2022 JC1 H2 Chemistry Tutorial

Anderson Serangoon Junior College

9729 H2 Chemistry
2022 JC1
THE MOLE CONCEPT, STOICHIOMETRY AND REDOX
REACTIONS TUTORIAL

NOTE THAT THIS COPY DOES NOT HAVE THE COMPLETE

WORK SOLUTIONS. THE COMPLETE WORK SOLUTIONS WILL
BE UPLOADED ONCE ALL THE QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN
DISCUSSED IN CLASS.
Part 1
Relative masses of atoms and molecules
1 Define the term mole.
Explain why the phrase “the mass of one mole of oxygen” is ambiguous.
[2]
Modified N1990/III/2(a)

One mole contains exactly 6.02 x 1023 (or Avogadro constant) elementary entities.

The word ‘oxygen’ is ambiguous. It could have meant:

- Oxygen isotope of 16O or 18O
- O2 molecule or O atom

Calculation of relative atomic mass of an element given the relative abundances of its isotopes

2 Because of differing proportions of isotopes, the relative atomic mass of lead depends on
its source. Two samples of lead were subjected to analysis. The relative abundances of the
first were taken and the following results were obtained.

relative isotopic mass relative abundance

204 2.7
206 48.0
207 41.5
208 100.0

When 1.000 g of the second sample was converted into lead(II) chloride, the mass of the
product was 1.341 g.

(a) State one characteristic difference between percentage abundance and relative
abundance.

Relative abundance is the percentage of a particular isotope that occurs in nature.

Percentage abundance is defined as the percent value of the number of isotopes

available in nature for a given element.

The key difference between percent abundance and relative abundance is

that percent abundance gives the abundance of isotopes whereas relative
abundance gives the abundance of chemical elements. The percent abundance can
be used to determine the average atomic mass of a certain chemical element.

2022/Anderson Serangoon JC/Chemistry 1

 2022 JC1 H2 Chemistry Tutorial

(b) Calculate the relative atomic mass of lead in each sample. [Take the relative atomic
mass of chlorine to be 35.45].

From the data given for the first sample:

( 204  2.7 ) + ( 206  48.0) + ( 207  41.5) + ( 208  100 .0)

Average A r of Pb in the first sample =
2.7 + 48.0 + 41.5 + 100 .0
= 207.2
Equation: Pb + Cl2 PbCl2

Let x be the average Ar of Pb in the second sample.

n(PbCl 2 ) 1
=
n(Pb) 1
n(PbCl 2 ) = n(Pb)
1.341 1.000
=
x + 2(35.45 ) x
1.341x = 1.000 x + 70.9
0.341x = 70.9
x = 207.9

(c) Hence, comment on whether or not the two samples have identical isotopic
compositions.
Since the two samples do not have identical Ar  they do not have identical
composition
[3]
N1990/III/1(b) modified
[Ar in 1st sample = 207.2, Ar in 2nd sample = 207.9]

Calculations involving reacting masses

3 A coal–fired power station (which generates electricity) is fitted with a Flue Gas
Desulfurisation (FGD) plant, which removes some of the sulfur dioxide from waste gases.

In the FGD plant, the waste gases are treated with powdered limestone, CaCO3, producing
calcium sulfite, CaSO3. This is oxidised by air to form solid calcium sulfate, CaSO4.

(a) Write a balanced equation in each case to show how

(i) limestone reacts with sulfur dioxide
(ii) air oxidises calcium sulfite
[2]
(i) CaCO3 + SO2 CaSO3 + CO2
(ii) CaSO3 + 1/2O2 CaSO4

2022/Anderson Serangoon JC/Chemistry 2

 2022 JC1 H2 Chemistry Tutorial

(b) (i) Use the equation in (a)(i) to determine the maximum mass of sulfur dioxide
which could be removed by 3 x 105 t of limestone in the FGD plant.
[t = tonne = 1000 kg]
3 ×105 ×1000×1000
n(CaCO3) = 40.1+12.0+3(16.0)
= 2.997 x 109 mol

