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Date May 2015 Marks available 2 Reference code 15M.2.hl.TZ1.8
Level HL Paper 2 Time zone TZ1
Command term Describe Question number 8 Adapted from N/A

Question

Acids can be described as strong or weak.

(i)     Outline the difference in dissociation between strong and weak acids of the same concentration.

 

 

(ii)     Describe three tests that can be carried out in the laboratory, and the expected results, to distinguish between \({\text{0.10 mol}}\,{\text{d}}{{\text{m}}^{ - 3}}{\text{ HCl(aq)}}\) and \({\text{0.10 mol}}\,{\text{d}}{{\text{m}}^{ - 3}}{\text{ C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{COOH(aq)}}\).

[4]
a.

Calculate the pH, using table 15 of the data booklet, of a solution of ethanoic acid made by dissolving 1.40 g of the acid in distilled water to make a \({\text{500 c}}{{\text{m}}^{\text{3}}}\) solution.

[4]
b.

Determine the pH at the equivalence point of the titration and the \({\text{p}}{K_{\text{a}}}\) of an unknown acid using the acid-base titration curve below.

M15/4/CHEMI/HP2/ENG/TZ1/08.c.i

[3]
c.i.

Identify, using table 16 of the data booklet, a suitable indicator to show the end-point of this titration.

[1]
c.ii.

Describe how an indicator, that is a weak acid, works. Use Le Chatelier’s principle in your answer.

[2]
c.iii.

State the formula of the conjugate base of chloroethanoic acid, \({\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{ClCOOH}}\).

[1]
d.i.

Identify, with a reason, whether chloroethanoic acid is weaker or stronger than ethanoic acid using table 15 of the data booklet.

[1]
d.ii.

Determine the pH of the solution resulting when \({\text{100 c}}{{\text{m}}^{\text{3}}}\) of \({\text{0.50 mol}}\,{\text{d}}{{\text{m}}^{ - 3}}\) \({\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{ClCOOH}}\) is mixed with \({\text{200 c}}{{\text{m}}^{\text{3}}}\) of \({\text{0.10 mol}}\,{\text{d}}{{\text{m}}^{ - 3}}\) NaOH.

[4]
d.iii.

Describe how chlorine’s position in the periodic table is related to its electron arrangement.

[2]
e.

\({\text{SC}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{2}}}\) and \({\text{SCl}}{{\text{F}}_{\text{5}}}\) are two sulfur chloride type compounds with sulfur having different oxidation states. Predict the name of the shape, the bond angle and polarity of these molecules.

[[N/A]]
f.

Markscheme

(i)     weak acids dissociate only partially and strong acids (are assumed to) dissociate fully;

(ii)     measuring electrical conductivity and strong acids have greater electrical conductivity/weak acids have lower electrical conductivity;

Do not accept conductivity for electrical conductivity.

Accept explanation in terms of lightbulb in circuit.

measure pH/use universal indicator and pH higher for weak acid/pH lower for strong acid;

conduct titration with a strong base and equivalence point higher for weak acid / buffer region for weak acid;

adding a reactive metal/carbonate/hydrogen carbonate and stronger effervescence/faster reaction with strong acids;

Accept converse argument.

Accept correct example.

adding a strong base and strong acid would increase more in temperature/weak acids increase less in temperature;

Accept correct example.

Award [1 max] for three suitable tests without correct results.

Accept specific examples with given strong acid and weak acid.

Accept “addition of \(AgN{O_3}(aq)\) and white precipitate with HCl (aq)”.

Do not accept “smell”.

a.

\(\frac{{1.40}}{{60.06}} = 0.0233{\text{ (mol)}}\,\,\,\)and\(\,\,\,\frac{{0.0233}}{{0.500}} = 0.0466{\text{ (mol}}\,{\text{d}}{{\text{m}}^{ - 3}})\);

\({\text{(p}}{K_{\text{a}}} = 4.76{\text{)}}{K_{\text{a}}} = 1.7 \times {10^{ - 5}}\);

\({\text{[}}{{\text{H}}^ + }{\text{]}} = \sqrt {{K_{\text{a}}}{\text{[HA]}}}  = 8.9 \times {10^{ - 4}}\);

Accept \(9.0 \times 1{0^{ - {\text{4}}}}\).

