Questions

Q1.

Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct . If you change your mind about
an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .

The atomic number of the element scandium is 21 and the mass number of its only isotope is 45.

(a) What is the number of electrons in a scandium ion, Sc+ ?

(1)
A 20
B 21
C 22
D 23

(b) In a mass spectrometer, scandium forms Sc+ and Sc2+ ions.

What is the m / z value for the mass spectrum peak due to the Sc2+ ions?
(1)
A 22.5
B 33.0
C 45.0
D 90.0

(Total for question = 2 marks)

(Q06 WCH11/01, June 2022)

Q2.

Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct . If you change your mind about
an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .

The graph shows log (ionisation energy) against ionisation number for the successive ionisations of an
element.

In this element, how many quantum shells contain electrons, and how many electrons are in the outer
quantum shell?

(Total for question = 1 mark)

(Q05 WCH11/01, June 2021)

Q3.

Answer the questions with a cross in the boxes you think are correct . If you change your mind
about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .

The mass spectrum of a sample of an element is shown.

(a) What is the Ar of the element?

(1)
A 42.0
B 48.0
C 63.6
D 64.0

(b) Which species could be responsible for the peak at m / z = 32.5?

(1)
32
A S+
63
B Cu2+
65
C Cu2+
98
D Tc3+

(Total for question = 2 marks)

(Q06 WCH11/01, Oct 2020)

Q4.

Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct . If you change your mind about
an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .

The mass spectrum of a sample of an element has only two peaks.

What is the approximate relative atomic mass of the element in this sample?
A 191.5
B 192.0
C 192.5
D 193.0

(Total for question = 1 mark)

(Q03 WCH11/01, June 2021)

Q5.

This question is about silicon and carbon.

(a) Silicon is a semiconductor.

(i) Data obtained using the mass spectrum of silicon are shown.

Calculate the relative atomic mass of silicon to two decimal places.

(2)
 (ii) Suggest a reason why there is a small peak in the mass spectrum of silicon at m/z = 14
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
(iii) Complete the table to show the number of protons and neutrons in each isotope of silicon.

(1)
(b) Silicon dioxide, SiO2, is the main constituent of sand and has a giant lattice structure similar to that of
diamond.

Crystalline silicon dioxide is used on the surface of semiconductor devices to provide a heat-resistant,
electrically insulating layer.
Explain how the structure and bonding of silicon dioxide make it useful for this application.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
(c) Calcium silicate is formed in the removal of silicon dioxide impurities in the extraction of iron from its
ores. A sample of calcium silicate composed of calcium, silicon and oxygen was found to contain 12.0 g
of calcium, 8.43 g of silicon and 14.47 g of oxygen.
Determine the empirical formula of calcium silicate.
You must show your working.
(3)

(d) Carbon dioxide is a gas at room temperature. A fizzy drink is canned at 5.0 °C and 1.3 × 105 Pa and
contains approximately 3 g of carbon dioxide.
Calculate the volume, in cm3, occupied by 3.00 g of carbon dioxide gas at 5.0 °C and 1.3 × 105 Pa.
[pV = nRT R = 8.31 J mol−1 K−1]
(4)

(Total for question = 14 marks)

(Q13 WCH11/01, Oct 2021)

Q6.

This question is about copper and its compounds.

(a) Complete the electronic configurations of Cu and Cu2+.

(2)
Cu [Ar] .............................................................................................................................................

Cu2+ [Ar] .............................................................................................................................................

(b) A sample of copper contains the isotopes 63Cu and 65Cu.

(i) Complete the table to show the numbers of subatomic particles in the atoms of these two isotopes
of copper.
(2)

(ii) Explain the term isotopes, using the information in the table.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
(iii) State why the two isotopes of copper have the same chemical reactions.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
(iv) The relative atomic mass of copper in this sample is 63.4.
Calculate the percentage abundances of the isotopes 63Cu and 65Cu in this sample.
You must show your working.
(2)
(c) Copper(II) sulfate, CuSO4, can be made by reacting solid copper(II) carbonate with dilute sulfuric
acid.
(i) Write an equation for the reaction that occurs.
State symbols are not required.
(1)

(ii) An experiment was carried out to produce pure, dry crystals of hydrated copper(II) sulfate,
CuSO4•5H2O.
Copper(II) carbonate was mixed with 50.0 cm3 of 1.00 mol dm–3 sulfuric acid until no more reacted.
The mass of CuSO4•5H2O obtained was 10.87 g.
Calculate the percentage yield for this reaction, giving your answer to an appropriate number of
significant figures.
[Molar mass of CuSO4•5H2O = 249.6 g mol−1]
(4)

(Total for question = 14 marks)

(Q20 WCH11/01, Jan 2022)

Q7.

Naturally occurring bromine has two isotopes: bromine-79 and bromine-81.

(a) State what is meant by the term isotopes.

(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(b) Complete the table to show the numbers of subatomic particles in the two isotopes of bromine.
(2)

(c) The mass spectrum of a sample of bromine is obtained.

(i) Draw a dot-and-cross diagram to show the bonding in a molecule of bromine.
Only the outer electrons should be shown.
(2)

(ii) Describe the formation of the molecular ion of bromine in the mass spectrometer. Include an
equation.
State symbols are not required.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
 (iii) On the mass spectrum grid, draw the peaks for the bromine molecular ions, showing the relative
peak heights.
The bromine isotopes in this sample have the same relative abundance.
(2)

(d) The percentage abundances of the isotopes in a different sample of bromine are shown.