SO2 ≡ CaCO3
n(SO2) = 2.997 x 109 mol
Max. mass of SO2 removed = 2.997 x 109 x [32.1 + 2(16.0)]
= 1.92 x 1011 g
= 1.92 x 105 t

(ii) By considering the answer in (b)(i) and the equation in (a)(ii), determine the
maximum mass of calcium sulfate which could be produced from the 3 x 10 5 t
of limestone.
CaSO4 ≡ CaSO3 ≡ CaCO3
n(CaSO4) = 2.997 x 109 mol
Max. mass of CaSO4 produced = 2.997 x 109 x [40.1 + 32.1 + 4(16.0)]
= 4.08 x 1011 g
= 4.08 x 105 t

[2]

(c) Assuming, the FGD plant removes 90% of the sulfur dioxide from the waste gases.

Using your answer to (b)(i), calculate the mass of sulfur dioxide which is released into
the atmosphere.
10
Mass of SO2 released into the atmosphere = 1.92 x 105 x 100
= 1.92 x 104 t

[1]
N1994/III/3(b), (c), (d) modified
[(b)(i) 1.92 x 105 t (ii) 4.08 x 105 t; (c) 1.92 x 104 t]

2022/Anderson Serangoon JC/Chemistry 3

 2022 JC1 H2 Chemistry Tutorial

4 A compound F of sulfur has the formula SOxCl2. 23.8 g of compound F is made to react
with water (in excess) and the chloride ions is completely precipitated as 57.4 g of silver
chloride.

Calculate the relative molecular mass of F and determine the value of x. [2]
Note: the Ag+ in silver chloride may have come from silver nitrate.

2AgCl ≡ 2Cl- ≡ SOxCl2

57.4
n(Cl-) = n(AgCl) = 108.0+35.5 = 0.400 mol

1
n(SOxCl2) = 2 (0.400) = 0.200

1
Mr of SOxCl2 = 0.200 × 23.8 = 119.0

32.1 + 16.0 (x) + 35.5 (2) = 119.0

x=1

SRJC 2009/II/4(b)
[119.0, x =1]

Part 2
Calculation of empirical and molecular formulae from composition by mass or combustion data

1 An organic acid has the following composition by mass: C, 40.0%; H, 6.7%; O, 53.3%. Its
mass spectrum shows that the molar mass is 60.0 g mol–1.

Calculate the empirical formula and hence the molecular formula of the acid.
C H O
% mass 40.0 6.7 53.3
no. of moles 40/12 = 3.333 6.7 53.3/16 = 3.331
simplest ratio 1 2 1

Hence, empirical formula is CH2O

Let the molecular formula be (CH2O)n

Mr = n(12.0 + 2 x 1.0 + 16.0) = 60.0
30n = 60
n=2
Hence, the molecular formula is C2H4O2 (or CH3CO2H).
[1]
N98/I/1(a) modified

2022/Anderson Serangoon JC/Chemistry 4

 2022 JC1 H2 Chemistry Tutorial

2 A gaseous mixture of hydrocarbon A and B was fractionally distillated. Samples of A and B

are treated as follows:

(a) When 10 cm3 of hydrocarbon A were burned in 70 cm3 of oxygen (an excess), the final
gaseous mixture contained 30 cm3 of carbon dioxide and 20 cm3 of unreacted oxygen.
All gaseous volumes were measured under identical conditions. What is the formula of
hydrocarbon A?

