1.

The extraction of metals from their ores often begins by using water to separate the ores from
other materials found in the rock.
(a)

State what is done to the rock before water is used.

.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

An old method of extracting gold from its ore is panning, in which the gold and other
impurities are mixed vigorously with water in a large dish. Suggest one physical
property of gold that is important in its separation from impurities.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(c)

A more modern method of extracting ores from rock uses froth flotation. Outline this
method by referring to the substances used, apart from the ore and water, and stating how
the ore is separated from the rock.
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(3)

(d)

Explain why the percentage of gold in the Earths crust occurring as the element is much
higher than that of iron.
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.....................................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 6 marks)

2.

Aluminium and iron are extracted from their ores by different chemical methods. For
aluminium, electrolysis is used.
(a)

(i)

Identify the compound from which most aluminium is extracted.

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Electrolysis of this compound gives aluminium and another product. Write a halfequation for the formation of each product.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(3)

(b)

Most iron is produced by heating iron ore with coke in a blast furnace.
(i)

State two other raw materials used in the blast furnace.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Give the equation for the reduction of iron(III) oxide in the blast furnace.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

3.

The most widely-used polymer is polythene, which is made in low-density and high-density
forms.
(a)

Discuss the differences between these two forms by referring to the amount of branching,
the forces between the polymer chains and the physical properties.
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(4)

(b)

Both forms of polythene are described as thermoplastics.

(i)

State the meaning of this term.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Phenol-methanal is not a thermoplastic. State what type of polymer it is and how

its structure differs from that of polythene.
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(2)
(Total 7 marks)

4.

(a)

The manufacture of low-density polyethene uses a free-radical reaction mechanism.

(i)

State the names of the three steps common to most free-radical mechanisms.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

One step in the mechanism can be represented as follows:

R3C + CH2==CH2 R3CCH2CH2
Outline what happens in this step, by reference to the electrons involved.
...........................................................................................................................
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(2)

(b)

State the type of mechanism and the catalyst used in the manufacture of high-density
polyethene.
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.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

5.

Ellingham diagrams for some reactions involving metal oxides are shown in Table 12 of the
Data Booklet. Analyse the data shown to

estimate the lowest temperature at which carbon could be used to reduce zinc oxide

estimate the value of Gf , and hence the feasibility of the reaction, for the reduction of
titanium(IV) oxide by carbon at 1000 K.

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(Total 3 marks)

6.

The oil industry converts most crude oil into fuels using several different processes, including
fractional distillation, cracking and reforming.
(a)

Describe and explain how crude oil is converted into several fractions in a fractionating
column.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
(4)

(b)

All methods of cracking use high temperatures, but the other conditions vary, depending
on the types of product required.
(i)

State the name of a catalyst used in catalytic cracking. Write an equation for the
cracking of the straight-chain molecule C14H30 into two products, assuming that
the central CC bond breaks.

(2)

(ii)

Hydrocracking is used to produce high-grade gasoline. Name the substance added

to the feedstock and state one characteristic structural feature of the hydrocarbons
produced.

(2)

(c)

One type of reforming is called aromatization. Write an equation for this process, starting
with hexane. State one use for the inorganic product formed.

(2)
(Total 10 marks)

7.

Several monomers are produced by the oil industry and used in polymer manufacture. Examples
include propene, styrene and vinyl chloride.
(a)

(i)

Draw the structural formula of propene.

(1)

(ii)

Isotactic polypropene has a regular structure, while atactic polypropene does not.
Draw the structure of isotactic polypropene, showing a chain of at least six carbon
atoms. State and explain how its properties differ from those of atactic polypropene.

(3)

(b)

Styrene can be polymerized to polystyrene, which is a colourless, transparent, brittle

plastic. Another form of the polymer is expanded polystyrene. Outline how expanded
polystyrene is produced from polystyrene, and state how its properties differ from those of
polystyrene.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
(4)

(c)

Many plastic materials are disposed of by combustion. State two disadvantages of

disposing of polyvinyl chloride in this way.
.
.
.
.
(2)
(Total 10 marks)

8.

Discuss the two main factors that influence the chemical methods used to extract different
metals from their ores. Use sodium, lead and silver as examples to illustrate your answer.
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(Total 5 marks)

9.

(a) (i)
Apart from the availability of raw materials, energy and a good
transport system, list three factors that influence the location of modern chemical
industries producing consumer products.
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............................................................................................................................
(3)

(ii)

State the difference between intermediate products and consumer products in the chemical
industry and give one example of each.
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............................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

State one example of the use of biotechnology in chemical manufacture.

(1)

......................................................................................................................................
(Total 6 marks)

10.

(a) Traditionally, the raw materials for the production of iron are iron ore, coke,
limestone and preheated air. Iron oxides are reduced in a blast furnace by both carbon and
carbon monoxide to form iron. Give the equation for the reduction of iron(III) oxide by
carbon monoxide.
......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

In many modern blast furnaces, hydrocarbons, (such as methane) are also added to the
preheated air. This produces carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The hydrogen formed can
also act as a reducing agent. Give the equation for the reduction of magnetite, Fe3O4, by
hydrogen.
......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(c)

The iron produced in the blast furnace is known as pig iron. It contains about 5 %
carbon, together with small amounts of other elements such as phosphorus and silicon.
Explain the chemical principles behind the conversion of iron into steel using the basic
oxygen converter.
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(6)

(d)

State one element that must be added to the basic oxygen converter to produce stainless
steel rather than ordinary steel.
......................................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 9 marks)

11.

