HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)

Part II Microscopic world I

Chemistry: Chapter 9 Structure and properties of substances

Combined Science (Chemistry Part): Chapter 9 Structure and properties of substances

Structured questions

Sections 9.1−9.2
|!|CMELH0020900001|!| |!|CSELH0020900001|!|
Carbon dioxide extinguisher is commonly installed in the school laboratory. The metal
bottle contains cold liquid carbon dioxide under high pressure.

(a) Draw the electron diagram of carbon dioxide, showing electrons in the outermost
shells only. (1 mark)

(b) State the bonding and structure of liquid carbon dioxide. (2 marks)

(c) Suggest a reason why carbon dioxide extinguisher but not water extinguisher is
installed in the school laboratory. (1 mark)

(d) A student suggests using helium as the extinguishing agent. Do you think this
kind of fire extinguisher works? Explain. (1 mark)

##
(a)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd 2014 Chapter 9

178
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part II Microscopic world I

(b) Liquid carbon dioxide has a simple molecular structure. 1

The molecules are held together by weak van der Waals’ forces. 1
(c) Carbon dioxide is inert to most chemicals while water is reactive to many
chemicals (e.g. sodium). / Water cannot be used to put off electric fires. 1
(d) It does not work. Helium has lower density than air. It cannot prevent the
fire from getting oxygen. 1
___
5
##

|!|CMELF0020900002|!| |!|CSELF0020900002|!|
Nitrogen has a very low melting point (210°C) and boiling point (196°C).

(a) Suggest a method to obtain nitrogen from air. (1 mark)

(b) Draw the electron diagram of nitrogen, showing electrons in the outermost shells
only. (1 mark)

(c) Explain why nitrogen has a very low melting point and boiling point. (2 marks)

(d) Even at a high temperature (e.g. 3000°C), only a small proportion of nitrogen
molecules are decomposed into atoms. Explain why. (2 marks)

##
(a) Fractional distillation of liquid air 1
(b)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd 2014 Chapter 9

179
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part II Microscopic world I

(c) Nitrogen has a simple molecular structure. 1

The molecules are held together by weak van der Waals’ forces. 1
(d) In a nitrogen molecule, the two nitrogen atoms are joined by strong triple
covalent bond. 1
Therefore, a large amount of energy is required to break the molecules
into atoms. 1
___
6
##

Section 9.3
|!|CMELF0020900003|!| |!|CSELF0020900003|!|
Diamond is the hardest substance in nature.

(a) State the type of structure in diamond. (1 mark)

(b) Explain why diamond is very hard. (2 marks)

(c) State TWO daily uses of diamond. (2 marks)

(d) Both graphite and diamond are composed of carbon atoms. Explain why they
have different hardness. (1 mark)

##
(a) Giant covalent structure 1
(b) The carbon atoms in diamond are held together by strong covalent bonds. 1
The atoms cannot slide over one another, making diamond very hard. 1
(c) It can be used to make jewellery 1
and cut glass. 1
(d) The carbon atoms are arranged in different ways in these substances. 1
___
6

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd 2014 Chapter 9

180
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part II Microscopic world I

##

|!|CMELF0020900004|!| |!|CSELF0020900004|!|
Carbon and silicon belong to the same group in the Periodic Table. They react with
oxygen to give carbon dioxide and silicon dioxide respectively.

(a) Draw the structure of silicon dioxide. (2 marks)

*(b) In terms of bonding and structure, explain why carbon dioxide is a gas while
silicon dioxide is a solid at room conditions. (5 marks)

##
(a)
2

silicon atom

oxygen atom

(b) - Carbon dioxide has a simple molecular structure. 1

- The molecules are held together by weak van der Waals’ forces. 1
- Silicon dioxide has a giant covalent structure. 1
- The atoms are held together by strong covalent bonds. 1
- Communication mark 1
___
7
##

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd 2014 Chapter 9

181
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part II Microscopic world I

Section 9.4
|!|CMELF0020900005|!| |!|CSELF0020900005|!|
Calcium oxide is commonly known as quicklime. It can be prepared from limestone.

