CIE AS Chemistry

Topic Questions

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2020

Last exams 2024

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1.7 Equilibria

1a2 marks

This question is about dynamic equilibria.

State what is meant by the term dynamic equilibrium. 

1b1 mark

A general reaction exists in the following dynamic equilibrium.

3A+ 2B ⇌ C2 + D

Which part of the equation shows that this reaction is a dynamic equilibrium?

1c1 mark

The gases nitrogen dioxide, NO2 (g), and nitrogen tetroxide, N2O4 (g), exist in the following dynamic equilibrium.

2NO2 (g) ⇌ N2O4 (g)
 

An increase in pressure shifts the equilibrium to the product's side and increases the yield of nitrogen tetroxide.

State why the increase in pressure shifts the equilibrium to the product's side.

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2a1 mark

During the manufacture of sulfuric acid in the Contact process, sulfur dioxide, SO2, is oxidised into sulfur trioxide, SO3.

2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2SO3 (g)   H = −197 kJ mol−1 

State the effect on the rate of reaction when the temperature increases. 

2b2 marks

State, with a reason, the effect on the yield of sulfur trioxide when the temperature increases.

2c3 marks

Describe and explain the effect of decreasing the pressure on the yield of sulfur trioxide.

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3a1 mark

Ammonia is manufactured from nitrogen and hydrogen using the Haber process.

N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) ⇌ 2NH3 (g)

State the effect that the addition of an iron catalyst would have on the position of the equilibrium.

3b1 mark

Write the expression for Kc for the production of ammonia.

3c
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2 marks

At 450 oC, the equilibrium concentrations are N2 (g): 17.4 mol dm-3, H2 (g): 0.85 mol dm-3, NH3 (g): 1.25 mol dm-3

 

Calculate the value of Kc to three significant figures.

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4a1 mark

Dinitrogen pentoxide, N2O5 (g), decomposes into oxygen and nitrogen dioxide via the following equation.

2N2O5 (g) rightwards harpoon over leftwards harpoon O2 (g) + 4NO2 (g) 

Give the expression for the equilibrium constant, Kp, for this equilibrium. 


K
p =
4b
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3 marks

The partial pressures at temperature T are shown in Table 4.1


Table 4.1

  N2O5 (g) O2 (g) NO2 (g)
Partial pressure (Pa) 10 000 400 600

i)
Use your answer to part (a) and Table 4.1 to calculate a value for Kp at temperature T.




Kp = ...................... 
[2]
ii)
Determine the units for Kp.



Units = ....................
[1]
4c1 mark

The reaction is repeated at a lower pressure.

State the effect of this on Kp.

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5a1 mark

Define a Brønsted–Lowry acid.

5b1 mark

Which species in the following reaction acts as a Brønsted-Lowry base.

HSO4- (aq) + H3O+ (aq) rightwards harpoon over leftwards harpoon H2SO4 (aq) + H2O (l)

5c1 mark

Which species in the following equation is acting as a Brønsted-Lowry acid.

CO32- (aq) + H+ (aq) rightwards harpoon over leftwards harpoonHCO3- (aq)

5d1 mark

Propanoic acid, CH3CH2CO2H is classed as a weak acid. 

Write an equation to show the dissociation of propanoic acid.

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6a3 marks

A pH curve can be drawn from the data recorded from the following procedure

Step 1   Placing a fixed volume of a HCl (aq) into a beaker

Step 2   Add KOH (aq) in known small portions from a burette and stir

Step 3   Use pH meter to record pH after every addition of alkali 

Sketch a curve on the graph in Fig. 6.1 for a strong acid - strong base titration that could be drawn after this procedure is carried out.

1-7-6a-e-cie-ial-1-7e-q6-fig--6-1-a
Fig. 6.1
6b2 marks

A titration was performed between ethanoic acid, CH3CO2H (aq) and sodium hydroxide, NaOH (aq). Using the information in Table 6.1, suggest which indicator would be suitable for this titration.

Table 6.1

Indicator pH range
Pentamethoxy red 1.2 - 3.2
Naphthyl red 3.7 - 5.0
4-nitrophenol 5.6 - 7.0
Cresol purple 7.6 - 9.2

i)
Write an equation for the reaction between ethanoic acid and sodium hydroxide
[1]
ii)
Using the information in Table 6.1, suggest which indicator would be suitable for this titration
[1]
6c2 marks

Apart from using an indicator or pH probe, describe one test that could be used to show that hydrochloric acid is a stronger acid than ethanoic acid of the same concentration.

