PP-DSE

CHEM
PAPER 1A HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AND ASSESSMENT AUTHORITY
HONG KONG DIPLOMA OF SECONDARY EDUCATION EXAMINATION

PRACTICE PAPER
CHEMISTRY PAPER 1
(2 hours 30 minutes)
This paper must be answered in English

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. There are TWO sections, A and B, in this Paper. You are advised to finish Section A in about
45 minutes.

2. Section A consists of multiple-choice questions in this question paper, while Section B contains
conventional questions printed separately in Question-Answer Book B.

3. Answers to Section A should be marked on the Multiple-choice Answer Sheet while answers to
Section B should be written in the spaces provided in Question-Answer Book B. The Answer
Sheet for Section A and the Question-Answer Book for Section B will be collected
separately at the end of the examination.

4. A Periodic Table is printed on page 20 of Question-Answer Book B. Atomic numbers and

relative atomic masses of elements can be obtained from the Periodic Table.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SECTION A (MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS)

1. Read carefully the instructions on the Answer Sheet. After the announcement of the start of the
examination, you should first stick a barcode label and insert the information required in the spaces
provided. No extra time will be given for sticking on the barcode label after the ‘Time is up’
announcement.

2. When told to open this book, you should check that all the questions are there. Look for the words
‘END OF SECTION A’ after the last question.

3. All questions carry equal marks.

4. ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS. You are advised to use an HB pencil to mark all the answers on the
Answer Sheet, so that wrong marks can be completely erased with a clean rubber. You must mark
the answers clearly; otherwise you will lose marks if the answers cannot be captured.

5. You should mark only ONE answer for each question. If you mark more than one answer, you will
receive NO MARKS for that question.

6. No marks will be deducted for wrong answers.

 香港考試及評核局 保留版權 Not to be taken away before the

Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority end of the examination session
All Rights Reserved 2012

PP-DSE-CHEM 1A–1 1
This section consists of two parts. There are 24 questions in PART I and 12 questions in PART II.

Choose the best answer for each question.

Candidates may refer to the Periodic Table printed on page 20 of Question-Answer Book B.

PART I

1. Element X occurs in nature in two isotopes, 69X and 71X. The table below lists the relative abundance of
each isotope:

Isotope Relative abundance (%)

69
X 60.0
71
X 40.0

What is the relative atomic mass of X ?

A. 69.6
B. 69.8
C. 70.0
D. 70.2

2. Which of the species shown below does NOT follow the ‘octet rule’ ?

A. Na2O
B. MgO
C. PCl3
D. SCl4

3. Which of the following species is NOT an appropriate example for illustrating dative bond formation ?

A. NH3
B. NH4+
C. BF4–
D. BF3NH3

4. Which of the following statements about silicon dioxide is correct ?

A. It consists of discrete molecules.

B. It melts upon heating in a test tube.
C. It is ductile.
D. It is a poor conductor of electricity.

PP-DSE-CHEM 1A–2 2
5. Which of the following processes is endothermic ?

A. H2O(l) → H2O(s)
B. CuSO4(s) + 5H2O(l) → CuSO4⋅5H2O(s)
C. 2H2O(l) → 2H2(g) + O2(g)
D. Ca(s) + 2H2O(l) → Ca(OH)2(aq) + H2(g)

6. X, Y and Z are three different metals. When these metals are placed separately into an aqueous solution
of tin(II) nitrate, a spongy layer of tin is formed only on X. When each of the oxides of these metals is
heated strongly, only the oxide of Y gives a metallic lustre. Which of the following represents the
arrangement of these metals in decreasing order of reactivity ?

A. X>Y>Z
B. X>Z>Y
C. Y>X>Z
D. Z>X>Y

7. A scientist extracted a sample of ‘nitrogen’ from air by removing the oxygen and carbon dioxide. The
scientist then compared the mass of a known volume of the ‘nitrogen’ sample (m1) with that of the same
volume of pure nitrogen (m2) under the same set of conditions. The experiment was repeated a number of
times. It was found that m1 was consistently greater than m2 .

Which of the following gases is likely to be present in the ‘nitrogen’ obtained to account for the result that
m1 is greater than m2 ?

A. neon
B. argon
C. methane
D. water vapour

8. At 298 K, the pH of 0.10 mol dm–3 HCl(aq) is 1. Which of the following statements is correct ?

A. At 298 K, the pH of 0.20 mol dm–3 HCl(aq) is 2.

B. At 298 K, the pH of 0.20 mol dm–3 HCl(aq) is 0.5.
C. At 298 K, the pH of 0.01 mol dm–3 HCl(aq) is 2.
D. At 298 K, the pH of 0.01 mol dm–3 HCl(aq) is 0.1.