(a) Suggest how calcium oxide is prepared from limestone. (1 mark)

(b) The following diagram shows the ion arrangement in a calcium oxide crystal.
The black dot represents a cation and the white dot represents an anion. Add the
missing ions to complete the diagram. (1 mark)

(c) Using the information from the diagram in (b), explain why calcium oxide does
not conduct electricity in solid state. (1 mark)

(d) Explain why calcium oxide has a high melting point. (3 marks)

##
(a) Heat limestone strongly 1
(b)

1
(c) The ions are not mobile in solid state. 1

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd 2014 Chapter 9

182
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part II Microscopic world I

(d) Calcium oxide has a giant ionic structure. 1

The ions are held together by strong ionic bonds. 1
A lot of energy is required to overcome the strong ionic bonds. 1
___
6
##

|!|CMELF0020900006|!| |!|CSELF0020900006|!|
A student is given a sample of calcium bromide.

(a) Suggest a test to for calcium ion. (2 marks)

(b) Draw the electron diagram of calcium bromide, showing electrons in the
outermost shells only. (1 mark)

(c) Name the type of structure in calcium bromide. (1 mark)

(d) Explain whether calcium bromide conducts electricity in solid state. (2 marks)

(e) Suggest a method to decompose calcium bromide back into its constituent
elements. (1 mark)

##
(a) Perform flame test. 1
A brick-red flame is observed. 1
(b)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd 2014 Chapter 9

183
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part II Microscopic world I

1
(c) Giant ionic structure 1
(d) As the ions are not mobile in solid state, 1
calcium bromide does not conduct electricity in solid state. 1
(e) Electrolysis of molten calcium bromide. 1
___
7
##

|!|CMELF0020900007|!| |!|CSELF0020900007|!|
Caesium chloride is a solid at room conditions. It does not conduct electricity in solid
state. The following diagram shows the structure of caesium chloride.

chloride ion
caesium ion

(a) State the colour of caesium chloride crystal. (1 mark)

(b) Name the structure of caesium chloride. (1 mark)

(c) From the above diagram, state the number of chloride ions surrounding a
caesium ion. (1 mark)

(d) Do you expect the solid to have a high melting point? Explain. (2 marks)

(e) Suggest how to make caesium chloride conduct electricity. (1 mark)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd 2014 Chapter 9

184
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part II Microscopic world I

##
(a) White 1
(b) Giant ionic structure 1
(c) 8 1
(d) It has a high melting point. 1
The ions are held together by strong ionic bonds. 1
(e) Dissolving caesium chloride in water / heat caesium chloride to molten. 1
___
6
##

|!|CMELF0020900008|!| |!|CSELF0020900008|!|
When a mixture of iron and sulphur is heated, sulphur melts earlier than iron.

(a) Name the types of structures in iron and sulphur respectively. (2 marks)

(b) Explain why sulphur melts earlier than iron. (2 marks)

(c) Name the compound formed between iron and sulphur. (1 mark)

(d) Draw the electron diagram of the compound in (c), showing electrons in the
outermost shells only. (1 mark)

(e) Does the compound in (c) have a high melting point? Explain briefly. (3 marks)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd 2014 Chapter 9

185
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part II Microscopic world I

##
(a) Iron: Giant metallic structure 1
Sulphur: Simple molecular structure 1
(b) The molecules in sulphur are held together by weak van der Waals’ forces 1
while the metal ions in iron are held together by strong metallic bonds. 1
(c) Iron(II) sulphide 1
(d)

1
(e) As iron(II) sulphide has a giant ionic structure, 1
a lot of heat energy is required to overcome the strong ionic bonds
between ions. 1
Therefore, it has a high melting point. 1
___
9
##

|!|CMELF0020900009|!| |!|CSELF0020900009|!|
Copper(II) chloride crystal does not conduct electricity, but it does when dissolved in
water.

