A Level Chemistry Edexcel Sample Chapter
A Level Chemistry Edexcel Sample Chapter
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Graham Curtis
Andrew Hunt
Contents
Get the most from this book
Prior knowledge
3 Redox I
8 Energetics I
9 Kinetics I
10 Equilibrium I
Appendix
1 Practical skills
Chemical amounts
Key terms
Amount of substance is a
physical quantity (symbol
n) which is measured in
the unit mole (symbol
mol).
Key terms
Relative atomic mass, Ar,
is the average mass of an
element reletive to 1/12th
of the mass of an atom of
the isotope carbon-12. The
values are relative so they
do not have units.
Key terms
Molar mass is the mass
of one mole of a chemical
the unit is g mol-1.
As always with molar
amounts, the symbol or
formula of the chemical
must be specified.
Molar masses
The key to working with chemical amounts in moles is to know the relative masses
of different atoms. The accurate method for determining relative atomic masses
involves the use of a mass spectrometer (Section 1.3).
One mole of an element has a mass that is equal to its relative atomic mass in grams.
So, the mass of one mole of carbon is 12.0 g and the mass of one mole of copper is
63.5 g. These masses of one mole are called molar masses (symbol M). So, the
molar mass of carbon, M(C) = 12.0 g mol-1 and the molar mass of copper, M(Cu)
= 63.5 g mol-1 (Figure 5.1).
Similarly the molar mass of the molecules of an element or a compound is numerically
equal to its relative molecular mass. So, the molar mass of oxygen molecules, M(O2 )
= 32.0 g mol-1 and the molar mass of sulfuric acid, M(H2SO4 ) = 98.1 g mol-1.
Likewise, the molar mass of an ionic compound is numerically equal to its relative
formula mass. The molar mass of magnesium nitrate, Mg(NO3) 2, is therefore
148.3 g mol-1 (Figure 5.2).
iron 55.8g
carbon 12.0g
sulfur 32.1g
mercury 200.6g
copper 63.5g
iron(iii) chloride
FeCl3 = 162.3g
sodium choride
NaCl = 58.5g
potassium manganate(vii)
KMnO4 = 158.0g
potassium iodide
KI = 166.0g
aluminium 27.0g
Tip
Amount in moles
The mole is the SI unit for amount of substance. The name of the quantity is mole.
Its unit is mol. So,
12g of carbon contains 1mol of carbon atoms
24g of carbon contains 2mol of carbon atoms
240g of carbon contains 20mol of carbon atoms.
Notice that:
mass of substance/g
amount of substance/mol =
molar mass/gmol1
Key terms
Tip
Section MiC.4 of the
maths chapter on
page xx gives help with
substituting values into
mathematical formulae.
Key terms
The Avogadro constant
is the number of atoms,
molecules or ions in one
mole of a substance. The
constant has the unit mol1.
Again, it is vital to specify the chemical species concerned in calculating the amount
of a substance or the number of particles in a sample of a substance. For example,
2g of hydrogen contains 2mol of hydrogen (H) atoms (12.041023 atoms) but only
1mol of hydrogen (H2 ) molecules (6.021023 molecules).
Test yourself
1 What is the amount, in moles, of:
a) 20.05g of calcium atoms
b) 3.995g of bromine atoms
c) 159.8g of bromine molecules
d) 6.41g of sulfur dioxide molecules
e) 10g of sodium hydroxide, NaOH?
2 What is the mass of:
a) 0.1mol of iodine atoms
b) 0.25mol of chlorine molecules
c) 2mol of water molecules
d) 0.01mol of ammonium chloride, NH4Cl
e) 0.125mol of sulfate ions, SO42?
3 How many moles of:
a) sodium ions are there in 1mol of sodium carbonate, Na2CO3
b) bromide ions are there in 0.5mol of barium bromide, BaBr2
c) nitrogen atoms are there in 2mol of ammonium nitrate, NH4NO3?
4 Use the Avogadro constant to calculate:
a) the number of chloride ions in 0.5mol of sodium chloride, NaCl
b) the number of oxygen atoms in 2mol of oxygen molecules, O2
c) the number of sulfate ions in 3mol of aluminium sulfate, Al2(SO4)3.
Key terms
An empirical formula
shows the simplest whole
number ratio of the atoms
of different elements in a
compound; for example,
CH4 for methane and CH3
for ethane.
Tip
Section MiC.3 of the
maths chapter on
page xx gives help with
calculations involving ratio
and proportion.
Example
Analysis of 20.1g of an iron bromide sample showed that it contained 3.80g of
iron and 16.3g of bromine. What is its empirical formula?