\({\text{pH}} = 3.05\);

Award [4] for correct final answer.

Accept alternative methods.

b.

Equivalence point: pH of 9.5;

Accept values between 9 and 10.

\({\text{p}}{K_{\text{a}}} = {\text{pH}}\) at half equivalence point;

\({\text{p}}{K_{\text{a}}} = 5.4\);

Accept any value between 5.2 and 5.6.

Award [2] for M2 and M3 if correct \(p{K_a}\) given without explanation.

c.i.

phenolphthalein;

c.ii.

\({\text{HIn(aq)}} \rightleftharpoons {{\text{H}}^ + }{\text{(aq)}} + {\text{I}}{{\text{n}}^ - }{\text{(aq)}}\) and HIn and \({\text{I}}{{\text{n}}^ - }\) have different colours;

Ignore state symbols.

equilibrium shifts depending on addition of \({{\text{H}}^ + }\) and \({\text{O}}{{\text{H}}^ - }\) / more HIn in acid/low pH / more \({\text{I}}{{\text{n}}^ - }\) in alkali/high pH;

c.iii.

\({\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{ClCO}}{{\text{O}}^ - }\);

d.i.

stronger because \({\text{p}}{K_{\text{a}}}\) of chloroethanoic acid is \( < {\text{p}}{K_{\text{a}}}\) of ethanoic acid;

d.ii.

Concentration of acid: \(\frac{{0.030}}{{0.300}} = 0.10{\text{ (mol}}\,{\text{d}}{{\text{m}}^{ - 3}}{\text{)}}\);

Concentration of base/salt: \(\frac{{0.020}}{{0.300}} = 0.067{\text{ (mol}}\,{\text{d}}{{\text{m}}^{ - 3}}{\text{)}}\);

\([{{\text{H}}^ + }] = \frac{{{K_{\text{a}}} \times [{\text{HA}}]}}{{[{{\text{A}}^ - }]}}/\frac{{1.3 \times {{10}^{ - 3}} \times 0.10}}{{0.067}}{\text{/}}1.9 \times {10^{ - 3}}{\text{ (mol}}\,{\text{d}}{{\text{m}}^{ - 3}}{\text{)}}\);

\({\text{pH}} = 2.72\);

Award [4] for correct final answer.

Accept 2.69, 2.70 or 2.7.

Alternative for M3 and M4 if Henderson-Hasselbalch equation used:

M3: \(pH = p{K_a} + log\frac{{[base]}}{{[acid]}}{\text{/ }}2.87 + log\left( {\frac{{{\text{0.067}}}}{{0.10}}} \right)\)

M4: \(pH = 2.70\).

Award [1 max] for \({n_{acid}} ( = 100 \times 0.50 \div 1000) = 0.050 mol\) and

\({n_{base}}( = 200 \times 0.10 \div 1000) = 0.020 mol\).

d.iii.

Cl has 7 valence electrons and is in group 7;

Accept “group 17” as suggested by IUPAC.

Cl has 3 occupied (electron) shells/energy levels and so is in period 3;

e.

M15/4/CHEMI/HP2/ENG/TZ1/08.f/M

Do not accept ECF for bond angles and polarities from incorrect shapes.

Award [3] for all six correct.

Award [2] for four or five correct.

Award [1] for two or three correct.

f.

Examiners report

There is a difference, which candidates should note, between “not fully dissociated” and “partially dissociated” when describing a weak acid. The latter is correct; the former is not accepted as it could mean anything between 1% and 99%. In (ii), many did not state the difference in behaviour of the two acids. Many gained the first mark in (b) for finding the concentration of ethanoic acid. Thereafter either full marks was obtained – or there was total confusion. The equivalence point in (c) was better known than the \({\text{p}}{K_{\text{a}}}\) where an explanation was expected. The best candidates annotated the graph. Almost all candidates identified phenolphthalein in (ii) correctly but in (iii) any answer that did not begin with an equation was likely to score zero. In questions such as (d) (i), candidates should avoid writing a balanced equation (and there were many) unless the actual answer is clearly indicated. Many were able to identify the stronger acid with the correct reason but in (iii) there were few successful conclusions, many not having recognized that a buffer solution was formed. In (e), most were able to explain why chlorine is in group 7, but the explanation for the period, when it was given, often omitted the idea of occupied shells. In (f), it was disappointing to note that many thought \({\text{SC}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{2}}}\) to be linear and \({\text{SCl}}{{\text{F}}_{\text{5}}}\) trigonal bipyramidal or square pyramidal. Two respondents commented that the column headed “polarity” was confusing; although we could have expressed this more clearly, the candidates did not seem to have a difficulty with this.

a.