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1a3 marks

The following dynamic equilibrium was reached at temperature, T, in a closed container.

3A (g) + 2B (g) ⇌ 2C (g)    ΔH = - 65 kJ mol-1 

The value of Kc for the reaction was 255 mol-1 dm3 when the equilibrium mixture contained 3.34 mol of A and 4.28 mol of C. 

i)
Give the definition of dynamic equilibrium.
 
[2]
 
ii)
Write an expression for Kc for the reaction.
 
[1]
1b
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4 marks

Calculate the concentration of B in the equilibrium mixture if the volume of the container is 8.00 dm3. Give your answer to 3 significant figures.

1c2 marks

Changing the conditions of a closed container can have an effect on the concentrations of the reactants, products and Kc.

State the effect, if any, on the concentration of B at equilibrium if temperature, T, is increased and give a reason for your answer.

1d
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1 mark

Calculate the equilibrium constant for the following reaction at temperature, T

2C (g) ⇌ 3A (g) + 2B (g)

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2a3 marks

The graph in Fig. 2.1 shows the effect of pressure and temperature on the equilibrium yield of gaseous molecules.3-6_q5a-ocr-a-as--a-level-hard-sq

Fig. 2.1

Use Fig. 2.1 to fully explain whether the forward reaction is exothermic or endothermic.

2b3 marks

Use Fig 2.1 to explain whether the forward reaction will involve either an increase or decrease in the number of moles of a gas.

2c3 marks

The graph shows the relationship between temperature and Kc for a different dynamic equilibrium to produce a gaseous product is shown in Fig 2.2.

3-6_q5c-ocr-a-as--a-level-hard-sq

Fig 2.2

Use the information in Fig 2.2 to establish whether the forward reaction is exothermic or endothermic. Justify your answer.

2d2 marks

Gaseous products can be manufactured by the direct combination of reactants.

Explain why it is important for a chemist to know the value of Kc, at a given temperature, for such a reaction.

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3a3 marks

A student carried out some acid-base titrations using different reactants.

The indicators and their pH range are given in Table 3.1. 

Table 3.1

Indicator pH range
methyl red 4.2 - 6.3
bromothymol blue 6.0 - 7.6
bromocresol green 3.8 - 5.4
phenolphthalein 8.2 - 10.0

In the first titration, they titrated 10.0 cm3 of 0.200 mol dm-3 HCl against 0.200 mol dm-3 aqueous ammonia. 

Sketch the pH curve that would be obtained from this titration. 

 

3b2 marks

Using Table 3.1, explain why methyl red is a suitable indicator for the first titration but phenolphthalein is not.

3c3 marks

In a second titration, the student titrated 25.0 cm3 of 0.200 mol dm-3 sodium hydroxide against 0.100 mol dm-3 ethanoic acid solution.

Sketch the graph that would be obtained for this titration.

3d2 marks

Using Table 3.1, explain why phenolphthalein is a suitable indicator for the second titration but methyl orange is not.

3e4 marks

Explain whether the other two indicators in Table 3.1 are suitable for use in either titration.

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4a4 marks

At high temperatures, gaseous phosphorus(V) chloride dissociates according to the following equation:

PCl5 (g) ⇋ PCl3 (g) + Cl2 (g)

At 550K, the equilibrium amount of each gas is shown in Table 4.1.

Table 4.1

Chemical PCl5 (g)  PCl3 (g) Cl2 (g)
Equilibrium moles 0.192 0.822 0.822

Calculate the total pressure of the reaction, if Kp = 526 kPa. Give your answers to an appropriate number of significant figures and show your working.


 P = ........................... kPa

4b4 marks

Nitrogen dioxide decomposes according to the following equation:

2NO2 (g) ⇋ 2NO (g) + O2 (g)

At 700 K, the equilibrium amount of each gas is shown in Table 4.2.

Table 4.2

Chemical NO2 (g) NO (g) O2 (g)
Equilibrium moles 0.92 0.06 0.04

 

Calculate the total pressure of the reaction, if Kp = 9.8 x 10-3 kPa.

 

 

P = ................... kPa

4c
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4 marks

Hydrogen iodide can undergo thermal decomposition according to the following equation:

2HI (g) ⇋ H2 (g) + I2 (g)

The value of Kp for this reaction at 700 K is 0.0185.

Calculate the total pressure when the partial pressure of hydrogen iodide, at equilibrium, is 133 kPa. Give your answer to the appropriate number of significant figures.