Answer
iron
bromine
Combined masses
3.80g
16.3g
Molar mass
55.8gmol1
79.9gmol1
3.80g
16.3g
Combined moles of atoms
= 0.0681mol
= 0.204mol
55.8gmol1
79.9gmol1
0.0681
Ratio of combined atoms
= 1.00
0.0681
0.204
= 2.996 = 3.00
0.0681
Percentage composition
Sometimes, the results of an analysis of a compound show the percentages of the different
elements, rather than their masses. This is the percentage composition of the
compound. The empirical formula of the compound can be calculated from these results.
Key terms
Percentage composition
is the percentage by mass
of each of the elements in
a sample of a compound.
Example
What is the empirical formula of copper pyrites which has the analysis 34.6%
copper, 30.5% iron and 34.9% sulfur?
Answer
copper iron
sulfur
Combining masses
34.6g
30.5g
34.9g
55.8gmol1
32.1gmol1
Amounts combined
34.6g
63.5gmol1
30.5g
55.8gmol1
34.9g
32.1gmol1
= 0.545mol
= 0.546mol
= 1.09mol
Test yourself
5 What is the empirical formula of the compound in which:
a) 0.6g carbon combines with 0.2g hydrogen
b) 1.02g vanadium combines with 2.84g chlorine
c) 1.38g sodium combines with 0.96g sulfur and 1.92g oxygen?
6 What is the empirical formula of the compound in which the percentages of the
elements present are:
a) 2.04% hydrogen, 32.65% sulfur and 65.31% oxygen
b) 52.18% carbon, 13.04% hydrogen and 34.78% oxygen?
Activity
red copper oxide
combustion tube
excess natural
gas burning
natural
gas
strong heat
Table 5.1
Tip
You are not expected to
be able to recall the ideal
gas equation or use it in
calculations. However it is
a very important equation
so it can be helpful to be
familiar with it.
These scientists discovered the gas laws that show how the volume, V, of a sample
of gas depends on three things:
Key terms
the temperature, T
l the pressure, p
l the amount of gas in moles, n.
Scientists have the concept of an ideal gas which obeys the gas laws perfectly.
In practice, real gases do not obey the laws under all conditions. Under laboratory
conditions, however, there are gases which are close to behaving like an ideal gas.
These are the gases which, at room temperature, are well above their boiling points,
such as helium, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen.
Chemists generally nd that the gas laws predict the behaviour of real gases accurately
enough to make them a useful practical guide, but it is important to bear in mind
that gases such as ammonia, butane, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide can show
marked deviations from ideal behaviour. These are the gases which boil only a little
below room temperature and can be liqueed just by raising the pressure.
Key terms
Test yourself
Key terms
The molar volume of a
gas is the volume of 1
mole of the gas under
stated conditions. At
room temperature and
atmospheric pressure, the
molar volume of all gases
is 24dm3mol1.
Test yourself
9 What is the amount, in moles, of gas at room temperature and pressure in:
a) 240000cm3 chlorine
b) 48cm3 hydrogen
c) 3dm3 ammonia?
10 What are the volumes in cm3 of the following amounts of gas at room
temperature and pressure:
a) 2mol nitrogen
b) 0.0002mol neon
c) 0.125mol carbon dioxide?
Activity
Core practical: Measuring the molar volume of a gas
The syringe shown in Figure 5.4 is used in an experiment to measure the molar volume of
several gases. The procedure is outlined in steps A I. Sample results are given in Table 5.2.
50 cm3 plastic syringe
hypodermic needle
nail to hold the plunger at the 50 cm3 mark
Figure 5.4 Plastic syringe with nail to lock the plunger at the 50cm3 mark
A Remove the nail and needle. Fill the syringe to the 50cm3 mark. Block the nozzle by pushing
the needle into a small rubber bung. Check that the plunger returns to the 50cm3 mark after
pushing in the plunger by 10cm3 and releasing, and after pulling out the plunger by 10cm3
and releasing.
B Push in the plunger to empty the syringe. Block the nozzle of the needle with the rubber bung.
C Pull out the plunger and lock it at the 50cm3 mark with the nail.
D Measure and record the mass of the syringe, stopper and nail using a three-place balance.
E Remove the rubber stopper from the needle and the nail from the plunger. Push in the
plunger completely.
F Insert the needle, through a self-sealing cap, into a plastic bag containing one of the gases.
Draw 50cm3 gas into the syringe.
G Seal the gas by sticking the needle into the rubber bung again and use the nail to lock the
syringe.
H Measure and record the mass of the syringe, bung and nail.
I Flush out the gas and repeat the procedure with another gas.
