These answers are prepared by Catholic Junior College Chemistry Department.

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GCE ‘A’ Level H2 Chemistry Nov 2016 Paper 1 Suggested Solutions

Disclaimer: Solutions, comments, allocation of topics and level of questions (K/U: knowledge
with understanding, H: handling information, A/E: application and evaluation) are suggested.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

B D C D A C C D B D

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

C A C B D A A A D D

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

B B B A D C A B B B

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

B A C D C B C B A C

Qn: Suggested Worked Solution Comments

1 Concept: The Mole Concept and Stoichiometry (MCS) Note it is number of
atoms, not molecules.
H As Q is a diatomic molecule,
1
No. of moles of atoms in 1.0 g of Q = 𝑥 × 2
1 2𝐿
No. of atoms present in 1.0 g of Q = 𝑥 × 2 × 𝐿 =
𝑥
Ans: B

2 Concept: MCS Note that the combustion

(Applied combustion reaction calculation) product of sulfur is SO2, not
A/E SO3 (which needs to be
Let amount of H2S be 2x mol and CS2 be x mol, produced with catalysis as

→ SO
3
reaction is too slow). This
H2S + 2O2 2 + H2O concept has been required in
Amount of SO2 produced by H2S is 2x mol other papers as well.

CS2 + 3O2 → 2SO 2 + CO2 Also, a balanced equation is

not absolutely necessary
Amount of SO2 produced by CS2 is 2x mol, CO2 is x mol here, but a simple ratio of
Hence, the mole ratio of SO2 : CO2 in the mixture after complete reactants, H2S and CS2 to
combustion will be (2x + 2x) : x = 4:1 the relevant products of SO2
and CO2 will suffice.
Qn: Suggested Worked Solution Comments

Or simply by inspection:
Do not assume ratio of
2H2S + CS2 + 6O2 → 4SO 2 + CO2 + 2H2O reactants, need to work
them out as shown.
When of H2S : CS2 is 2:1, the ratio of SO2 : CO2 produced is 4:1

Ans: D

3* Concept: Atomic Structure (Calculating Ar given isotopic Note that the usual
information in a novel scenario) calculation of Ar is to
consider 100% as the
A/E 63 65
The 2 isotopes of copper present should be Cu and Cu, while base, but in this case the
197
Au is also present. base is only 65% + 29%.

(63 × 65) + (65 × 29)

Ar of copper = = 63.6
65+29

Ans: C

4 Concept: Atomic Structure

36S2– 37Cl–

H A No. of Nucleon (proton + neutrons) 36 37

= nucleon number (given)
No. of Protons (atomic number) 16 17
C No. of Electrons 16 + 2 = 18 17 + 1 = 18
B Electronic Configuration [Ne] 3s23p6 [Ne] 3s23p6
C No. of Neutrons 36 – 16 = 20 37 – 17 =20
D

Ans: D

5 Concept: Chemical Bonding (dimers due to hydrogen bonding Note that the only
and structure) hydrogen that can be
involved in hydrogen
K/U bonding here is that of OH.

Ans: A
Qn: Suggested Worked Solution Comments

6 Concept: Chemical Bonding

Carbon-Carbon-Nitrogen sequence of atoms:
C–C–N
A/E 2  bonds:
C=C=N or C≡C–N or C–C≡N
Linear: non-cyclic, and central atoms should give 180o angles, i.e.
2 bond pairs, no lone pairs.

Lewis structure of the 3 possible molecules as below,

All 3 molecules has 2 lone pair of electrons & 1 unpaired electrons.

Ans: C
7 Concept: The Gaseous State, Ideal gas equation Note the conversion of
cm3 to m3 and oC to K.
H pV = nRT,
Sub p = 101 x 103 Pa, V= (78 – 2) x 10–6 m3, T = (273 + 97) K Also note that there was
gas initially present, so
3 −6
n=
(101×10 )((78−2)×10 )
= 2.497 x 10–3 the V = (78-2) x 10–6 m3
8.31(273+97) and NOT just 78 x 10–6 m3

Mr = mass/n = 0.293/(2.497 x 10–3) = 117 (3 s.f.)