9. When 25 cm3 of 1.00 mol dm–3 NaOH(aq) is mixed with 25 cm3 of 1.00 mol dm–3 HCl(aq), the
temperature of the mixture rises by 6°C. Which of the following reactants, when mixed under the same
conditions, would give a similar temperature rise ?

A. 25 cm3 of 2.00 mol dm–3 NaOH(aq) and 25 cm3 of 2.00 mol dm–3 HCl(aq)
B. 50 cm3 of 1.00 mol dm–3 NaOH(aq) and 50 cm3 of 1.00 mol dm–3 HCl(aq)
C. 50 cm3 of 0.50 mol dm–3 NaOH(aq) and 50 cm3 of 0.50 mol dm–3 HCl(aq)
D. 100 cm3 of 0.25 mol dm–3 NaOH(aq) and 100 cm3 of 0.25 mol dm–3 HCl(aq)

PP-DSE-CHEM 1A–3 3 Go on to the next page

10. The structures of three cycloalkenes are shown below:

Cycloalkenes can be represented by a general formula. Which of the following is the general formula for
cycloalkenes ? (In these formulae, n is an integer greater than 2.)

A. CnH2n-4
B. CnH2n-2
C. CnH2n
D. CnH2n+2

11. The equation below represents the cracking of a hydrocarbon:

C22H46 → C14H30 + 2X

What is the chemical formula of compound X ?

A. C3H6
B. C4H8
C. C8H16
D. C14H28

12. Consider the standard enthalpy changes of the following reactions:

I2(s) + Cl2(g) → 2 ICl(s) ∆H = +14 kJ mol–1

ICl(s) + Cl2(g) → ICl3(s) ∆H = –88 kJ mol–1

What is the standard enthalpy change of formation of ICl3(s) ?

A. –81 kJ mol–1
B. –74 kJ mol–1
C. +74 kJ mol–1
D. +81 kJ mol–1

13. 10 cm3 of 0.25 mol dm–3 calcium nitrate solution is mixed with 40 cm3 of 0.10 mol dm–3 nitric acid. What
is the concentration of nitrate ions in the resulting solution ?

A. 0.18 mol dm–3

B. 0.13 mol dm–3
C. 0.080 mol dm–3
D. 0.050 mol dm–3

PP-DSE-CHEM 1A–4 4
14. Consider the following chemical equation:

pSO2(aq) + qCe4+(aq) + rH2O(l) → pSO42–(aq) + qCe3+(aq) + 2rH+(aq)

(Ce is the chemical symbol for cerium.)

Which of the following combinations is correct ?

p q r

A. 1 1 1
B. 1 1 2
C. 1 2 2
D. 2 1 2

15. Which of the following statements best describes metallic bonding ?

A. It is an attractive force between ions.

B. It is an attractive force between polar chemical species.
C. It is an attractive force between atomic nuclei and bond-pair electrons.
D. It is an attractive force between cations and delocalised electrons.

16. Which of the following molecules is non-polar ?

A. BeCl2
B. NH3
C. H 2O
D. HCl

17. Ammonia is very soluble in water. Which of the following statements best accounts for this
phenomenon ?

A. Both ammonia molecule and water molecule are polar.

B. Ammonia molecule and water molecule are of comparable sizes.
C. Ammonia undergoes ionisation in water.
D. Ammonia forms hydrogen bond with water.

PP-DSE-CHEM 1A–5 5 Go on to the next page

18. Barium (Ba) is an element in Group II of the Periodic Table. Which of the following is/are the expected
observation(s) when a small piece of barium is added to a trough of water containing a few drops of
phenolphthalein ?

(1) A colourless gas is liberated.

(2) The piece of barium floats on the water surface.
(3) The resulting solution in the trough is colourless.

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

19. Which of the following reagents would undergo neutralisation with limewater ?

(1) HCl(aq)
(2) Na2SO4(aq)
(3) SO2(g)

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

20. A salt has the formula (NH4)2SO4.FeSO4.6H2O. Which of the following is/are the expected observation(s)
when an aqueous solution of this salt is treated with aqueous sodium hydroxide solution ?

(1) formation of a dirty green precipitate

(2) formation of a brown precipitate
(3) evolution of a gas with a pungent odour

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

21. Consider the following organic compound:

Which of the following statements about this compound is/are correct ?

(1) Its systematic name is 1,1-dimethylethene.

(2) It can decolourise an acidified solution of potassium permanganate.
(3) It is the monomer of Perspex.

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

PP-DSE-CHEM 1A–6 6
22. Consider the electrolysis experiments using the following combinations of electrolyte solution, anode and
cathode:

Electrolyte solution Anode Cathode

(1) copper(II) sulphate solution copper copper

(2) copper(II) chloride solution graphite graphite
(3) potassium sulphate solution platinum platinum

In which of these experiments will the concentration of the electrolyte solution remain UNCHANGED ?