Table 5.2 Results recorded at room temperature and pressure.
Mass/g
syringe + bung + nail (step D)
142.213
142.302
142.247
142.322
Example
What mass of iron can be obtained from 1.0kg of iron(iii) oxide (iron ore)?
Answer
Step 1: Fe2O3(s) + 3CO(g) 2Fe(s) + 3CO2(g)
Step 2: 1mol Fe2O3 2mol Fe
Step 3: M(Fe2O3) = (2 55.8gmol1) + (3 16.0gmol1)
10
Test yourself
11 What mass of calcium oxide, CaO, forms when 25g calcium carbonate, CaCO3,
decomposes on heating?
12 What mass of sulfur combines with 8.0g copper to form copper(i) sulfide,
Cu2S?
13 What mass of sulfur is needed to produce 1kg of sulfuric acid, H2SO4?
Syringe A
100
75
50
25
3-way tap
25
50
75
100
dry ammonia
Syringe B
Figure 5.5 Measuring the reacting volumes of ammonia and hydrogen chloride.
When 30cm3 of ammonia gas and 50cm3 of hydrogen chloride gas are mixed,
ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) forms as a white solid. The volume of this solid is
insignificant compared to the volume of the gases. The volume of gas remaining is
20cm3, which turns out to be excess hydrogen chloride.
So,
30cm3 of NH3 reacts with 30cm3 of HCl
1cm3 of NH3 reacts with 1cm3 of HCl
and 24dm3 of NH3 reacts with 24dm3 of HCl.
This shows that 1mol of NH3 reacts with 1mol of HCl.
Notice that the ratio of the reacting volumes of these gases is the same as the ratio of
the reacting amounts in moles shown in the equation for the reaction. This is always
the case when gases react.
NH3 (g) + HCl(g) NH4Cl(s)
1mol
1mol
1 volume 1 volume
11
Tip
Example
What volume of oxygen reacts with 60cm3 methane and what volume of carbon
dioxide is produced if all volumes are measured at the same temperature and
pressure?
Answer
The equation for the reaction is:
CH4(g)
2O2(g)
1mol
CO2(g) + 2H2O(l)
2mol
1mol
1 volume 2 volumes
1 volume
So, 60cm3 methane reacts with 120cm3 oxygen to produce 60cm3 carbon
dioxide.
The other approach to gas volume calculations also is based on the fact that the
volume of a gas, under given conditions, depends only on the amount of gas in
moles. The molar volume of a gas can be used to convert the amounts of gases
shown in equations to volumes.
Example
What volume of hydrogen is produced under laboratory
conditions when 0.024g magnesium reacts with excess
hydrochloric acid (Figure 5.6).
12
Answer
The equation for the reaction is:
Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)
The amount of magnesium = 0.024g 24gmol1 = 0.001mol
From the equation, 1mol magnesium produces 1mol hydrogen.
Volume of hydrogen = 0.001mol 24000cm3mol1 = 24cm3
Test yourself
14 Assuming that all gas volumes are measured under the same conditions of
temperature and pressure, what volume of:
a) nitrogen forms when 2dm3 ammonia gas, NH3, decomposes into its
elements
b) oxygen is needed to react with 50cm3 ethane, C2H6, when it burns, and
what volume of carbon dioxide forms?
15 a) Copy and balance this equation for the complete combustion of propane
(Calor gas).
b) What volume of oxygen reacts with 200cm3 of propane and what volume of
carbon dioxide is produced? (Assume that all volumes are measured at room
temperature and pressure.)
c) What is the mass of the carbon dioxide produced?
16 What volume of gas forms at room temperature and pressure when:
a) 0.654g of zinc reacts with excess dilute hydrochloric acid
b) 2.022g of potassium nitrate, KNO3, decomposes on heating to potassium
nitrite, KNO2, and oxygen?
Key terms
Concentration/gdm3=
mass of solute/g
volume of solution/dm3
Concentration/moldm3 =
amount of solute/mol
volume of solution/dm3
13
Tip
Example
Concentrations are
measured in moles per
dm3 of solution not per
dm3 of water used to make
up the solution. This is
because there are small
volume changes when
solutes dissolve in water.
A car battery contains 2350g of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) in 6.0dm3 of the battery
liquid. What is the concentration of sulfuric acid in
a) gdm3
b) moldm3?
