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Date May 2011 Marks available 1 Reference code 11M.1.sl.TZ2.13
Level SL Paper 1 Time zone TZ2
Command term Identify Question number 13 Adapted from N/A

Question

Lewis structures are represented in different ways in different parts of the world. Two ways of drawing the Lewis structure for H3O+ are shown below.

M11/4/CHEMI/SPM/ENG/TZ2/13

Which statement is correct about H3O+?

A.     The ion has a tetrahedral shape.

B.     The H–O–H bond angle is 120°.

C.     The H–O–H bond angle is 90°.

D.     The ion has a trigonal pyramidal shape.

Markscheme

D

Examiners report

One respondent stated that as the hydronium cation involves dative covalent bonding it would have been better if the dot-cross representation would have reflected this, which is a valid point. However, this did not stop candidates answering the question and 72.31% of candidates got the correct answer, namely that the ion has a trigonal pyramidal shape i.e. D.

Syllabus sections

Core » Topic 4: Chemical bonding and structure » 4.3 Covalent structures
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