Ans: C

8 Concept: Chemical Energetics (definition)

K/U Lattice energy of LiF is defined as the enthalpy change when 1 mol
of LiF(s) (ionic solid) is formed from its separate gaseous ions.

Li+(g) + F–(g) → LiF(s)

Ans: D
9 Concept: Chemical Energetics (Born-Haber Cycle)

Hf (KCl) = +90 + ½(242) + 418 – 355 – 710 = – 436 kJ mol–1

Ans: B

10 Concept: Chemical Energetics (Gibbs free energy equation) If the exact chemical
equation is not given, or
A/E From the equation, there is 1 mol of gaseous reactants, compared the states of products and
to 2 moles of gaseous products, hence and increase in disorder of reactants are not known,
the system, and entropy, S, must be positive, > 0. this question can still be
Thus, – TS < 0. solved.
Consider an increase in
However G can be positive (at low temperature) or negative, and temperature results in
based on G = H – TS, H must be positive, > 0. decrease in G, hence
–S is negative and S
Ans: D must be positive.

11 Concept: Electrochemistry (Chemical equilibria)

A/E The electrochemical cell has the following overall reaction and cell
potential,

Ag+ + Fe2+ ⇌ Ag + Fe3+

o o o
Overall E cell = E (Ag+/Ag) – E (Fe3+/Fe2+)
= +0.80 -0.77 = +0.03 V

For cell potential to be 0.00 V, the position of equilibrium (POE) of

overall equation/equilibrium will have to shift left resulting in a more
favourable backward reaction.

POE below refers to that of overall equation,

 A Increasing [AgNO3], POE shifts right, increasing the cell
potential.
B Increasing [FeCl2], POE shifts right, increasing the cell potential.
C Increasing [FeCl3], POE shifts left, decreasing the cell potential.
o
Thus, E cell could be now = 0.00 V.
D Increasing the surface areas of the Ag electrode will lead to
increase in rate of reaction, but no effect on POE, thus no change
in cell potential.

Ans: C

12* Concept: Electrolysis, use of Farady constant Note that molar volume of
gas as s.t.p. is 22.4dm3 for
H 3+ 2–
Molten Al2O3 contains Al and O ions, and the gas liberated must syllabus 9647 (up till
be O2 from oxidation of O2– ions at the anode, 2016), but 22.7dm3 for
revised syllabus 9729
2O2– ⇌ O2 + 4e– (from 2017 A level
𝑄 𝐼𝑡 8 (100 × 60) onwards)
Amount of electrons passed through = 𝐹 = 𝐹 = 96500
= 0.4974 mol
0.4974
Amount of gas, O2 liberated = 4
= 0.12435 mol
Volume of gas at s.t.p. = 0.12435 x 22.4 = 2.785 = 2.8 dm3

Ans: A

13* Concept: Solubility Equilibria, using Ksp to find solubility, and Note the common ion
common ion effect. effect, i.e. [F–] = 0.400 mol
H dm-3 from ZnF2, is also
ZnF2 ⇌ Zn2+ + 2F– the same [F–] in
calculation of BaF 2 as they
Let [F–] on the saturated solution be x, hence [Zn2+] = ½x.
are in the same solution.
Ksp = [Zn2+] [F–]2 = 3.2 x 10-2
(½x)(x)2 = 3.2 x 10-2
½x3 = 3.2 X 10-2
3
x = √3.2 × 10−2 × 2 = 0.400 mol dm-3 (option C or D)

At the point when BaF2 precipitate appears,

Ksp = [Ba2+] [F–]2 whereby [F–] = 0.400 mol dm-3
1.6 x 10-7 = [Ba2+] (0.400)2
[Ba2+] = 1.6 x 10-7 ÷ (0.400)2 = 1.00 x 10-6 mol dm-3

Ans: C
14 Concept: Chemistry of Aqueous Solutions, finding pH of weak
acid
A

[Al(H2O)6]3+ ⇌ [Al(H2O)5OH]2+ + H+
Assuming
[H+] = 2√𝑐𝐾𝑎

2
pH = – lg [H+] = – lg 2√𝑐𝐾𝑎 = – lg √(0.1)(1.0 × 10−5 ) = 3

Ans: B

15 Concept: Reaction Kinetics

H rate = k[IO3–] [I–]2 [H+]2 , sub rate = y, and [IO3–] = [I–] = [H+] = a
y = k(a)(a)2(a)2
y = ka5
𝑦
k= 5
𝑎

