CHAPTER 14 • 2012 HSC EXAMINATION PAPER

2012 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFIC ATE EXAMINATION

Chemistry
Centre Number
Section I – Part B (continued)

Student Number

Question 23 (3 marks)

Explain the impact of an increase in pressure and an increase in temperature on the 3

solubility of carbon dioxide in water. Include a relevant equation in your answer.

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Question 24 (3 marks)

Explain why ammonia is such an important raw material in industry today. 3

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2012 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFIC ATE EXAMINATION

Chemistry
Centre Number
Section I – Part B (continued)

Student Number

Question 25 (3 marks)

Describe the process of monitoring waterways for eutrophication. 3

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 CHAPTER 14 • 2012 HSC EXAMINATION PAPER

Question 26 (8 marks)

Petroleum and sugar cane are both raw materials used for the production of ethanol.

(a) Construct separate flow diagrams for the production of ethanol from each raw 5
material.

petroleum sugar cane

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Question 26 (continued)

(b) Compare the environmental sustainability of producing ethanol from these two 3
raw materials.

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Question 26

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 CHAPTER 14 • 2012 HSC EXAMINATION PAPER

2012 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFIC ATE EXAMINATION

Chemistry
Centre Number
Section I – Part B (continued)

Student Number

Question 27 (3 marks)

Iodine-131 decays through both beta and gamma emission. Iodine-123 decays through
gamma emission only.

(a) Iodine-131 is used for diagnosis and therapy whereas Iodine-123 is used only 2
for diagnosis.

beta emission gamma emission

Emitted particle electron gamma-ray
Ability to pass through low high
biological tissue

With reference to the information and the table, justify the different uses of these
two radioisotopes.

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(b) Write the equation representing the decay of Iodine-131 by beta emission. 1
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Question 28 (3 marks)

A solution was made by mixing 75.00 mL of 0.120 mol L−1 hydrochloric acid with 3
25.00 mL of 0.200 mol L−1 sodium hydroxide.

What is the pH of the solution?

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© Board of Studies NSW 2012
 CHAPTER 14 • 2012 HSC EXAMINATION PAPER

2012 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFIC ATE EXAMINATION

Chemistry
Centre Number
Section I – Part B (continued)

Student Number

Question 29 (5 marks)

Draw a labelled diagram to show the layered structure of the atmosphere. In your 5
diagram include:

• the names of TWO atmospheric pollutants, positioned in the layers where the
detrimental impact occurs
• the names of the sources of the two pollutants identified.
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Question 30 (6 marks)

A chemist analysed aspirin tablets for quality control. The initial step of the analysis
was the standardisation of a NaOH solution. Three 25.00 mL samples of a
0.1034 mol L–1 solution of standardised HCl were titrated with the NaOH solution.
The average volume required for neutralisation was 25.75 mL.

(a) Calculate the molarity of the NaOH solution. 2

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Three flasks were prepared each containing a mixture of 25 mL of water and 10 mL

of ethanol. An aspirin tablet was dissolved in each flask. The aspirin in each solution
was titrated with the standardised NaOH solution according to the following equation:

C9H8O4(aq) + NaOH(aq) → C9H7O4Na(aq) + H2O(l)

The following titration results were obtained.

Tablet Volume (mL)

1 16.60
2 16.50
3 16.55

(b) (i) Calculate the average mass (mg) of aspirin per tablet. 3
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(ii) Why was it necessary to include the ethanol in the mixture? 1

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Question 31 (5 marks)

The boiling points of some alkanols are given in the table.

Alkanol Boiling point (°C)

Methanol 65
Ethanol 79
Propan-1-ol 97
Pentan-1-ol 138
Hexan-1-ol 157
Heptan-1-ol 176

(a) Using the data provided, construct a graph that shows the relationship between 3
carbon chain length and boiling point.
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(b) Using the graph, predict the boiling point of butan-1-ol. 1

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(c) What is the intermolecular force responsible for the trend shown in the graph? 1

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2012 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFIC ATE EXAMINATION

Chemistry
Centre Number
Section I – Part B (continued)

Student Number

Question 32 (3 marks)

Please turn over

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Question 32 (3 marks)

The mercury concentration of a certain fish species was determined by atomic 3

absorption spectroscopy. The sample data are:

Mass of fish (g) 18.6

Final sample volume (mL) 25.0
Absorbance (mean) 0.280

Mercury Calibration Curve

0.700

0.600

0.500
Absorbance

0.400

0.300

0.200

0.100

0.000
0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35 0.40 0.45

Hg concentration (mg L–1)

A consumer wants to avoid eating fish with a mercury concentration greater than
0.5 mg/kg of fish.