Answer
mass of solute/g
a) Concentration of the acid/gdm3 =
volume of solution/dm3
2350g
=
6.0dm3
= 392gdm3
M(H2SO4) = 98.1gmol1
b)
2350g
So, amount of H2SO4 in the battery =
98.1gmol1
= 24.0mol
amount of solute/mol
Concentration =
volume of solution/dm3
= 24.0mol / 6.0dm3
= 4.0moldm3
14
Test yourself
17 What is the concentration, in moldm3, of a solution containing:
a) 4.25g silver nitrate, AgNO3, in 500cm3 solution
b) 4.0g sodium hydroxide, NaOH, in 250cm3 of solution
c) 20.75g potassium iodide, KI, in 200cm3 of solution?
18 What mass of solute is present in:
a) 50cm3 of 2.0moldm3 sulfuric acid
b) 100cm3 of 0.010moldm3 potassium manganate(vii), KMnO4
c) 250cm3 of 0.20moldm3 sodium carbonate, Na2CO3?
Test yourself
Key terms
A titration is a volumetric
analysis technique for
finding the concentrations
of solutions and for
investigating the amounts
of chemicals involved in
reactions.
15
Figure 5.7 A scientist in Nigeria adjusting an automatic titration device. This is being used to
check that a pharmaceutical product contains the right amount of folic acid.
Pipettes, burettes and graduated flasks make it possible to measure out volumes of
solutions very precisely during a titration. There are correct techniques for using all
this glassware which must be followed carefully for accurate results.
Standard solutions
Any titration involves two solutions. Typically, a measured volume of one solution
is run into a flask from a pipette. Then the second solution is added bit by bit from
a burette until the colour change of an indicator, or the change in a signal from an
instrument, shows that the reaction is complete. The procedure only gives accurate
results if the reaction between the two solutions is rapid and proceeds exactly as
described by the chemical equation. So long as these conditions apply, titrations can
be used to study acidbase and other types of reactions.
Key terms
A standard solution is a
solution with an accurately
known concentration.
A primary standard is a
chemical which can be
weighed out accurately
to make up a standard
solution.
Standard solutions make volumetric analysis possible. The direct way of preparing
a standard solution is to dissolve a known mass of a chemical in water and then to
make the volume of solution up to a definite volume in a graduated flask.
This method for preparing a standard solution is only appropriate with a chemical that:
l
is very pure
does not gain or lose mass when in the air
l has a relatively high molar mass so that weighing errors are minimised.
l
Chemicals that meet these criteria are called primary standards. A titration with
a primary standard can be used to measure the concentration of a solution to be
analysed.
Test yourself
20 Suggest a reason why sodium hydroxide cannot be used as a primary standard.
21 Suggest a reason why anhydrous sodium carbonate can be used as a primary
standard but hydrated sodium carbonate cannot.
16
Activity
Core practical: Preparation of a standard solution from a solid acid
A standard solution of a solid acid was prepared in a graduated flask using the procedure illustrated in Figure 5.8. The acid used
was a potassium salt of benzene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid. The traditional name for the salt is potassium hydrogenphthalate which is
often referred to as KHP.
Weigh solid into sample
tube then tip into beaker
and reweigh
glass rod
Transfer to
standard flask
stirring rod
glass rod
Stopper and
mix well
Carefully make
up to the mark
on the flask
wash
bottle
Figure 5.8 Using a standard flask to prepare a solution with a specified concentration.
1 The formula of KHP is KHC8H4O4. What mass of KHP is needed to prepare a 0.10moldm3 solution in a 250cm3 graduated
flask?
2 Suggest a reason why KHP is a better primary standard to use than the oxalic acid (H2C2O4.2H2O) which is also available as a
pure solid.
3 a) Why is the solution poured down a glass rod as the liquids are transferred from the beaker to the graduated flask?
b) What other steps must be taken to ensure that every drop of the solution is transferred to the graduated flask?
4 After transferring the solution from the beaker, the graduated flask is filled with water to within about 1cm of the graduation
mark. The contents are then mixed well before finally adding water dropwise until the meniscus just rests on the mark. What
are the reasons for following this procedure?
5 Calculate the concentration of the standard solution made by the procedure in Figure 5.8 when the readings from the balance
when weighing out the solid are as follows and the volume of the graduated flask is 250.0cm3:
Mass of weighing bottle plus sample of KHP = 20.216g
Mass of weighing bottle after tipping KHP into the beaker = 14.855g
17
Example
An analyst requires a 0.10moldm3 solution of sodium hydroxide, NaOH(aq). The
analyst has a 250cm3 graduated flask and a supply of 0.50moldm3 sodium
hydroxide solution. What volume of the concentrated solution should be measured
into the graduated flask?
