Example test [110 

marks]
1. [1 mark]
This is an example question for the example test. You can delete this question.

Markscheme
[N/A]
2. [1 mark]
The enthalpy of combustion of a fuel was determined using the calorimeter shown.
The final result was lower than the literature value.

Which factors could have contributed to this error?

I.   Not all heat from the combustion was transferred to the calorimeter.
II.  Incomplete combustion occurred.
III. The temperature probe touched the bottom of the calorimeter.
A.  I and II only
B.  I and III only
C.  II and III only
D.  I, II and III

Markscheme
A
3. [1 mark]
Burette readings for a titration are shown.
 

What is the mean titre?

A.  11.1 cm3 ± 0.1 cm3
B.  11.15 cm3 ± 0.05 cm3
C.  11.2 cm3 ± 0.05 cm3
D.  11.2 cm3 ± 0.1 cm3

Markscheme
D
4. [1 mark]
What is the relative molecular mass of bromine, according to the following mass
spectrum?
NIST Mass Spectrometry Data Center Collection © 2014 copyright by the U.S.
Secretary of Commerce
on behalf of the United States of America. All rights reserved.

158× 52+ 160× 100+162× 48

A.  
52+ 100+ 48
158× 52+ 160× 100+162× 48
B.  
158+160+162
79× 11+81 ×11+158 ×52+160 ×100+ 162× 48
C.  
11+11+52+100+ 48
79× 11+81 ×11
D.  
11+11

Markscheme
A
5. [1 mark]
Which represents a p orbital?
Markscheme
C
6. [1 mark]
Which species has the same electron configuration as argon?
A.  Br−
B.  Ca2+
C.  Al3+
D.  Si4+

Markscheme
B
7. [1 mark]
Which trend is correct, going down group 1?
A.  Melting point increases
B.  Reactivity decreases
C.  First ionisation energy increases
D.  Electronegativity decreases
Markscheme
D
8. [1 mark]
How should the difference between 27.0 ± 0.3 and 9.0 ± 0.2 be shown?
A.  18.0 ± 0.1
B.  18.0 ± 0.3
C.  18.0 ± 0.5
D.  18.0 ± 0.6

Markscheme
C
9. [1 mark]
What is represented by “2−” in X2-ZA?
A.  loss of electron
B.  gain of electron
C.  loss of proton
D.  gain of proton

Markscheme
B
10. [1 mark]
How are emission spectra formed?
A.  Photons are absorbed when promoted electrons return to a lower energy level.
B.  Photons are absorbed when electrons are promoted to a higher energy level.
C.  Photons are emitted when electrons are promoted to a higher energy level.
D.  Photons are emitted when promoted electrons return to a lower energy level.

Markscheme
D
11. [1 mark]
Which property increases down group 1?
A.  atomic radius
B.  electronegativity
C.  first ionization energy
D.  melting point

Markscheme
A
12. [1 mark]
Which is a d-block element?
A.  Ca
B.  Cf
C.  Cl
D.  Co

Markscheme
D
13. [1 mark]
The diagram shows the first ionisation energies of consecutive elements in the same
period of the periodic table.
Which factor explains why element X has a higher first ionisation energy than element
Y?
A.  Element Y loses an electron from a different sub-level.
B.  Element Y has a smaller atomic radius.
C.  Element X has a full octet.
D.  Element Y has a greater nuclear charge.

Markscheme
A
14. [1 mark]
What is the overall charge, x, of the chromium (III) complex?
x
[ Cr ( H 2 O ) 4 Cl 2 ]
A.  0
B.  1+
C.  2−
D.  3+

Markscheme
B
15. [1 mark]
The first eight successive ionization energies for an element are shown. In which
group is the element?

Copyright Prof Mark Winter.