Volume of oxygen reacted = 70 – 20 = 50 cm3

y y
CxHy(g) + (x + ) O2(g) xCO2(g) + H2O(l)
4 2
y
Mole ratio 1 (x + ) x
4

Vol reacted 10 50 30 -

Vol ratio 1 5 3

Since mole ratio = volume ratio,

x=3

y
(x + ) =5 …………..(1)
4
y
Substituting x = 3 into eqn (1), (3 + ) = 5 y=8
4
 The formula of the hydrocarbon is C3H8

(b) 10 cm3 of B, with molecular formula C4HX, were allowed to react with excess oxygen at
150 °C and 1 atm. There was an expansion of 10 cm3 in volume. Deduce the value of
x. [Note: at 150 °C, water will be in the form of water vapour]

x x
C4HX + (4 + ) O2 → 4CO2 + H2O
2 2
10 cm3 10 (4 + ) 40 cm3 10 ( )

cm3 cm3
Expansion of 10cm3 implies Vfinal – Vinitial = 10 cm3

(Vunreacted O2 + VCO2 + VH2O) – (VC4Hx + Vtotal O2) = 10

(Vunreacted O2 + VCO2 + VH2O) – (VC4Hx + Vreacted O2 + Vunreacted O2) = 10
(VCO2 + VH2O) - (VC4Hx + Vreacted O2) = 10
[40 + 10 (x/2)] – [10 + 10(4+ x/4)] = 10
40 + 5x – 10 – 40 – 2 ½ x = 10
2 ½ x – 10 = 10
2 ½ x = 20 ➔ x = 8

2022/Anderson Serangoon JC/Chemistry 5

 2022 JC1 H2 Chemistry Tutorial

3 (a) Compound X is an organic liquid which can be combined with other substances to be
used as a cleaning agent. It contains 53.3% carbon, 11.1% hydrogen and 35.6%
oxygen by mass. Deduce the empirical formula of X.

C H O
% mass 53.3 11.1 35.6
no. of moles 53.3/12 = 4.442 11.1 35.6/16 = 2.225
simplest ratio 2 5 1

 empirical formula of X = C2H5O

[1]

(b) 7.5 cm3 (0.10 mol) of liquid X was completely burnt in 15 dm3 of oxygen gas. After
cooling to room temperature, the residual gas was collected.

(i) Calculate the Mr of X, given its density is 1.2 g cm–3.

Mass of X used = 7.5 x 1.2 = 9.0 g
1
Mr of X = x 9.0 = 90.0
0.1

(ii) Using the answers in (a) and (b)(i), find the molecular formula of X.
Let the molecular formula of X be (C2H5O)x.

[2(12.0) + 5(1.0) + 16.0]x = 90.0

45.0x = 90.0
x=2

 molecular formula of X = C4H10O2

(iii) Write equation for the combustion of X in excess oxygen.

(iv) Hence, calculate the volume of gas collected after X was completely burnt in
oxygen.
[4]
(b) (iii) 11
C4H10O2 + O2 4CO2 + 5H2O
2

(iv) 11 11
n(O2 ) =  n(C 4 H10O2 ) =  0.10 = 0.550 mol
2 2

Volume of O2 used up in the reaction = 0.550 x 24 = 13.2 dm3

Volume of excess O2 = 15 – 13.2 = 1.8 dm3

n(CO2) = 4 x n(C4H10O2) = 4 x 0.10 = 0.40 mol

Volume of CO2 produced = 0.40 x 24 = 9.6 dm3

Total volume of gas collected = 1.8 + 9.6 = 11.4 dm3

CJC 2006/III/1(a), (b)
[(b)(i) 90.0 (iv)11.4 dm3]

2022/Anderson Serangoon JC/Chemistry 6

 2022 JC1 H2 Chemistry Tutorial

Calculations involving volumes of gases

4 Sulfuric acid can be produced from sulfur, oxygen and water via the Contact Process. In
the first step, 100 kg of sulfur is burned in 55 m3 oxygen to produce sulfur dioxide. The
molar volume of gas is 27.5 dm3 under the given conditions.

S(s) + O2(g) → SO2(g)

The sulfur dioxide produced is then oxidised to sulfur trioxide using excess oxygen in the
presence of a vanadium(V) oxide catalyst.

2SO2 (g) + O2(g) → 2SO3(g) (in presence of V2O5)

The sulfur trioxide is absorbed into 97-98% H2SO4 to form oleum (H2S2O7), also known as
fuming sulfuric acid. The oleum is then diluted with water to form concentrated sulfuric
acid.

