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Date May 2018 Marks available 2 Reference code 18M.2.hl.TZ1.2
Level HL Paper 2 Time zone TZ1
Command term Describe Question number 2 Adapted from N/A

Question

Calcium carbide, CaC2, is an ionic solid.

Describe the nature of ionic bonding.

[1]
a.

Describe how the relative atomic mass of a sample of calcium could be determined from its mass spectrum.

[2]
b.

When calcium compounds are introduced into a gas flame a red colour is seen; sodium compounds give a yellow flame. Outline the source of the colours and why they are different.

[2]
c.

Suggest two reasons why solid calcium has a greater density than solid potassium.

[2]
d.i.

Outline why solid calcium is a good conductor of electricity.

[1]
d.ii.

Sketch a graph of the first six ionization energies of calcium.

[2]
e.

Calcium carbide reacts with water to form ethyne and calcium hydroxide.

CaC2(s) + H2O(l) → C2H2(g) + Ca(OH)2(aq)

Estimate the pH of the resultant solution.

[1]
f.

Describe how sigma (σ) and pi (\(\pi \)) bonds are formed.

 

[2]
g.i.

Deduce the number of σ and \(\pi \) bonds in a molecule of ethyne.

 

[1]
g.ii.

Markscheme

electrostatic attraction AND oppositely charged ions

[1 mark]

a.

multiply relative intensity by «m/z» value of isotope

OR

find the frequency of each isotope

 

sum of the values of products/multiplication «from each isotope»

OR

find/calculate the weighted average

 

Award [1 max] for stating “m/z values of isotopes AND relative abundance/intensity” but not stating these need to be multiplied.

[2 marks]

b.

«promoted» electrons fall back to lower energy level

energy difference between levels is different

 

Accept “Na and Ca have different nuclear charge” for M2.

[2 marks]

c.

Any two of:

stronger metallic bonding

smaller ionic/atomic radius

 

two electrons per atom are delocalized

OR

greater ionic charge

 

greater atomic mass

 

Do not accept just “heavier” or “more massive” without reference to atomic mass.

[2 marks]

d.i.

delocalized/mobile electrons «free to move»

 

 

[1 mark]

d.ii.

M18/4/CHEMI/HP2/ENG/TZ1/02.e/M

general increase

only one discontinuity between “IE2” and “IE3”

[2 marks]

e.

pH > 7

 

Accept any specific pH value or range of values above 7 and below 14.

[1 mark]

f.

sigma (σ):

overlap «of atomic orbitals» along the axial/internuclear axis

OR

head-on/end-to-end overlap «of atomic orbitals»

 

pi (\(\pi \)):

overlap «of p-orbitals» above and below the internuclear axis

OR

sideways overlap «of p-orbitals»

 

Award marks for suitable diagrams.

 

[2 marks]

g.i.

sigma (σ): 3

AND

pi (\(\pi \)): 2

[1 mark]

g.ii.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.
[N/A]
b.
[N/A]
c.
[N/A]
d.i.
[N/A]
d.ii.
[N/A]
e.
[N/A]
f.
[N/A]
g.i.
[N/A]
g.ii.

Syllabus sections

Additional higher level (AHL) » Topic 14: Chemical bonding and structure » 14.1 Covalent bonding and electron domain and molecular geometries
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