When [IO3–] = ½a, [I–] = 2a, [H+] = 3a

rate = k(½a)(2a)2(3a)2
𝑦
= k(18a5) sub k= 5
𝑎
= 18y

Ans: D

16 Concept: Periodicity, Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding

K/U The context of the question focuses on the cation, thus by

comparing the charge density of cations, it should suffice.

Mg, Al, Si and P are all in the same period, however SiO2 and P4O10
are covalent compounds (giant covalent molecular and discrete
small molecules).

In the comparison of Mg2+ and Al3+, both are isoelectronic, and

aluminium has a higher nuclear charge (number of protons),
attracting the outermost electrons more strongly. Thus it has
smaller ionic size, and with a higher ionic charge, resulting in a
much larger charge density and polarises O2– to a larger extent,
and has the most covalent character.

Ans: A
17 Concept: Group 2, thermal decomposition, MCS

H Mg(NO3)2(s) → MgO(s) + 2NO2(g) + ½ O2(g)

NO2 is an acidic gas while O2 is neutral.

Amount of O2 = ½ x amount of Mg(NO3)2

10.4
= ½ x 24.3 + 2(14+3(16)) = 0.03506

Mass of neutral gas formed = 0.03506 x 32 = 1.12 g

Ans: A

18 Concept: Group 2 Note the recall of

knowledge for option C
K/U A Magnesium chloride (group II chlorides), is very soluble in water. and D is often mistaken by
B As a metal, magnesium is expected to have a higher melting students.
point than sulfur (discrete covalent molecule).
C Magnesium hydroxide is only sparingly soluble in water.
D Magnesium reacts very slowly with cold water.

Ans: A

19 Concept: Group 17, silver halide and its solubility in NH3

(complex formation)
K/U
Ag+ will form ppt with all 3 halides. AgCl (white) and AgBr (cream)
are soluble in concentrated NH3, leaving behind AgI (yellow ppt),
which is insoluble in excess concentrated NH3.

Ans: D

20 Concept: Transition Elements, electronic configuration

K/U There is a total of 23 electrons, which means atomic number is 23,

hence Y is Vanadium, a transition element.

Also, even without reference to periodic table, and given the

options, Y is a transition element as the d orbitals are partially filled.
Ans: D
21* Concept: Redox, Electrochemistry, Transition Elements Note that balanced overall
o
redox equation is not
H E /V required.
VO2+ + 2H+ + e– ⇌ VO2+ + H2O +1.00
Given the excess SO2
2+
VO + 2H + e + –
⇌V 3+
+ H2O +0.34
used, several steps for
reduction of vanadate (V)
may be possible, hence
V3+ + e– ⇌ V2+ –0.26 need to consider a few
half-equations, for
SO42– + 4H+ + 2e– ⇌ SO2 + 2H2O +0.17 reduction of vanadium
containing ions.
o
VO2+ reacts with SO2 to give VO2+, E = +1.00 – 0.17 = +0.83 > 0,
hence feasible.
o
VO2+ reacts with SO2 to give V3+, E = +0.34 – 0.17 = +0.17 > 0,
hence feasible.
o
V3+ reacts with SO2 to give V2+ +, E = – 0.26 – 0.17 = – 0.43 < 0,
hence not feasible.
Thus the final product is V3+, oxidation state is +3.
Ans: B

22* Concept: Transition Elements, Complexes The key of the question is

that the compound
A/E The central metal ion (Pt) has a +4 oxidation state and forms contains platinum (IV)
the complex cation, which has a 2+ charge, thus 2 Cl– must be
the ligands of the complex cation. Given that it has a co-
ordination number of 6, [Pt(NH3)4Cl2]2+ must be the identity of the
complex. 2 more Cl– must be the anions of the product (salt), thus
the formula should be Pt(NH3)4Cl4 or [Pt(NH3)4Cl2]2+.2Cl–

Ans: B

23 Concept: Introduction to Organic Chemistry, Hybridisation

K/U The hybridisation and type of covalent bonds for C atoms in

propyne as below,

Ans: B
24 Concept: Alkanes, Free Radical Substitution

K/U UV light and halogen reaction with alkanes is free radical

substitution. The possible radicals formed includes Cl, and CH3. H
radicals do not form as they are extremely unstable (Option C and
D is incorrect).
At the termination step, radicals recombine to form molecules,
which is the case of option A.
As for B, that is a propagation step.

