CHEMISTRY PAST PAPER EXERCISE

PARTS II & VI: MICROSCOPIC WORLD I & II ________________________________

Check-points:
1. Atomic structure
 Definition of isotopes.
 Calculation of relative atomic masses and relative isotopic masses.
 Electronic arrangement of atoms and drawing of electron diagrams.
2. Trends in Periodic Table
 Differences and similarities.
3. Types of bonding and structures
 Ionic bond  giant ionic structure
 Covalent bond  simple molecular structure / giant covalent structure
 Metallic bond  giant metallic structure
 Explanation of characteristics of substances based on their bonds and structures.
 Electron diagrams of compounds, e.g. NaCl, CO2, NH4+Cl
4. Explain polarity of bond and molecule in terms of electronegativity difference between atoms in
covalent bonds.
5. Types of intermolecular forces
i. Van der Waal’s forces (in both non-polar and polar covalent substances)
ii. Hydrogen bonding
iii. Comparison of their strength and the result of such bonding
6. Structures and properties of ice.
7. Names of shapes of simple molecules and drawing of the shapes, including non-octet structures of
some covalent molecules.
[2000-CE-2]
The table below lists some information about four elements, W, X, Y and Z:
Element Atomic number Relative atomic mass
W 16 32.1
X 18 39.9
Y 19 39.1
Z 20 40.1
(a) What is the meaning of the term ‘relative atomic mass’?
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(b) State, with explanation, which of the above elements
1. should be stored under paraffin oil.
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2. is used to fill a light bulb.
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3. forms an oxide which dissolves in water to give a solution with pH less than 7.
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(8 marks)
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CHEMISTRY PAST PAPER EXERCISE
PARTS II & VI: MICROSCOPIC WORLD I & II ________________________________
[2001-CE-8a]
A part of the Periodic Table is shown below:
Group
I II III IV V VI VII 0
2 Li Be B C N O F Ne
Period 3 Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
4 K Ca Br Kr
5 Xe
(i) Across a period, the elements demonstrate a gradual change in some of their physical properties.
State ONE such property.
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(ii) For each of the following pairs of elements, suggest ONE reaction in which both elements behave
similarly. In each case, write a chemical equation for the reaction involving either one of the
elements.
(1) magnesium and calcium
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(iv) Xenon (Xe) is a Group 0 element. State, with explanation, what will happen if a balloon filled with
xenon is released from the top of a tower.
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(5 marks)

[2000-AL-P1-1c]
“account for” = explain
Account for the order of boiling point for the two series of compounds
below:
(i) H2O > C2H5OH > C2H5OC2H5
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(1.5 marks)
(ii) H2S < C2H5SH < C2H5SC2H5
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(1.5 marks)

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CHEMISTRY PAST PAPER EXERCISE
PARTS II & VI: MICROSCOPIC WORLD I & II ________________________________

[2002-AL-P2-1d]
Ammonia (NH3) and phosphine (PH3) are hydrides of nitrogen and phosphorus respectively. Account for
each of the following phenomena:
(i) The bond angle between two N–H bonds in NH3 (about 107°) is greater than that between two P–H
bonds in PH3 (about 94°).
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(ii) NH3 is very soluble in water but PH3 is sparingly soluble.
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(4 marks)

[2002-CE-6b]
Magnesium occurs naturally in three isotopic forms. The relative abundance of each isotope is shown in the
table below:
24 25 26
Isotope Mg Mg Mg

Relative abundance (%) 78.6 10.1 11.3

(i) State the meaning of the term ‘isotopes of an element’.

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(ii) Calculate the relative atomic mass of magnesium.
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(iii) Is it possible to separate the isotopes of magnesium by chemical means? Explain your answer.
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(4 marks)
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CHEMISTRY PAST PAPER EXERCISE
PARTS II & VI: MICROSCOPIC WORLD I & II ________________________________

[2002-CE-8b]
Both carbon and silicon are Group IV elements in the Periodic Table.
(i) Draw the electronic diagram of a carbon dioxide molecule, showing electrons in the outermost shells
only.

(ii) Explain why carbon dioxide can be used in fire fighting.

