Paper 1B: Data-based questions

Answer all questions.

1. A student is consulting a solubility curve where the behaviour of several substances dissolved in
water is shown at different temperatures. The lines below represent the maximum solubility of solute
that can occur in 100 g of water at each temperature.

(i) Identify which gaseous substance included in this graph shows the greatest solubility at 80 oC.
[1]
(ii) Identify which substance shows the smallest variation in its solubility at different temperatures.
[1]
(iii) State the general trend for the solubility for gases and for ionic compounds in water as supported
by the data.

1
[1]
(iv) Determine the maximum mass of potassium nitrate that would be expected to dissolve in 200 g of
water at 50 oC.
[2]
(v) Calculate the molar concentration of a saturated solution of ammonium chloride at 50 oC.
[3]
(vi) If 30 g of ammonia is added to a 100 g sample of water, determine the temperature required to
keep it dissolved.
[1]
(vii) The student is planning to conduct an experiment that requires a 100 g saturated solution of
potassium chlorate at 70 oC. Determine the mass of solute that will become insoluble when this
solution is allowed to cool after the experiment to 20 oC.
[2]
(viii) Suggest a method to separate the insoluble salt from the solution for part (vii) above.

2. A student is performing a reaction between copper(II) chloride and sodium hydroxide solutions.
There is already a standard solution of copper(II) chloride prepared in the laboratory, but the student is
required to prepare 500.0 cm3 of 0.400 mol dm–3 of the sodium hydroxide solution.
(a) (i) Calculate the mass of sodium hydroxide pellets required to prepare this solution.
[2]
(ii) Outline how the student would make this solution, identifying two pieces of laboratory equipment
required.
[2]
The label with the concentration of the copper(II) chloride solution has been removed. Using a small
quantity of 1.00 mol dm–3 copper(II) chloride solution found in the lab, a series of dilutions were
prepared to construct a calibration curve measuring the absorbance at 600 nm for these dilutions and
the solution of unknown concentration with a colorimeter.

Concentration/mol Absorbance at 600 Qualitative

dm–3 nm Observations

0.020 0.019 very pale blue solution

0.040 0.041 very pale blue solution

0.060 0.058 pale blue solution

0.080 0.081 pale blue solution

0.100 0.099 blue solution

Unknown sample 0.065 pale blue solution

2
(b) (i) Using the data above, draw a graph to plot a calibration curve and determine the equation for
the line of best fit.
[4]
(ii) Using the equation from (b) (i), calculate the concentration of the unknown sample.
[1]
The solution of copper(II) chloride solution is then added to the solution of sodium hydroxide. The
precipitate formed is filtered using filter paper, rinsed with fresh distilled water and dried first at
105 oC for a couple of hours and then left overnight inside a dessicator.
(c) Write a balanced chemical equation for this reaction.
[2]
The following data was recorded before and after the reaction:

Volume of 0.100 mol dm–3 copper(II) chloride solution excess

Volume of 0.400 mol dm–3 sodium hydroxide solution 200.0 cm3

Mass of filter paper 1.01 g ± 0.01 g

Mass of filter paper and precipitate 5.24 g ± 0.01 g

(d) (i) Determine the theoretical yield for this reaction.

[4]
(ii) Determine the actual yield for this reaction, including uncertainties.
[2]
(iii) State one physical observation for this reaction.
[1]
(iv) State one source of error compatible with the results of this investigation.
[1]

3. Gold used in jewellery is typically combined with other metals to enhance certain physical
properties, such as colour, hardness and strength. A jeweller wishes to find out the effect on the colour
of a gold alloy when different ratios of metals are combined. Below is some data for several gold
alloys.

Alloy
Alloy 1 Alloy 2 Alloy 4
3

91.67
Gold 91.67 % 91.67 % 91.67 %
%

3.00
Silver 0 % 1.00 % 5.00 %
%

3
 Alloy
Alloy 1 Alloy 2 Alloy 4
3

Cobal 0.73
0.73 % 0.73 % 0.73 %
t %

Boro 0.02
0.02 % 0.02 % 0.02 %
n %

Copp 4.58 _________

7.58 % 6.58 %
er % _

Colo pink/ pale yello green/

ur yellow pink/yellow w yellow

(i) Identify the dependent and independent variables for this experiment.
[1]
(ii) State two controlled variables in this experiment.
[1]
(iii) Calculate the mass of copper required to make a 10.0 g sample of Alloy 3, expressing your answer
with three significant digits.
[2]
(iv) Estimate a possible value to complete the missing one in the table above.
[1]
(v) Identify one weakness with the collection of data in this experiment.
[1]
(vi) State the type of bonding present in alloys.
[1]
(b) A similar experiment was done with gold alloys, but testing for different physical properties.