Ans: A

25 Concept: Halogen Derivatives, Nucleophilic Substitution

K/U A This is factually incorrect as electronegativity decreases down

the group.
B As option A is incorrect, Br– cannot be the stronger electrophile.
C C–Cl is more polar, but the polarity of the bond is not a main
factor for nucleophilic substitution in this case. If it is, then the rate
should be fast for reaction 2, as the C is more electron deficient.

D C–Cl bond is stronger C–Br bond (due to larger atomic radius of

Br, resulting in longer and weaker C–Br bond).
This causes a lower activation energy for reaction 1, hence
reaction 1 is faster than reaction 2.

Ans: D
26 Concept: Hydroxy Compounds, Reaction with Sodium

K/U For organic compounds, the functional groups that react with Na
are alcohol, phenol and carboxylic acid.
A (aldehyde), B (ester) and D (ether) do not have the above
function groups.
Hence, only C (phenol) will react with Na.

Ans: C
27 Concept: Hydroxy Compounds, triiodomethane, PCl5

A/E Positive triiodomethane reaction indicates that either an alcohol

with the following general formula, RCH(OH)CH3 (as in A) or
methyl ketone (RCOCH3) (as in option B) is present.
C and D will not have a positive triiodomethane reaction.

White fumes with PCl5 indicates that alcohol and/or carboxylic acid
is present.

A Molecular formula is C3H6O3, hence empirical formula is CH2O.

B Molecular formula is C5H8O3, and it is also its empirical formula.

Ans: A

28 Concept: Acidity of Phenol and Carboxylic Acid The question stated

‘replaced’ rather than
H This is a case of proton exchange, and for hydrogen atoms to be present in the product,
replaced/exchanged with deuterium in heavy water, the hydrogen thus the alkene functional
atoms must be able to be easily released as H+, e.g. group is ignored.
Furthermore addition of
ROH ⇌ RO– + H+ water to alkene requires
This can occur for both phenol and carboxylic acid functional group specific conditions.
of the given molecule. Hence 2 hydrogen atoms can be replaced.

Ans: B

29 Concept: Carbonyl Compounds, triiodomethane, reduction

A/E Carbonyl compound X does not react with Tollens’ reagent, thus
it is cannot be an aldehyde (but a ketone).
As compound X is a ketone, it can only be reduced, to form
secondary alcohol, RCOR’  RCH(OH)R

A This is a tertiary alcohol, which cannot be formed by reduction of

carbonyl compounds.
B The alcohol, CH3CH2CH(OH)CH2CH3 can be formed from
CH3CH2COCH2CH3, which will not undergo positive
triiodomethane reaction.

C The alcohol, CH3CH(OH)CH2(CH3)2 can be formed from

CH3COCH2(CH3)2, which has the CH3COR group that
undergoes positive triiodomethane reaction.
D This is a primary alcohol, which cannot be formed by reduction
of ketones.

Ans: B
30 Concept: Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives

K/U Hydrolysis of ester (A, B) or amide(C) requires acid or alkali

catalyst and heating under reflux.

B Acid chloride (RCOCl) undergo hydrolysis readily at room

temperature to give carboxylic acid and HCl.

