Question 1

Knowing and understanding

This task (questions 1 and 2) addresses the key concept of change and focuses on criterion A
(Knowing and understanding).

Metals are lustrous, conductive elements with high melting points, typically malleable and ductile.

The best known precious metals are the coinage metals, which are gold and silver. Although both
have industrial uses, they are better known for their uses in art, jewellery and coinage.

Vark, also called varak (also silver leaf), is super fine filigree foil sheet of pure metals,
typically silver but sometimes gold, used to decorate South Asian sweets and food, but also
placed on mounds of saffroned rice served on platters, to make those look more appetising.

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Content type: Image

Metals in food

Metals in food

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Q 1.1 Using periodic table, state the full electronic configuration of silver and gold, also A2
mention their symbol.

Q 1.2 Select the block to which gold and silver belong. A1

(May have multiple correct answers)

A s block

B p block

C d block

D f block

Q 1.3 Silver and Gold are widely used for making jewellery. Outline three properties of A3
each which makes it ideal for making jewellery.

Q 1.4 When a solution of silver nitrate ( AgNO3 ) is added to a solution of sodium chloride ( A3
NaCl ), the silver ions combine with the chloride ions to form a precipitate of silver
chloride (AgCl ).
Write down the above reaction in equation form along with the state symbols. State
the type of reaction.

Q 1.5 Calculate the mass of 18.066 ×1023 atoms of gold and write down your answer in A2

four significant figures. D1

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Question 2

An organic acid is an organic compound with acidic properties.

Oxalic acid, also called ethanedioic acid, a colourless, crystalline, toxic organic compound. Oxalic
acid is widely used as an acid rinse in laundries, where it is effective in removing rust and ink
stains because it converts most insoluble iron compounds into a soluble complex ion. For the
same reason, it is the chief constituent of many commercial preparations used for removing scale
from automobile radiators. Oxalic acid undergoes incomplete dissociation as they only partially
dissociate in water.

Q 2.1 Identify the functional group present in oxalic acid. Predict whether oxalic acid is a A3
weak or a strong acid.

Q 2.2 Oxalic acid partially dissociates in water to form an equilibrium. State the change in A2
equilibrium if more water is added in the reaction.
Dissociation equation:
H2 C2O4 ↔ 2H+ + C2O2−
4
K = 3.78×10−6

Q 2.3 Calculate the pH of oxalic acid which has the concentration of 0.1 M . A2

Q 2.4 Two separate set of beakers have oxalic acid at different concentration one at 0.1 M A4
and the other has concentration of 0.5 M . Outline which one would have more
conductivity and justify your answer.

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Question 3

Investigation skills

This task (questions 3 to 4) addresses the key concept of systems and focuses on criterion B
(Inquiring and designing) and criterion C (Processing and evaluating). In this task, you will
investigate ionization enthalpies.

Ionization enthalpy is the energy required to take an electron away from an atom or ion.

When considering an initially neutral atom, expelling the first electron will require less energy
than expelling the second, the second will require less energy than the third, and so on. Each
successive electron requires more energy to be released. This is because after the first electron is
lost, the overall charge of the atom becomes positive, and the negative forces of the electron will
be attracted to the positive charge of the newly formed ion. The more electrons that are lost, the
more positive this ion will be, the harder it is to separate the electrons from the atom.
In general, the further away an electron is from the nucleus, the easier it is for it to be expelled. In
other words, ionization energy is a function of atomic radius; the larger the radius, the smaller the
amount of energy required to remove the electron from the outer most orbital.

Losing of electrons results in the formation of cations.

B Al Ga In Tl
Ionization energy – I 800 577 578 558 590
Ionization energy – 2429 1816 1979 1820 1971
II

Q 3.1 On the basis of your knowledge from MYP studies, state how is this trend different A2
from the general trend.

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Q 3.2 Select a suitable graph to study this trend. C1

(May have multiple correct answers)

A Bar graph

B Line graph

C Scattered graph

Q 3.3 From the data in the table, plot a suitable graph of both the Ionization enthalpy. Label C5
X and Y axis.

Q 3.4 A student predicted that the second ionisation enthalpy is higher than the first C2
ionisation enthalpy. Evaluate the validity of the hypothesis.