P = .........................

4d
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6 marks

Dinitrogen tetroxide decomposes according to the following equilibrium:

N2O4 (g) ⇋ 2NO2 (g) 

The value of Kp for this reaction at 300 K is 385 kPa.

The equilibrium mixture contained 2.40 moles of nitrogen dioxide after an initial 3.00 moles of dinitrogen tetroxide were heated at 300 K

Calculate the partial pressures of dinitrogen tetroxide and nitrogen dioxide. Give your answer to the appropriate number of significant figures.


p N2O4 = ................... kPa

p NO2 = ................... kPa

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5a1 mark

Malonic acid is a weak dibasic carboxylic acid with the formula C3H4O4. Draw the displayed structure of malonic acid.

5b2 marks

Suggest, with a reason, whether ethanoic acid or malonic acid has a higher pH.

5c1 mark

Apart from testing the pH, suggest how equimolar solutions of malonic acid and ethanoic acid may be distinguished.

5d
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3 marks

30.0 of 0.075 mol dm-3 CH3COOH with a pH of 2.93 was slowly added to a sample of 10.0 cm3 0.150 mol dm–3 KOH with a pH of 13.1. The pH was measured throughout the addition. 

On the following axes, sketch how the pH will change during the addition of a total of 30.0 of 0.075 CH3COOH. 

img-2582

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1a3 marks

Ethanol has a great number of uses. For industrial purposes, it can be manufactured via the following reversible reaction.

   C2H(g)   +   H2O (g)     ⇋     C2H5OH (g)    ΔH = -46 kJ mol-1

The optimum pressure for this reaction is between 60 and 70 atm. 
 

State and explain the effect, if any, that increasing the overall pressure would have on the equilibrium yield of ethanol. Use Le Chatelier’s principle to explain your answer. 

1b4 marks

Although Le Chatelier’s principle is used to suggest the best conditions for a reaction, often a compromise has to be made.

i)
Use Le Chatelier’s principle to suggest whether a high or low temperature should be used to produce the maximum yield of ethanol in the reaction from part (a).

ii)
State a problem that may occur from using this temperature.

1c1 mark

Ethanol can be used as a reactant in another equilibrium reaction; the manufacture of ethyl ethanoate. 

   CH3CH2OH(l)   +   CH3COOH(l)    ⇋    CH3COOCH2CH3 (l)   +   H2O(l) 

Give the expression for the equilibrium constant, Kc, for this equilibrium.

Kc =

1d
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4 marks

A student set up the esterification reaction seen in part (c), adding ethanol and ethanoic acid to a reaction vessel. They set the reaction up in a closed system, at a constant temperature and allowed equilibrium to be reached. 

The reaction was done in a container with a volume of 250 cm3

Table 1.1 below shows the amount of each substance present in the equilibrium mixture. 

Table 1.1 

Substance

Amount (mol)

CH3CH2OH

0.0375

CH3COOH

0.0615

CH3COOCH2CH3

0.0776

H2O

0.0834

i)
Calculate Kc for this reaction to 2 decimal places.




K= ....................
[3]
ii)
Deduce the units for Kc.



units = ......................
[1]

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2a1 mark

Ammonia can be manufactured from nitrogen and hydrogen gases in the Haber process.

The equilibrium is shown below.

N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) ⇌ 2NH3 (g)   ΔH = –91 kJ mol–1

Write an expression for Kc for this equilibrium. 

Kc

2b
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6 marks

A chemist carries out a series of experiments to investigate the conversion of nitrogen and hydrogen into ammonia under different conditions.

The chemist mixes together 10.40 mol N2 and 22.50 mol H2 and pressurises the gases so that the total gas volume is 5.00 dm3.

The mixture is allowed to reach equilibrium at constant temperature and without changing the total gas volume. The equilibrium mixture contains 5.60 mol NH3.

i)
Calculate Kc at this temperature. Give your answer to three significant figures.
Show your working. 




K
c = ......................

[5]

ii)
State the units for Kc.



units = ...............

[1]
2c1 mark

The chemist repeats the experiment several times. In each experiment, the chemist makes one change.

The chemist heats the mixture to a higher temperature at constant pressure.

Explain whether the value of Kc would be greater, smaller or the same.

2d1 mark

The chemist increases the pressure of the mixture at constant temperature.

d)
Explain whether the value of Kc would be greater, smaller or the same.

