1.

Topic(9) Paper 2

1. The conditions used in an electrolytic cell can determine the products formed.

Draw an electrolytic cell illustrating the electrolysis of molten nickel(II) bromide, NiBr 2.
Include in the diagram the direction of the electron flow, the polarity of electrodes and state
the half-equations for the product formed at each electrode.

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................
(Total 5 marks)

labelled polarities of positive and negative electrodes;

Electrodes can be labelled positive or negative or + and – signs can be used.
direction of electron flow;
–
e does not have to be labelled but arrow essential.
2+ –
power source and molten electrolyte/Ni (l) and Br (l)/NiBr2(l);
State symbol necessary for M3 unless molten electrolyte stated.
Power source does not need to be labelled if correct symbol used
(i.e. short line and long line).
Cathode/negative electrode equation:
2+ –
Ni + 2e → Ni;
Anode/positive electrode equation:
– –
2Br → Br2 + 2e ; 5
–
Accept balanced half-equation with one e .
Award [1 max] for M4 and M5 if electrodes are not identified or if
equations are given wrong way round or incorrectly labelled.
Penalize once only.
–
Allow e instead of e .
 Ignore state symbols for M4 and M5.

2. Topic(9) Paper 2

2. Nitrogen monoxide may be removed from industrial emissions via a reaction with ammonia
as shown by the equation below.

4NH3(g) + 6NO(g) → 5N2(g) + 6H2O(l)

(i) Deduce the oxidation number of the nitrogen in the reactants and product.
(3)

(ii) Deduce the oxidation and reduction half-equations and identify the oxidizing agent for
the reaction.
(3)

3 3
(iii) 30.0 dm of ammonia reacts with 30.0 dm of nitrogen monoxide at 100 °C.
Identify which gas is in excess and by how much and calculate the volume of nitrogen
produced.
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

2. (i) NH3: –3;

NO: +2;
N2: 0; 3
Penalize incorrect notation such as 3–, III, 2+, 2, II once only.
(ii) Oxidation:
+ –
2NH3 → N2 + 6H + 6e ;
Reduction:
+ –
2NO + 4H + 4e → N2 + 2H2O;
Award [1 max] for M1 and M2 if redox processes are not
identified or if equations are given wrong way round.
Penalize once only.
–
Allow e instead of e .
Ignore state symbols.
Oxidizing agent: NO; 3
Allow either formula or name.

3
(iii) NH3/ammonia (in excess by) and 10 (dm );
3
25.0 (dm );
3. Topic(9) Paper 2

3. Iron is more reactive than copper.

2+
(i) Draw a labelled diagram of a voltaic cell made from an Fe(s) / Fe (aq) half-cell
2+
connected to a Cu(s) / Cu (aq) half-cell. In your diagram identify the positive
electrode (cathode), the negative electrode (anode) and the direction of electron flow
in the external circuit.

(4)

(ii) Deduce the half-equations for the reactions taking place at the positive electrode
(cathode) and negative electrode (anode) of this voltaic cell.
(2)

(iii) Deduce the overall equation for the reaction taking place in the voltaic cell and
determine which species acts as the oxidizing agent and which species has been
reduced.
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

3. (i)

correct diagram including voltmeter/meter, 4 correct species (state

symbols not required) and connecting wires;
No credit if wires to electrodes immersed in the solutions.
labelled salt bridge;
Do not accept name of salt (e.g. potassium nitrate) in place
of salt bridge.
correctly labelled electrodes (+)/cathode and (–)/anode;
flow of electrons from Fe to Cu in external circuit; 4

2+ –
(ii) positive electrode: Cu + 2e → Cu;
2+ –
negative electrode: Fe → Fe + 2e ; 2
Award [1] if equations correct but at wrong electrodes or
if electrodes are missing.
Award [2] for correct equations if electrodes are missing but
were correctly labelled in diagram.
 –
Accept e instead of e .
Ignore state symbols.
Penalize once only in equations in (ii) and (iii).