H2SO4(l) + SO3 (g) → H2S2O7(l)

H2S2O7(l) + H2O(l) → 2 H2SO4(l)

(a) Determine the limiting reagent in the first step of the Contact Process.
100 1000
n(S) available = = 3115 mol
32.1

55 1000
n(O2) available = = 2000 mol
27.5
S  O2

n(S) required if all O2 is used up = 2000 mol

n(S) available > n(S) required

 S is in excess
 O2 is the limiting reagent

(b) Calculate the maximum mass of concentrated sulfuric acid that can be obtained at
the end of the whole process.
O2 ≡ SO2 ≡ SO3 ≡ H2S2O7 ≡ 2 H2SO4

n(H2SO4) obtained = 2 ( 2000 ) = 4000 mol

Max. m(H2SO4) obtained = 4000 x (2 + 32.1 + 4x16)

= 392000 g or 392 kg
[(b) 392000 g]

2022/Anderson Serangoon JC/Chemistry 7

 2022 JC1 H2 Chemistry Tutorial

5 50.0 cm3 of a mixture of CO, CO2 and H2 were exploded with 25.0 cm3 of O2. After explosion,
the volume measured at r.t.p. was 37.0 cm3. After treatment with aqueous KOH, the volume
was reduced to 5.0 cm3. Calculate the percentage composition by volume of the original
mixture.

To be presented in the answer Thinking process:

VCO +VCO2 +VH2 = 50 -----(1) These information are from the question.
VO2 (reacted) +VO2 (unreacted) = 25
VO2 (unreacted) + VCO2 = 37
VO2 (unreacted) = 5

VO2 unreacted + VO2 reacted = 25 These volume that can be derived from the
5 + VO2 reacted = 25 info from the question by simple
VO2 reacted = 20 mathematics manipulation

VO2 unreacted + VCO2 = 37

5 + VCO2 = 37
VCO2 = 32
CO(g) + ½O2(g) CO2(g) You need to understand that CO2 has no
CO2(g) no reaction reaction .
H2(g) + ½O2(g) H2O(l)

VCO2 (original) +VCO2 (from CO) = 32 There is a need to unpack the volume of
CO2.
Reason: the CO2 collected at the end
Since CO ≡ CO2
comprises of the original CO2 and the CO2
that was formed due to the reaction of CO
VCO2 +VCO = 32 ------(2) (as shown in the row above.)

Substitute (2) into (1)

32+VH 2 = 50 -----(1) VCO +VCO2 +VH2 = 50 -----(1)
VH 2 = 18
H2(g) + ½O2(g) H2O(l) Total volume of oxygen gas reacted is 20 cm3

Volume of O2 reacted with H2 = 18  2 H2(g) + ½O2(g) H2O(l)

= 9 cm3
CO(g) + ½O2(g) CO2(g)
Volume of O2 reacted with CO = 20 – 9
= 11 cm3

CO(g) + ½O2(g) CO2(g)

Volume of CO = 11 x 2
= 22 cm3
Volume of CO2 = 50 – 18 – 22 Once volumes of CO and H2 are known,
= 10 cm3 simply substract it from 50 cm3
22.0
% CO = x100 = 44.0%,
50.0
% CO2 = 20.0%, % H2 = 36.0%
2022/Anderson Serangoon JC/Chemistry 8
 2022 JC1 H2 Chemistry Tutorial

Alternate Answer for Q5

CO 25.0 cm3 O2 KOH(aq)
CO2
CO2 excess O2
excess O2
H2
5.0 cm3
50 cm 3 37.0 cm3

CO(g) + ½O2(g) CO2(g)

CO2(g) no reaction
H2(g) + ½O2(g) H2O(l)

(Not required to show the table)

Gas Initial volume / cm3 Vol. after combustion / cm 3 Vol. after reaction with
KOH / cm3
CO VCO VCO2 (formed from CO) = VCO 0
CO2 VCO2 (original) VCO2 (original) 0
H2 VH2 0 (H2O exists as liquid) 0
O2 25 5 5

