Name ……………………MARKING SCHEME….

……… Admission Number……………………

School ………………….…...………………………… Candidate’s signature…………...…

Date ……………………………………………………. Contest Code …………………………

BUKWAQ CHEMISTRY CONTEST

JUNE-2024
Dive into the Depths of Chemistry to Explore, Discover and
Excel.
Time: 1½ hours
FORM 3

Instructions to Candidates
(a) Write your name and admission number in the spaces provided above.
(b) Write the name of your school and sign in the spaces provided above.
(c) Answer all questions in the spaces provided after each question,
(d) Marks may be given for correct working even if the answer is wrong.
(e) Non-programmable silent electronic calculators and KNEC mathematics tables may be
used, except where stated otherwise.
(f) This paper consists of 13 printed pages.
(g) Candidates should check the question paper to ascertain that all pages are printed as
indicated and that no questions are missing.
(h) Candidates should answer the questions in English.
FOR EXAMINER’S USE ONLY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Grand
Total

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1. Silicon and carbon are both group IV elements. Silicon (IV) oxide is a solid at room
temperature which melts at 1973K while carbon (IV) oxide is a gas and melts at
217K. In terms of structure and bonding, explain the difference. (2 marks)

Carbon (IV) oxide has a simple molecular structure with weak van der waals
forces which require little energy to break while silcon (IV) oxide has a giant
atomic structure with strong covalent bonds which require more energy to
break.

2. Name the following processes;

(a) When anhydrous calcium chloride is left in an open beaker overnight a solution
was formed. (1mark)
Deliquescence
(b) When sodium carbonate decahydrate crystals are left in an open beaker for
some days it turned into a powder. (1mark)
Efflorescence
40
3. An element Q can be represented as 20 Q (Q is not the actual symbol of the element)

(a) Write the electron configuration of Q (1 Mark)

2.8.8.2

(b) To which group and period does Q belong? (1 Mark)

Goup II

Period 4

(c) Write the formula of the ion of Q. (1 Mark)

Q2+
4. (a)Sketch a graph demonstrating Charles’ law. (2 Marks)

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(b) A fixed mass of a gas has a volume of 250cm3 at a temperature of 270C and
750mmHg pressure. Calculate the volume the gas would occupy at 420C and
750mmHg. (2 Marks)

27  273  300 K 42  273  315 K

P1V1 P2V2 250  750 V2  750

  
T1 T2 300 315
250  750  315
V2   262.5cm 3
750  300
5. The table below shows the trend in ionization energy for elements M, N and L. Use
it to answer the questions that follows.

First Ionization energy

Element
(kJ)
M 494

N 519

L 418

(a) Define ionization energy. (1 Mark)

Minimum amount of energy required to remove electron from atom in its

gaseous state

(b) Which element has the smallest atomic radius? (1 Mark)

(c) Which is the most reactive element? Explain. (2 Marks)

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L-Requires the least energy to lose an electron

6. (a) One of the uses of sulphur is in vulcanization of rubber. Define vulcanization.

(1mark)
It is the process of hardening rubber.
(b) State one properties that vulcanized rubber possesses. (1mark)
 It is tougher
 It is stronger
 More durable
7. (a) State Graham’s law of diffusion. (1 Mark)

Under the same conditions of temperature and pressure, the rate of

diffusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its density.

(b) 50cm3 of oxygen gas diffused through a porous plug in 80 seconds. How long will
it take 100cm3 of carbon (IV) oxide gas to diffuse through the same plug?
(3 Marks)

8. When hydrogen sulphide gas was bubbled into an aqueous solution of iron (III)
chloride, a yellow precipitate was formed.

(a) State another observation that was made. (1 Mark)

The yellow solution turns green

(b) Explain the observation above. (1 Mark)

Hydrogen sulphide is a reducing agent. It reduces the yellow Fe3+ ions to

green Fe2+. H2S is oxidized to Sulphur (yellow deposit)

(c) Write an equation for the reaction that took place. (1 Mark)

2 FeCl 2 ( aq )  H 2 S ( g )  2 FeCl 2( aq )  2 HCl ( aq )  S ( s )

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9. Using Ink from a signature that forged a cheque was compared with ink from pens
of three suspects A, B, C using paper chromatography. The results were as
follows;

(a) Describe how the ink was taken from the forged cheque. (2marks)
Cut the sample in the cheque and put it on the chromatogram.
Add propanone/ethanol/acetone to separate the components.
(b) Which suspect was not guilty? (1mark)
B
10. The set up below shows results obtained when a mixture of liquid mercury and oil
were mixed.