A.  6
B.  7
C.  8
D.  17

Markscheme
A
16. [1 mark]
Which factor does not affect the colour of a complex ion?
A.  temperature of the solution
B.  identity of the ligand
C.  identity of the metal
D.  oxidation number of the metal
Markscheme
A
17a. [1 mark]
Iron may be extracted from iron (II) sulfide, FeS.
Outline why metals, like iron, can conduct electricity.

Markscheme
mobile/delocalized «sea of» electrons
17b. [2 marks]
Justify why sulfur is classified as a non-metal by giving two of its chemical properties.

Markscheme
Any two of:
forms acidic oxides «rather than basic oxides» ✔
forms covalent/bonds compounds «with other non-metals» ✔
forms anions «rather than cations» ✔
behaves as an oxidizing agent «rather than a reducing agent» ✔

Award [1 max] for 2 correct non-chemical properties such as non-conductor, high

ionisation energy, high electronegativity, low electron affinity if no marks for chemical
properties are awarded.
17c. [2 marks]
Iron (II) sulfide, FeS, is ionically bonded.
Describe the bonding in this type of solid.

Markscheme
electrostatic attraction ✔
between oppositely charged ions/between Fe2+ and S2− ✔
17d. [1 mark]
State the full electron configuration of the sulfide ion.

Markscheme
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 ✔

Do not accept “[Ne] 3s2 3p6”.

17e. [1 mark]
Outline, in terms of their electronic structures, why the ionic radius of the sulfide ion
is greater than that of the oxide ion.
Markscheme
«valence» electrons further from nucleus/extra electron shell/ electrons in
third/3s/3p level «not second/2s/2p»✔

Accept 2,8 (for O2–) and 2,8,8 (for S2–)

17f. [1 mark]
Suggest why chemists find it convenient to classify bonding into ionic, covalent and
metallic.

Markscheme
allows them to explain the properties of different compounds/substances
OR
enables them to generalise about substances
OR
enables them to make predictions ✔

Accept other valid answers.

17g. [1 mark]
The first step in the extraction of iron from iron (II) sulfide is to roast it in air to form
iron (III) oxide and sulfur dioxide.
Write the equation for this reaction.
Markscheme
4FeS(s) + 7O2(g) → 2Fe2O3(s) + 4SO2(g) ✔

Accept any correct ratio.

17h. [1 mark]
Deduce the change in the oxidation state of sulfur.

Markscheme
+6
OR
−2 to +4 ✔
Accept “6/VI”.
Accept “−II, 4//IV”.
Do not accept 2− to 4+.
17i. [1 mark]
Suggest why this process might raise environmental concerns.

Markscheme
sulfur dioxide/SO2 causes acid rain ✔
Accept sulfur dioxide/SO2/dust causes respiratory problems
Do not accept just “causes respiratory problems” or “causes acid rain”.
17j. [2 marks]
Explain why the addition of small amounts of carbon to iron makes the metal harder.

Markscheme
disrupts the regular arrangement «of iron atoms/ions»
OR
carbon different size «to iron atoms/ions» ✔
prevents layers/atoms sliding over each other ✔
18a. [1 mark]
Magnetite, Fe3O4, is another ore of iron that contains both Fe2+ and Fe3+.
Deduce the ratio of Fe2+:Fe3+ in Fe3O4.

Markscheme
1:2 ✔
Accept 2 Fe3+: 1 Fe2+
Do not accept 2:1 only
18b. [1 mark]
Iron exists as several isotopes.
State the type of spectroscopy that could be used to determine their relative
abundances.

Markscheme
mass «spectroscopy»/MS ✔
18c. [2 marks]
State the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in each species.

Markscheme

Award [1 max] for 4 correct values.

18d. [1 mark]
Iron has a relatively small specific heat capacity; the temperature of a 50 g sample
rises by 44.4°C when it absorbs 1 kJ of heat energy.
Determine the specific heat capacity of iron, in J g−1 K−1. Use section 1 of the data
booklet.
Markscheme
q
/1000 J
specific heat capacity « = m ×T » = 0.45 «J g−1 K−1» ✔
50 g × 44 K
18e. [1 mark]
In acidic solution, hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, will oxidize Fe2+.
Fe2+ (aq) → Fe3+ (aq) + e−
Write the half-equation for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide to water in acidic
solution.