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3a4 marks

Hydrogen chloride undergoes a reversible reaction with oxygen at 400 °C at in the presence of copper(II) chloride catalyst forming chlorine and water.

i)
Write the equation for this reaction. Include state symbols
[2] 

ii)
The reaction exists in dynamic equilibrium. The reaction was repeated at the same temperature but at a lower pressure. 
State and explain the effect on the composition of the equilibrium mixture of the change in pressure.
[2] 
3b
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8 marks

When 2.00 mol of HCl are mixed in a sealed container with 0.600 mol of O2 at 400 °C, 0.700 mol of Cl2 and 0.700 mol of H2O are formed.


The total pressure inside the container is 1.15 × 105 Pa.

i)
Calculate the amounts, in mol, of HCl and O2 in the equilibrium mixture.

HCl = .............................. mol

O2 = .............................. mol

[2]
ii)
Use your answer to part (b)(i) to calculate the mole fraction and hence partial pressure of each species in the equilibrium mixture.

pHCl = .............................. Pa

pO2 = .............................. Pa

pCl2 = .............................. Pa

pH2O = ................................ Pa

[3]

iii)
Write an expression for Kp for this reaction.

K
p
[1]
iv)
Using your answer to part (b)(ii) and part (b)(iii) calculate a value for Kand deduce the units. 


K
p = ................................. 
units = ................................. 
[2]

3c1 mark

The reaction is repeated without a catalyst.

State the effect of this on Kp

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4a2 marks

Ethanoic acid can be reacted with methanoic acid to form methyl ethanoate, and an equilibrium mixture is formed. 

CH3COOH + CH3OH rightwards harpoon over leftwards harpoonCH3COOCH3 + H2O

The reaction is usually carried out in the presence of an acid catalyst.

Write an expression for the equilibrium constant, Kc, for this reaction, clearly stating the units.

Kc =


units .................................................
4b2 marks

In an experiment to determine Kc a student placed together in a conical flask 0.20 mol of ethanoic acid, 0.20 mol of methanol, and 0.01 mol of hydrogen chloride catalyst.


The flask was sealed and kept at 25 °C for ten days. After this time, the student titrated all of the contents of the flask with 1.80 mol dm–3 KOH. At the end-point, 26.30 cm3 of KOH had been used.

i)
Write a balanced equation for the reaction between ethanoic acid and potassium hydroxide.

[1]
ii)
Suggest a suitable choice of indicator for the titration.

[1]
4c
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7 marks

The student carried out the following calculations.

i)
Calculate the amount, in moles, of KOH used in the titration.
[1]
ii)
What amount, in moles, of this KOH reacted with the hydrogen chloride?
[1]
iii)
Hence calculate the amount, in moles, of KOH that reacted with the ethanoic acid.
[1]
iv)
Use your results from parts (i) (ii) and (iii) to calculate the amount, in moles, of ethanoic acid present at equilibrium.

Hence complete the table below
[2]
  CH3COOH CH3OH CH3COOCH3 H2O
Initial amount / mol 0.20 0.20 0 0
Equilibrium amount / mol        

v)
Use your results to calculate a value for Kc for this reaction and state its units.

Kc = ........................

units = .......................

[2]

4d4 marks

The student performed another titration between the ethanoic acid used in the formation of the ester and the potassium hydroxide solution. The volume of potassium hydroxide added from the burette was recorded. 

Sketch a pH titration curve for this reaction.

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5a3 marks

This question is about Brønsted-Lowry acids and bases.

i)

Give the meaning of the term Brønsted-Lowry base.

ii)

Explain the term weak acid.

5b3 marks

A student titrated 0.10 mol dm-3 acid into a conical flask containing 25.0 cm3 of 0.1 mol dm-3 of a base, recording the pH with each addition of acid.

The student repeated the procedure using different combinations of acids and bases. 

1-7-equilibria-5b
Fig. 5.1 

Identify which curve shown above in Fig. 5.1, is the acid-base combination for the following: 

i)
Ammonia and ethanoic acid.

ii)
Ammonia and nitric acid.

iii)
Sodium hydroxide and propanoic acid.
5c3 marks

Identify which indicator given in Table 5.2 would be most suitable for curve Z. Justify your answer. 

Table 5.2

Indicator  pH range
Methyl orange 3.1 - 4.4
Phenolphthalein 8.3 - 10.0
Bromothymol blue 6.0 - 7.6

5d2 marks

Water is amphoteric and will react with nitric acid and ammonia.

i)
Write an equation to show how water reacts with ammonia
[1]
ii)
Explain the term amphoteric. 
[1]

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