4. Topic(9) Paper 2
4. An acidified solution of potassium dichromate is often used as an oxidizing agent in organic
chemistry. During the oxidation reaction of ethanol to ethanal the dichromate ion is reduced
to chromium(III) ions according to the following unbalanced half-equation.
2– + – 3+
Cr2O7 (aq) + H (aq) + e → Cr (aq) + H2O(l)

(i) Describe the colour change that will be observed in the reaction.
(1)
2–
(ii) Deduce the oxidation number of chromium in Cr2O7 .
(1)
(iii) State the balanced half-equation for the reduction of dichromate ions to chromium(III)
ions.
(1)
(iv) Deduce the half-equation for the oxidation of ethanol to ethanal and hence the overall
redox equation for the oxidation of ethanol to ethanal by acidified dichromate ions.
(3)
(v) Explain why it is necessary to carry out the reaction under acidic conditions.
(1)
(vi) Identify the organic product formed if excess potassium dichromate is used and the
reaction is carried out under reflux.
(1)
(Total 8 marks)
4. (i) (the solution changes) from orange to green; 1

(ii) +6; 1
Do not accept 6, 6+ or the use of Roman numerals.

2– + – 3+
(iii) Cr2O7 + 14H + 6e → 2Cr + 7H2O; 1

+ –
(iv) CH3CH2OH → CH3CHO + 2H + 2e ;
2– + 3+
Cr2O7 + 3CH3CH2OH + 8H → 2Cr + 3CH3CHO + 7H2O 3
For second equation award [1] for correct reactants and
products and [1] for correct balancing.

+
(v) H is a reactant / OWTTE; 1
(vi) ethanoic acid / CH3COOH / acid; 1
Accept acetic acid.
5. Topic(9) Paper 2

5. (i) Draw an annotated diagram of a voltaic cell composed of a magnesium electrode in

–3 –3
1.0 mol dm magnesium nitrate solution and a silver electrode in 1.0 mol dm silver
nitrate solution. State the direction of electron flow on your diagram.
(4)

(ii) Deduce half-equations for the oxidation and reduction reactions.

(2)
(Total 6 marks)

5. (i)

correctly labelled electrodes and solutions;

labelled salt bridge;
voltmeter;
Allow bulb or ammeter.
direction of electron flow; 4

(ii) Oxidation:
2+ –
Mg(s) → Mg (aq) + 2e ;
Reduction:
+ –
Ag (aq) + e → Ag(s);
Ignore state symbols.
Award [1 max] if equations not labelled reduction or oxidation or
labelled the wrong way round.
–
Allow e instead of e .
 Penalize equilibrium sign or reversible arrows once only. 2

6. Topic(9) Paper 2

6. Consider the following three redox reactions.

2+ 2+
Cd(s) + Ni (aq) → Cd (aq) + Ni(s)
+ 2+
Ni(s) + 2Ag (aq) → Ni (aq) + 2Ag(s)
2+ 2+
Zn(s) + Cd (aq) → Zn (aq) + Cd(s)

(i) Deduce the order of reactivity of the four metals, cadmium, nickel, silver and zinc and
list in order of decreasing reactivity.
(2)

(ii) Identify the best oxidizing agent and the best reducing agent.
(2)
(Total 4 marks)

6. (i) Zn > Cd > Ni > Ag

Zn most reactive;
rest of order correct; 2

(ii) Best oxidizing agent:

+
Ag ;
Do not accept Ag.
Best reducing agent:
Zn;
2+
Do not accept Zn .
7. Topic(9) Paper 2

7. (i) Solid sodium chloride does not conduct electricity but molten sodium chloride does.
Explain this difference.
(2)

(ii) Outline what happens in an electrolytic cell during the electrolysis of molten sodium
chloride using inert electrodes. Deduce equations for the reactions occurring at each
electrode.
(4)
(Total 6 marks)

7. (i) sodium chloride crystals consist of ions in a (rigid) lattice / ions cannot
move (to electrodes) / OWTTE;
when melted ions free to move / ions move when potential difference/
voltage applied; 2
+
(ii) positive sodium ions/Na move to negative electrode/cathode and negative
–
chloride ions/Cl move to positive electrode/anode;
electrons released to positive electrode/anode by negative ions and accepted
from negative electrode/cathode by positive ions / reduction occurs at the
negative electrode/cathode and oxidation occurs at the positive electrode/
+ –
anode / Na ions are reduced and Cl ions are oxidized;
(Positive electrode/anode):
1
– – – –
2Cl → Cl2 + 2e / Cl → 2 Cl2 + e ;
(Negative electrode/cathode):
+ – + –
2Na + 2e → 2Na / Na + e → Na;
Award [1 max] if equations not labelled or labelled wrong way round.
–
Allow e instead of e .
Penalize equilibrium sign or reversible arrows once only. 4
8. Topic(9) Paper 2
8. The word redox comes from a combination of the terms reduction and oxidation.
Redox reactions affect our daily lives.
The overall reaction that takes place in a voltaic cell is shown below.
Pb(s) + PbO2(s) + 2H2SO4(aq) → 2PbSO4(s) + 2H2O(l)

