1. Which statement explains why ammonia can act as a Lewis base?

A. Ammonia can donate a lone pair of electrons.

B. Ammonia can accept a lone pair of electrons.

C. Ammonia can donate a proton.

D. Ammonia can accept a proton.

(Total 1 mark)

2. Consider the equilibrium below.

CH3CH2COOH(aq) + H2O(l) CH3CH2COO–(aq) + H3O+(aq)

Which species represent a conjugate acid-base pair?

A. CH3CH2COOH and H2O

B. H2O and CH3CH2COO–

C. H3O+ and H2O

D. CH3CH2COO– and H3O+

(Total 1 mark)

3. The graph below indicates the pH change during the titration of 20.0 cm3 of 0.100 mol dm–3 of
CH3COOH(aq) with 0.100 mol dm–3 KOH(aq). From the graph, identify the volume of
KOH(aq) and the pH at the equivalence point.

(Total 2 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 1
4. Which mixtures act as buffer solutions?

I. 100 cm3 0.1 mol dm–3 ethanoic acid and 100 cm3 0.1 mol dm–3 sodium ethanoate

II. 100 cm3 0.1 mol dm–3 ethanoic acid and 50 cm3 0.1 mol dm–3 sodium hydroxide

III. 100 cm3 0.1 mol dm–3 ethanoic acid and 100 cm3 0.5 mol dm–3 sodium hydroxide

A. I and II only

B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II and III
(Total 1 mark)

5. When equal volumes of four 0.1 mol dm–3 solutions are arranged in order of increasing pH
(lowest pH first), what is the correct order?

A. CH3COOH < HNO3 < CH3CH2NH2 < KOH

B. HNO3 < CH3COOH < CH3CH2NH2 < KOH

C. CH3CH2NH2 < HNO3 < CH3COOH < KOH

D. KOH < CH3CH2NH2 < CH3COOH < HNO3

(Total 1 mark)

6. (a) The nitrite ion is present in nitrous acid, HNO2, which is a weak acid. The nitrate ion is
present in nitric acid, HNO3, which is a strong acid. Distinguish between the terms strong
and weak acid and state the equations used to show the dissociation of each acid in
aqueous solution.
(3)

(b) A small piece of magnesium ribbon is added to solutions of nitric and nitrous acid of the
same concentration at the same temperature. Describe two observations that would allow
you to distinguish between the two acids.
(2)

(c) A student decided to investigate the reactions of the two acids with separate samples of
0.20 mol dm–3 sodium hydroxide solution.

(i) Calculate the volume of the sodium hydroxide solution required to react exactly
with a 15.0 cm3 solution of 0.10 mol dm–3 nitric acid.
(1)

(ii) The following hypothesis was suggested by the student: “Since nitrous acid is a
weak acid it will react with a smaller volume of the 0.20 mol dm–3 sodium
hydroxide solution.” Comment on whether or not this is a valid hypothesis.
(1)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 2
 (d) The graph below shows how the conductivity of the two acids changes with
concentration.

Identify Acid 1 and explain your choice.

(2)
(Total 9 marks)

7. Salts may form neutral, acidic or alkaline solutions when dissolved in water.

(i) Explain why a solution of sodium chloride is neutral but sodium carbonate forms an
alkaline solution when it dissolves in water.
(2)

(ii) Explain why iron(III) chloride, [Fe(H2O)6]Cl3, forms an acidic solution in water.
(2)
(Total 4 marks)

8. (a) The pKa value for propanoic acid is given in Table 15 of the Data Booklet.

(i) State the equation for the reaction of propanoic acid with water.
(1)

(ii) Calculate the hydrogen ion concentration (in mol dm–3) of an aqueous solution of
0.100 mol dm–3 propanoic acid.
(2)

(b) The graph below shows a computer simulation of a titration of 25.0 cm3 of
0.100 mol dm–3 hydrochloric acid with 0.100 mol dm–3 sodium hydroxide and the pH
range of phenol red indicator.