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(iii) Explain why carbon dioxide is a gas, whereas silicon dioxide is a solid at room temperature and
pressure.
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(iv) Silicon can be obtained by heating silicon dioxide with carbon strongly.
(1) Write a chemical equation for the reaction involved.
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(2) Suggest ONE use of silicon.
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(8 marks)

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CHEMISTRY PAST PAPER EXERCISE
PARTS II & VI: MICROSCOPIC WORLD I & II ________________________________

[2003-CE-1]
Consider the substances listed below:
carbon dioxide hydrogen chloride neon
nitrogen silicon dioxide sodium chloride

(a) Diagrams (i), (ii) and (iii) below show the arrangements of particles, which can be atoms, ions or
molecules, in some substances. For each diagram, choose ONE substance from the above list, which
has the arrangement of particles as shown under room temperature and pressure.

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(b) From the above list, identify ONE substance which gives an acidic solution when dissolved in water.
Write the chemical equation for the reaction involved.
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(5 marks)

[2003-CE-3]
(a) The atomic numbers of sulphur and chlorine are 16 and 17 respectively. Draw the electronic
diagrams of the following atoms:
i. sulphur atom

ii. chlorine atom

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CHEMISTRY PAST PAPER EXERCISE
PARTS II & VI: MICROSCOPIC WORLD I & II ________________________________

(b) Chlorine reacts with sulphur to form a compound with relative molecular mass of 135.2. The
compound contains 52.5 % of chlorine by mass.
i. Deduce the molecular formula of the compound.

ii. Draw the electronic diagram of the compound, showing electrons in the outermost shells only.
(Relative atomic masses: S = 32.1, Cl = 35.5)

(6 marks)

[2004-CE-9a]
A portion of the Periodic Table is shown below:
Group
I II III IV V VI VII 0
2 Li Be B C N O F Ne
Period 3 Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
4 K Ca Br

(i) Identify ONE semi-metal in the above table. _______________________________________

(ii) Suggest why Group 0 elements seldom form compounds.
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CHEMISTRY PAST PAPER EXERCISE
PARTS II & VI: MICROSCOPIC WORLD I & II ________________________________
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(iii) Using aluminium as an example, describe the bonding in metals. Hence, explain why metals
are ductile.
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(iv) Which metal and non-metal in the above table would react most vigorously with each other?
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(v) (1) The atomic number of bromine is 35. The electronic arrangement of a bromine atom can be
represented as 2, 8, x, y. What are the values of x and y?
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(7 marks)

[2005-CE-1]
(a) Calcium is an element in Group II of the Periodic Table.
(i) Calcium reacts with nitrogen to form calcium nitride, which is an ionic compound. Draw the
electronic diagram of calcium nitride, showing electrons in the outermost shells only.

(ii) Suggest a test to show that marble is a calcium-containing substance.

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(3 marks)
(b) Strontium (Sr) is another Group II element, It exists in several isotopic forms.
(i) What is the meaning of the term ‘isotope’?
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(ii) Strontiunm-90 (90Sr) is a radioactive isotope of strontium, and is one of the dangerous
by-products of nuclear fission. Complete the table below by providing the relevant information
for a 90Sr atom.
Number of protons Number of neutrons
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CHEMISTRY PAST PAPER EXERCISE
PARTS II & VI: MICROSCOPIC WORLD I & II ________________________________
90
Sr
(2 marks)
(c) (i) State the similarity between a calcium atom and a strontium atom in terms of electronic
arrangement.
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(ii) Children’s teeth require a large amount of calcium to grow. Scientists found that in areas where
nuclear weapon tests were conducted above the ground, children’s teeth contained higher level of
90
Sr. Suggest a reason for the findings of the scientists.
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(2 marks)

[2006-AL-PI-1a]
The table below lists the melting points of three oxides of the Period 3 elements:
Oxide Na2O SO2
Melting point / oC 920 -75
Account for the large difference in the melting points of the two oxides.
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(2 marks)

[2006-AL-P2-2bi]
Explain why ice is less dense than water.
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CHEMISTRY PAST PAPER EXERCISE
PARTS II & VI: MICROSCOPIC WORLD I & II ________________________________
(3 marks)

[2007-AL-P1-3ciii]
Which one of the following species is NOT planar?
A. BF3
B. NCl3
C. SO3
D. ClF3

[2007-CE-1]
A is a compound formed from oxygen and magnesium, while B is a compound formed from oxygen and
fluorine.
(a) Draw the electronic diagram of A, showing electrons in the outermost shells only.