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

23. Which of the following statements about lithium-ion batteries is/are correct ?

(1) In lithium-ion batteries, the electrolyte is a lithium salt in water.

(2) Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable.
(3) The disposal of lithium-ion batteries causes less harm to the environment than that of
nickel-cadmium batteries.

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

24. Which of the following methods can be used to distinguish between 0.1 mol dm–3 HCl(aq) and
0.1 mol dm–3 CH3CO2H(aq) ?

(1) Add magnesium ribbon of the same length to each solution and compare the rate of evolution of
gas bubbles.
(2) Add 10 cm3 of 0.1 mol dm–3 NaOH(aq) to 10 cm3 of each solution and compare the temperature
change.
(3) Use each solution as electrolyte in the set-up shown
on the right and compare the brightness of the bulb. graphite graphite
rod rod

electrolyte

A. (1) and (2) only

B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

END OF PART I

PP-DSE-CHEM 1A–7 7 Go on to the next page

PART II

25. The set-up shown below is used in an experiment to study the rate of the reaction:

CaCO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) → CaCl2(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

gas syringe

5 cm3 of 1 mol dm–3

CaCO3(s) granules
HCl(aq) at 25oC in a vial

The conical flask is shaken to overturn the vial in order to start the reaction. The initial rate of the
reaction with respect to the gas liberated is determined. The experiment is then repeated with only one of
the conditions changed while the others remain unchanged.

Under which of the following situations would the initial rate be the same as that in the original
experiment ?

A. using 10 cm3 of 1 mol dm–3 HCl(aq)

B. using 5 cm3 of 2 mol dm–3 HCl(aq)
C. using 5 cm3 of 1 mol dm–3 HCl(aq) which is preheated to 50oC
D. using powdered CaCO3(s) of the same mass

26. A mixture of N2O4(g) and NO2(g) is allowed to attain equilibrium in a gas syringe at room temperature:

N2O4(g)  2NO2(g)
light brown dark brown

The gas mixture in the syringe is compressed rapidly. Which of the following statements correctly
describes the expected observation ?

A. The colour of the mixture becomes paler.

B. The colour of the mixture becomes darker.
C. The colour of the mixture becomes paler instantaneously and then darker.
D. The colour of the mixture becomes darker instantaneously and then paler.

PP-DSE-CHEM 1A–8 8
27. Consider the isomeric compounds shown below:

CH3COCH3 and CH3CH2CHO

Which of the following reagents can be used to distinguish between the two compounds ?

A. acidified potassium dichromate solution

B. lithium aluminium hydride
C. dilute sulphuric acid
D. pH indicator

28. The structure of polymer X is shown below:

Which of the following statements about X is correct ?

A. It possesses a ketone functional group.

B. It can undergo degradation in an acidic environment.
C. It has a giant covalent network structure.
D. It has a sharp melting point.

29. 0.40 g of an impure sample of zinc granules reacts with excess dilute sulphuric acid to give 100 cm3 of
hydrogen, measured at room temperature and pressure. Assuming that the impurities in the zinc granules
do not react with sulphuric acid, what is the percentage by mass of zinc in the sample ?

(Relative atomic masses: H = 1.0, Zn = 65.4;

molar volume of gas at room temperature and pressure = 24 dm3)

A. 25
B. 34
C. 68
D. 73

30. In which of the following reactions, is/are the transition metal species NOT acting as a catalyst ?

(1) action of acidified MnO4–(aq) on SO32–(aq) at room temperature

(2) action of Ni(s) on a mixture of H2C=CH2(g) and H2(g) at high temperature
(3) action of Pt(s) on a mixture of CO(g) and O2(g) at high temperature

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

PP-DSE-CHEM 1A–9 9 Go on to the next page

31. Which of the following is/are characteristic(s) of chemical equilibrium ?

(1) When a catalyst is added to an equilibrium mixture, the equilibrium position changes.
(2) When equilibrium is attained, the rate of forward reaction and that of backward reaction are equal.
(3) Equilibrium can be attained from either direction of the reaction.

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

32. Some brands of washing powder contain enzymes. Which of the following statements about the action
of the enzymes is/are correct ?

(1) The activity of the enzymes increases with temperature.

(2) The enzymes facilitate the removal of specific kinds of dirt.
(3) The enzymes reduce the surface tension of water.

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

33. Consider the following organic conversion:

Which of the following reagents can X be ?

(1) Cl2(g)
(2) PCl3(l)
(3) concentrated HCl(aq)

A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

PP-DSE-CHEM 1A–10 10
34. Consider the following compounds:

Which of these compounds can be used as active ingredients of detergents ?

