Acids and bases

In this test you will need the following information.

Relative atomic masses: Cl = 35.5; K = 39.1.

1 mol of gas molecules occupies 24.0 dm3 at room temperature and pressure, r.t.p.
1 When hydrogen chloride gas dissolves in water it forms an acidic solution.
a Using the equation below explain why it is an acidic solution. HCl(aq)

→ H+(aq) + Cl–(aq)

Give balanced symbol equations and observations to illustrate that HCl(aq) reacts as an acid with the
following compounds: [2]
i calcium carbonate [3]
ii magnesium oxide.
c When hydrogen chloride is bubbled into water, the resulting solution is acidic.
When it is bubbled into the non-polar liquid, hexane, it dissolves but the resulting solution is
not acidic. [3]
Explain these observations.

2 Complete the following word equations and write the balanced symbol equations. [4]
a hydrochloric acid + sodium hydroxide → ? [3]
b magnesium hydroxide + nitric acid → ? [3]
c magnesium carbonate + sulfuric acid → ? [3]
d magnesium oxide + nitric acid → ?
potassium hydroxide + sulfuric acid → ? [3]
(there are two possible reactions here) [6]
f Explain why effervescence is observed in reaction c but not in reaction d.

3 1440 cm3 of hydrogen chloride was dissolved in 1 dm3 of water at r.t.p. to form a solution of
hydrochloric acid. [2]
a What is the concentration of the hydrochloric acid?
25 cm3 of this solution is reacted with 0.1 mol dm–3 potassium hydroxide solution. [2]
i What is used to tell us when this reaction is complete?
What volume of the potassium hydroxide is required to completely neutralise the [1]
hydrochloric acid solution? c When the resulting solution is evaporated, a white crystalline solid is
obtained. [4]
i Name the solid. [1]
ii Explain why it is a salt. [2]
iii Calculate the mass of solid obtained.
In actual fact a larger mass is obtained than that calculated above. Give a possible [3]
explanation. [1]
Mark scheme
1 a It contains H+ [1] ions. [1]
→
b i CaCO3 + 2HCl CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O
for correct formulae for reactants [1]
for correct formulae for products [1]
for balancing [1]
ii MgO + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2O
for correct formulae for reactants [1]
for correct formulae for products [1]
for balancing [1]
c When HCl is dissolved in water it releases H+ ions. [1]
These ions make the solution acidic. [1]

HCl(aq) → H+(aq) + Cl–(aq) [1]

In the hexane no hydrogen ions are formed. [1]

2 a sodium hydroxide + hydrochloric acid → sodium chloride + water [1]

NaOH + HCl → NaCl + H2O

for correct formulae [1]

for balancing [1]

b magnesium hydroxide + nitric acid → magnesium nitrate + water [1]

Mg(OH)2 + 2HNO3 → Mg(NO3)2 + 2H2O

for correct formulae [1] for balancing [1]

c magnesium carbonate + sulfuric acid → magnesium sulfate + carbon dioxide + water [1]

MgCO3 + H2SO4 → MgSO4 + CO2 + H2O

for correct formulae [1]

for balancing [1]

d magnesium oxide + nitric acid → magnesium nitrate + water [1]

MgO + 2HNO3 → Mg(NO3)2 + 2H2O

for correct formulae [1] for balancing [1]

e potassium hydroxide + sulfuric acid → potassium sulfate + water [1]

2KOH + H2SO4 → K2SO4 + 2H2O

for correct formulae [1] for balancing [1]

potassium hydroxide + sulfuric acid → potassium hydrogensulfate + water [1]

KOH + H2SO4 → KHSO4 + H2O

 for correct formulae [1] for balancing [1]
f In c carbon dioxide gas is produced. [1]
In d no gases evolve. [1]

3 a Number of moles of HCl(g) = = 0.06 mol [1]

concentration of HCl(aq) = 0.06/1 = 0.06 mol dm−3 [1]
bi An indicator changes colour. [1]
ii KOH + HCl → KCl + H2O [1]
Number of moles of HCl = 0.025 × 0.06 = 0.0015 mol [1]
Number of moles of KOH = 0.0015 mol [1]
Volume of KOH = 0.015 dm3 (15 cm3 ) [1]

c i Potassium chloride [1]

+
ii The H ion in HCl [1]
is replaced by the metal ion (K+). [1]
iii Number of moles of KCl = number of moles of HCl = 0.0015 [1]
Mass of KCl = 0.0015 × 74.6 [1]
= 0.112 g [1]
iv Water of crystallisation is attached to the KCl. [1]