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Date May 2018 Marks available 1 Reference code 18M.2.sl.TZ1.2
Level SL Paper 2 Time zone TZ1
Command term Estimate Question number 2 Adapted from N/A

Question

Calcium carbide, CaC2, is an ionic solid.

Describe the nature of ionic bonding.

[1]
a.

State the electron configuration of the Ca2+ ion.

[1]
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.

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]
e.

Markscheme

electrostatic attraction AND oppositely charged ions

[1 mark]

a.

1s22s22p63s23p6

OR

[Ar]

[1 mark]

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.

pH > 7

 

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

[1 mark]

e.

Examiners report

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

Syllabus sections

Core » Topic 3: Periodicity » 3.2 Periodic trends
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