Content type: Video

This item includes interactive content. Please refer to the digital version of this assessment to view this
item.

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 Sodium aluminate is formed by the action of sodium hydroxide on elemental aluminium which is
an amphoteric metal. The reaction is highly exothermic once established and is accompanied by
the rapid evolution of a gas.

Q 3.5 Identify the gas evolved in the reaction and Outline an experiment to confirm the B1
evolution of the gas. C1

Q 3.6 Examine the graph and describe the pattern in melting points as you move from left C3
to right across period 3 (from sodium to argon).

Q 3.7 Chemists often refer to metals and non-metals when describing elements in the C3
periodic table. Explain how you can identify metals and non-metals by examining
patterns in the melting points of the individual elements.

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Question 4

Conductivity is the measure of the ease at which an electric charge or heat can pass through a
material.

Solutions that contain dissolved salts conduct electricity because they release charged particles
into solution that are capable of carrying an electric current.
Drops of NaCl Conductivity of solution in Drops of Conductivity of
μS cm−1 CaCl2 solution in μS cm−1

0 110 0 110
1 132 1 150
2 155 2 282
3 245 3 404
4 340 4 518

Q 4.1 State a research question for some investigation that could test the conductivity of B1
NaCl .

Q 4.2 Using the data in the table above, formulate a suitable hypothesis that could be B2
tested.

Q 4.3 Identify the variables : B4

Independent variable
Dependent variable
Control variable 1
Control variable 2

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Q 4.4 From the data in the table, plot a suitable graph and give appropriate title to the C5
graph and label X and Y axis.

Q 4.5 Explain which salt shows steeper graph. Justify your answer. C5

Q 4.6 State one improvement in the method for collecting this data. C1

Q 4.7 Design an experiment which would test the effect of conductivity with varying B 16
concentration of solution. In your experiment you should use NaCl, CaCl2 and AlCl3
. In your answer you should include:
A list of equipment you will use
Details of the data you will collect
What comparison will you make in the experiment
How will you ensure that your method is safe

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Question 5

Applying science

The global context is scientific and technical innovation.

This task (questions 5 and 6) addresses the key concept of relationships and assesses criterion D
(Reflecting on the impacts of science).

Locomotive power sources include diesel engines, electric motors, and steam engines, driving
trains and other vehicles.

Locomotives may generate their power from fuel (wood, coal, petroleum or natural gas), or they
may take power from an outside source of electricity.

Trains have been a popular form of transportation since the 19th century. When the first
steam train was built in 1804, people were worried that the speed would make rail passengers
unable to breathe or that they would be shaken unconscious by the vibrations.
Steam Locomotive Diesel Locomotive Electric Locomotive Maglev Train

1825 1912 1879 1984

400 Ft 56 Ft 67 Ft 502 Ft
15 MPH 125MPH 200 MPH 375 MPH
Coal / Wood or oil Kerosene / Gasoline Electricity Magnet
$4.4 million (in $500,000-$2 million more than $6 million $1.2 billion
today’s money)

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Q 5.1 Using the data in the table, discuss and evaluate the type of locomotives. In your D 15
answer you should:
Identify which type of locomotive you consider to be the best
Compare you chosen locomotive with other locomotives
Consider environmental and economic factors
Use data from the table to support your answer
Give a concluding appraisal

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Question 6

Arsenic is a natural component of the earth’s crust and is widely distributed throughout the
environment in the air, water and land. It is highly toxic in its inorganic form.

People are exposed to elevated levels of inorganic arsenic through drinking contaminated water,
using contaminated water in food preparation and irrigation of food crops, industrial processes,
eating contaminated food and smoking tobacco. The greatest threat to public health from arsenic
originates from contaminated groundwater. Inorganic arsenic is naturally present at high levels in
the groundwater of a number of countries, including Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, China, India,
Mexico, and the United States of America.

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 Content type: Image

Risk probability

Arsenic level in tap water

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 Risk of lung cancer

Bladder cancer rates

Q 6.1 Using the information from the task, discuss the implication of removing arsenic from D 10
water. In your answer you should discuss:
The issues around the use of arsenic
Impact of arsenic on population
The wider impact on the society
A concluding appraisal of all the issues you have discussed

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