| Date | November 2020 | Marks available | 1 | Reference code | 20N.3.sl.TZ0.13 |
| Level | SL | Paper | 3 | Time zone | TZ0 |
| Command term | Outline | Question number | 13 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
Describe the proper disposal of low-level radioactive waste in hospitals.
Outline a green chemistry solution for problems generated by the use of organic solvents.
Markscheme
store until material becomes inactive/radiation levels drop ✔
dispose with other waste
OR
dispose in landfills ✔
Only award M2 if M1 correct.
Accept “dispose by incineration” for M2.
«use of» alternative solvents such as supercritical/liquid
Do not accept political or regulatory solutions.
OR
use of water «as solvent»
OR
solvent-free reactions «for example, polymerization of propene»
OR
solid-state chemistry
OR
recycle «waste» solvents
OR
catalysis that leads to better/higher yield
“catalysis” alone not sufficient for mark.
OR
reducing number of steps ✔
Examiners report
Mostly well answered. Some students lost a mark due to not giving a complete answer. In Spanish quite a few students referred to isotopes 'decomposing' and therefore lost their mark.
Many correct answers. The most common correct answer was using water as a solvent. Some students lost the mark with responses like " less dangerous organic solvents", "alternative solvents (but not giving a specific example)" or "proper disposal of organic solvents".
Syllabus sections
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17N.3.hl.TZ0.21c:
Explain the low environmental impact of most medical nuclear waste.
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17M.3.sl.TZ2.19a:
Suggest one problem associated with chlorinated organic solvents as chemical waste.
- 16N.3.sl.TZ0.17c: The synthesis of oseltamivir is dependent on a supply of the precursor shikimic acid, which...
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17N.3.sl.TZ0.16:
Radioisotopes are used to diagnose and treat various diseases. Explain the low environmental impact of most medical nuclear waste.
- 16N.3.hl.TZ0.28d: Outline the nature of the radioactive waste that is generated by the use of technetium-99m in...
- 18N.3.sl.TZ0.12c: Outline one effect of over-prescription of penicillin.
- 19N.3.sl.TZ0.19a: Outline the impact of antibiotic waste on the environment.
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18N.3.sl.TZ0.16:
Suggest two reasons why chlorinated solvents should neither be released into the atmosphere nor incinerated (burnt).
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19M.3.sl.TZ2.15e:
Outline two factors which must be considered to assess the greenness of any chemical process.
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17M.3.sl.TZ1.21c:
Suggest why the administration of antibiotics to humans and animals can affect the environment.
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18M.3.sl.TZ2.20:
Drug synthesis often involves solvents.
Identify a common hazardous solvent and a Green solvent that could replace it.
- 19N.3.hl.TZ0.25c: Suggest a concern about the disposal of solvents from drug manufacturing.
- 19N.3.hl.TZ0.25b: Outline the impact of antibiotic waste on the environment.
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17M.3.sl.TZ1.19e:
The pharmaceutical industry is one of the largest producers of waste solvents.
State a green solution to the problem of organic solvent waste.
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19M.3.hl.TZ2.25a:
Examine the synthesis of taxol in terms of green chemistry criteria.
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19M.3.sl.TZ1.19b:
Outline the disposal of LLW.
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19M.3.sl.TZ1.19a:
Outline what is meant by low-level waste.
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17M.3.sl.TZ2.19b:
Suggest how the principles of green chemistry can be used to solve the environmental problems caused by organic solvents.
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18M.3.sl.TZ1.13c.iii:
Outline two consequences of prescribing antibiotics such as penicillin unnecessarily.
- 19N.3.sl.TZ0.19b: Suggest a concern about the disposal of solvents from drug manufacturing.
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17M.3.hl.TZ1.25e:
The pharmaceutical industry is one of the largest producers of waste solvents.
State a green solution to the problem of organic solvent waste.
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18M.3.sl.TZ1.15b:
Shikimic acid, the precursor for oseltamivir (Tamiflu), was originally extracted from star anise, and is now produced using genetically modified E. coli bacteria.
Suggest one difficulty associated with synthesizing oseltamivir (Tamiflu) from star anise.
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17M.3.sl.TZ1.21b:
Oseltamivir was commercially produced from shikimic acid, a precursor which is a metabolite in micro-organisms and plants.
Outline how green chemistry was used to develop the precursor for oseltamivir in order to overcome a shortage of the drug during the flu season.
- 20N.3.sl.TZ0.13a: Describe the proper disposal of low-level radioactive waste in hospitals.
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20N.3.hl.TZ0.17c:
Describe the proper disposal of low-level radioactive waste in hospitals.
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19M.3.hl.TZ1.24b(i):
Outline what is meant by low-level waste.
