Paper 5 Tutorial week 2 Question 1

Carbonate of Metal M can be represented as .

When Solid carbonate of element M, MCO 3 was heated strongly, M
oxide was formed.
A suggested equation for this thermal decomposition is:
MCO 3

(s)

MO

(s)

CO2

(g)

An experiment is carried out to determine the relative atomic

mass of M.
An open crucible is weighed and the mass recorded to 2 decimal
places.
A sample of carbonate of M, MCO3 is added in the crucible and the
new mass recorded. The crucible with the carbonate of M, MCO 3
was heated strongly for 5 minutes and allowed to cool back to
room temperature. Then the crucible with the carbonate of M,
MCO3 was heated strongly for another 8 minutes and allowed to
cool back to room temperature. The crucible with its contents of
oxide of M, MO is weighed and the mass recorded.
a) The results of 10 students who conducted the experiment
was recorded below. Process the results to calculate the
mass of MCO3 and mass of MO.
Record these values in the additional columns of the table.
Masses should be recorded to two decimal places.
Label the columns used. For each column used include units
and an expression to show how the values are calculated.

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[2]
b) Plot a graph to show the relationship between the mass of
MCO3(x-axis) and mass of MO (y-axis). The axis should be
labeled clearly and with units.
Draw a line of best-fit.
[3]
c) Circle and label on the graph all points you consider as
anomalous. Give a different reason why it is anomalous,
clearly indicating which point you are describing.


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d) Determine the slope of the graph. You must mark clearly on
the graph any construction lines and show clearly in your
calculation how the intercepts were used in the calculation of
the slope.

[3]
e) Comment on the reliability of the data provided by the 10
students.

.
[1]
f) (i) Use the value of the slope of your graph to determine the
relative atomic mass of M.

(ii)

Explain your answer to (i).

[3]
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