There is a difference, which candidates should note, between “not fully dissociated” and “partially dissociated” when describing a weak acid. The latter is correct; the former is not accepted as it could mean anything between 1% and 99%. In (ii), many did not state the difference in behaviour of the two acids. Many gained the first mark in (b) for finding the concentration of ethanoic acid. Thereafter either full marks was obtained – or there was total confusion. The equivalence point in (c) was better known than the \({\text{p}}{K_{\text{a}}}\) where an explanation was expected. The best candidates annotated the graph. Almost all candidates identified phenolphthalein in (ii) correctly but in (iii) any answer that did not begin with an equation was likely to score zero. In questions such as (d) (i), candidates should avoid writing a balanced equation (and there were many) unless the actual answer is clearly indicated. Many were able to identify the stronger acid with the correct reason but in (iii) there were few successful conclusions, many not having recognized that a buffer solution was formed. In (e), most were able to explain why chlorine is in group 7, but the explanation for the period, when it was given, often omitted the idea of occupied shells. In (f), it was disappointing to note that many thought \({\text{SC}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{2}}}\) to be linear and \({\text{SCl}}{{\text{F}}_{\text{5}}}\) trigonal bipyramidal or square pyramidal. Two respondents commented that the column headed “polarity” was confusing; although we could have expressed this more clearly, the candidates did not seem to have a difficulty with this.

b.

There is a difference, which candidates should note, between “not fully dissociated” and “partially dissociated” when describing a weak acid. The latter is correct; the former is not accepted as it could mean anything between 1% and 99%. In (ii), many did not state the difference in behaviour of the two acids. Many gained the first mark in (b) for finding the concentration of ethanoic acid. Thereafter either full marks was obtained – or there was total confusion. The equivalence point in (c) was better known than the \({\text{p}}{K_{\text{a}}}\) where an explanation was expected. The best candidates annotated the graph. Almost all candidates identified phenolphthalein in (ii) correctly but in (iii) any answer that did not begin with an equation was likely to score zero. In questions such as (d) (i), candidates should avoid writing a balanced equation (and there were many) unless the actual answer is clearly indicated. Many were able to identify the stronger acid with the correct reason but in (iii) there were few successful conclusions, many not having recognized that a buffer solution was formed. In (e), most were able to explain why chlorine is in group 7, but the explanation for the period, when it was given, often omitted the idea of occupied shells. In (f), it was disappointing to note that many thought \({\text{SC}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{2}}}\) to be linear and \({\text{SCl}}{{\text{F}}_{\text{5}}}\) trigonal bipyramidal or square pyramidal. Two respondents commented that the column headed “polarity” was confusing; although we could have expressed this more clearly, the candidates did not seem to have a difficulty with this.

c.i.

There is a difference, which candidates should note, between “not fully dissociated” and “partially dissociated” when describing a weak acid. The latter is correct; the former is not accepted as it could mean anything between 1% and 99%. In (ii), many did not state the difference in behaviour of the two acids. Many gained the first mark in (b) for finding the concentration of ethanoic acid. Thereafter either full marks was obtained – or there was total confusion. The equivalence point in (c) was better known than the \({\text{p}}{K_{\text{a}}}\) where an explanation was expected. The best candidates annotated the graph. Almost all candidates identified phenolphthalein in (ii) correctly but in (iii) any answer that did not begin with an equation was likely to score zero. In questions such as (d) (i), candidates should avoid writing a balanced equation (and there were many) unless the actual answer is clearly indicated. Many were able to identify the stronger acid with the correct reason but in (iii) there were few successful conclusions, many not having recognized that a buffer solution was formed. In (e), most were able to explain why chlorine is in group 7, but the explanation for the period, when it was given, often omitted the idea of occupied shells. In (f), it was disappointing to note that many thought \({\text{SC}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{2}}}\) to be linear and \({\text{SCl}}{{\text{F}}_{\text{5}}}\) trigonal bipyramidal or square pyramidal. Two respondents commented that the column headed “polarity” was confusing; although we could have expressed this more clearly, the candidates did not seem to have a difficulty with this.

c.ii.