(a) What is the colour of copper(II) chloride solution? (1 mark)

(b) (i) Write the chemical formula of copper(II) chloride. (1 mark)

(ii) Draw the electron diagram of copper(II) chloride, showing electrons in the
outermost shells only. (1 mark)

(c) Explain why copper(II) chloride solution can conduct electricity. (1 mark)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd 2014 Chapter 9

186
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part II Microscopic world I

(d) Besides dissolving copper(II) chloride crystal in water, suggest another way that
makes it conduct electricity. (1 mark)

##
(a) Blue 1
(b) (i) CuCl2 1
(ii)

1
(c) The ions become mobile when it is in aqueous solution. 1
(d) Heat the crystal to molten 1
___
5
##

Section 9.5
|!|CMELF0020900010|!| |!|CSELF0020900010|!|
Nickel is a transition metal. The metal ions are closely packed and delocalized
electrons are moving in the structure.

(a) Draw a labelled diagram to show the structure of metal. (2 marks)

(b) Explain why metals are ductile but ionic compounds are not. (3 marks)

(c) The electrical conductivity of nickel decreases when temperature increases.

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd 2014 Chapter 9

187
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part II Microscopic world I

Suggest a reason for this. (1 mark)

##
(a)
delocalized electron

metal ion

Correct drawing 1
Correct labels 1
(b) When a force is applied to a piece of metal, the layer of metal ions can
slide over one another. 1
Metallic bonds continue to hold the metal ions together. 1
When a force is applied to an ionic compound, the relative movement of
the ions brings ions of the same charge close to each other. This results in
repulsion. 1
(c) When the temperature increases, the metal ions will move faster. It will
be more difficult for the electrons to pass through the structure. 1
___
6
##

Section 9.6
|!|CMELF0020900011|!| |!|CSELF0020900011|!|
Strontium (Sr) is an alkaline earth metal. It has four isotopes with relative
abundances listed below:

Mass number Relative abundance (%)

84 0.56
86 9.86
87 7.00
88 82.58

(a) Calculate the relative atomic mass of strontium. (2 marks)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd 2014 Chapter 9

188
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part II Microscopic world I

(b) Strontium reacts with chlorine to form compound X. Draw the electron diagram
of X, showing electrons in the outermost shells only. (1 mark)

*(c) Chlorine reacts with hydrogen to give compound Y. Compare the melting points
of X and Y. Explain your answer in terms of bonding and structure. (5 marks)

##
(a) (84 × 0.56% + 86 × 9.86% + 87 × 7.00% + 88 × 82.58%) 1
= 87.7 1
(b)

1
(c) - X has a giant ionic structure. 1
- The ions in X are held together by strong ionic bonds. To melt X, a
lot of energy is needed to break the strong bonds. 1
- Y has a simple molecular structure. 1
- The molecules of Y are attracted by weak van der Waals’ forces only.
To melt Y, little heat energy is needed to separate the molecules. 1
- Therefore, the melting point of X is higher than that of Y.
- Communication mark 1
___
8
##

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd 2014 Chapter 9

189
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part II Microscopic world I

|!|CMELH0020900012|!| |!|CSELH0020900012|!|
Consider two chlorides of Period 3 elements: sodium chloride and phosphorus
trichloride.

(a) Draw the electron diagrams of sodium chloride and phosphorus trichloride
respectively, showing electrons in the outermost shells only. (2 marks)

(b) Explain why sodium chloride has a high melting point in terms of bonding and
structure. (2 marks)

(c) Phosphorus trichlorde is a liquid at room conditions. State and explain whether
phosphorus trichloride can conduct electricity at room conditions. (2 marks)

##
(a)

1
(b) Sodium chloride has a giant ionic structure. 1
The ions are held together by strong ionic bonds. 1
(c) It cannot conduct electricity 1
as it does not contain mobile ions or delocalized electrons. 1
___
6

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd 2014 Chapter 9

190
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part II Microscopic world I

##

|!|CMELF0020900013|!| |!|CSELF0020900013|!|
*When a force is applied to a magnesium ribbon, the ribbon deforms. However, when
a force is applied to an iodine crystal, the crystal breaks. Explain the phenomenon by
stating the structure of the two elements. (5 marks)

##
- Magnesium has a giant metallic structure. 1
- When a force is applied to a magnesium ribbon, the layer of metal ions
can slide over one another and settle into new positions. 1
- Iodine has a simple molecular structure. 1
- When a force is applied to an iodine crystal, the weak van der Waals’
forces between the molecules are broken. 1
- Communication mark 1
___
5
##

|!|CMELF0020900014|!| |!|CSELF0020900014|!|
Potassium has three isotopes with relative abundances listed below:

Isotope Relative abundance (%)

39
K 93.26
40
K 0.01
41
K 6.73

(a) State the meaning of the term ‘isotopes’. (1 mark)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd 2014 Chapter 9

191
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part II Microscopic world I

(b) Calculate the relative atomic mass of potassium. (2 marks)

(c) When potassium reacts with chlorine, potassium chloride forms.