Calculate the concentration of mercury in the fish sample and state whether the
consumer can eat this fish species.
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Question 33 (6 marks)

Chemists can assist in reversing or minimising the environmental problems caused by 6

technology and the human demand for products and services.

With reference to this statement, assess the need for chemists to collaborate when
monitoring the environmental impact of a named electrochemical cell.

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 CHAPTER 14 • 2012 HSC EXAMINATION PAPER

2012 HIGHER SCHOOL CERTIFIC ATE EXAMINATION

Chemistry
Section II

25 marks
Attempt ONE question from Questions 34–38
Allow about 45 minutes for this section

Answer parts (a)–(c) of the question in Section II Answer Booklet 1.

Answer parts (d)–(e) of the question in Section II Answer Booklet 2.
Extra writing booklets are available.

Show all relevant working in questions involving calculations.

Pages

Question 34 Industrial Chemistry ............................................................. 28–29

Question 35 Shipwrecks, Corrosion and Conservation ............................ 30–31

Question 36 The Biochemistry of Movement ..........................................

(Not included in this reproduction) 32–33

Question 37 (Not included in this reproduction) 34–35

The Chemistry of Art ...........................................................

Question 38 Forensic Chemistry .............................................................. 36–38

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2027 424 E x c e l S U C C E S S O N E H S C • C H E M I S T R–Y27 –

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Question 34 — Industrial Chemistry (25 marks)

Answer parts (a)–(c) in Section II Answer Booklet 1.

(a) The following equipment was set up and the reaction allowed to proceed. Gases 3
were produced at both electrodes.

Graphite
P Q
rods

Pink due to
presence of
phenolphthalein
Na+(aq) Cl–(aq)

Name this process and identify the gas at each electrode.

(b) The equilibrium constant expression for a gaseous reaction is as follows:

⎡ N ⎤ ⎡O ⎤
⎣ 2 ⎦ ⎣ 2⎦
K =
2
⎡⎣ NO ⎤⎦

(i) Write the equation for this reaction. 1

(ii) 0.400 moles of NO was placed in a 1.00 L vessel at 2000°C. The 3

equilibrium concentration of N2 was found to be 0.198 mol L−1.

Calculate the equilibrium constant for this reaction and use this value to
describe the position of the equilibrium.
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(iii) What could be changed that would result in a different value of K for this 1
equilibrium?

Question
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 CHAPTER 14 • 2012 HSC EXAMINATION PAPER

Question 34 (continued)

(c) The production of sulfuric acid is shown.

S(s) SO2(g) SO3(g) oleum H2SO4(l)

(i) Describe the production of oleum and its conversion to concentrated 3

sulfuric acid. Include chemical equations in your answer.

(ii) SO3 can react with water to produce a solution of H2SO4. 2

Why is it essential to convert SO3 to oleum before the formation of

H2SO4?

Answer parts (d)–(e) in Section II Answer Booklet 2.

(d) (i) Outline how one of the steps involved in the Solvay process can be 3
chemically modelled in the school laboratory. Include a balanced
chemical equation in your answer.

(ii) Identify ONE risk factor and ONE difficulty associated with the 2
laboratory modelling of the step.

(e) Initially soap was the only product of the surfactant industry. Due to societal 7
pressures and chemical developments, production in this industry has evolved to
include a wide range of products.

Account for these changes over time with reference to the structure and uses of
surfactants.

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Question 34
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Question 35 — Shipwrecks, Corrosion and Conservation (25 marks)

Answer parts (a)–(c) in Section II Answer Booklet 1.

(a) A sealed container transporting a recently recovered artefact is damaged, 3

allowing seawater to escape while appearing to leave the artefact intact.

Why would the loss of seawater be of concern to the maritime archaeologists

receiving the artefact?

(b) The diagram illustrates one method of protecting a steel pipe.

Connection to power source

Ground surface

Buried steel pipe

Buried graphite anodes

(i) Explain how this method works. 3

(ii) Suggest an alternative way the pipe can be chemically protected. Use 2
half-equations to support your answer.

Question 35 continues
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 CHAPTER 14 • 2012 HSC EXAMINATION PAPER

Question 35 (continued)

(c) Corrosion in some wrecks can be represented in part by the following half-
equation.

SO42– + 10H+ + 8e– → H2S(aq) + 4H2O

(i) Under what conditions would this process occur naturally? 2

(ii) These conditions were simulated in a laboratory by placing a piece of 3

steel in an appropriate solution. The amount of hydrogen sulfide
produced was monitored over time.

Calculate the loss of iron, in grams, from the piece of steel if 0.76 g of
hydrogen sulfide was produced. Include a balanced equation in your
answer.