(a) Name the apparatus of separation shown above. (1 mark)

Separating funnel
(b) Name the components found in layers R and S. (1 mark)
R- oil
S-mercury

(c) Give two factors that enable a mixture to be separated by the above means.
(2 marks)
Immiscibility
Density
(d) Explain why the interface is discarded. (1 mark)
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To eliminate the two substances at the boundary which are in contact.

11. A wooden splint glowing at both ends was fixed as shown in the diagram below.

(a) State the colour of the solid manganese (IV) oxide. (1 mark)

Black

(b) State and explain what would be observed on the glowing splint at points P and
Q. (2 marks)

P would relight, Q would not not relight/put off or extinguishes; KClO

decomposes to produce oxygen gas and CuCO3 decomposes to give CO2 gas

(c) Give the formula of another reagent that can be used instead of potassium
chlorate. (1 mark)

KMnO4 or PbO2

12. The set up below was used by a form 3 student to study the difference in rates of
diffusion between ammonia (NH3) and carbon (IV) oxide(CO2) gases. Study it and
answer the questions that follow.

State and explain the observation made on the level of coloured water in the arms
A and B on the U tube as the experiment progressed. (3 Marks)

RMM of NH3  14  3  17

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RMM of CO2  12  16  16  44

The level of coloured water in arm A of the U-Tube dropped and rose in arm
b. Ammonia has lower density that CO2 as it has a lower RMM and hence it
diffused into the porous plug at a higher rate than the rate at which CO2
diffused out of the porous plug creating a region of higher pressure inside
the plug.

13. 2.1g of a compound of carbon and hydrogen burns to form 6.6g of carbon (IV) oxide
and 2.7g of water.

(a) Determine the empirical formula of this compound (C=12, H=1, O=16)

(2 Marks)

(b) Given that the molecular mass of the compound is 42, determine its molecular
formula (2 mark)

14. Study the diagram below and answer the questions that follow.

Gas W
©2024 BUKWAQ which turnsJUNE 2024
Solution of a CHEMISTRY
BaCl2(aq) CONTEST
Solid FORM 3
HCl (aq)
K2Cr2O7
sodium salt V
paper from
orange to
 8

(a) Name

i. Solid V ……………………………. Barium Sulphite (1 Mark)

ii. Gas W ……………………… Sulphur (IV) oxide (1 Mark)

(b) Write an equation for reaction between solid V and dilute hydrochloric acid.

(2 Marks)

BaSO3  2 HCl  BaCl 2 SO2  H 2 O

15. Starting with solid aluminium sulphate, describe how a solid sample of aluminium
hydroxide could be prepared. (3 Marks)

 Add distilled water to aluminium sulphate to dissolve

 Add aqueous ammonium hydroxide to aluminium sulphite solution to

precipitate aluminium hydroxide.

 Filter and wash the residue with distilled water

 Dry it between filter papers

Note: NaOH cannot be used because of the amphoteic Al(OH) 3 will dissolve in
excess.

16. (a)A burning magnesium ribbon continues to burn in a jar of nitrogen gas but a
burning splint is extinguished. Explain (1 Marks)
Heat produced by the burning magnesium is strong enough to break the triple
bond in the nitrogen molecule forming free nitrogen atoms which react with
magnesium. Heat produced by burning wooden splint is not strong enough to
break the triple bond.

(b) Using equations explain what happens when concentrated nitric (V) acid is
reacted with wood charcoal. (2 Marks)

C ( s ) 4 HNO3  CO 2( g )  4 NO 2( g )  2 H 2 O( l )

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17. The diagram below represents an experiment which was carried out by a student,
to investigate the effect of passing an electric current on molten sodium chloride.