Volume of O2 used for combustion = 25 – 5 = 20

Total initial volume of the three gases = VCO + VCO2 + VH2 = 50 ---------- (1)
V(CO2 ) n(CO 2 ) 1
Since = = , VCO2 (formed from CO) = VCO
V(CO) n(CO) 1

Total volume after combustion = VCO + VCO2 (original) + 5 = 37

 VCO + VCO2 (original) = 32 ---------- (2)

V(O2 ) n(O 2 ) 0.5 V(O 2 ) n(O 2 ) 0.5

Since = = and = = ,
V(CO) n(CO) 1 V(H 2 ) n(H 2 ) 1

VO2 (for combustion of CO) = ½ VCO and VO2 (for combustion of H2) = ½ VH2
Volume of O2 used for combustion = ½ VCO + ½ VH2 = 20
 VCO + VH2 = 40 ---------- (3)

Sub (3) into (1),

 VCO2 + 40 = 50
 VCO2 in original mixture = 10.0 cm3

Sub VCO2 = 10 into (2),

 VCO + 10 = 32
 VCO in the original mixture = 22.0 cm3

Sub VCO = 22 into (3),

 22.0 + VH2 = 40.0
 VH2 in the original mixture = 18.0 cm3
22.0
% CO = x100 = 44.0%, % CO2 = 20.0%, % H2 = 36.0%
50.0
[3]
[44.0%, 20.0% and 36.0%]

2022/Anderson Serangoon JC/Chemistry 9

 2022 JC1 H2 Chemistry Tutorial

Part 3
[T] Tutorial

Calculations involving volumes and concentrations of solutions

1 Convert the following to mol dm–3.

(a) 0.913 g dm–3 of dilute HCl solution
(b) 16 kg of CuSO4 in 1 m3 of water

(a) [HCl] = 0.913/(1.0 + 35.5) = 0.0250 mol dm-3

(b) [CuSO4] = [16000/(63.5 + 32.1 + 4x16.0)] ÷ 1000 = 0.100 mol dm–3

[(a) 0.0250; (b) 0.100]

2 Calculate the final concentration in mol dm−3 when

(a) 200 cm3 of 0.250 mol dm–3 of K2Cr2O7 is diluted to 500 cm3
(b) 100 cm3 of water is added to 300 cm3 of a 0.1 mol dm–3 barium chloride solution.

(a) [K2Cr2O7] x 500 = 0.250 x 200

 [K2Cr2O7] = 0.100 mol dm-3

(b) [BaCl2] x (300 + 100) = 0.1 x 300

 [BaCl2] = 0.0750 mol dm-3
[(a) 0.100; (b) 0.0750]

3 A 2.5 g sample of ground water was found to contain 5.4 g of Zn2+. What is the
concentration of Zn2+ in parts per million?

[Note: ppm = 1 g of solute in 106 g of solution or 1 mg of solute in 1000 g of solution]

_
mass of component in so ln 5.4 x10 6
2+
[Zn ] = x10 =
6
x10 6 = 2.16 ppm
Total mass of so ln 2. 5
[1]
Chemistry, The Central Science (7th Edition), Brown, LeMay, Bursten Pg 459 Sample
Exercise 13.1
[2.16 ppm]

4 A solution was prepared by mixing 0.10 dm3 of 0.12 mol dm–3 NaCl with 0.23 dm3 of a
0.18 mol dm–3 MgCl2 solution.

(a) Determine the amount (in moles) of chloride ion present in the solution.

(b) What volume of a 0.20 mol dm–3 silver nitrate solution is required to precipitate all the
Cl− ion in the solution as AgCl?