(i) State the type of structure in potassium chloride. (1 mark)

(ii) Explain why potassium chloride is soluble in water. (2 marks)

(d) Suggest ONE use of potassium. (1 mark)

##
(a) Isotopes are different atoms of the same element, with the same number
of protons but different numbers of neutrons. 1
(b) (39 × 93.26% + 40 × 0.01% + 41 × 6.73%) 1
= 39.13 1
(c) (i) Giant ionic structure 1
(ii) When a potassium chloride crystal is added to water, attraction
exists between ions in potassium chloride and water molecules. 1
This attraction causes the ions to move away from the crystal and go
into water. 1
(d) To make fertilizers / fireworks (accept other reasonable answers) 1
___
7
##

Section 9.7
|!|CMELF0020900015|!| |!|CSELF0020900015|!|
A and B are elements with atomic number less than 20 in the Periodic Table. Some
properties of their chlorides are shown below.

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd 2014 Chapter 9

192
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part II Microscopic world I

Electrical conductivity in
Chloride Melting point (°C) Boiling point (°C)
molten state
ACl 801 1413 Good
BCl4 −69 58 Nil

(a) State the physical state of the two chlorides at room conditions. (2 marks)

(b) Name the structures of the two chlorides in solid state. (2 marks)

(c) Explain the difference in the electrical conductivity of the two chlorides in
molten state. (2 marks)

##
(a) ACl: solid 1
BCl4: liquid 1
(b) ACl : giant ionic structure 1
BCl4: simple molecular structure 1
(c) ACl can conduct electricity in molten state as the ions become mobile in
molten state. 1
BCl4 cannot conduct electricity in molten state as there are no mobile ions
or delocalized electrons. 1
___
6
##

|!|CMELH0020900016|!| |!|CSELH0020900016|!|
*Given that solid substance X is not graphite, describe briefly how you can determine
the structure of substance X. (5 marks)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd 2014 Chapter 9

193
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part II Microscopic world I

##
- Determine the electrical conductivity of X in solid, molten and aqueous
states.
- If X conducts electricity in solid state, it should have a giant metallic
structure. 1
- If X does not conduct electricity in solid state but conducts electricity in
both molten and aqueous states, it should have a giant ionic structure. 1
- If X does not conduct electricity, determine the melting point of X.
- If X has a low melting point, it should have a simple molecular structure. 1
- If X has a high melting point, it should have a giant covalent structure. 1
- Communication mark 1
___
5
##

Section 9.8
|!|CMELH0020900017|!| |!|CSELH0020900017|!|
Graphene is a substance composed of pure carbon. The carbon atoms are arranged in a
regular hexagonal pattern similar to that of graphite, but in a one-atom thick sheet.

(a) Draw the layer structure of graphene. (2 marks)

(b) State and explain whether graphene is soluble in water. (2 marks)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd 2014 Chapter 9

194
 HKDSE CHEMISTRY — A Modern View (Second Edition)
Part II Microscopic world I

(c) Predict, with explanation, whether graphene can conduct electricity. (2 marks)

(d) Suggest ONE potential application of graphene. (1 mark)

##
(a)

Correct arrangement of atoms 1

One layer of atoms only 1
(b) Graphene is insoluble in water. 1
It is difficult to separate the atoms, which are held together by strong
covalent bonds. 1
(c) Graphene can conduct electricity. 1
There is one delocalized electron from each carbon atom. 1
(d) It can be used to make the components in electric circuits. 1
___
7
##

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd 2014 Chapter 9

195