Graphite electrode

→→ Beaker

Molten Sodium Chloride

(a) Molten sodium chloride is a binary electrolyte. State the meaning of the term
binary electrolyte. (1mark)
It is a compound that is decomposed into only one type of cation and one
type of anion by an electric current.
(b) State two observations made at the anode. (2 marks)

Green yellow gas

Bubble/effervescence of the gas.
(c) Write an equation to show what happens at the cathode. (1 mark)
2Na+(aq) + 2e → 2Na(s)
18. (a)What are isotopes? (1 Mark)

Atoms of the same element which have the same atomic number but
different mass number

(b) Lithium has two isotopes 37 Li and 36 Li Determine the number of neutrons in 37 Li .

(1 Mark)
7
3 Li  7  3
 4neutrons
(c) If the relative atomic mass of lithium is 6.94. Which of the two isotopes is more
abundant. Give a reason. (2 Marks)

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19. The diagram below represents a set of apparatus used to study properties of
chlorine water.

(a) Name two components of chlorine water. (1 Mark)

Chloric (I) acid

Hydrochloric acid

(b) Write an equation for the reaction that produces gas W. (1 Mark)

HOCl  HCl ' O'

HOCl  HCl ' O'
2 HOCl  2 HCl  O2

The following test was carried out on chlorine water contained in a test tube. A
piece of blue flower was dropped in the test tube. Explain why the flower was
bleached. (2 Marks)

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…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Chloric (I) acid HOCl in water decomposes to form atomic oxygen.

Atomic Oxygen oxidises the coloured flowers to white hence bleaching the
agent

20. The diagram represents a set-up of apparatus used to prepare and collect carbon
(IV) oxide gas.

(a) What is the use of sodium hydrogen carbonate? (1 mark)

To absorb HCl (aq) fumes.

(b) Write the equation that took place in the conical flask with magnesium
carbonate. (1 mark)

MgCO3(s) + 2HCl (aq) → MgCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

(c) Why is it suitable to use magnesium carbonate in place of lead (II) oxide
carbonate in the above set up? (1 mark)

Insoluble PbCl is formed when PbCO3 is used which prevents further

reaction.

(d) State two properties that make carbon (IV) oxide a suitable fire extinguisher.
(2 marks)
Do not support combustion.

Denser than air.

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21. Study the reaction scheme below and answer the question that follows:-
Colourless gas that ignites
with a pop sound

Solid HCl(aq)
N

White Excess NH3(aq) Colourless

precipitate G solution T

Few drops of Ammonia

solution
Solution Y

Few drops of NaOH(aq)

White Colourless
precipitate H Excess NaOH(aq) solution L

(a) Name solid N. (1 Mark)

Zinc metal

(b) State the observation that would be made if solution Y is mixed with lead (II)
nitrate solution. (1 Mark)

White precipitate of Lead (II) chloride; dissolves on warming.

(c) Write an ionic equation for the formation of the colourless solution T.(1 Mark)

Zn(OH ) 2  4 NH 3( aq )  Zn ( NH 3 ) 4 
2

(d) Name the ion present in colourless solution L. (1 Mark)

2
Tetrahydroxozinc (II) rej [ Zn (OH ) 4 ]

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22. The setup below was used to prepare dry hydrogen gas. Study it and answer the
questions that follow.

(a) Identify one mistake in the setup above. (1 Mark)

Method of collection is incorrect

(b) What is the role of liquid Z? (1 Mark)

Absorb moisture / water from hydrogen gas

(c) Using an equation give one chemical property of hydrogen gas. (1 Mark)

Burns in oxygen to form water 2 H 2 ( g )O2( g )  2 H 2 O(l )

Reducing agent H 2( g )CuO( s )  Cu ( s )  H 2 O(l )

23. The set up below was used by a student to try to prevent rusting of an iron rod.

(a) Did the student succeed in preventing the rusting of Iron using the set up
above? Explain. (2 marks)

No, Tin is below iron in the reactivity series hence could not sacrificially
protect iron.

(b) Which method of rust prevention was the student investigating? (1 mark)

Sacrificial protect// cathodic protection

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©2024 BUKWAQ CHEMISTRY CONTEST FORM 3 JUNE 2024