There is a difference, which candidates should note, between “not fully dissociated” and “partially dissociated” when describing a weak acid. The latter is correct; the former is not accepted as it could mean anything between 1% and 99%. In (ii), many did not state the difference in behaviour of the two acids. Many gained the first mark in (b) for finding the concentration of ethanoic acid. Thereafter either full marks was obtained – or there was total confusion. The equivalence point in (c) was better known than the \({\text{p}}{K_{\text{a}}}\) where an explanation was expected. The best candidates annotated the graph. Almost all candidates identified phenolphthalein in (ii) correctly but in (iii) any answer that did not begin with an equation was likely to score zero. In questions such as (d) (i), candidates should avoid writing a balanced equation (and there were many) unless the actual answer is clearly indicated. Many were able to identify the stronger acid with the correct reason but in (iii) there were few successful conclusions, many not having recognized that a buffer solution was formed. In (e), most were able to explain why chlorine is in group 7, but the explanation for the period, when it was given, often omitted the idea of occupied shells. In (f), it was disappointing to note that many thought \({\text{SC}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{2}}}\) to be linear and \({\text{SCl}}{{\text{F}}_{\text{5}}}\) trigonal bipyramidal or square pyramidal. Two respondents commented that the column headed “polarity” was confusing; although we could have expressed this more clearly, the candidates did not seem to have a difficulty with this.

c.iii.

There is a difference, which candidates should note, between “not fully dissociated” and “partially dissociated” when describing a weak acid. The latter is correct; the former is not accepted as it could mean anything between 1% and 99%. In (ii), many did not state the difference in behaviour of the two acids. Many gained the first mark in (b) for finding the concentration of ethanoic acid. Thereafter either full marks was obtained – or there was total confusion. The equivalence point in (c) was better known than the \({\text{p}}{K_{\text{a}}}\) where an explanation was expected. The best candidates annotated the graph. Almost all candidates identified phenolphthalein in (ii) correctly but in (iii) any answer that did not begin with an equation was likely to score zero. In questions such as (d) (i), candidates should avoid writing a balanced equation (and there were many) unless the actual answer is clearly indicated. Many were able to identify the stronger acid with the correct reason but in (iii) there were few successful conclusions, many not having recognized that a buffer solution was formed. In (e), most were able to explain why chlorine is in group 7, but the explanation for the period, when it was given, often omitted the idea of occupied shells. In (f), it was disappointing to note that many thought \({\text{SC}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{2}}}\) to be linear and \({\text{SCl}}{{\text{F}}_{\text{5}}}\) trigonal bipyramidal or square pyramidal. Two respondents commented that the column headed “polarity” was confusing; although we could have expressed this more clearly, the candidates did not seem to have a difficulty with this.

d.i.

There is a difference, which candidates should note, between “not fully dissociated” and “partially dissociated” when describing a weak acid. The latter is correct; the former is not accepted as it could mean anything between 1% and 99%. In (ii), many did not state the difference in behaviour of the two acids. Many gained the first mark in (b) for finding the concentration of ethanoic acid. Thereafter either full marks was obtained – or there was total confusion. The equivalence point in (c) was better known than the \({\text{p}}{K_{\text{a}}}\) where an explanation was expected. The best candidates annotated the graph. Almost all candidates identified phenolphthalein in (ii) correctly but in (iii) any answer that did not begin with an equation was likely to score zero. In questions such as (d) (i), candidates should avoid writing a balanced equation (and there were many) unless the actual answer is clearly indicated. Many were able to identify the stronger acid with the correct reason but in (iii) there were few successful conclusions, many not having recognized that a buffer solution was formed. In (e), most were able to explain why chlorine is in group 7, but the explanation for the period, when it was given, often omitted the idea of occupied shells. In (f), it was disappointing to note that many thought \({\text{SC}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{2}}}\) to be linear and \({\text{SCl}}{{\text{F}}_{\text{5}}}\) trigonal bipyramidal or square pyramidal. Two respondents commented that the column headed “polarity” was confusing; although we could have expressed this more clearly, the candidates did not seem to have a difficulty with this.

d.ii.

