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Chemistry Matters for GCE ‘O’ Level (2 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Chapter 11

Chapter 11 Acids and Bases

Test Yourself 11.1 (page 189)

1. A layer of insoluble barium sulfate is formed from the initial reaction between barium and sulfuric
acid. This coats the barium and prevents any further reaction from occurring.

2. X: copper(II) carbonate; Y: hydrochloric acid; Z: zinc

3. The acid only ionises into free moving ions needed for conducting electricity in aqueous solution (i.e.
when dissolved in water).
+ 2+
4. (a) Zn(s) + 2H (aq) → Zn (aq) + H2(g)
+ 2+
(b) CaCO3(s) + 2H (aq) → Ca (aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)

5. C

Test Yourself 11.2 (page 194)

1. Zinc oxide and zinc hydroxide

+ –
2. Acids produce hydrogen ions (H ) in aqueous solution. Alkalis produce hydroxide ions (OH ) in
aqueous solution.

3. Mg(OH)2(s) + 2HCl(aq) → MgCl2(aq) + 2H2O(l)

4. Reactants: Ammonia solution, dilute sulfuric acid

Equation: 2NH3(aq) + H2SO4(aq) → (NH4)2SO4(aq)

Test Yourself 11.3 and 11.4 (pages 199–200)

1. Add quicklime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) to the soil to neutralise excess
acidity.

2. (a) Lemon juice contains citric acid (weak acid). It dissolves the carbonate but not the
iron casing of the kettle.
(b) Ethanoic acid (in vinegar)

3. (a) W or Z with either U, V, X or Y

(b) Ammonia: W; Nitric acid: V; Carbonic acid: X or Y

Test Yourself 11.5 (page 202)

1. Carbon and sulfur

2. A: amphoteric; B: acidic; C: basic

A: e.g. aluminium oxide, Al2O3
B: e.g. phosphorus(V) oxide, P4O10
C: e.g. magnesium oxide, MgO

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Chemistry Matters for GCE ‘O’ Level (2 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Chapter 11

Get it Right (page 204)

(a) False. Only substances that produce hydrogen ions when dissolved in water are acidic.
(b) False. Acids display their properties only when dissolved in water.
(c) False. Acids react with metal oxides to form a salt and water only.
(d) False. Only soluble bases are alkalis.
(e) False. Alkalis turn red litmus paper blue.
(f) True
(g) True
(h) False. The more acidic a solution is, the lower its pH value.
(i) False. Calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide are used to lower the acidity of soil.
(j) True

Let’s Review (pages 204–205)

Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions

1. C 2. B 3. C 4. D 5. B 6. D 7. B

Section B: Structured Questions

1. (a) When X is Na, HOX is sodium hydroxide, a strong alkali. Its properties are:
• It has a bitter taste and feels soapy.
• It turns red litmus paper blue.
• It reacts with acids to form a salt and water only.
• It gives off ammonia gas when heated with ammonium salts.
• It reacts with a solution of one metal salt to give another metal salt and metal hydroxide.
(choose any three from the above)

(b) When X is Cl, HOX is chlorate(I) acid, a weak acid. Its properties are:
• It has a sour taste.
• It dissolves in water to form a solution which conducts electricity.
• It turns blue litmus paper red.
• It reacts with reactive metals to form a salt and hydrogen gas.
• It reacts with carbonates and hydrogen carbonates to form a salt, water and carbon dioxide
gas.
• It reacts with metal oxides and hydroxides to form a salt and water only.
(choose any three from the above)

2. (a) Yellow
(b) Green

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Chemistry Matters for GCE ‘O’ Level (2 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Chapter 11

Section C: Free-Response Questions

1. (a)
Method Advantage Disadvantage
(i) Litmus paper Easy to use Colour change does not show pH
value
(ii) Indicator Easy to use Colour change does not show pH
solution value
(iii) pH meter Fast and Needs to be kept clean,
accurate can be broken,
expensive to buy
(b) A substance in tea (tannin) acts as an indicator and thus changes colour when lemon, which is
acidic, is added.
(c) With the use of chromatography

2. (a) NaOH(aq) + HNO3(aq) → NaNO3(aq) + H2O(l)

(b)

end-­‐point  

Volume  of  nitric  acid  

added/cm3  
12.50  
(c) Number of moles of HNO3
3 3
= volume of HNO3 in dm × concentration of HNO3 in mol/dm
12.50
= ! 2.0
1000
= 0.025 mol

From the equation, 1 mol of NaOH reacts with 1 mol of HNO3.

Number of moles of NaOH 1
=
Number of moles of HNO3 1

3
Number of moles of NaOH in 25 cm = number of moles of HNO3
= 0.025 mol
3 3
Concentration of NaOH in mol/dm = number of moles of NaOH in 1000 cm
1000
= 0.05 !
25
3
= 1.0 mol/dm
(d) (i) Aqueous sodium hydroxide
(ii) Aqueous sodium nitrate
(iii) Aqueous sodium nitrate and nitric acid

Chemistry Today (page 206)

(a) Sodium oxide

(b) The high pH of the sludge kills aquatic and plant life.
(c) Vinegar helps to lower the pH of the river water.
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