Answer
cA = 0.50moldm3
cB = 0.10moldm3
VA = to be calculated
VB = 250cm3 = 0.25dm3
= 0.050dm3 = 50.0cm3
18
Test yourself
22 How would you prepare:
a) a 0.05moldm3 solution of HCl(aq) given a 1000cm3 graduated flask and a
1.00moldm 3 solution of the acid
b) a 0.01moldm 3 solution of NaOH(aq) given a 500cm3 graduated flask and a
0.50moldm3 solution of the alkali?
23 What is the concentration of the solution produced when making up to the
mark with pure water and mixing:
a) 10.0cm3 of a 0.01moldm3 solution of AgNO3(aq) in a 100cm3 graduated
flask
b) 50.0cm3 of a 2.00moldm3 solution of nitric acid in a 250cm3 graduated
flask?
volume VB of substance B
concentration cB in mol dm3
conical flask
mean titre = VA
Figure 5.9 The apparatus used for a titration based on a reaction between two chemicals in
solution, A and B.
19
Key terms
The end-point in a titration
is the point at which a
colour change shows that
enough of the solution
in the burette has been
added to react with the
chemical in the flask.
The equivalence point
during a titration is
reached when the amount
of reactant added from
a burette is just enough
to react exactly with all
the measured amount of
chemical in the flask.
Titration calculations
In the laboratory, volumes of solutions are normally measured in cm3, but they
should be converted to dm 3 in calculations so that they are consistent with the units
used for concentrations.
The amount, in moles, of B in the flask at the start = c B V B
Tip
Instead of trying to
remember a formula
for working out titration
calculations it is better
to work through the
calculation, step by step,
as shown in the example
in Section 5.8.
The ratio of these amounts must be the same as the ratio of the reacting amounts nA
and nB. This means that:
cA VA nA
=
cB VB nB
In any titration, all but one of the values in this relationship are known. The one
unknown is calculated from the results, so this formula can be used to analyse
titration results. It is generally better, however, to work out the results step by step
as shown in the worked examples in this chapter.
Analysing solutions
In titrations designed to analyse solutions, the equation for the reaction is given
so that the ratio nA /nB is known. The concentration of one of the solutions is also
known. The volumes VA and V B are measured during the titration. Substituting
all the known quantities in the titration formula allows the concentration of the
unknown solution to be calculated.
Investigating reactions
In titrations to investigate reactions, the problem is to determine the ratio nA /nB.
The concentrations cA and c B are known and the volumes VA and V B are measured
during the titration. So the ratio nA /nB can be calculated from the formula.
Some acids and alkalis are fully ionised in solution. These are strong acids and
strong alkalis. For a titration of a strong acid with a strong alkali, the pH jumps from
around pH3 to pH10 at the end-point. Most common indicators change colour
sharply within this range.
Other acids are only slightly ionised in solution. These are weak acids. During a
titration of a weak acid with a strong alkali, the jump is from about pH6 to pH10.
So the indicator must be chosen with care so that it changes colour in this range.
Table 3.5 Some common indicators and the pH range over which they change colour.
Indicator
Methyl orange
Redyellow
3.24.2
Methyl red
Yellowred
4.86.0
Bromothymol blue
Yellowblue
6.07.6
Phenolphthalein
Colourlessred
8.210.0
Key terms
A strong acid is one
that is fully ionised when
it dissolves in water.
Hydrochloric acid is an
example of a strong acid.
A weak acid is one that
is only slightly ionised
when it dissolves in
water. Ethanoic acid is an
example of a weak acid.
Tip
You will learn more about
indicators and why they
change colour over
different pH ranges later in
your advanced chemistry
course.
Example
Calcium hydroxide is an alkali that is only slightly soluble in water. Its solubility, at a
given temperature, can be determined by titration of a saturated solution of the alkali
with a standard solution of hydrochloric acid as shown in Figure 5.10. Work out the
solubility of Ca(OH)2 in moles per dm3, and in grams per dm3, given that the volume
VA of acid added from the burette at the end point was 23.50cm3.
solution B:
saturated solution of
calcium hydroxide at
20C concentration
cB to be measured
safety filler
25.00cm3
pipette
solution A:
cA = 0.050 mol dm3 hydrochloric acid
21
Answer
Step 1: Work out the amount of acid added from the burette.
The concentration of the acid, cA
= 0.050moldm3
23.50dm3
Amount of HCl(aq) added from the burette =
0.050moldm3
1000
= 0.001175mol
Step 2: Use the equation for the titration reaction to find the amount of alkali in
the flask.
Ca(OH)2(aq) + 2HCl(aq) CaCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l)
So 1mol of the alkali reacts with 2mol of the acid.
Hence the amount of calcium hydroxide in the flask = 0.5 0.001175mol
= 0.0005875mol
Step 3: Work out the concentration of the saturated solution.