(a) n(Cl-) total = n(Cl-)NaCl + n(Cl-)MgCl2

= 0.10 x 0.12 + 2(0.23 x 0.18)
= 0.0948 mol

(b) 0.09480
Volume of AgNO3 needed = = 0.474 dm3
0.20
[2]
Modified Chemistry, A Molecular Approach, Nivaldo J. Tro Pg 181 Q110
[(a) 0.0948 mol; (b) 0.474 dm3]

2022/Anderson Serangoon JC/Chemistry 10

 2022 JC1 H2 Chemistry Tutorial

Calculations involving acid-base titrations

5 Ethanedioic acid has the formula H2C2O4xH2O. 0.900 g of the acid was made up to
250 cm3. 25.0 cm3 of this solution were neutralised by 26.75 cm3 of 0.0532 mol dm-3 sodium
hydroxide. The equation for the reaction is:

H2C2O4 + 2NaOH Na2C2O4 + 2H2O

Calculate the relative molecular mass of H2C2O4xH2O and hence the value of x in
H2C2O4xH2O. [2]
n(NaOH) = 0.0532 x 26.75/1000 = 1.423 x 10-3 mol

n(H2C2O4) in 25.0 cm3 = ½ x 1.423 x 10-3 = 7.115 x 10-4 mol

mass of H2C2O4xH2O in 25.0 cm3 = 0.900/10 = 0.09 g

Mr of H2C2O4xH2O = 0.09/7.115 x 10-4 = 126.5

(2 x 1.0) + (2 x 12.0) +(4 x 16.0) + 18.0x = 126.5  x=2

Chemistry for advanced level, Peter Cann and Peter Hughes, Pg 140 / [126.5, x = 2]

2022/Anderson Serangoon JC/Chemistry 11

 2022 JC1 H2 Chemistry Tutorial

Part 4
Redox processes in terms of electron transfer and changes in oxidation number

1 State the oxidation number of the underlined element in each of the following:
(a) P2O74–
(b) AlH4–
(c) VO2+
(d) NH2OH

Let x be the oxidation number of the underlined element.

(a) 2(x) + 7(−2) = −4
x = +5
(b) +3 + 4(x) = −1
x = −1
(c) x + 2(−2) = +1
x = +5
(d) x + 3(+1) + (−2) = 0
x = −1

2 By calculating the oxidation numbers of the relevant elements on each side of the following
equation, state which atoms have been oxidised and which have been reduced. Show all
your working.

(a) 2HNO3 + 2SO2 + H2O N2O3 + 2H2SO4

(b) FeO42– + MnO2 + 4H+ Fe3+ + MnO4– + 2H2O

[2]

(a) 2 HNO3 + 2 SO2 + H2O N2O3 + H2SO4

HNO3 (+5) is reduced to N2O3 (+3)

SO2 (+4) is oxidised to H2SO4 (+6)

(b) FeO42- + MnO2 + 4 H+ Fe3+ + MnO4- + 2 H2O

FeO42- (+6) is reduced to Fe3+ (+3)

MnO2 (+4) is oxidised to MnO4- (+7)
J2001/I/3(a)

2022/Anderson Serangoon JC/Chemistry 12

 2022 JC1 H2 Chemistry Tutorial

Construction of redox equations using relevant half equations

3 Write balanced half equations for each of the following and state which elements undergo
oxidation and which undergo reduction.
(a) IO4– to I– (acidic medium)
–
(b) BrO3 to Br2 (acidic medium)
(c) CrO42– to Cr(OH)4– (basic medium)
(d) Bi3+ to BiO3– (basic medium)

(a) I undergoes reduction. (+7 to −1 oxidation states)

IO4 – + 8H+ + 8e → I– + 4H2O

(b) Br undergoes reduction. (+5 to 0 oxidation states)

− −
2BrO3 + 12H+ + 10e Br2 + 6H2O

(c) Cr undergoes reduction. (+6 to +3 oxidation states)

− − − −
CrO42 + 4H2O + 3e Cr(OH)4 + 4OH

(d) Bi undergoes oxidation. (+3 to +5 oxidation states)