IB Questionbank Chemistry 3
 Sketch the graph that would be obtained for the titration of 25.0 cm3 of 0.100 mol dm–3
propanoic acid with 0.100 mol dm–3 potassium hydroxide using bromophenol blue as an
indicator. (The pH range of bromophenol blue can be found in Table 16 of the Data
Booklet).

(3)
(Total 6 marks)

9. A solution of acid A has a pH of 1 and a solution of acid B has a pH of 2. Which statement

must be correct?

A. Acid A is stronger than acid B

B. [A] > [B]

C. The concentration of H+ ions in A is higher than in B

D. The concentration of H+ ions in B is twice the concentration of H+ ions in A

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 4
1. A
[1]

2. C
[1]

3. Volume of KOH: 20 (cm3);

Allow any value between 20 and 21 (cm3).
pH at the equivalence point: 8.0–10.0; 2
[2]

4. A
[1]

5. B
[1]

6. (a) strong acid completely dissociated/ionized and weak acid partially

dissociated/ionized;
HNO3(aq) → H+(aq) + NO3–(aq);
HNO2(aq) H+(aq) + NO2–(aq);
Allow only arrows as shown.
State symbols not needed.
Accept H2O and H3O+. 3

(b) With HNO3:

faster rate of bubble/gas/hydrogen production;
faster rate of magnesium dissolving;
higher temperature change;
Accept opposite argument for HNO2.
Award [1] if 2 observations given but acid is not identified.
Reference to specific observations needed. 2 max

(c) (i) (nitric acid) 7.5 cm3; 1

(ii) not valid as nitrous acid reacts with same volume/ 7.5 cm3; 1

IB Questionbank Chemistry 1
 (d) HNO3;
(higher conductivity for solutions with same concentration as) there are
more ions in solution; 2
[9]

7. (i) NaCl is the salt of a strong acid and a strong base / no hydrolysis
with (Na+ and C1– ion);
the CO32– ions combine with H+ from water to form a weak acid
leaving OH– ions / CO32– + H2O HCO3– + OH– / OWTTE; 2

(ii) Fe3+ has a small radius and a high charge / Fe3+ has a high
charge density;
it forms bonds with the OH– ions from water leaving H+ ions /
it increases the polarity of the O–H bond (in the water ligands) /
[Fe(H2O)6]3+ [Fe(H2O)5(OH)]2+ + H+ etc; 2
[4]

8. (a) (i) CH3CH2COOH + H2O CH3CH2COO– + H3O+

/ CH3CH2COOH CH3CH2COO– + H+;
required for mark. 1

(ii) (pKa for propanoic acid = 4.87)

[H+]2 = 0.100 × Ka;
[H+] = 1.16 × 10–3 (mol dm–3); 2

IB Questionbank Chemistry 2
 (b) sketch to show:

indicator range between pH 3.0 and pH 4.6 (with “yellow” at

pH 3.0 and “blue” at pH 4.6);
initial pH of acid at 2.9 ± 1.0 (when no KOH has been added);
half-equivalence point (does not need to be named) at pH 4.9
when 12.5 cm3 of KOH have been added;
equivalence point at approx pH 8.5–9.0 when 25.0 cm3 of KOH(aq)
added;
upper part of curve from 25.0–50.0 cm3 added identical to original
curve;
Award [1] each for any three points. 3 max
[6]

9. C
[1]

10. (a) solutions of the same concentration;

pH meter;
strong base has a higher pH / weak base has lower pH;
indicator paper/U.I solution;
strong base has a higher pH/more purple / weak base has lower pH/blue not
purple / OWTTE;
measuring conductivity (with conductivity meter);
strong base has a higher conductivity / weak base has lower conductivity;
comparing heat of neutralization with acid;
strong base releases more heat / weak base releases less heat;
Award [4 max] for two correct methods with expected results. 5

(b) (i) X;
[X] = 10–2 (mol dm–3) and [Y] = 10–6 (mol dm–3); 2

IB Questionbank Chemistry 3
 (ii) 10 000/104 :1;
Ratio should be in form above. 1
[8]

11. A
[1]

IB Questionbank Chemistry 4