Markscheme
H2O2(aq) + 2H+(aq) + 2e−→ 2H2O(l) ✔
18f. [1 mark]
Deduce a balanced equation for the oxidation of Fe2+ by acidified hydrogen peroxide.

Markscheme
H2O2(aq) + 2H+(aq) + 2Fe2+(aq) → 2H2O(l) + 2Fe3+(aq) ✔
19a. [2 marks]
The properties of elements can be predicted from their position in the periodic table.
Explain why Si has a smaller atomic radius than Al.
Markscheme
nuclear charge/number of protons/Z/Zeff increases «causing a stronger pull on the
outer electrons» ✓
same number of shells/«outer» energy level/shielding ✓
19b. [2 marks]
Explain the decrease in radius from Na to Na+.

Markscheme
Na+ has one less energy level/shell
OR
Na+ has 2 energy levels/shells AND Na has 3 ✓
less shielding «in Na+ so valence electrons attracted more strongly to nucleus»
OR
effective nuclear charge/Zeff greater «in Na+ so valence electrons attracted more
strongly to nucleus» ✓
Accept “more protons than electrons «in Na+»” OR “less electron-electron repulsion «in
Na+»” for M2.
19c. [2 marks]
State the condensed electron configurations for Cr and Cr3+.

Markscheme
Cr:
[Ar] 4s13d5 ✓

Cr3+:
[Ar] 3d3 ✓

Accept “[Ar] 3d54s1”.

Accept “[Ar] 3d34s0”.
Award [1 max] for two correct full electron configurations “1s22s22p63s23p64s13d5 AND
1s22s22p63s23p63d3”.
Award [1 max] for 4s13d5 AND 3d3.
19d. [3 marks]
Describe metallic bonding and how it contributes to electrical conductivity.
Markscheme
electrostatic attraction ✓
between «a lattice of» cations/positive «metal» ions AND «a sea of» delocalized
electrons ✓

mobile electrons responsible for conductivity

OR
electrons move when a voltage/potential difference/electric field is applied ✓
 
Do not accept “nuclei” for “cations/positive ions” in M2.
Accept “mobile/free” for “delocalized” electrons in M2.
Accept “electrons move when connected to a cell/battery/power supply” OR “electrons
move when connected in a circuit” for M3.
19e. [2 marks]
Deduce the Lewis (electron dot) structure and molecular geometry of sulfur
dichloride, SCl2.
Markscheme

19f. [3 marks]
Suggest, giving reasons, the relative volatilities of SCl2 and H2O.
Markscheme
H2O forms hydrogen bonding «while SCl2 does not» ✓
SCl2 «much» stronger London/dispersion/«instantaneous» induced dipole-induced
dipole forces ✓

Alternative 1:
H2O less volatile AND hydrogen bonding stronger «than dipole–dipole and dispersion
forces» ✓

Alternative 2:
SCl2 less volatile AND effect of dispersion forces «could be» greater than hydrogen
bonding ✓\
 
Ignore reference to Van der Waals.
Accept “SCl2 has «much» larger molar mass/electron density” for M2.
19g. [3 marks]
Consider the following equilibrium reaction:
2SO2 (g) + O2 (g) ⇌ 2SO3 (g)
State and explain how the equilibrium would be affected by increasing the volume of
the reaction container at a constant temperature.
Markscheme
pressure decrease «due to larger volume» ✓
reactant side has more moles/molecules «of gas» ✓
reaction shifts left/towards reactants ✓

Award M3 only if M1 OR M2 is awarded.

20a. [1 mark]
Outline why metals, like iron, can conduct electricity.