The 0.0005875mol of alkali is dissolved in 25.0cm3 of saturated solution.
So the concentration of saturated calcium hydroxide solution
= 0.0005875mol 0.025dm3
= 0.0235moldm3
The molar mass of calcium hydroxide is 74.1gmol1.
So the concentration of saturated calcium hydroxide solution
= 0.0235moldm3 74.1gmol1
= 1.74gdm3
Test yourself
24 Suggest why methyl orange is distinctly orange when the pH is 3.7.
25 A 25.0cm3 sample of nitric acid was neutralised by 18.0cm3 of 0.15moldm3
sodium hydroxide solution. Calculate the concentration of the nitric acid.
26 A 2.65g sample of anhydrous sodium carbonate was dissolved in water and
the solution made up to 250cm3. In a titration, 25.0cm3 of this solution was
added to a flask and the end-point was reached after adding 22.5cm3 of
hydrochloric acid. Calculate the concentration of the hydrochloric acid.
27 A 41.0g sample of the acid H3PO3 was dissolved in water and the volume
of solution was made up to 1dm3. 20.0cm3 of this solution was required to
react with 25.0cm3 of 0.80moldm3 sodium hydroxide solution. What is the
equation for the reaction?
22
EX 20C
It is difficult to determine
accurately the volume of
liquid in a burette if the
meniscus lies between
two graduation marks.
10
Key terms
Measurements are
accurate if they are
precise and free from bias.
23 C
B 250 ml
20 C
It is difficult to make an
exact judgement of the
end-point of a titration
(the exact point at which
the colour of the indicator
changes).
A burette is calibrated
by the manufacturer for
use at 20C. When it is
used in the laboratory
the temperature may be 23 C.
This difference in
temperature will cause
a small difference in the
actual volume of liquid
in the burette when it is
filled to a calibration mark.
The display on a
laboratory balance will
only show the mass to
a certain number of
decimal places.
Key terms
Measurements are precise
if repeat measurements
have values that are
close together. Precise
measurements have a
small random error.
5.9 Evaluating results
23
Key terms
Bias arises from
systematic errors
which affect all the
measurements in the
same way, making them
all higher or lower than
the true value. Systematic
errors do not average out.
1st attempt: The shots are quite widely scattered and some have
not even hit the board. The shots show poor precision as they are
quite widely scattered. There is also a bias in where the shots
have landed they are grouped in the top right-hand corner, not
near the centre of the board.
bias
2nd attempt: The precision has improved as the shots are now
more closely grouped. However, there is still a bias, as the group
of shots is offset from the centre of the board.
3rd attempt: The player has improved to reduce the bias all the
shots are now on the board and scattered round the centre.
Unfortunately the precision is poor as the shots are quite widely
scattered.
Some time later: The shots are precise and unbiased they are
all grouped close together in the centre of the board.
Figure 5.12 Throwing darts at the bullseye of a dartboard illustrates the notions of precision and
bias. Reliable players throw precisely and without bias so that their darts hit the centre of the
board accurately.
Tip
See Sections 5.9 and
11.10 to find out how to
estimate measurement
errors and calculate
overall measurement
uncertainties.
24
Test yourself
28 Identify examples of random and systematic error when:
a) using a pipette
b) using a burette
c) making up a standard solution in a graduated flask.
Activity
Core practical: Finding the concentration of a solution of hydrochloric acid
A student carried out a titration to determine the concentration of a solution of hydrochloric acid. He used the apparatus shown
in Figure 5.13 and followed the instructions numbered AF. The results are shown in the table below the instructions.
safety filler
standard solution of
sodium carbonate
25.0 cm3
pipette
Figure 5.13
Instructions
Results
A Wash out the pipette, burette and conical flask with pure
(deionised or distilled) water.
B Rinse the burette with a little of the solution of
hydrochloric acid, then fill the burette remembering to run
out some of the solution through the tap.
C Rinse the 25.0cm3 pipette with the standard solution of
sodium carbonate. Fill the pipette to the mark and run out
the measured alkali into a clean conical flask allowing the
pipette to drain adequately.
D Add three drops of methyl orange indicator.
E Carry out one rough and then accurate titrations to give
two titres that are within 0.10cm3 of each other. In the
accurate titrations the colour change at the end-point
should be caused by adding one drop of acid.
F Each time record the initial and final burette readings.
Take the burette readings to the nearest half-scale
division.