A. (1) and (2) only

B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

Directions : Each question below (Questions 35 to 36) consists of two separate statements. Decide
whether each of the two statements is true or false; if both are true, then decide whether or not
the second statement is a correct explanation of the first statement. Then select one option
from A to D according to the following table :

A. Both statements are true and the 2nd statement is a correct explanation of the 1st statement.
B. Both statements are true but the 2nd statement is NOT a correct explanation of the 1st statement.
C. The 1st statement is false but the 2nd statement is true.
D. Both statements are false.

1st statement 2nd statement

35. The melting point of the non-metals in Period 3 The relative atomic mass increases from
of the Periodic Table decreases from sulphur to sulphur to argon in Period 3 of the Periodic
argon. Table.

36. The structural formula H2C=CF2 can represent The rotation of the CF2 group relative to the
two different compounds. CH2 group in H2C=CF2 is restricted by the C=C
bond.

END OF SECTION A

PP-DSE-CHEM 1A–11 11
 PART I

Answer ALL questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided.

1. An experiment on the preparation of hydrated zinc sulphate involves the following five steps:
3
Step 1: Warm 30 cm of dilute sulphuric acid in a beaker. Add zinc oxide to the acid until
in excess.
Step 2: Filter the reaction mixture and collect the filtrate.
Step 3: Heat the filtrate until it becomes saturated. Then allow it to cool to room
temperature to crystallise out hydrated zinc sulphate.
Step 4: Filter off the crystals formed, and then wash them with a little amount of cold
distilled water.
Step 5: Dry the crystals.

(a) For Step 1,

(i) write the chemical equation for the reaction that occurs,
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(ii) suggest how one can know that zinc oxide is in excess, and

(iii) explain why zinc oxide rather than sulphuric acid is used in excess.

(3 marks)

(b) Suggest ONE way to show that a saturated solution has been obtained in Step 3.

(1 mark)

(c) Explain why a little amount of cold distilled water is used to wash the crystals in Step 4.

(2 marks)

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PP-DSE-CHEM 1B–2 2
 Please stick the barcode label here.

1. (d) Suggest ONE way of drying the crystals in Step 5.

(1 mark)

(e) Suggest ONE chemical that can be used to replace zinc oxide in this experiment.

(1 mark)
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 2. (a) Wine in an opened bottle will become unpalatable if left to stand for some time. Suggest why this
is so.

(1 mark)

(b) One common way of preserving wine in an opened bottle is to inject argon, a gas which is
chemically unreactive, into the bottle and then stopper the bottle.

(i) Explain why argon is chemically unreactive.

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Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(ii) State the principle behind the use of argon in preserving wine.

(iii) Helium gas is also chemically unreactive. Suggest why helium is NOT used for
preserving wine in an opened bottle.

(3 marks)

(c) Another way of wine preservation involves pumping air out from an opened bottle of wine and
then stoppering the bottle. Suggest ONE possible drawback of preserving wine in this way.

(1 mark)

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PP-DSE-CHEM 1B–4 4
 Please stick the barcode label here.

3. (a) Nitrogen reacts with magnesium to give magnesium nitride (Mg3N2).

(i) Draw the electron diagram of magnesium nitride, showing electrons in the outermost
shells only.

(ii) Magnesium nitride reacts with water to give magnesium hydroxide and ammonia.

Write the chemical equation for this reaction. Explain whether or not this reaction is a
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redox.

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(3 marks)

(b) Consider the nitrogen compound NCl3 .

(i) Draw the electron diagram of NCl3 , showing electrons in the outermost shells only.

(ii) The shape of NCl3 is similar to that of NH3 . Explain why this is so.

(3 marks)

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 4. A student was given a sample of a water-soluble metal carbonate, M2CO3(s). In order to deduce what M
was, the student prepared a 100.0 cm3 aqueous solution of the carbonate using 1.14 g of the sample. The
student then withdrew several 10.0 cm3 portions of the solution, and titrated each portion with
0.085 mol dm–3 HCl(aq) using methyl orange as indicator. The mean titre was 25.30 cm3.

(a) Describe how the 100.0 cm3 aqueous solution was prepared.
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(3 marks)

(b) Based on the experimental results, determine the formula mass of M2CO3 and deduce what M is.

(4 marks)

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PP-DSE-CHEM 1B–6 6
 Please stick the barcode label here.

5. The fuel used in the torch for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games was an alkane X with the following
composition by mass:

C, 81.8%; H, 18.2%

(a) Deduce what X could be.

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(3 marks)

(b) Suggest an industrial process for obtaining X.

