Day 2

Question 1

(a) Define bond energy. (1M)

(b) Compare and explain the bond energy of
(i) chlorine and bromine (4M)
(ii) nitrogen and oxygen (3M)
(c) Based on the qualitative use of bond energy, suggest briefly why the
combustion of ethanol is an exothermic process. (3M)

Question 2

Potassium bromide, potassium iodide, magnesium iodide and calcium oxide are
examples of ionic compounds.
(a) What are the factors affecting the magnitude of the lattice energy? (2M)
(b) Arrange the lattice energy of the three ionic compounds above, in increasing
order of lattice energy. Explain your answer. (4M)
Question 1

(a) Define bond energy. (1M)

(b) Compare and explain the bond energy of
(i) chlorine and bromine (4M)
(ii) nitrogen and oxygen (3M)
(c) Based on the qualitative use of bond energy, suggest briefly why the
combustion of ethanol is an exothermic process. (3M)

Answer:

(a) is the heat energy required/absorbed to break 1 mol of covalent bond in

gaseous molecule to form gaseous atoms.

(b)(i) Chlorine atom (or molecule) is smaller than bromine atom (or molecule).
Bond length Cl-Cl is shorter than Br-Br bond length
Thus, bond strength Cl-Cl is stronger than Br-Br bond.
Thus, more heat energy is required to break the Cl-Cl bond
Bond energy of Cl2 is more endothermic / higher than that of Br2

(b)(ii) Nitrogen has triple bond N≡N while Oxygen has O=O double bond.
Triple bond is stronger than double bond
Thus, nitrogen has more endothermic / greater bond energy compare to
oxygen.

(c) During combustion,

Heat energy is absorbed to break all the covalent bonds in the reactants
(ethanol and oxygen)
Heat energy is produced during formation of bond in the products (CO2 and
H2O).
The total heat released is more than the total heat absorbed, thus it is an
exothermic reaction.

*since 3 marks only, no further explanation required

* anyway, it is because the covalent bond in the reactants is weaker than the
covalent bond formed in the products. (check the syllabus 7.1(a))
Question 2

Potassium bromide, potassium iodide, magnesium iodide and calcium oxide are
examples of ionic compounds.
(a) What are the factors affecting the magnitude of the lattice energy? (2M)
(b) Arrange the lattice energy of the three ionic compounds above, in increasing
order of lattice energy. Explain your answer. (4M)

Answer:

(a) charge and size of the ion

* NOT the distance of the ion / size of particles X

(b) Lattice energy of CaO greater than the lattice energy of MgI2 because the
charge of O2- ion is larger than charge of I- ion.
Lattice energy of MgI2 greater than the lattice energy of KBr because the
charge of Mg2+ ion is larger than the charge of K+ ion.
(charge of ion is the predominant factor)
Lattice energy of KBr > KI necause size Br- ion is smaller than I-.
So,
Lattice energy KI < KBr < MgI2 < CaO

Common errors:
Lattice energy of CaO is greater because the charge is larger than charge of
MgI2
Charge of what?
Lattice energy of CaO is greater because the charge of O2- (which is 2+) is
larger than the charge of I- (1-) ion.