(i) Determine the oxidation number of lead in Pb, PbO2 and PbSO4.
(1)

(ii) Deduce the oxidation and reduction half-equations taking place at the negative lead
electrode (anode) and the positive lead(IV) oxide electrode (cathode). Deduce the
oxidizing and reducing agents and state the direction of the electron flow between the
electrodes.
(4)
(iii) In order to determine the position of three metals in a reactivity series, the metals were
placed in different solutions of metal ions. The table below summarizes whether or not
a reaction occurred.

+ 2+ 2+
Ag (aq) Cu (aq) Pb (aq)
Ag(s) No reaction No reaction
Cu(s) Reaction No reaction
Pb(s) Reaction Reaction

State the equations for the three reactions that take place. Use this information to
place the metals Ag, Cu and Pb in a reactivity series, with the strongest reducing agent
first, and explain your reasoning.
(5)
(Total 10 marks)

8. (i) Pb: 0, PbO2: +4, PbSO4: +2;

Need sign for mark.
Do not accept notations such as 4+, 2+ or IV, II. 1

(ii) Negative/–/anode
2– – 2+ –
Pb(s) + SO4 (aq) → PbSO4(s) + 2e / Pb(s) → Pb (aq) + 2e ;
Positive/+/cathode
+ 2– –
PbO2(s) + 4H (aq) + SO4 (aq) + 2e → PbSO4(s) + 2H2O(l) /
+ – 2+
PbO2(s) + 4H (aq) + 2e → Pb (aq) + 2H2O(l) /
 + –
PbO2(s) + H2SO4(aq) + 2H (aq) + 2e → PbSO4(s) + 2H2O(l);
4+ – 2+
Accept Pb + 2e → Pb .
Ignore state symbols.
–
Allow e instead of e .
oxidizing agent is PbO2 / lead(IV) oxide/lead dioxide and reducing agent
is Pb/lead;
from negative/–/anode/Pb to positive/+/cathode/PbO2 (through the external
circuit/wire); 4

2+ 2+
(iii) Pb(s) + Cu (aq) → Pb (aq) + Cu(s)
+ 2+
Pb(s) + 2Ag (aq) → Pb (aq) + 2Ag(s)
+ 2+
Cu(s) + 2Ag (aq) → Cu (aq) + 2Ag(s)
Award [2] for three correct, award [1] for any two correct, one correct
scores no mark.
Ignore state symbols.
Penalize unbalanced equations once only.
Pb is a stronger reducing agent than Cu and/or Ag / Pb most reactive as it
2+ +
can reduce/displace both Cu and Ag ;
Cu is a stronger reducing agent than Ag but not Pb / Cu in the middle (of the
+ 2+
three) as it can reduce/displace Ag  but not Pb ;
Accept converse argument.
Decreasing order: Pb, Cu, Ag / Pb > Cu > Ag;
2+ 2+ +
Do not accept: Pb , Cu , Ag . 5
[10]

9. Topic(9) Paper 2

9. Fertilizers may cause health problems for babies because nitrates can change into nitrites in
water used for drinking.

(i) Define oxidation in terms of oxidation numbers.

(1)

– –
(ii) Deduce the oxidation states of nitrogen in the nitrate, NO3 , and nitrite, NO2 , ions.
(1)
(Total 2 marks)

9. (i) increase in the oxidation number; 1

–
(ii) (NO3)+ 5 and (NO2 ) + 3;
Accept V and III.
Do not penalize missing charges on numbers. 1
[2]
10. Topic(9) Paper 2

10. Nitric acid reacts with silver in a redox reaction.

– +
__ Ag(s) + __ NO3 (aq) + ____ → __ Ag (aq) + __ NO(g) + ____

Using oxidation numbers, deduce the complete balanced equation for the reaction showing
all the reactants and products.
(Total 3 marks)

10. change in oxidation numbers: Ag from 0 to +1 and N from +5 to +2;

Do not penalize missing charges on numbers.
– + +
balanced equation: 3Ag + NO3 + 4H → 3Ag + NO + 2H2O
Award [1] for correct reactants and product;
Award [3] for correct balanced equation.
Ignore state symbols. 3
11. Topic(9) Paper 2

11. (a) Define oxidation in terms of electron transfer.