(1 mark)

(c) Kerosene was once used as a fuel for the Olympic torch. State ONE advantage of using each of
the following substances as fuel for the torch.

(i) X

(ii) kerosene

(2 marks)

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 6. The table below lists some information about six hydroxy compounds A, B, C, D, E and F:

Boiling point Density at 20oC

Compound Structural formula
at 1 atm / oC / g cm–3
A CH3OH 65 0.7914
B CH3CH2OH 78 0.7893
C CH3CH2CH2OH 97 0.8035
D CH3CH(OH)CH3 82 0.7855
E HOCH2CH2CH2OH 213 1.0597
F HOCH2CH(OH)CH2OH 290 1.2613

(a) Give the systematic name of E.

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(1 mark)

(b) Account for the variation in boiling points of A, B and C.

(2 marks)

(c) Explain why the density of C is greater than that of D.

(2 marks)

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PP-DSE-CHEM 1B–8 8
 Please stick the barcode label here.

6. * (d) Three identical steel balls are added separately to three identical vertical glass tubes each
containing the same volume of D, E and F as shown in the diagram below.

steel balls

D E F
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In which tube will the steel ball take the longest time to reach the bottom ? Explain your answer.
(You are required to consider the intermolecular attraction forces involved.)

Marker’s C
Use Only

(4 marks)

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 7. (a) A student carried out an experiment to determine the enthalpy change of the reaction of calcium
oxide with water. The set-up used is shown in the diagram below:
thermometer

stirrer
CaO(s)

water polypropene cup

The experimental results are as follows:

mass of CaO(s) used = 3.0 g

volume of water in the cup = 50.0 cm3
initial temperature of water in the cup = 28.2oC
highest temperature attained by the Ca(OH)2(aq) formed = 46.7oC
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(i) Calculate the enthalpy change, in kJ mol–1, of the reaction of calcium oxide with water
under the conditions of the experiment.
(Assume: density of water is 1.0 g cm–3 and specific heat capacity of the Ca(OH)2(aq)
formed is 4.2 J g–1K–1;
the polypropene cup, thermometer and stirrer used all have negligible heat
capacity. )

(ii) According to the literature, ∆H for this reaction is –82.2 kJ mol–1. Suggest ONE
reasonable explanation for the discrepancy between the literature value and the value
obtained in (i).

(5 marks)
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PP-DSE-CHEM 1B–10 10
 7. (b) The diagram below shows the design of a can of self-heating coffee beverage. When the bottom
of the can is pushed, the rod will pierce the aluminium foil and cause mixing of the water and
calcium oxide. The coffee beverage in the can will then be heated up.

lid
aluminium
container

coffee beverage
CaO(s)
polypropene
container aluminium foil

water
rod

(i) With reference to the properties of the materials involved, explain why

(I) a polypropene container is used to contain the calcium oxide, and

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(II) an aluminium container is used to contain the coffee beverage.

(ii) Suggest ONE reasonable explanation for using calcium oxide in this type of self-heating
beverage can.

(4 marks)

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PP-DSE-CHEM 1B–11 11
 8. The photograph below shows a laptop computer which is powered by Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC).

The operation of DMFC is based on the following reaction under an acidic condition:

2CH3OH(aq) + 3O2(g) → 2CO2(g) + 4H2O(l)

(a) Write half-equations for the anodic and cathodic reactions when DMFC is producing a current.

anodic reaction
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cathodic reaction

(2 marks)

(b) A concentrated aqueous methanol solution is used as the fuel in DMFC.

(i) Suggest why pure methanol is NOT used.

(ii) Circle TWO of the following hazard warning labels that should be displayed on the
container of a concentrated aqueous methanol solution.

CORROSIVE FLAMMABLE OXIDISING

(2 marks)

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PP-DSE-CHEM 1B–12 12
 8. (c) Would you expect DMFC to be widely used in powering laptop computers ? Explain your
answer.
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(2 marks)

END OF PART I

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PP-DSE-CHEM 1B–13 13
 PART II

Answer ALL questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided.

9. (a) Using the following notations to complete the table below so as to provide information about the
structure and acid-base property of the oxides of Period 3 elements.

IC: ionic crystal CN: covalent network SM: simple molecular structure
AC: acidic BA: basic AM: amphoteric

MgO Al2O3 SiO2 P4O10 SO2

Structure

Acid-base property

(2 marks)
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(b) By considering the trend of acid-base property and that of bonding of these oxides, state the
relationship between the two trends.

(1 mark)

*(c) Outline chemical tests to show how these oxides can be classified into acidic, basic and
amphoteric.