(1 mark)
(b) Draw the electronic diagram of B, showing electrons in the outermost shells only.

(1 mark)
(c) Compare the melting points of A and B. Explain your answer.
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(2 marks)
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CHEMISTRY PAST PAPER EXERCISE
PARTS II & VI: MICROSCOPIC WORLD I & II ________________________________

[2008-AL-PI-1a]
(i) Draw a ‘dot-and-cross’ diagram to show the arrangement of the outermost electrons in the species
NH2-(g), and predict the shape of this species.

(2 marks)
(ii)  Arrange the H-N-H bond angels in descending order for the three species: NH2-(g), NH3(g)
and NH4+(g). Explain your ordering.
Think about the number of bond pairs
and lone pairs of electrons in the
species and how they should be
arranged to minimize repulsion.

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(2 marks)

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CHEMISTRY PAST PAPER EXERCISE
PARTS II & VI: MICROSCOPIC WORLD I & II ________________________________

[2008-AL-P2-4c]
Both diamond and graphite are allotropes of carbon. A unit cell of diamond and a part of the structure
of graphite are shown below:

(ii) Diamond and graphite show a marked difference in electrical conductivity. Account for their
difference in electricity conductivity in terms of bonding and structure.
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(2 marks)

[2008-CE-12]
The simplified diagram below shows a tungsten light bulb. The filament
inside is made of tungsten metal (atomic number = 74). The filament can emit
light by passing an electric current until it reaches an extremely high
temperature. Under vacuum condition, the filament would emit tungsten
particles under extremely high temperature and blacken the light bulb. To
avoid this from happening, the light bulb should be filled up with gas.

(a) Describe the structure and bonding in tungsten metal with the help of a diagram.
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CHEMISTRY PAST PAPER EXERCISE
PARTS II & VI: MICROSCOPIC WORLD I & II ________________________________
(3 marks)

(b) Apart from the property that tungsten can emit light at extremely high temperature, suggest another
physical property that can render it suitable for making filament. Explain why it has this property.
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(2 marks)
(c) Tungsten is stable in air under normal conditions. However, it is not appropriate to fill up a
tungsten light bulb with air. Explain.
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(1 mark)
(d) Suggest, with explanation in terms of electronic arrangement, a suitable gas for filling up a tungsten
light bulb.
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(2 marks)
(e) Explain, from the perspective of energy, why the efficiency of tungsten light bulb is not high enough.
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(1 mark)

[2009-AL-PI-1a]
Draw the respective electronic structures of BF3 and NF3. Hence, deduce the shape of each species.
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(3 marks)

[2010-CE-1]
Both bromine (Br) and chlorine (Cl) are Group VII elements in the Periodic Table.
(a) What is the name commonly given to this group of elements? _______________________________
(1 mark)
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CHEMISTRY PAST PAPER EXERCISE
PARTS II & VI: MICROSCOPIC WORLD I & II ________________________________
(b) The electronic arrangement of bromine is 2, 8, p, q.
What are p and q? ________________________________________________________ (1 mark)
(c) Explain, in terms of bonding and structure, why the boiling point of bromine is higher than that of
chlorine.
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(2 marks)
(d) Rubidium (Rb) is a Group I element in the Periodic Table. It reacts with bromine to form an ionic
compound.
(i) Write a chemical equation for the reaction involved.
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(ii) Write the electronic arrangement of a rubidium ion. ____________________________
(2 marks)
[2011-AL-P1-1bi]
(i) For each of the following molecules, draw its three-dimensional structure:
OF2

SF6

(2 marks)

[2012-DSE-1B-1]
Neon occurs naturally in three isotopes with the abundance of each isotope shown in the table below:
Isotope Abundance (%)
20
Ne 90.48
21
Ne 0.27
22
Ne 9.25
What is meant by the term ‘isotope’?
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(1 mark)
(a) Calculate the relative atomic mass of neon.