(1)

(b) Chlorine can be made by reacting concentrated hydrochloric acid with potassium
manganate(VII), KMnO4.

2KMnO4(aq) + 16HCl(aq) → 2MnCl2(aq) + 2KCl(aq) + 5Cl2(aq) + 8H2O(aq)

(i) State the oxidation number of manganese in KMnO4 and in MnCl2.

KMnO4 ..............................................................................................................

MnCl2 ................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii) Deduce which species has been oxidized in this reaction and state the change in
oxidation number that it has undergone.
(2)
(Total 5 marks)
11. (a) Loss of (one or more) electrons; 1
 (b) (i) (KMnO4) + 7;
(MnCl2) + 2;
Must have + sign for mark.
[1 max] if roman numerals or 7+ or 2+ used or if + signs
are missing. 2
–
(ii) Cl / chloride / chlorine / Cl (has been oxidized) / HCl;
oxidation number from –1 to 0 / has increased by one;
If HCl is given for first mark, it must be clear that it is the Cl that
has the change of oxidation number. 2

12. Topic(9) Paper 2

12. (i) Define oxidation in terms of oxidation numbers.
(1)

(ii) Describe using a labelled diagram, the essential components of an electrolytic cell.

(3)

(iii) Explain why solid sodium chloride does not conduct electricity but molten sodium
chloride does.

(2)

(iv) Molten sodium chloride undergoes electrolysis in an electrolytic cell. For each
electrode deduce the half-equation and state whether oxidation or reduction takes
place. Deduce the equation of the overall cell reaction including state symbols.
(5)

(v) Electrolysis has made it possible to obtain reactive metals such as aluminium from
their ores, which has resulted in significant developments in engineering and
technology. State one reason why aluminium is preferred to iron in many uses.
(1)

(vi) Outline two differences between an electrolytic cell and a voltaic cell.
(2)
(Total 14 marks)

12. (i) increase in the oxidation number; 1

(ii) Annotated diagram of cell showing:

power supply/battery;
 electrolyte;
cathode/negative electrode and anode/positive electrode;

(iii) (solid) ions in a lattice / ions cannot move;

(molten) ions mobile / ions free to move; 2
(iv) reduction occurs at the cathode/negative electrode and oxidation occurs
at the anode/positive electrode;
+ –
Cathode/negative electrode: Na + e → Na;
1
– – – –
Anode/positive electrode: 2Cl → Cl2 + 2e / Cl → 2 Cl2 + e ;
Award [1 max] if the two electrodes are not labelled/labelled incorrectly
for the two half-equations.
1
+ –
Overall cell reaction: Na (l) + Cl (l) → Na(l) + 2 Cl2(g)
Award [1] for correct equation and [1] for correct state symbols.
+ –
Allow NaCl(l) instead of Na (l) and Cl (l). 5

(v) Al does not corrode/rust / Al is less dense/better conductor/more

malleable;
Accept Al is a lighter (metal compared to Fe).
Accept converse argument. 1
(vi) electrolytic cell converts electrical energy to chemical energy and voltaic
cell converts chemical energy to electrical energy / electrolytic cell uses
electricity to carry out a (redox) chemical reaction and voltaic cell uses a
(redox) chemical reaction to produce electricity / electrolytic cell requires
a power supply and voltaic cell does not;
electrolytic cell involves a non-spontaneous (redox) reaction and voltaic
cell involves a spontaneous (redox) reaction;
in an electrolytic cell, cathode is negative and anode is positive and vice-versa
for a voltaic cell / electrolytic cell, anode is positive and voltaic cell,
anode is negative / electrolytic cell, cathode is negative and voltaic
cell, cathode is positive;
voltaic cell has two separate solutions and electrolytic cell has one
solution / voltaic cell has salt bridge and electrolytic cell has no salt bridge;
THE END