Hardness Tensile strength

Sample % gold % silver % copper
(HV) (N/mm2)

100 % gold 100 – – 55 200

Alloy A 91.7 5.5 2.8 138 390

Alloy B 91.7 3.2 5.1 142 463

(i) State two conclusions that can be drawn using the data above regarding the composition of the
alloy and the resulting physical properties.
[1]
(ii) Predict values for the hardness and tensile strength for an alloy composed of 91.7 % gold, 4.0 %
silver and 4.3 % copper.

4
[2]
(iii) Outline one strength and one limitation for this experimental data that affects the ability to
confidently draw a valid conclusion.
[2]

4. A student is synthesising acetylsalicylic acid, a drug commonly known as aspirin, with the
following chemical reaction.

Overall, the diagram details the molecular transformations from reactants to products in the synthesis
process.
The salicylic acid and acetic anhydride were mixed together with a few drops of concentrated sulfuric
acid and heated in a water bath for 20 minutes. The mixture was then cooled in an ice bath where
white crystals formed. The white crystals were then filtered by vacuum filtration and allowed to dry
overnight in a dessicator.
The following data was collected:
(a)

Measureme Qualitative
nt observations

salicylic acid 8.00 g white powdered solid

acetic anhydride 4.00 cm3 colourless liquid

sulfuric acid (18 mol dm–

3 5 drops colourless liquid
)

fine white crystalline

product collected 8.34 g
solid

(i) Explain why the reaction mixture was heated.

[1]
(ii) Determine which reactant is the excess reagent for this reaction. The density of acetic anhydride is
1.08 g cm–3.
[3]

5
(iii) Calculate the theoretical yield for this reaction.
[1]
(iv) Suggest the most likely reason why the actual yield differs from the experimental yield. If you did
not obtain a result in (iii), use 7.00 g as the theoretical yield, even though this is not the correct answer.
[1]
(v) State an ordinary laboratory technique for purifying a sample of aspirin.
[1]
(b) The student then analyses the sample using paper chromatography. Samples of salicylic acid,
commercial aspirin and the aspirin collected in the experiment were applied 1 cm from the bottom of a
strip of chromatography paper and placed in a polar solvent. When dried, the paper was examined
under UV light and the spots were traced. The chromatogram is shown below.

(i) Calculate the retardation factor, Rf, for salicylic acid and commercial aspirin.
[2]

6
(ii) State, with justification, which substance in (b) (i) is more polar.
[2]
(iii) Predict the effect, if any, on the value of Rf for the salicylic acid if the chromatography
experiment was repeated with a nonpolar solvent.
[2]
(iv) Comment on the number of spots per lane.
[2]
(v) Suggest another technique, other than chromatography, that can be used to confirm the purity of
the aspirin.
[1]

5.
(a) The global consumption of energy has changed over time with the growth of the population. The
line with the dots represents the energy consumption and the line with the squares represents the
population.

(i) Determine the amount of energy consumed per person, in Joules per person in 1970 (exaJoule = 1 ×
1018 J).
[2]
(ii) Compare the energy consumption per person in 1950 versus 1980.
[1]
(b) The source of energy has also changed over time as new technologies have been developed.

7
Use the graph above to estimate values to complete the table below.
[4]

Percentage of energy produced using Percentage of energy

fossil fuels producing CO2

18
50

19
80

(ii) Biofuels traditionally were wood and other plant material, but newer biofuels are being developed
as fuel sources for combustion reactions. Explain whether or not the combustion of biofuels
contributes significantly towards an increased global warming effect.
[2]

6.
A student conducted an experiment by dissolving an ionic salt in distilled water, using a data logger to
record the temperature. The student began recording the temperature, quickly poured the salt into the
metal container holding the water at precisely 3 seconds and gently stirred the solution for 1 second
until the crystals were no longer visible. The student continued to record the temperature for several
seconds after the salt was dissolved and the data logger produced the graph below.

8
(a) Describe what is happening in the experiment at each of the following time intervals on the graph.
(i) 0–2 seconds
[1]
(ii) 5–16 seconds
[1]
(b) Use the graph to determine the change in temperature for this experiment.
[3]
(c) State, giving a justification, whether the addition of this salt to water is an endothermic or
exothermic process.
[2]
(d) State the data the student would also need to record in order to determine the enthalpy change for
this experiment.
[2]
(e) State two ways in which the shape of the graph would differ if a more insulated calorimeter was
used.
[2]

9
7.
A student conducts an experiment to measure the rate of reaction for the reaction between
hydrochloric acid and magnesium metal. The time taken for 5 cm3 of gas to be produced in the
reaction is recorded. The results are shown in the table below.