Marker’s C
Use Only

(5 marks)

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PP-DSE-CHEM 1B–14 14
 10. The equation below shows the reaction of potassium permanganate with sodium ethanedioate under acidic
conditions:

2MnO4–(aq) + 5C2O42–(aq) + 16H+(aq) → 2Mn2+(aq) + 10CO2(g) + 8H2O(l)

A student conducted an experiment to study the rate of this reaction. The results are shown in the graph
below:
[MnO4 (aq)] / 10–4 mol dm–3

25

20

15

10
–

0
50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
time / s
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(a) Suggest ONE physical method that can be used to monitor the concentration of MnO4–(aq) ions in
the reaction mixture.

(1 mark)

(b) Based on the experimental results, the student suggested that one of the products might have
catalysed the reaction.

(i) What evidence from the above graph supports the student’s suggestion ? Explain your
answer.

(ii) Suggest how the student can show whether or not Mn2+(aq) is a catalyst for this reaction.

(4 marks)
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

PP-DSE-CHEM 1B–15 15 Go on to the next page

 11. Outline a synthetic route, with no more than three steps, to accomplish the following conversion. For each
step, give the reagent(s), reaction conditions and structure of the organic product.

O
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(3 marks)

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

PP-DSE-CHEM 1B–16 16
 12. The structural formula shown below can represent two compounds with the same melting point and same
solubility in water.

(a) (i) Draw a three-dimensional structure for each of the two compounds.

(ii) State ONE difference in physical properties of these compounds.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(3 marks)

(b) Both compounds can undergo polymerisation under suitable conditions. Draw the repeating unit
of the polymer formed from one of these compounds.

(1 mark)

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Go on to the next page

PP-DSE-CHEM 1B–17 17
 13. In an experiment, excess aqueous ammonia is added to an aqueous solution of copper(II) sulphate. The
following equilibrium is established and the resulting solution is deep blue in colour.

(a) Write an expression of Kc for this reaction.

(1 mark)

(b) If the above equilibrium mixture contains 0.0020 mol dm–3 of Cu2+(aq) ions, 0.0014 mol dm–3 of
NH3(aq) and 0.0800 mol dm–3 of Cu(NH3)42+(aq) ions, calculate Kc under the conditions of the
experiment.
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(2 marks)

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

PP-DSE-CHEM 1B–18 18
 13. (c) When H2SO4(aq) is added slowly to the equilibrium mixture until in excess, a blue precipitate is
formed and the precipitate subsequently dissolves in the excess acid forming a blue solution.
Account for these observations with the help of relevant chemical equation(s).
Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

(5 marks)

END OF SECTION B

END OF PAPER

Answers written in the margins will not be marked.

PP-DSE-CHEM 1B–19 19
 PERIODIC TABLE 表期周
GROUP
atomic number
族
0
序子原
1 2
H He

PP-DSE-CHEM 1B–20
I II 1.0 III IV V VI VII 4.0
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Li Be B C N O F Ne
6.9 9.0 10.8 12.0 14.0 16.0 19.0 20.2
11 12 relative atomic mass 13 14 15 16 17 18
Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
量質子原對相
23.0 24.3 27.0 28.1 31.0 32.1 35.5 40.0
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr
39.1 40.1 45.0 47.9 50.9 52.0 54.9 55.8 58.9 58.7 63.5 65.4 69.7 72.6 74.9 79.0 79.9 83.8
37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe
85.5 87.6 88.9 91.2 92.9 95.9 (98) 101.1 102.9 106.4 107.9 112.4 114.8 118.7 121.8 127.6 126.9 131.3
55 56 57 * 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86

20
Cs Ba La Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn
132.9 137.3 138.9 178.5 180.9 183.9 186.2 190.2 192.2 195.1 197.0 200.6 204.4 207.2 209.0 (209) (210) (222)
87 88 89 ** 104 105
Fr Ra Ac Rf Db
(223) (226) (227) (261) (262)

* 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71
Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu
140.1 140.9 144.2 (145) 150.4 152.0 157.3 158.9 162.5 164.9 167.3 168.9 173.0 175.0
** 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103
Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr
232.0 (231) 238.0 (237) (244) (243) (247) (247) (251) (252) (257) (258) (259) (260)
PP-DSE
CHEM
PAPER 2 HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AND ASSESSMENT AUTHORITY
HONG KONG DIPLOMA OF SECONDARY EDUCATION EXAMINATION

PRACTICE PAPER
CHEMISTRY PAPER 2

(1 hour)
This paper must be answered in English

INSTRUCTIONS

(1) This paper consists of THREE sections, Section A, Section B and Section C. Attempt ALL
questions in any TWO sections.

(2) Write your answers in the Answer Book provided. Start each question (not part of a question)
on a new page.

(3) A Periodic Table is printed on page 12 of this Question Paper. Atomic numbers and relative
atomic masses of elements can be obtained from the Periodic Table.