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CHEMISTRY PAST PAPER EXERCISE
PARTS II & VI: MICROSCOPIC WORLD I & II ________________________________

(2 marks)
(b) Give one daily application of neon.
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(1 mark)
(c) Explain why the boiling point of neon is lower than that of oxygen.
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(2 marks)

[2012-DSE-1B-4]
With the aid of a diagram, explain the formation of hydrogen bonding in hydrogen fluoride.

 Think about the definition of

“Hydrogen bonding”.
 Label the bonding in the diagram

(3 marks)

[2013-DSE-1B-1]
Water is the most abundant compound on the Earth’s surface. It is very important to life on Earth.
(a) Draw the electron diagram for a water molecule, showing electrons in the outermost shells only.

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CHEMISTRY PAST PAPER EXERCISE
PARTS II & VI: MICROSCOPIC WORLD I & II ________________________________
☆ Name the shape of water molecule. _______________________
(1 mark)
(c) Explain, from molecular level, why the density of ice is lower than that of water.
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(3 marks)

[2013-DSE-1B-2]
Both BF3 and NH3 exist as simple molecules.
(a) For each of these molecules, draw its three-dimensional structure.

(2 marks)
(b) For each of these molecules, explain whether or not it is polar.
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(2 marks)
(c) BF3 reacts with NH3 to give FB3NH3. Describe the bond formation between BF3 and NH3.
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CHEMISTRY PAST PAPER EXERCISE
PARTS II & VI: MICROSCOPIC WORLD I & II ________________________________
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(2 marks)
[2014-DSE-1B-1]
Graphite is a form of carbon and has a layer structure. Graphene is an individual single layer of graphite. There
structures are shown below:

 What is the difference between

graphite and graphene?
(a) Thin sheets of graphene can be easily peeled off from graphite using adhesive tape.
(i) Explain why graphene can be easily peeled off.
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(ii) Explain whether graphene can conduct electricity.
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(iii) Draw the electron diagram for a molecule of the compound formed by complete combustion of
graphene, showing electrons in the outermost shells only.

(3 marks)
(b) Based on the fact that graphene can be easily peeled off from graphite, a student concluded that graphite
should have a low melting point due to its layer structure. Explain whether you agree with this conclusion.
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(1 mark)

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CHEMISTRY PAST PAPER EXERCISE
PARTS II & VI: MICROSCOPIC WORLD I & II ________________________________

[2015-DSE-1B-1]
Argon and chlorine are elements in the same period of the Periodic Table.
(a) Draw the electron diagram for a molecule of argon, showing electrons in all shells.

(1 mark)
(b) What is the type of intermolecular force in chlorine gas?
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(1 mark)

[2016-DSE-1B-4]
For each of the following molecules, draw its three-dimensional structure.
(a) (i) CS2

(ii) CH2Br2

(2 marks)
(b) Identify, with explanation, the polar bond(s) in CH2Br2.
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(2 marks)
(c) Suggest why, under room temperature and pressure, CO2 is a gas but CS2 is a liquid.
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(2 marks)

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CHEMISTRY PAST PAPER EXERCISE
PARTS II & VI: MICROSCOPIC WORLD I & II ________________________________

[2017-DSE-1B-1a]
Barium (Ba) is an element in Group II of the Periodic Table. Its chemical properties are similar to those of
calcium.
(a) Describe the bonding in barium.
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(2 marks)

[2017-DSE-1B-5]
Explain the following increasing order of the boiling points of three substances:
H2 < F2 < HF
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(3 marks)

[2018-DSE-1B-1]
Lithium occurs naturally in two isotopes, 6Li and 7Li. It can form lithium nitride (Li3N) when burnt in air.
(a) (i) Calculate the percentage abundance of 6Li in nature. (Relative atomic mass: Li = 6.9)

(ii) Draw the electron diagram for lithium nitride, showing electrons in the outermost shells only.

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CHEMISTRY PAST PAPER EXERCISE
PARTS II & VI: MICROSCOPIC WORLD I & II ________________________________

(3 marks)
[2018-DSE-1B-3]
(a) Explain whether BaCl2 or OCl2 would have a higher melting point.
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(2 marks)
(b) Explain the following decreasing order of the boiling points of three substances:
NH3 > PH3 > CH4
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(3 marks)
(c) Draw a three-dimensional diagram to represent the molecular shape of SF6.

(1 mark)

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