Concentration Volume Mass of Length of time

Experime Qualitative
HCl HCl Mg required to collect 5
nt Observations
(mol dm–3) (cm3) ribbon (g) cm3 of gas (s)

Very slow
1 0.50 50.0 0.030 57.7
effervescence

Slow
2 1.00 50.0 0.030 14.4
effervescence

Slow
3 1.50 50.0 0.030 5.5
effervescence

Moderate
4 2.00 50.0 0.030 3.5
effervescence

Moderate
5 2.50 50.0 0.030 2.3
effervescence

(a) (i) State the balanced chemical equation for this reaction, including states.
[2]
(ii) Outline a method to determine the rate for this reaction, including in your description the variables
chosen for such a purpose.
[2]
(iii) Using the data from Experiment 1, determine which substance is the limiting reagent.
[3]
(iv) Calculate the rate of reaction using data from Experiment 1, expressed in mol dm –3 s–1.
[3]
(v) State a conclusion for this experiment, supported by the data from Experiments 1–5.
[1]
(b) A separate experiment was conducted for the same reaction at different temperatures.
The processed data is shown below.

Rate constant, k, (s–

Experiment Temperature (°C) 1
)

1 10 0.0100

2 20 0.0125

3 30 0.0113

4 40 0.0250

10
 Rate constant, k, (s–
Experiment Temperature (°C) 1
)

5 50 0.0500

(i) Identify, giving a justification, which data should be removed from further calculations.
[1]
(ii) Predict the effect, if any, on the activation energy and rate constant if the reaction was conducted at
90 oC.
[2]

8.
A student is conducting an experiment with a dilute aqueous solution of cobalt(II) chloride with the
addition of concentrated aqueous HCl. Cobalt(II) chloride is in equilibrium as shown in the reaction
equation below.

Co(H2O)62+(aq) + 4Cl–(aq) ⇄ Co(Cl4)2–(aq) + 6H2O(l)

The student adds HCl in small quantities, recording the data below.

Vol HCl Temperatu

Colour
added re

0 pink 25.0

brown-
1 23.8
pink

2 brown 23.6

grey-
3 23.3
brown

4 grey 23.0

5 blue-grey 23.1

6 blue 22.9

7 blue 22.6

Table 1: Addition of HCl to dilute cobalt(II) chloride solution.

(a) (i) State the colours of the following complex ions.
Co(H2O)62+
Co(Cl4)2–
[2]
(ii) Describe the bond between the cobalt(II) ion and the chloride ions.

11
[2]
(iii) Deduce whether the forward reaction described by equation (*) is endothermic or exothermic,
accounting for the supporting reason.
[2]
(iv) Suggest one weakness in recording qualitative data and suggest one improvement for this
weakness.
[2]

9.
A student conducts an experiment for electroplating copper onto an iron spoon.

(a) (i) On the diagram, identify the part of the circuit known as the anode and using an arrow, show the
direction of electron flow.
[1]
(ii) State the equation for the reduction reaction, including states.
[2]
An experiment was conducted where the electroplating was conducted with different distances
between the copper plate and the spoon. The data was collected, processed and graphed below.

12
(iii) State the relationship between the plating time and the average coating thickness when the
distance between electrodes is 10 mm or more.
[1]
(iv) Using the graph, determine the time required to plate a coating of 18 μm when the electrodes are
placed at a distance of 15 mm.
[2]
(v) Suggest a reason why it is difficult to determine the average coating thickness beyond 30 minutes
when the electrodes are placed 5 mm apart.
[2]
(vi) State the dependent and independent variables for this experiment.
[2]

10.
(a) A solution is prepared by mixing 50.0 cm3 of 0.100 mol dm–3 NaOH with 100.0 cm3 of 0.100 mol
dm–3 ethanoic acid, CH3COOH. The mixture is then transferred to a sealed flask and labelled Solution
B.
(i) Solution B is a buffer. Describe what is meant by the term buffer.
[1]
(ii) Calculate the amount, in mol, of CH3COOH that has been neutralized by the NaOH.
[2]
(iii) Calculate the pH of Solution B, using your answer from (a) (ii). CH3COOH has a Ka = 1.74 × 10–5.
[3]
(iv) Predict, giving a reason, whether the change in pH will be small, large or no change, after a small
volume of HCl was accidentally added to Solution B.