Markscheme
mobile/delocalized «sea of» electrons
20b. [2 marks]
Justify why sulfur is classified as a non-metal by giving two of its chemical properties.
Markscheme
Any two of:
forms acidic oxides «rather than basic oxides» ✔
forms covalent/bonds compounds «with other non-metals» ✔
forms anions «rather than cations» ✔
behaves as an oxidizing agent «rather than a reducing agent» ✔

Award [1 max] for 2 correct non-chemical properties such as non-conductor, high

ionisation energy, high electronegativity, low electron affinity if no marks for chemical
properties are awarded.
20c. [2 marks]
Sketch the first eight successive ionisation energies of sulfur.
Markscheme

two regions of small increases AND a large increase between them✔

large increase from 6th to 7th ✔

Accept line/curve showing these trends.

20d. [2 marks]
Describe the bonding in this type of solid.

Markscheme
electrostatic attraction ✔
between oppositely charged ions/between Fe2+ and S2− ✔
20e. [1 mark]
State a technique that could be used to determine the crystal structure of the solid
compound.

Markscheme
X-ray crystallography ✔
20f. [1 mark]
State the full electron configuration of the sulfide ion.

Markscheme
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 ✔
Do not accept “[Ne] 3s2 3p6”.
20g. [1 mark]
Outline, in terms of their electronic structures, why the ionic radius of the sulfide ion
is greater than that of the oxide ion.

Markscheme
«valence» electrons further from nucleus/extra electron shell/ electrons in
third/3s/3p level «not second/2s/2p»✔

Accept 2,8 (for O2–) and 2,8,8 (for S2–)

20h. [1 mark]
Suggest why chemists find it convenient to classify bonding into ionic, covalent and
metallic.

Markscheme
allows them to explain the properties of different compounds/substances
OR
enables them to generalise about substances
OR
enables them to make predictions ✔
Accept other valid answers.
20i. [1 mark]
Write the equation for this reaction.

Markscheme
4FeS(s) + 7O2(g) → 2Fe2O3(s) + 4SO2(g) ✔

Accept any correct ratio.

20j. [1 mark]
Deduce the change in the oxidation state of sulfur.

Markscheme
+6
OR
−2 to +4 ✔
Accept “6/VI”.
Accept “−II, 4//IV”.
Do not accept 2- to 4+.
20k. [1 mark]
Suggest why this process might raise environmental concerns.
Markscheme
sulfur dioxide/SO2 causes acid rain ✔
Accept sulfur dioxide/SO2/dust causes respiratory problems
Do not accept just “causes respiratory problems” or “causes acid rain”.
20l. [2 marks]
Explain why the addition of small amounts of carbon to iron makes the metal harder.

Markscheme
disrupts the regular arrangement «of iron atoms/ions»
OR
carbon different size «to iron atoms/ions» ✔
prevents layers/atoms sliding over each other ✔
21a. [1 mark]
Deduce the ratio of Fe2+:Fe3+ in Fe3O4.
Markscheme
1:2 ✔
Accept 2 Fe3+: 1 Fe2+
Do not accept 2:1 only
21b. [1 mark]
State the type of spectroscopy that could be used to determine their relative
abundances.

Markscheme
mass «spectroscopy»/MS ✔
21c. [2 marks]
State the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in each species.

Markscheme

Award [1 max] for 4 correct values.

21d. [1 mark]
Iron has a relatively small specific heat capacity; the temperature of a 50 g sample
rises by 44.4°C when it absorbs 1 kJ of heat energy.
Determine the specific heat capacity of iron, in J g−1 K−1. Use section 1 of the data
booklet.

Markscheme
q
/1000 J
specific heat capacity « = m ×T » = 0.45 «J g−1 K−1» ✔
50 g × 44 K
21e. [2 marks]
A voltaic cell is set up between the Fe2+ (aq) | Fe (s) and Fe3+ (aq) | Fe2+ (aq) half-cells.
Deduce the equation and the cell potential of the spontaneous reaction. Use section 24
of the data booklet.