Answer parts (d)–(e) in Section II Answer Booklet 2.

(d) A student set up the following two beakers to investigate factors affecting
electrolysis.

6V 12V

Graphite Cu(s) Graphite Cu(s)

0.5 mol L–1 2 mol L–1

CuSO4 CuSO4
Beaker 1 Beaker 2

(i) Why is this investigation not valid? 1

(ii) Draw diagrams to show how this investigation should be carried out to 4
© PASCA L PRESS 2014 ISBN 978 1 74125 469 3

accurately identify TWO factors affecting electrolysis. Indicate the

expected results on your diagrams.

(e) Critically evaluate the continued use of steel in ship building with reference to 7
the history of ocean-going vessels, the composition of steel and ways in which
its interaction with the environment can be controlled.

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Question 38 — Forensic Chemistry (25 marks)

Answer parts (a)–(c) in Section II Answer Booklet 1.

(a) Describe how the different characteristics of a soil sample would allow forensic 3
chemists to trace its origin.

(b) An athlete is required to give two urine samples. Sample A is tested for evidence
of substances on the banned substance list. If a banned substance is detected in
Sample A then Sample B is tested. If both samples are positive for a banned
substance then the athlete is asked to explain the findings at a court hearing.

76 91 32 8 76 91 32 8

A A B B
B

A B
76 91 32 8 76 91 32 8

(i) Describe what precautions should be undertaken to ensure that the 3

evidence collected for this purpose is accepted by the court.

(ii) New technology is constantly required in forensic chemistry to keep up 2

with drug cheats or improve the outcomes of a criminal investigation.

Outline how recent advances in technology could have altered the

outcome of a specific case.
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Question 38 (continued)

(c) The diagram shows the separation of plant pigments by chromatography using
hexane as a solvent.

Solvent wetting front

Carotene pigment

Xanthophyll pigment

Chlorophyll a
Chlorophyll b

Original concentrated
spot of plant pigment

(i) State which of the pigments is the least polar and justify your choice. 2

(ii) Explain how changing the solvent would affect the separation process. 3

Question
Question 38 continues
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Question 38 (continued)

Answer parts (d)–(e) in Section II Answer Booklet 2.

(d) Sucrose is a carbohydrate composed of fructose and glucose.

CH2OH
O O
H H HOCH2 OH
H
+
OH H H HO
HO OH H CH2OH
H OH OH H
a-glucose b-fructose

(i) Complete the structural equation for the formation of sucrose. 2

(ii) Outline a chemical test that could be performed to distinguish between 3

sucrose and the monomers fructose and glucose. Include a chemical
equation in your answer.

(e) Analyse how modern techniques utilise the features of DNA and manipulate it to 7
successfully generate an individual’s DNA profile.

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of Question
of paper 38

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© Board of Studies NSW 2012
 CHAPTER 14 • 2012 HSC EXAMINATION PAPER

2012 HSC Examination Paper

Sample Answers
Section I Part A (Total 20 marks)

1 B Turbidity is due to undissolved material suspended in water.

2 D C2H4 is a monomer from which addition polymers are formed. It can be transformed
into other monomers by substituting hydrogen atoms with other atoms or molecules
to form other monomers such as styrene. Styrene is formed by substituting a
hydrogen with benzene.

3 A Catalysts increase the rate of a reaction by providing an alternative pathway for a

reaction that has a lower activation energy. Catalysts lower the activation energy for
forward and reverse reactions in equilibrium equally, and therefore have no effect
on the yield.

4 C A primary standard is one that is first weighed in a beaker and then dissolved in a
small amount of deionised water. The solution is transferred to a volumetric flask
through a filter funnel to avoid spillage. The volumetric flask is filled up to a
graduated mark with deionised water.

5 B Fermentation involves the decomposition of glucose to ethanol and carbon dioxide

in an anaerobic environment (without oxygen).

6 C Particle accelerators such as scintillators and cyclotrons accelerate positive particles

into target nuclei in order to produce neutron-poor isotopes. Neutron-emitting
chemicals are used to provide neutrons to make neutron-rich isotopes such as Co-60
in a nuclear reactor.

7 D The solution would be yellow between pH 4.5 and 6 for methyl orange and
bromothymol blue and phenolphthalein would be colourless. Thus the mixture
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would be yellow.

8 D A buffer is a weak acid in equilibrium with an approximately equal concentration

of its conjugate base. This is the only answer with this combination.

9 B Three hydrogen atoms share a pair of electrons each with nitrogen and with both
atoms supplying an electron. These are covalent bonds. The fourth hydrogen shares
nitrogen’s lone pair of electrons but doesn’t provide any electrons itself. This is a
coordinate covalent bond.

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