13
[3]
(v) Suggest another substance (other than one containing a metallic hydroxide) that could be added to
CH3COOH, that would yield a mixture with similar properties as Solution B.
[1]
(b) Identical pieces of magnesium are added to three beakers, A, B and C. Beaker A contains aqueous
CH3COOH, Beaker B contains Solution B and Beaker C contains aqueous HCl.

The reactions were monitored using a data logger.

Temperatur Temperatur Temperatur

Time e e e
(s) Beaker Beaker Beaker
A (°C) B (°C) C (°C)

0 18.0 18.0 18.0

1 25.0 21.0 30.0

2 30.0 23.5 33.5

3 32.0 26.0 36.5

4 33.5 26.5 36.0

5 35.5 26.0 35.5

6 36.5 25.5 35.0

7 36.0 26.0 34.5

8 35.0 25.5 34.0

9 34.0 26.0 33.5

10 33.0 25.0 33.0

(i) Describe one physical observation for this reaction.

[1]

14
(ii) Explain the difference in the data for Beakers A and C.
[2]
(iii) Explain why Beaker B showed very little temperature change compared to Beakers A and C.
[2]
(iv) Outline why Beaker B contained twice the volume as Beakers A and C.
[1]

11.
The following graph shows how the pH changes during the titration of 10 cm3 of a solution of a weak
acid (HA) with 0.10 mol dm–3 NaOH.

1. (i) Calculate the [H3O+], in mol dm–3, before any base is added using the data from point A.
[2]
(ii) Determine the pKa of the acid (HA), using any relevant point between A and C.
[2]

15
(iii) Calculate the initial concentration of the acid (HA), using your answers from (i) and (ii). Express
your answer with two significant figures. If you were unable to calculate a value for K a, use Ka = 1.0 ×
10–4, even though this is not the correct answer.
[3]
(iv) Identify the label on the graph that corresponds to the equivalence point E.
[1]
(v) Calculate the concentration of the acid (HA), using the data from the equivalence point.
[3]
(vi) Account for the difference in the two answers from parts (iii) and (v) and state which result is
more accurate.
[2]
(vii) Suggest a suitable indicator for this titration, using section 18 of the data booklet. Provide a
reasoning for your answer.
[2]
(b) The pH sensor that was used for the titration experiment was rinsed thoroughly between
experiments and placed in a clean beaker containing distilled water. The pH of the distilled water was
measured to be 6.5, rather than the expected value of 7.0. Two other pH sensors gave a reading of 7.0
for the sample of distilled water.
(i) Suggest a reason for the differences in readings from the various pH sensors.
[1]
(ii) State whether the use of this pH meter during the experiment would be considered a random or
systematic error, providing your reasoning.
[2]

12.
Iron supplements contain soluble iron(II) salts to replenish them in the human body in case of
deficiency.
A redox titration can be used to determine the quantity of iron in the tablet. Since transition metals can
change oxidation states, a colour change is observed when the reaction goes to completion.
In this experiment, iron(II) will undergo oxidation to form iron(III) when permanganate ions, MnO 4–,
act as the oxidising agent in acidic solution. One half-reaction is shown below.
half reaction: MnO4–(aq) + 8H+(aq) + 5e– → Mn2+(aq) + 4H2O(l)
(a) Deduce the other half-reaction and the balanced redox equation.
[2]
(b) Five iron tablets were crushed with a mortar and pestle, dissolved in a small amount of distilled
water in a beaker and then transferred to a 500 cm3 volumetric flask and filled up to the mark with
deionised water. Samples of the solution were then titrated using acidified potassium permanganate
solution ([KMnO4] = 0.100 mol dm–3) and the following data was recorded.

16
 Tri Volume of iron initial buret final buret colour of indicator at
al solution/cm3 volume/cm3 volume/cm3 endpoint

1 20.00 0.00 15.00 Dark purple

2 20.00 15.00 27.50 pale purple

3 20.00 27.50 40.00 pale purple

4 20.00 0.00 13.50 Dark purple

5 20.00 12.50 25.00 pale purple

(i) Explain why two trials 1 and 4 should be omitted from the calculations.
[2]
(ii) Outline why five iron tablets were used to make a 500 cm3 solution, rather than using one iron
tablet to make a 100 cm3 solution.
[1]
(iii) Calculate the amount, in mol, of KMnO4 required to reach the endpoint, using the results from
Trial 2.
[2]
(iv) Calculate the mass of iron, in mg, present in the sample, using the results from Trial 2.
[3]
(v) The label states that each tablet contains 350 mg ± 1 mg of iron. Comment on the accuracy of the
result from (b) (iv) and identify whether the data from trials 2, 3 and 5 indicate random or systematic
error.
[2]

17