− − −
Bi3+ + 6OH BiO3 + 3H2O + 2e

4 Write a balanced ionic equation for each of the following:

(a) The colour of acidified aqueous potassium dichromate (VI), K2Cr2O7, changes from
orange to green when aqueous sodium ethanedioate, Na2C2O4, is added. In this redox
reaction, C2O42– is oxidised to CO2 while Cr2O72– ion is reduced to Cr3+.
−
Cr2O72 + 14H+ + 6e− 2Cr3+ + 7H2O
−
C2O42− 2CO2 + 2e (x3)
−
Cr2O72 + 3C2O42− + 14H+ 2Cr3+ + 6CO2 + 7H2O

(b) In acidic solution, MnO4– ions oxidise V3+ to VO2+ while itself reduce to Mn2+.
MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- Mn2+ + 4H2O
V3++ H2O VO2+ + 2H+ + e- (×5)
MnO4- + 5V3++ H2O Mn2+ + 5VO2+ + 2H+

(c) A titration is carried out between potassium manganate (VII), KMnO4, in alkaline
solution and hydrogen peroxide, H2O2. In this redox reaction, O2 gas and black MnO2
solid are produced.
MnO4- + 2H2O + 3e- MnO2 + 4OH- (×2)
H2O2 + 2OH- O2 + 2H2O + 2e- (×3)
2MnO4- + 3H2O2 2MnO2 + 3O2 + 2OH- + 2H2O

2022/Anderson Serangoon JC/Chemistry 13

 2022 JC1 H2 Chemistry Tutorial

Balancing Redox Equations using “change in oxidation number” method

7 The ClO radical can react with water to produce chloric (III) acid, HClO2, and
hydrochloric acid. Using oxidation numbers, construct a balanced equation for this
reaction. Show your working.
N2019/P2/5(f)(iv)
Thinking Process
Oxidation number of chlorine Oxidation number of chlorine in change
in ClO HClO2
+2 +3 Increases by
1
1 mol of ClO loses 1 mol of electron to form HClO2

Oxidation number of chlorine Oxidation number of chlorine in change

in ClO HCl
+2 -1 Decreases by
3
1 mol of ClO gains 3 mol of electron to form HCl
no. of moles of electrons gained = no of moles of electrons lost
Hence, 3 mol of HClO2 will be formed with each mole of HCl formed

Working
lose 1 e-

+2 +3
__ClO + __H2O → __HClO2 + __HCl
-1
gain 3 e-

__ClO + __H2O → 3 HClO2 +1HCl

4 ClO + 2 H2O → 3 HClO2 +1HCl

2022/Anderson Serangoon JC/Chemistry 14

 2022 JC1 H2 Chemistry Tutorial

8 Chlorine dioxide, ClO2, is a yellow gas. Although it is unstable and explosive when
pure, it is an important commercial chemical. Over a million tonnes are produced
annually for use in the bleaching of wood pulp for paper- making and the sterilization
of water supplies.

It can be made in the laboratory by the action of concentrated sulfuric acid on

potassium chlorate (V), KClO3. In addition to ClO2, the products of the reaction include
KClO4, KHSO4 and H2O.

State the changes in oxidation numbers that occur during this reaction and use them
to construct the balanced equation for the reaction.

Oxidation number of chlorine Oxidation number of chlorine in change

in ClO3– ClO2
+5 +4 Decreases by
1

Oxidation number of chlorine Oxidation number of chlorine in change

in ClO3– ClO4–
+5 +7 Increases by
2
Hence, 2 mol of ClO2 will be formed with each mole of ClO4– formed (no. of electrons
transferred are equal).

__ClO3– + __H+ 2ClO2 + 1ClO4– + _H2O

3 ClO3– + __H+ 2ClO2 + 1ClO4– + _H2O

3ClO3– + 2H+ 2ClO2 + ClO4– + H2O

Working
gain 1 e-

+5 +4
__ ClO3– + __ H → __ClO2 + __ ClO4– + H2O
+

Lose 2 e- +7

3 ClO3– + __H+ 2ClO2 + 1ClO4– + _H2O

3ClO3– + 2H+ 2ClO2 + ClO4– + H2O

N2017/P3/5(b)(i)

2022/Anderson Serangoon JC/Chemistry 15