 香港考試及評核局 保留版權 Not to be taken away before the

Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority end of the examination session
All Rights Reserved 2012

PP-DSE-CHEM 2–1 1
SECTION A Industrial Chemistry

Answer ALL parts of the question.

1. (a) L-Ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, is synthesised by the Reichstein process as shown
below.

2-keto-L-gulonic acid (KGA)

D-glucose D-sorbitol L-sorbose

L-ascorbic acid

(i) State ONE importance of the Reichstein process.

(1 mark)

(ii) The reagents used in Step 1 are H2(g) and Ni(s). Name the type of reaction involved.
(1 mark)

(iii) Step 2 is an oxidation with the use of an enzyme, sorbitol dehydrogenase. This step is
carried out at pH 4 to 6, and at about 30oC.

(I) Explain why this step is NOT carried out with commonly used oxidising agents.

(II) Suggest why this step is carried out at pH 4 to 6.

(2 marks)

(iv) A method, with the use of a lactonase enzyme such as gluconolactonase, has been
adopted for the conversion of KGA to L-ascorbic acid.

Suggest TWO reasons why this method is considered greener than the corresponding one
in the above-shown Reichstein process.
(2 marks)

PP-DSE-CHEM 2–2 2
1. (b) The atmospheric oxidation of L-ascorbic acid is a first order reaction.

(i) What do you understand by the term ‘first order reaction’ ?

(1 mark)

(ii) The table below lists the rate constants k for this reaction at four different
temperatures T :

T/K 313 323 333 343

k / 10–3 h–1 27.0 35.4 50.4 65.4

By plotting a suitable graph, determine the activation energy Ea of this reaction.

(Gas constant R = 8.31 J K–1 mol–1)

(5 marks)

(This question is continued on the next page.)

PP-DSE-CHEM 2–3 3 Go on to the next page

1. (c) The diagram below shows a membrane cell used in chloroalkali industry for the production of
hydrogen, chlorine and concentrated sodium hydroxide.

Cl2(g) H2(g)

brine Na+(aq) concentrated NaOH(aq)

OH−(aq)
Cl−(aq)

spent brine dilute NaOH(aq)

membrane

(i) With the aid of chemical equations, account for the formation of hydrogen, chlorine and
concentrated sodium hydroxide in the membrane cell.
(5 marks)

(ii) Chlorine bleach can be made by treating chlorine with dilute sodium hydroxide solution
at room temperature. Write the chemical equation of the reaction involved.
(1 mark)

(iii) A student learnt that sodium chloride is highly abundant and that hydrogen is a
non-polluting fuel. The student made the following remark:

‘Electrolysis of brine can be used in large scale manufacture of hydrogen to help reduce
air pollution problems.’

Do you agree with the student ? Explain.

(2 marks)

END OF SECTION A

PP-DSE-CHEM 2–4 4
 This is a blank page.

PP-DSE-CHEM 2–5 5 Go on to the next page

SECTION B Materials Chemistry

Answer ALL parts of the question.

2. (a) Aluminium is the most abundant metallic element in the earth’s crust and is one of the most
widely used metals.

(i) Solid aluminium exhibits a cubic crystalline structure, which is a repetition of the
following unit cell:

(I) Name the type of unit cell of aluminium.

(II) Calculate the number of atoms in ONE unit cell of aluminium.

(III) The density of a substance is its mass to volume ratio. Given that the edge
length of a unit cell of aluminium is 4.05 × 10–10 m, calculate the density of solid
aluminium, in g cm–3.

(Avogadro constant L = 6.02 × 1023 mol–1)

(5 marks)

(ii) (I) The strength of aluminium can be improved by alloying it with other metals.
Explain why.

(II) Alloys of aluminium and lithium are used in making aircraft bodies. Apart
from strength considerations, suggest ONE advantage of using
aluminium-lithium alloys in making aircraft bodies.
(3 marks)

(iii) Biotite is a kind of aluminosilicate having a layered structure. It is widely used in the
electronics industry.

(I) Explain why biotite can easily flake off.

(II) Suggest ONE application of biotite in the electronics industry.

(2 marks)

PP-DSE-CHEM 2–6 6
2. (b) Polystyrene (PS) is a commonly used plastic material. Solid PS is brittle and of limited
flexibility. The properties of PS can be modified by copolymerisation with other chemicals.
The structure of PS is represented as follows:

(i) (I) Draw the structure of the monomer of PS.

(II) The photograph below shows a plastic lid made from PS. Suggest a moulding
method used in making the lid.

(2 marks)

(ii) Styrene acrylonitrile resin (SAN) is a plastic material made from copolymerisation of
styrene with acrylonitrile (H2C=CHCN). SAN can withstand higher temperatures than
PS.

