American International School of Johannesburg

Diploma Chemistry

More HL Kinetics Revision Questions

1. Nitrogen(II) oxide reacts with hydrogen according to the following equation:

2NO(g) + 2H2(g) → N2(g) + 2H2O(g)

The table shows how the rate of reaction varies as the concentrations of the reactants are
changed.

Initial [NO] / Initial [H2] / Initial rate /

Experiment –3 –3 –3 –1
mol dm mol dm mol (N2) dm s
–6
1 0.100 0.100 2.53×10
–6
2 0.100 0.200 5.05×10
–5
3 0.200 0.100 1.01×10
–5
4 0.300 0.100 2.28×10

(a) Determine the order of reaction with respect to H2 and with respect to NO.

H2 ................................................................................................................................

NO ..............................................................................................................................
(2)

(b) Write the rate expression for the reaction.

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(1)

(c) Calculate the value for the rate constant, and state its units using the data from
experiment 1.

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(2)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 1
 (d) A suggested mechanism for this reaction is as follows.

H2 + NO X fast step
X + NO → Y + H2O slow step
Y + H2 → N2 + H2O fast step

State and explain whether this mechanism agrees with the experimental rate expression in
(b).

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(4)

(e) Explain why a single step mechanism is unlikely for a reaction of this kind.

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(2)

(f) Deduce and explain how the initial rate of formation of H 2O compares with that of N2.

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(2)
(Total 13 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 2
2. Hydrochloric acid is reacted with large pieces of calcium carbonate, the reaction is then
repeated using calcium carbonate powder. How does this change affect the activation energy
and the collision frequency?

Activation energy Collision frequency

A. increases increases
B. stays constant increases
C. increases stays constant
D. stays constant stays constant
(Total 1 mark)

3. The conversion of CH3NC into CH3CN is an exothermic reaction which can be represented as
follows.

CH3–N≡C transition state CH3–C≡N

This reaction was carried out at different temperatures and a value of the rate constant, k, was
obtained for each temperature. A graph of ln k against 1/T is shown below.

(i) Define the term activation energy, Ea.

(1)

(ii) Construct the enthalpy level diagram and label the activation energy, Ea, the enthalpy
change, ∆H, and the position of the transition state.
(3)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 3
 (iii) Describe qualitatively the relationship between the rate constant, k, and the temperature,
T.
(1)

(iv) Calculate the activation energy, Ea, for the reaction, using Table 1 of the Data Booklet.
(4)
(Total 9 marks)

4. Graphing is an important method in the study of the rates of chemical reaction. Sketch a graph
to show how the reactant concentration changes with time in a typical chemical reaction taking
place in solution. Show how the rate of the reaction at a particular time can be determined.
(Total 4 marks)

5. Consider the following reaction studied at 263 K.

2NO(g) + Cl2(g) 2NOCl(g)

It was found that the forward reaction is first order with respect to Cl 2 and second order with
respect to NO. The reverse reaction is second order with respect to NOCl.

(i) State the rate expression for the forward reaction.

(1)

(ii) Predict the effect on the rate of the forward reaction and on the rate constant if the
concentration of NO is halved.
(2)

(iii) 1.0 mol of Cl2 and 1.0 mol of NO are mixed in a closed container at constant temperature.
Sketch a graph to show how the concentration of NO and NOCl change with time until
after equilibrium has been reached. Identify the point on the graph where equilibrium is
established.
(4)
(Total 7 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 4
6. (a) A solution of hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, is added to a solution of sodium iodide,
NaI, acidified with hydrochloric acid, HCl. The yellow colour of the iodine, I 2, can be
used to determine the rate of reaction.

H2O2(aq) + 2NaI(aq) + 2HCl(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + I 2(aq) + 2H2O(l)

The experiment is repeated with some changes to the reaction conditions. For each of the
changes that follow, predict, stating a reason, its effect on the rate of reaction.

(i) The concentration of H2O2 is increased at constant temperature.

(2)

(ii) The solution of NaI is prepared from a fine powder instead of large crystals.
(2)

(b) Explain why the rate of a reaction increases when the temperature of the system
increases.
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

7. Which statement is true about using sulfuric acid as a catalyst in the following reaction?

H ( aq )
CH3–CO–CH3(aq) + I2(aq)     CH3–CO–CH2–I(aq) + HI(aq)

I. The catalyst increases the rate of reaction.

II. The catalyst lowers the activation energy for the reaction.

III. The catalyst has been consumed at the end of the chemical reaction.

A. I and II only

B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II and III
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 5
8. The activation energy of a reaction may be determined by studying the effect of a particular
variable on the reaction rate. Which variable must be changed?

A. pH

B. Concentration

C. Surface area

D. Temperature
(Total 1 mark)

9. Two species, P and Q, react together according to the following equation.

P+Q→R

The accepted mechanism for this reaction is

P+P P2 fast
P2 + Q → R + P slow

What is the order with respect to P and Q?

P Q
A. 1 1
B. 1 2
C. 2 1
D. 2 2
(Total 1 mark)

10. Consider the following reaction.

NO2(g) + CO(g) → NO(g) + CO2(g)

Possible reaction mechanisms are:

Above 775 K: NO2 + CO → NO + CO2 slow

Below 775 K: 2NO2 → NO + NO3 slow

NO3 + CO → NO2 + CO2 fast

Based on the mechanisms, deduce the rate expressions above and below 775 K.
(Total 2 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 6
11. What is the order of reaction with respect to NO2(g) and F2(g) given the following rate data at a
certain temperature?

–3 –3 –3 –1
[NO2(g)] / mol dm [F2(g)] / mol dm Rate / mol dm min
0.1 0.2 0.1
0.2 0.2 0.4
0.1 0.4 0.2

Order with respect to NO2(g) Order with respect to F2(g)

A. first first
B. first second
C. second first
D. second second
(Total 1 mark)

12. Which quantities in the enthalpy level diagram are altered by the use of a catalyst?

I II
Enthalpy
III

Time

A. I and II only

B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II and III
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 7
13. Excess magnesium, was added to a beaker of aqueous hydrochloric acid. A graph of the mass of
the beaker and contents was plotted against time (line 1).

Mass 1

Time

What change in the experiment could give line 2?

A. The same mass of magnesium in smaller pieces

B. The same volume of a more concentrated solution of hydrochloric acid

C. A lower temperature

D. A more accurate instrument to measure the time

(Total 1 mark)

1
14. Consider the following graph of ln k against T for the first order decomposition of N2O4 into
–1
NO2. Determine the activation energy in kJ mol for this reaction.

(Total 2 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 8
15. State two situations when the rate of a chemical reaction is equal to the rate constant.
(Total 2 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry 9