Date | November 2017 | Marks available | 1 | Reference code | 17N.3.sl.TZ0.2 |
Level | SL | Paper | 3 | Time zone | TZ0 |
Command term | Calculate | Question number | 2 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Antacids react with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to relieve indigestion. A student investigated different brands of antacid to see which caused the largest increase in pH in a given time. She added the antacids to hydrochloric acid, and recorded the change in pH over five minutes.
State an equation for the reaction of magnesium hydroxide with hydrochloric acid.
Suggest two variables, besides the time of reaction, which the student should have controlled in the experiment to ensure a fair comparison of the antacids.
Calculate the uncertainty in the change in pH.
The student concluded that antacid B was the most effective, followed by A then C and finally D. Discuss two arguments that reduce the validity of the conclusion.
Markscheme
Mg(OH)2 (s) + 2HCl (aq) → MgCl2 (aq) + 2H2O (l)
Accept full or net ionic equation.
Any two from:
volume «of HCl»
concentration «of HCl»/[HCl]
temperature «of HCl»
mass of antacid/tablets
size of antacid particles/tablets
OR
surface area of antacid «particles»/tablets
Accept “number of tablets/different doses”.
Do not accept “same pH meter” OR “initial pH” OR “concentration of antacid/[antacid]”.
A variable must be given so do not accept answers such as “stirring”, “whether tablets are whole or crushed” etc.
[Max 2 Marks]
(±) 0.04
OR
(±) 0.03
Any two of:
uncertainty «(±)0.04/(±)0.03» means A and C cannot be distinguished
each measurement was conducted once
stomach pH should not be raised a lot «so antacid B is not necessarily effective»
mass/number of tablets/dose «of antacid» used was not controlled
actual environment in stomach is different
Accept “amount of tablets” for “dose”.
Do not accept “nature/composition of tablets differs”.
Accept an answer such as “time frame is too short since some antacids could be long-acting drugs if they contain a gelatinisation/delaying agent” but not just “time frame is too short since some antacids could be long-acting drugs”.
[Max 2 Marks]