Markscheme
Equation:
2Fe3+(aq) + Fe(s) → 3Fe2+(aq) ✔
Cell potential:
«+0.77 V − (−0.45 V) = +»1.22 «V» ✔

Do not accept reverse reaction or equilibrium arrow.

Do not accept negative value for M2.
21f. [2 marks]
The figure shows an apparatus that could be used to electroplate iron with zinc. Label
the figure with the required substances.
Markscheme

left electrode/anode labelled zinc/Zn AND right electrode/cathode labelled iron/Fe ✔

electrolyte labelled as «aqueous» zinc salt/Zn2+ ✔

Accept an inert conductor for the anode.

Accept specific zinc salts such as ZnSO4.
21g. [1 mark]
Outline why, unlike typical transition metals, zinc compounds are not coloured.
Markscheme
« Zn2+» has a full d-shell
OR
does not form « ions with» an incomplete d-shell ✔

Do not accept “Zn is not a transition metal”.

Do not accept zinc atoms for zinc ions.
21h. [2 marks]
Transition metals like iron can form complex ions. Discuss the bonding between
transition metals and their ligands in terms of acid-base theory.

Markscheme
ligands donate pairs of electrons to metal ions
OR
forms coordinate covalent/dative bond✔
ligands are Lewis bases
AND
metal «ions» are Lewis acids ✔
22a. [1 mark]
Oxygen exists as two allotropes, diatomic oxygen, O2, and ozone, O3.
Draw a Lewis (electron dot) structure for ozone.
Markscheme

✔
Accept any combination of lines, dots or crosses to represent electrons.
Do not accept structures that represent 1.5 bonds.
22b. [2 marks]
Discuss the relative length of the two O−O bonds in ozone.

Markscheme
both equal ✔
delocalization/resonance ✔
Accept bond length between 121 and 148 pm/ that of single O−O bond and double O=O
bond for M1.
22c. [2 marks]
Explain why there are frequencies of UV light that will dissociate O 3 but not O2.

Markscheme
bond in O3 is weaker
OR
O3 bond order 1.5/< 2 ✔

Do not accept bond in O3 is longer for M1.

lower frequency/longer wavelength «UV light» has enough energy to break the O–O
bond in O3 «but not that in O2» ✔

Accept “lower frequency/longer wavelength «UV light» has lower energy”.

22d. [2 marks]
Explain, using equations, how the presence of CCl2 F 2 results in a chain reaction that
decreases the concentration of ozone in the stratosphere.
Markscheme
CCl2 F 2 ( g)→ ∙ CClF 2 (g)Cl •(g) ✔

Cl •( g)+ O3 (g)→O2 (g)+ClO •(g)AND

ClO ∙( g)+O 3 (g) →2 O2 ( g)+C l•( g) ✔

Do not penalize missing radical.

Accept:for M2:
Cl ∙( g)+O 3 ( g)→ O 2 (g)+ClO •(g)AND
ClO ∙( g)+O( g) →O2 ( g)+Cl •(g)

23a. [2 marks]
Explain why Si has a smaller atomic radius than Al.

Markscheme
nuclear charge/number of protons/Z/Zeff increases «causing a stronger pull on the
outer electrons» ✓
same number of shells/«outer» energy level/shielding ✓
23b. [2 marks]
Explain why the first ionization energy of sulfur is lower than that of phosphorus.

Markscheme
P has «three» unpaired electrons in 3p sub-level AND S has one full 3p orbital «and
two 3p orbitals with unpaired electrons»
OR
P: [Ne]3s23px13py13pz1 AND S: [Ne]3s23px23py13pz1 ✓

Accept orbital diagrams for 3p sub-level for M1. Ignore other orbitals or sub-levels.
 
repulsion between paired electrons in sulfur «and therefore easier to remove» ✓

Accept “removing electron from S gives more stable half-filled sub-level" for M2.
23c. [2 marks]
State the condensed electron configurations for Cr and Cr3+.

