Sketch a Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution curve for a chemical reaction showing the activation energies with and without a catalyst.

Sketch a curve on the graph to show the volume of gas produced over time if the same mass of crushed calcium carbonate is used instead of lumps. All other conditions remain constant.

State and explain the effect on the rate of reaction if ethanoic acid of the same concentration is used in place of hydrochloric acid.

Outline why pH is more widely used than [H⁺] for measuring relative acidity.

Outline why H₃PO₄/HPO₄²⁻ is not a conjugate acid-base pair.

both axes correctly labelled

correct shape of curve starting at origin

E_a(catalyst) < E_{a(without catalyst)} on x-axis

M1:

Accept “speed” for x-axis label.

Accept “number of particles”, “N”, “frequency” or “probability «density»” for y-axis label.

Do not accept “potential energy” for x-axis label.

M2:

Do not accept a curve that touches the x-axis at high energy.

Do not award M2 if two curves are drawn.

M3:

Ignore any shading under the curve.

[3 marks]

curve starting from origin with steeper gradient AND reaching same maximum volume

[1 mark]

rate decreases

OR

slower reaction

«ethanoic acid» partially dissociated/ionized «in solution/water»

OR

lower [H⁺]

Accept “weak acid” or “higher pH”.

[2 marks]

«pH» converts «wide range of [H⁺]» into simple «log» scale/numbers

OR

«pH» avoids need for exponential/scientific notation

OR

«pH» converts small numbers into values «typically» between 0/1 and 14

OR

«pH» allows easy comparison of values of [H⁺]

Accept “uses values between 0/1 and 14”.

Do not accept “easier to use”.

Do not accept “easier for calculations”.

[1 mark]

«species» do not differ by a «single» proton/H⁺

OR

conjugate base of H₃PO₄ is H₂PO₄^– «not HPO₄^2–»

OR

conjugate acid of HPO₄^2– is H₂PO₄^– «not H₃PO₄»

Do not accept “hydrogen/H” for “H⁺/proton”.

[1 mark]