(I) Repetition of the following structure CANNOT represent the exact structure of
SAN. Explain why.

(II) Suggest why SAN can withstand higher temperatures than PS.
(5 marks)

(This question is continued on the next page.)

PP-DSE-CHEM 2–7 7 Go on to the next page

2. (b) (iii) Copolymerisation of styrene with 1,4-divinylbenzene produces a plastic material which is
hard, rigid and does not melt upon heating.

1,4-divinylbenzene
Explain, in terms of structure and bonding, why this plastic material possesses the
above-mentioned physical properties.
(3 marks)

END OF SECTION B

PP-DSE-CHEM 2–8 8
 This is a blank page.

PP-DSE-CHEM 2–9 9 Go on to the next page

SECTION C Analytical Chemistry

Answer ALL parts of the question.

3. (a) A colourless compound X (C9H8O2) is obtainable from cinnamon. X has a melting point of
134oC and is insoluble in water.

An experiment to extract X from an impure sample, which contains non-polar organic impurities,
involves the following five steps:

Step 1: Dissolve the sample in excess NaOH(aq).

Step 2: Shake the solution from Step 1 with hexane and discard the organic layer.
Step 3: Add HCl(aq) to the aqueous layer obtained until a white precipitate forms and the
solution becomes acidic.

Step 4: Collect the white precipitate by filtration.

Step 5: Using ethanol as solvent, recrystallise the precipitate collected to obtain X.

(i) From the above experimental steps, suggest ONE functional group present in X.
(1 mark)

(ii) Name the apparatus used in Step 2.

(1 mark)

(iii) Briefly explain the purpose of carrying out Steps 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
(3 marks)

(iv) X can decolourise Br2 in CH3CCl3 . It displays the following mass spectrum. Deduce
ONE possible structure of X.

100 148
relative intensity (%)

80

60

40 103

77 131
20

0
50 70 90 110 130 150
m/z

(5 marks)

PP-DSE-CHEM 2–10 10
3. (a) (v) Another sample of X is contaminated with a colourless organic compound. The
sample is analysed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and the result is shown below:

solvent front

Spot B

Spot A

starting

(I) Suggest ONE method that can be used to make the two spots on the
chromatographic plate become visible.

(II) Given that Spot A corresponds to X, calculate the Rf of X.

(III) Based on the TLC results, suggest ONE method to separate X from the
contaminated sample.
(3 marks)

(b) The percentage by mass of barium (Ba) in a barium salt can be determined by gravimetric
method. In one such experiment, 0.305 g of a sample of a barium salt was dissolved completely
in about 100 cm3 of deionised water. Excess dilute sulphuric acid was then added to the
solution to precipitate out barium sulphate. After filtration and appropriate treatments, the
barium sulphate was found to have a mass of 0.291 g.

(i) State TWO necessary treatments on the filtered barium sulphate precipitate before its
mass is determined.
(2 marks)

(ii) Calculate the percentage by mass of barium in the sample.

(3 marks)

(iii) State TWO conditions under which gravimetric method is suitable for quantitative
analysis.
(2 marks)

END OF SECTION C

END OF PAPER

PP-DSE-CHEM 2–11 11
 PERIODIC TABLE 表期周
GROUP atomic number
0
族 序子原
1 2

PP-DSE-CHEM 2–12
H He
I II 1.0 III IV V VI VII 4.0
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Li Be B C N O F Ne
6.9 9.0 10.8 12.0 14.0 16.0 19.0 20.2
11 12 relative atomic mass 13 14 15 16 17 18
Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
量質子原對相
23.0 24.3 27.0 28.1 31.0 32.1 35.5 40.0
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr
39.1 40.1 45.0 47.9 50.9 52.0 54.9 55.8 58.9 58.7 63.5 65.4 69.7 72.6 74.9 79.0 79.9 83.8

12
37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe
85.5 87.6 88.9 91.2 92.9 95.9 (98) 101.1 102.9 106.4 107.9 112.4 114.8 118.7 121.8 127.6 126.9 131.3
55 56 57 * 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86
Cs Ba La Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn
132.9 137.3 138.9 178.5 180.9 183.9 186.2 190.2 192.2 195.1 197.0 200.6 204.4 207.2 209.0 (209) (210) (222)
87 88 89 ** 104 105
Fr Ra Ac Rf Db
(223) (226) (227) (261) (262)

* 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71
Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu
140.1 140.9 144.2 (145) 150.4 152.0 157.3 158.9 162.5 164.9 167.3 168.9 173.0 175.0
** 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103
Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr
232.0 (231) 238.0 (237) (244) (243) (247) (247) (251) (252) (257) (258) (259) (260)