Rough
Accurate 1
Accurate 2
Accurate 3
28.0
24.00
25.70
26.50
5.0
1.55
3.30
4.15
23.0
22.45
22.40
22.35
Titre/cm3
25
Key terms
Yield calculations are used
to assess the efficiency of
a chemical process. The
actual yield is the mass of
product obtained from a
reaction. The theoretical
yield is the mass of
product obtained if the
reaction goes according to
the equation.
The percentage yield =
actual yield
100
theoretical yield
A limiting reactant is
a substance which is
present in an amount
which limits the theoretical
yield.
Converting all of the limiting reagent to the desired product gives a 100% yield.
But few reactions are so efficient and many give low yields. There are various reasons
why yields are not 100%:
l
Example
A modern gas-fuelled lime kiln produces 500kg of calcium oxide, CaO (quicklime),
from 1000kg of crushed calcium carbonate, CaCO3(limestone).
What is the percentage yield of calcium oxide?
Answer
The equation for the reaction involved is:
CaCO3(s) CaO(s) + CO2(g)
From the equation, 1 mole CaCO3 1 mole CaO
[40.1 + 12 + (3 16)]g CaCO3 (40.1 + 16)g CaO
So 100.1g CaCO3 56.1g CaO
56.1
g CaO
Thus 1g CaCO3
100.1
56.1
Theoretical yield from 1000kg CaCO3 =
1000kg CaO
100.1
= 560kg
The actual yield of CaO = 500kg CaO
500kg
Percentage yield =
100 = 89%
560kg
26
Test yourself
29 1000kg of pure iron(iii) oxide, Fe2O3, was reduced to iron and 630kg of iron
was obtained. What are the theoretical and percentage yields of iron?
30 500kg of calcium oxide (quicklime) was reacted with water to produce calcium
hydroxide, Ca(OH)2 (slaked lime). 620kg of calcium hydroxide was produced.
Calculate the theoretical and percentage yields.
Atom economy
The yield in a laboratory or industrial process focuses on the desired product. But
many atoms in the reactants do not end up in the desired product. This can lead
to a huge waste of material. For example, when calcium carbonate (limestone) is
decomposed to produce calcium oxide (quicklime), part of the calcium carbonate is
lost as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
The waste in many reactions has led scientists and industrialists to use the term
atom economy in calculating the overall efficiency of a chemical process
(Figure5.14). The atom economy of a reaction is the molar mass of the desired
product expressed as a percentage of the sum of the molar masses of all the products
as shown in the equation for the reaction.
molar mass of the desired product
atom economy =
100%
sum of the molar masses of all the products
Key terms
Atom economy is a
measure of how efficiently
a chemical reaction
converts the atoms in
its reactants to atoms in
the product. The atom
economy for a reaction
is calculated from the
balanced equation to show
the percentage of the
mass of the atoms in the
reactants that is converted
to the desired product.
Figure 5.14 The production of ibuprofen is an excellent example of atom economy. Ibuprofen is an
important medicine which reduces swelling and pain. In the 1960s, Boots made ibuprofen in five
steps with an atom economy of only 40%. When the patent expired, another company developed a
new process requiring just two steps with an atom economy of 100%.
27
Example
Titanium is manufactured by heating titanium(iv) chloride with magnesium. The
equation for the reaction is:
TiCl4(g) + 2Mg(l) Ti(s) + 2MgCl2(s)
What is the atom economy of this process?
Answer
Molar mass of all products = M(Ti) + 2M(MgCl2)
= 47.9gmol1 + 190.6gmol1 = 238.5gmol1
Molar mass of desired product = 47.9gmol1
Therefore: atom economy = 47.9 238.5 100% = 20.1%
Almost 80% of the reactants are wasted in the manufacture of titanium by the
process described above because magnesium and chlorine atoms are lost as magnesium
chloride. If society is to use raw materials as efficiently as possible, chemists must
look for high atom economies as well as high percentage yields, particularly in
industrial processes.
Test yourself
31 Calculate the atom economy for:
a) the conversion of nitrogen (N2) to ammonia (NH3) in the Haber process:
28
Success also depends on good techniques when mixing chemicals, heating mixtures
and testing for gases.
In inorganic chemistry most observations can be explained in terms of a number of
types of reaction (see also Chapter 3 and Section 4.1).
Acidbase reactions
Acids and alkalis are commonly used in chemical tests. Dilute hydrochloric acid is a
convenient strong acid. Sodium hydroxide solution is often chosen as a strong base.
Adding dilute hydrochloric acid to a carbonate, for example, adds hydrogen ions
to the carbonate ions, CO32-, turning them into carbonic acid molecules, H2CO3,
which immediately decomposes into carbon dioxide and water.