Markscheme
Cr:
[Ar] 4s13d5 ✓
Cr3+:
[Ar] 3d3 ✓
 
Accept “[Ar] 3d54s1”.
Accept “[Ar] 3d34s0”.
Award [1 max] for two correct full electron configurations “1s22s22p63s23p64s13d5 AND
1s22s22p63s23p63d3”.
Award [1 max] for 4s13d5 AND 3d3.
23d. [3 marks]
Describe metallic bonding and how it contributes to electrical conductivity.

Markscheme
electrostatic attraction ✓
between «a lattice of» cations/positive «metal» ions AND «a sea of» delocalized
electrons ✓
mobile electrons responsible for conductivity
OR
electrons move when a voltage/potential difference/electric field is applied ✓
 
Do not accept “nuclei” for “cations/positive ions” in M2.
Accept “mobile/free” for “delocalized” electrons in M2.
Accept “electrons move when connected to a cell/battery/power supply” OR “electrons
move when connected in a circuit” for M3.
23e. [1 mark]
Deduce, giving a reason, which complex ion [Cr(CN)6]3− or [Cr(OH)6]3− absorbs higher
energy light. Use section 15 of the data booklet.

Markscheme
[Cr(CN)6]3− AND CN−/ligand causes larger splitting «in d-orbitals compared to OH −»
OR
[Cr(CN)6]3− AND CN−/ligand associated with a higher Δ/«crystal field» splitting
energy/energy difference «in the spectrochemical series compared to OH − » ✓
 
Accept “[Cr(CN)6]3− AND «CN−» strong field ligand”.
23f. [1 mark]
[Cr(OH)6]3− forms a green solution. Estimate a wavelength of light absorbed by this
complex, using section 17 of the data booklet.

Markscheme
any value or range between 647 and 700 nm ✓
23g. [4 marks]
Deduce the Lewis (electron dot) structure and molecular geometry of
sulfur tetrafluoride, SF4, and sulfur dichloride, SCl2.
Markscheme

 
SF4/SCl2 structure does not have to be 3-D for mark.

Penalize missing lone pairs of electrons on halogens once only.

Accept any combination of dots, lines or crosses for bonds/lone pairs.

Accept “non-linear” for SCl2 molecular geometry.

Award [1] for two correct electron domain geometries, e.g. trigonal bipyramidal for SF4
and tetrahedral for SCl2.
23h. [3 marks]
Suggest, giving reasons, the relative volatilities of SCl2 and H2O.
Markscheme
H2O forms hydrogen bonding «while SCl2 does not» ✓
SCl2 «much» stronger London/dispersion/«instantaneous» induced dipole-induced
dipole forces ✓

Alternative 1:
H2O less volatile AND hydrogen bonding stronger «than dipole–dipole and dispersion
forces» ✓

Alternative 2:
SCl2 less volatile AND effect of dispersion forces «could be» greater than hydrogen
bonding ✓

Ignore reference to Van der Waals.

Accept “SCl2 has «much» larger molar mass/electron density” for M2.
24. [1 mark]
A student obtained the following data to calculate q, using q=mcΔT .
m=20.2 g ±0.2 g
T =10 C ± 1C

c=4.18 J g−1 K −1
What is the percentage uncertainty in the calculated value of q?

A.  0.2

B.  1.2

C.  11

D.  14

Markscheme
C
25. [1 mark]
What is the relative atomic mass, Ar , of an element with this mass spectrum?

A.  24.0

B.  24.3

C.  24.9

D.  25.0
Markscheme
B
26. [1 mark]
What is the maximum number of electrons that can occupy the 4th main energy level
in an atom?
A.  8

B.  14

C.  18

D.  32

Markscheme
D
27. [1 mark]
Which of the following shows a general increase across period 3 from Na to Cl?
A.  Ionic radius

B.  Atomic radius

C.  Ionization energy

D.  Melting point

Markscheme
C

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