; methane, which causes 4-9%, and ozone, which causes 3-7%. Note that it is not really possible to assert that a certain gas causes a certain percentage of the greenhouse effect, because the influences of the various gases are not additive. Other greenhouse gases include, but are not limited to, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons. The major atmospheric constituents (N2 and O2) are not greenhouse gases, because homo nuclear diatomic molecules (e.g. N2, O2, H2) neither absorb nor emit infrared radiation as there is no net change in the dipole moment of these molecules. The description above renders option 3 correct.

56

30.

Which one of the following minerals is the most expensive per weight? 1 2 3 4 5 Gold Palladium Platinum Iron ore Chrome

Answer:

The commodity price of precious metals changes from time to time. Currently, platinum is the most expensive. The recent price index of the first three elements (most expensive) listed in London Metal Exchange (17 October 2006) reported by The Star Business Report edition. Gold ($590) Platinum ($1086) Palladium ($319) each value here is for an ounce (Oz) = 28.34 g.

31.

Which one of the following organic compounds is not aromatic? 1 2 3 4 5 Benzene Acetic acid Toluene Pyridine Benzoic acid

Answer: An aromatic compound contains a set of covalently-bound atoms with specific characteristics:

1.

A delocalized conjugated system, most commonly an arrangement of alternating single and double bonds

2. 3. 4.

Coplanar structure, with all the contributing atoms in the same plane Contributing atoms arranged in one or more rings A number of delocalized electrons that is even, but not a multiple of 4. This is known as Hckel's rule. Permissible numbers of electrons include 6, 10, 14, and so on

57

5.

Special reactivity in organic reactions such as electrophilic aromatic substitution and nucleophilic aromatic substitution

Benzene, toluene (methyl benzene), pyridine (benzene with one of the carbons replaced by nitrogen) and benzoic acid (benzene with one of the hydrogens replaced by COOH) are all aromatic compounds.

32.

What are fullerenes mainly used for? 1 2 3 4 5 As a fluxing agent in the making of glass As super conductors As catalysts As dehydrating agents As cleaning agents

Answer:

The fullerenes are a recently-discovered family of carbon allotropes named after Buckminster Fuller. They are molecules composed entirely of carbon, in the form of a hollow sphere, ellipsoid, or tube. Recently discovered is the "buckyegg", by researchers at UC Davis. See link at bottom of page for story. Spherical fullerenes are sometimes called buckyballs; the C60 variant is often compared to the typical white and black soccer football, the Telstar (football) of 1970. Cylindrical fullerenes are called buckytubes. Fullerenes are similar in structure to graphite, which is composed of a sheet of linked hexagonal rings, but they contain pentagonal (or sometimes heptagonal) rings that prevent the sheet from being planar. Nanotubes are cylindrical fullerenes. These tubes of carbon are usually only a few nanometres wide, but they can range from less than a micrometre to several millimetres in length. Their unique molecular structure results in unique macroscopic properties, including high tensile strength, high electrical conductivity, high resistance to heat, and chemical inactivity. Properties: For the past decade, the chemical and physical properties of fullerenes have been a hot topic in the field of research and development, and are likely to continue to be for a long time. In April 2003, fullerenes were under study for potential medicinal use: binding specific antibiotics to the structure to target resistant bacteria and even target certain cancer cells such as melanoma. The October 2005 issue of Chemistry and Biology contains an article describing the use of fullerenes as light-activated antimicrobial agents. In the field of nanotechnology, heat resistance and superconductivity are some of the more heavily studied properties.

How are fullerenes produced? A common method used to produce fullerenes is to send a large current between two nearby graphite electrodes in an inert atmosphere. The resulting carbon plasma arc between the electrodes cools into sooty residue from which many fullerenes can be isolated. Chemistry

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(reactivity): Fullerenes are stable, but not totally unreactive. The sp2-hybridized carbon atoms, which are at their energy minimum in planar graphite, must be bent to form the closed sphere or tube, which produces angle strain. The characteristic reaction of fullerenes is electrophilic addition at 6,6-double bonds, which reduces angle strain by changing sp2-hybridized carbons into sp3-hybridized ones. The change in hybridized orbitals causes the bond angles to decrease from about 120 degrees in the sp2 orbitals to about 109.5 degrees in the sp3 orbitals. This decrease in bond angles allows for the bonds to bend less when closing the sphere or tube, and thus, the molecule becomes more stable. Other atoms can be trapped inside fullerenes to form inclusion compounds known as endohedral fullerenes. Recent evidence for a meteor impact at the end of the Permian period was found by analysing noble gases so preserved. Metallofullerene-based inoculates using the rhonditic steel process are beginning production as one of the first commercially-viable uses of buckyballs. Note that one of the uses of nanotubes (cylindrical fullerenes) is in use in high electrical conductivity (superconductivity). Hence option 2 is correct for this question.

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Modern cars are designed to use lead free fuels. What is the main reason for this? 1 2 3 4 5 The lead damages the modern catalytic converters The lead causes recession of the valve-seat The lead causes high combustion temperatures The lead causes poisonous gases The lead is too heavy for modern engines

Answer: Wikipedia

The mixture known as gasoline, when used in high compression internal combustion engines, has a tendency to ignite early (pre-ignition or detonation) causing a damaging "engine knocking" (also called "pinging" or "pinking") noise. Early research into this effect was led by A.H. Gibson and Harry Ricardo in England and Thomas Midgley and Thomas Boyd in the United States. The discovery that lead additives modified this behaviour led to the widespread adoption of the practice in the 1920s and therefore more powerful higher compression engines. The most popular additive was tetra-ethyl lead. However, with the discovery of the environmental and health damage caused by the lead, and the incompatibility of lead with catalytic converters found on virtually all automobiles since 1975, this practice began to wane in the 1980s. Most countries are phasing out leaded fuel; different additives have replaced the lead compounds. The most popular additives include aromatic hydrocarbons, ethers and alcohols (usually ethanol or methanol).

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