There is a difference, which candidates should note, between “not fully dissociated” and “partially dissociated” when describing a weak acid. The latter is correct; the former is not accepted as it could mean anything between 1% and 99%. In (ii), many did not state the difference in behaviour of the two acids. Many gained the first mark in (b) for finding the concentration of ethanoic acid. Thereafter either full marks was obtained – or there was total confusion. The equivalence point in (c) was better known than the \({\text{p}}{K_{\text{a}}}\) where an explanation was expected. The best candidates annotated the graph. Almost all candidates identified phenolphthalein in (ii) correctly but in (iii) any answer that did not begin with an equation was likely to score zero. In questions such as (d) (i), candidates should avoid writing a balanced equation (and there were many) unless the actual answer is clearly indicated. Many were able to identify the stronger acid with the correct reason but in (iii) there were few successful conclusions, many not having recognized that a buffer solution was formed. In (e), most were able to explain why chlorine is in group 7, but the explanation for the period, when it was given, often omitted the idea of occupied shells. In (f), it was disappointing to note that many thought \({\text{SC}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{2}}}\) to be linear and \({\text{SCl}}{{\text{F}}_{\text{5}}}\) trigonal bipyramidal or square pyramidal. Two respondents commented that the column headed “polarity” was confusing; although we could have expressed this more clearly, the candidates did not seem to have a difficulty with this.

d.iii.

There is a difference, which candidates should note, between “not fully dissociated” and “partially dissociated” when describing a weak acid. The latter is correct; the former is not accepted as it could mean anything between 1% and 99%. In (ii), many did not state the difference in behaviour of the two acids. Many gained the first mark in (b) for finding the concentration of ethanoic acid. Thereafter either full marks was obtained – or there was total confusion. The equivalence point in (c) was better known than the \({\text{p}}{K_{\text{a}}}\) where an explanation was expected. The best candidates annotated the graph. Almost all candidates identified phenolphthalein in (ii) correctly but in (iii) any answer that did not begin with an equation was likely to score zero. In questions such as (d) (i), candidates should avoid writing a balanced equation (and there were many) unless the actual answer is clearly indicated. Many were able to identify the stronger acid with the correct reason but in (iii) there were few successful conclusions, many not having recognized that a buffer solution was formed. In (e), most were able to explain why chlorine is in group 7, but the explanation for the period, when it was given, often omitted the idea of occupied shells. In (f), it was disappointing to note that many thought \({\text{SC}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{2}}}\) to be linear and \({\text{SCl}}{{\text{F}}_{\text{5}}}\) trigonal bipyramidal or square pyramidal. Two respondents commented that the column headed “polarity” was confusing; although we could have expressed this more clearly, the candidates did not seem to have a difficulty with this.

e.

There is a difference, which candidates should note, between “not fully dissociated” and “partially dissociated” when describing a weak acid. The latter is correct; the former is not accepted as it could mean anything between 1% and 99%. In (ii), many did not state the difference in behaviour of the two acids. Many gained the first mark in (b) for finding the concentration of ethanoic acid. Thereafter either full marks was obtained – or there was total confusion. The equivalence point in (c) was better known than the \({\text{p}}{K_{\text{a}}}\) where an explanation was expected. The best candidates annotated the graph. Almost all candidates identified phenolphthalein in (ii) correctly but in (iii) any answer that did not begin with an equation was likely to score zero. In questions such as (d) (i), candidates should avoid writing a balanced equation (and there were many) unless the actual answer is clearly indicated. Many were able to identify the stronger acid with the correct reason but in (iii) there were few successful conclusions, many not having recognized that a buffer solution was formed. In (e), most were able to explain why chlorine is in group 7, but the explanation for the period, when it was given, often omitted the idea of occupied shells. In (f), it was disappointing to note that many thought \({\text{SC}}{{\text{l}}_{\text{2}}}\) to be linear and \({\text{SCl}}{{\text{F}}_{\text{5}}}\) trigonal bipyramidal or square pyramidal. Two respondents commented that the column headed “polarity” was confusing; although we could have expressed this more clearly, the candidates did not seem to have a difficulty with this.

f.

Syllabus sections

Additional higher level (AHL) » Topic 18: Acids and bases » 18.3 pH curves
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