Ans: B

31 Concept: Atomic Structure

H No. of Protons No. of Neutrons = nucleon

(atomic number) number – atomic number
1 4He 2 4–2=2
12C 6 12 – 6 = 6
24Mg 12 24 – 12 = 12
2 14N 7 14 – 7 = 7
20Ne 10 20 – 10 = 10
30P 15 30 – 15 = 15
3 28Si 14 28 – 14 = 14
34S 16 34 – 16 = 18
40Ca 20 40 – 20 = 20

Ans: B

32* Concept: Chemical Bonding, VSEPR, shape of molecules Need to work out shape
using VSEPR quickly to
A Electron Net Yes Electron Net resolve this question.
pairs, shape dipole pairs, shape dipole
1 SO2 2 bp, 1 lp, Yes CO2 2 bp, 0 lp, No
bent linear
2 PF3 3 bp, 1 lp, Yes BF3 3 bp, 0 lp, No
trigonal trigonal
pyramidal planar
3 BrF5 5 bp, 1 lp, Yes SiF4 4 bp, 0 lp, No
square tetrahedral
pyramidal

Ans: A
33 Concept: Base definition and reaction

K/U A Bronsted-Lowry base is a proton acceptor, by donating a pair of

electrons to the incoming proton.

1 NH3 has donated its electron here, but did not accept a proton,
hence acting as a nucleophile (Lewis base).

2 CH3OH (usually neutral when dissolved in water), has accepted

a proton in the given reaction, acting as a Bronsted-Lowry base.

3 Similar for HNO3, which is a weaker acid compared to H2SO4,

has accepted a proton in the given reaction, acting as a
Bronsted-Lowry base.

Ans: C

34 Concept: Reaction Kinetics

H Comparing experiment 1 and 3, when [C2H5ONa] is doubled, while

[CH3I] remains the same, the rate is doubled.
Hence the rate of reaction is first order with respect to C2H5ONa.
Option 1 is correct.

Comparing experiment 2 and 3, when [C2H5ONa] remains the

same and [CH3I] is halved, the rate is halved.
Hence the rate of reaction is also first order with respect to CH3I.
Option 3 is incorrect
Also, the overall order reaction should be 1+1 = 2, and option 2 is
also incorrect.

Ans: D

35 Concept: Acid definition and reaction

A/E A Bronsted-Lowry acid is a proton donor.

1 There is no proton in BeCl2to begin with, hence it cannot be a

Bronsted-Lowry acid. This is a solvation of BeCl2 with complex
formation.

2 In this case, 2 H+ are donated to 2 Cl–.

3 In this case, 2 H+ are donated to 2OH–.

Ans: C
36 Concept: Group 17, oxidation number

K/U
3Cl2 + 6NaOH → 5NaCl + NaClO3 + 3H2O

This is a disproportionation reaction of Cl2 (O.S. is 0), which is

oxidised to NaClO3 (O.S. is +5) and reduced to NaCl (O.S. is –1).

Ans: B

37 Concept: Chiral Carbon and structural formulae x cannot be 5, as in order

for it to be chiral, R and R’
A/E must be different and not
H, and it is a non-cyclic
compound.

The above is the simplest structure with the least number of

carbons, which satisfy all the given criteria,
with R = –CH3 and R’ = –CH2CH3, hence the total carbon is 6.

For 7 carbons, the structure should be:

Ans: C

38* Concept: Halogen Derivatives, nucleophilic substitution Note that the transition
state overall charge
K/U 1 This can be formed as the transition state for SN2 mechanism, comes from the original
with OH– as nucleophile attacking CH3Cl. reactants (neutral organic
compound and negatively
2 This can be formed as the intermediate for SN1mechanism, with charged nucleophile (Br-
or OH-), hence it has to be
a negatively charged
transition state.
undergoing hetrolytic fission in the first step.

3 This is similar to option 1, however it is incorrect as the overall

charge of this transition state should be negative and not positive.

Ans: B
39 Concept: Amine, Phenol reactions

A/E 1 Acid Chloride should react with both phenol and amine to form
ester and amide respectively.

2 HCl(g) can react with the alkene via electrophilic addition and/or
HCl(aq) can act as an acid and react with the amine.

3 NaOH acts as a base and deprotonate phenol.

Ans: A

40 Concept: Nitrogen Compounds, polypeptide hydrolysis Note in revised syllabus

9729 (2017 onwards), this
A/E question will need to be
more guided.

Only 2 fragments are gly-cys-lys and gly-lys.

Ans: C