2H+(aq) + CO32- (aq) H2CO3 (aq) H2O(l) + CO2 (g)
Testing with limewater can then identify the gas given off, confirming that the
compound tested is a carbonate.
Redox reactions
Common oxidising agents used in inorganic tests include chlorine, bromine and
acidic solutions of iron(iii) ions, manganate(vii) ions or dichromate(vi) ions.
Some reagents change colour when oxidised, which makes them useful for detecting
oxidising agents. In particular, a colourless solution of iodide ions turns to a yellow
brown colour when oxidised. This can be a very sensitive test if starch is present
because starch gives an intense blueblack colour with low concentrations of iodine.
This is the basis of using starchiodide paper to test for chlorine and other oxidising
gases. The oxidation of iodide ions by chlorine or bromine is a redox reaction in
which one halogen displaces another (Section 4.10).
Common inorganic reducing agents are metals (in the presence of acid or alkali),
sulfur dioxide and iron(ii) ions.
Some reagents change colour when reduced. In particular, dichromate(vi) ions in
acid change from orange to green. This is the basis of a test for sulfur dioxide gas.
29
Test yourself
32 For each of the following tests, identify the type of chemical reaction taking
place, name the products and write a balanced equation for the reaction:
a) testing for iodide ions with silver nitrate solution
b) adding dilute hydrochloric acid to magnesium carbonate
c) testing for sulfate ions with barium chloride
d) strongly heating a sample of potassium nitrate
e) using concentrated ammonia solution to detect hydrogen chloride
f) adding chlorine to a solution of potassium bromide.
Activity
Core practical: Analysis of inorganic unknowns
A series of tests was carried out on two unknown inorganic salts labelled X and Y. The tests and observations were recorded as in
Table 5.5.
Table 5.5 Tests and observations on two inorganic unknowns
Test
1 Describe in outline the procedure for carrying out a flame test on an unknown salt.
2 What precautions have to be taken to avoid contamination, and why are they necessary?
3 Describe in outline the procedure for the gas tests mentioned in Table 5.5.
4 What can be deduced from the results of the flame tests in Table 5.5?
5 Suggest explanations for the observations on heating X and Y, including equations for any reactions.
6 What can be deduced from the results of Test 3?
7 Explain the observations in Test 4 and write an equation for the reaction which took place on adding acid.
8 Describe two further tests that could be carried out to confirm the conclusions based on these observations. What are the
expected results of these tests.
30
(1)
(3)
(3)
2 a) How many molecules are present in 4.0g of oxygen, O2? (O = 16) (3)
b) How many ions are present in 9.4g of potassium oxide, K2O?
(K = 39, O = 16) (Avogadro constant = 6.021023mol1)
(3)
(1)
(2)
(2)
5 For each of the following equations, state the type of reaction which it
represents.
a) Ca(NO3)2(aq) + K2CO3(aq) CaCO3(s) + 2KNO3(aq)
b) Mg(s) + 2HCl(aq) MgCl2(aq) + H2(g)
c) 2Zn(NO3)2(s) 2ZnO(s) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g)
d) H2SO4(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) Na2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)
(4)
6 For each of the following tests, identify the type of chemical reaction
taking place, name the products and write a balanced equation for the
reaction:
a) testing for iodide ions with silver nitrate solution
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
(3)
31
(1)
(2)
(1)
(3)
ii) The double salt was crystallised from the solution. What mass
of ammonium iron(ii) sulfate hexahydrate was obtained if the
percentage yield was 50%? (H = 1, N = 14, Fe = 56, S = 32,
O = 16)
(4)
(5)
32
(3)
(2)
(4)
(4)
(2)
(1)
(1)
d) Use your answer to part (c) and the mass of the sample to calculate
(2)
the relative formula mass of M2CO3.
e) Calculate the relative atomic mass of metal M.
(1)
(1)
(4)
(3)
33
1 (rough)
22.00
23.00
22.15
1.00
2.35
1.60
Determine the percentage of loss of mass from the crystals from the
titration results.
(10)
Next the analyst titrates separate 25.0cm3 portions of the diluted solution
with a 0.100moldm3 solution of sodium hydroxide to determine the
amount of acid that did not react with the egg shell. The mean titre was
24.30cm3.
a) Give two reasons why titrating the calcium carbonate in an egg shell
with hydrochloric acid from a burette is not possible.
(2)
b) Use the data about the titration to calculate the amount of excess
hydrochloric acid, in moles, left over after reaction with the
egg shell.
(3)
34
(3)
Photo credits:
p. 3 Martyn Chillmaid (both); p. 16 Geoff Tompkinson/Science Photo Library;
p. 27 Saturn Stills/Science Photo Library
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