Calculate the relative molecular mass of this sample of bromine, giving your answer to two decimal
places.
(3)

(Total for question = 12 marks)

(Q20 WCH11/01, June 2022)

Q8.

This question is about barium and barium compounds.

(a) The graph shows the first eight ionisation energies of barium.

(i) Write an equation, including state symbols, for the third ionisation energy of barium.
(1)

(ii) State how the graph confirms that barium is in Group 2 in the Periodic Table.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(b) An acidified aqueous solution of barium chloride, BaCl2, is used to test for sulfate ions.
(i) Draw a dot-and-cross diagram for barium chloride.
Show the outer electrons only.
(2)

(ii) Calculate the mass of barium chloride needed to form 150 cm3 of BaCl2(aq) with a
concentration of 0.200 mol dm–3.
Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.
(2)
 (iii) The barium chloride solution is acidified to prevent carbonate ions giving a false positive result.
Write the ionic equation for the reaction of hydrochloric acid with carbonate ions. State symbols are
not required.
(1)

(c) Give a reason why solid barium chloride does not conduct electricity.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 8 marks)

(Q14 WCH11/01, Oct 2022)

Q9.

This question is about the Group 4 element germanium and some of its compounds.

(a) Naturally-occurring germanium consists of five stable isotopes.

Explain what is meant by the term isotopes.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
(b) The mass spectrum of a sample of germanium is shown.

Calculate the relative atomic mass of this sample of germanium.

(2)

(c) Give the electronic configuration of a germanium atom.

(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

(d) Germane is a compound with the formula GeH4.

It can be formed by the reaction shown.
Na2GeO3 + NaBH4 + H2O → GeH4 + 2NaOH + NaBO2
(i) Calculate the atom economy, by mass, for the formation of germane.
Use Ar of Ge = 72.6
(2)
 (ii) Germane can donate a proton to ammonia, forming the ion .

Draw a dot-and-cross diagram of the ion . Show the outer electrons only.
(2)

(iii) Use your answer to (d)(ii) and electron-pair repulsion theory to predict the name of the shape and
bond angle of the ion
(2)
Name of the shape
.............................................................................................................................................
Bond angle
.............................................................................................................................................
(iv) Germane is toxic and the maximum permitted concentration is 0.640 mg m–3 in air.
Calculate the maximum number of germane molecules permitted in a laboratory with a volume of
231 m3.
[Avogadro constant (L) = 6.02 × 1023 mol–1]
(4)
(e) A halide of germanium, GeX4, reacts with water as shown.

GeX4 + 2H2O → GeO2 + 4HX

1.50 g of GeX4 was added to excess water.
The insoluble GeO2 was removed by filtration.
The solution of hydrogen halide formed was then added to
excess magnesium carbonate, forming 335.5 cm3 of carbon dioxide
at room temperature and pressure (r.t.p.).
MgCO3 + 2HX → MgX2 + CO2 + H2O
[Molar volume of a gas at r.t.p. = 24 000 cm3 mol–1]
(i) Calculate the number of moles of carbon dioxide formed.
(1)

(ii) Deduce the number of moles of HX formed when GeX4 reacted with the excess water.
(1)

(iii) Deduce the number of moles of GeX4 that reacted with the excess water.
(1)

(iv) Calculate the molar mass of GeX4 and hence identify X.

(2)

(Total for question = 20 marks)

(Q16 WCH11/01, Oct 2022)

Q10.

This question is about the element sulfur.

(a) Complete the diagram to show the electronic configuration for a sulfur atom in the ground state.
Include labels for each subshell.
(2)

(b) Write an equation for the first ionisation energy of sulfur.

Include state symbols.
(2)

(c) Explain why the first ionisation energy of sulfur is less than the first ionisation energies of both
phosphorus and chlorine.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
(d) A sample of sulfur contains four isotopes.

(i) State what is meant by the term isotopes, in terms of subatomic particles.
(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
(ii) Calculate the relative atomic mass of sulfur in this sample.
Give your answer to two decimal places.
(2)

(e) The mass spectrum of a sample of sulfur with 32S as the only isotope is shown.

(i) Calculate the number of sulfur atoms in the molecular ion.

You must show your working.
(1)

(ii) Suggest the formula of the most stable ion shown by this spectrum.
(2)

.............................................................................................................................................
 (Total for question = 14 marks)

(Q18 WCH11/01, Jan 2021)

Q11.

This question is about the structure of atoms.

(a) State what is meant by the term orbital.

(2)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(b) State the shape of an s orbital and the shape of a p orbital.

(1)

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(c) Describe what can be deduced about the electronic structure of sodium from its successive ionisation
energies.
(3)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................
(d) (i) The log of the fourth ionisation energy for six elements is shown in the table.

Plot a graph of these data.

(3)

(ii) Use your graph to estimate the fourth ionisation energy for sodium, in kJ mol–1.
(1)
 (iii) Suggest why the fourth ionisation energies of neon and sodium are similar in magnitude even
though the elements are in different periods of the Periodic Table.
(1)
.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................

(Total for question = 11 marks)

(Q18 WCH11/01, Oct 2020)