A major product of oil refining is fuel for automobiles. Two processes used in the refinery are
sulfur removal and reforming.
(a)

(i)

Explain why sulfur is removed from oil.

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(2)

(ii)

Some of the sulfur in oil is present as hydrogen sulfide. One method of removing
2

this is by reaction with the carbonate ion, CO 3 , during which hydrogen sulfide is

converted into HS ions. Deduce the equation for this reaction.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(iii)

Hydrogen sulfide can also be reacted with sulfur dioxide to produce one of the raw
materials for sulfuric acid manufacture. Deduce the equation for this reaction.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

The process of reforming converts straight-chain alkanes into more useful hydrocarbons.
For example, hexane, CH3(CH2)4CH3, can be converted into the compounds
(CH3CH2)2CHCH3 and C6H6.
(i)

For each of these conversions, state the type of reforming process and the name of
the compound formed.
(4)

(CH3CH2)2CHCH3 ............................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
C6H6 ..................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(ii)

The formation of C6H6 from hexane results in another product. Identify this
product and state one industrial use for it.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 11 marks)

10

12.

Aluminium is produced on a large scale by the electrolysis of alumina.

(a)

Give the formula of alumina.

.....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

Explain why cryolite is used in the process.

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

(c)

Write an equation to show what happens to each of the following ions during electrolysis.
(2)

Al
O
(d)

3+

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Identify the material used for the positive electrodes (anodes) and explain, with the help of
an equation, why it has to be replaced regularly.
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(3)

(e)

Suggest why much more aluminium is recycled than iron.

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(1)
(Total 9 marks)

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13.

(a) Describe the structural difference between isotactic and atactic polypropene.
You may use a diagram to show the difference.
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.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

List two properties of isotactic polypropene and outline how its structure leads to these
properties.
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(2)
(Total 4 marks)

14.

(a)

The properties of polyvinyl chloride, PVC, may be modified to suit a particular use.

State the main method of modifying PVC and the effect this has on its properties.
.....................................................................................................................................
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(2)

(b)

Outline two disadvantages of using polymers such as polypropene and PVC, and give one
disadvantage that is specific to PVC.
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(3)
(Total 5 marks)

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15.

(a)

State the essential chemical process in the extraction of iron and aluminium.

.....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

Using iron and aluminium as examples, discuss the major factor that determines the ease
of extraction of metals.
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(2)
(Total 3 marks)

16.

(a) Chlorine is manufactured on a large scale from sodium chloride using a diaphragm
cell.
Describe how this is done. Identify the materials used and the products formed.
Write half-equations for the processes occurring at each electrode.
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13

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(7)

(b)

Explain why, on environmental grounds, this process is preferred to the mercury cell.
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(2)
(Total 9 marks)

17.

(a) The manufacture of low density poly(ethene) is carried out at very high pressures
and at a temperature of about 500 K. A catalyst (either an organic peroxide or a trace of
oxygen) is added to the ethene. Explain how the catalyst reacts and describe the
mechanism of the polymerization.
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(3)

14

(b)

State the catalyst used to manufacture high density poly(ethene) and describe the
feature of the catalyst that enables it to form intermediate complexes with the
electrons of ethene molecules.
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(2)
(Total 5 marks)

18.

Traditionally, the raw materials for the production of iron are iron ore, coke, limestone and
preheated air. Iron oxides are reduced in a blast furnace by both carbon and carbon monoxide
to form iron.
(a)

Explain why the Ellingham diagram for the formation of iron from iron(II) oxide shows a
downwards slope as the temperature decreases and why the Ellingham diagram for the
formation of carbon from carbon monoxide shows an upwards slope as the temperature
decreases.
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(4)

15

(b)

Explain why iron(II) oxide will be reduced by carbon but not by carbon monoxide at
temperatures above 1000 K.
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(3)
(Total 7 marks)

19.

Pure silicon is a semiconductor. Explain how the addition of small amounts of gallium or
arsenic changes the conductivity of silicon.
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(Total 6 marks)

16

tZ20. The species CH3CH2CH2 and CH3CH2CH2 are produced in cracking processes in the organic
chemicals industry. Compare the mechanisms of the reactions in which these species are
produced by completing the following table.
Species
+
CH3CH2CH2
CH3CH2CH2

Type of cracking

Type of bond fission

(Total 4 marks)

21.

The electrolysis of brine is the basis of the chlor-alkali industry. Discuss the production of
chlorine by this method by referring to
(i)

equations showing the electrode reactions

(2)

(ii)

two methods of ensuring that the electrode reactions occur separately

(1)

(iii)

the names of the other two products and one industrial use of each.
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(2)
(Total 5 marks)

17

22.

Explain what is added when silicon is doped to produce n-type and p-type semiconductors.
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(Total 4 marks)

x23. Iron is produced in a blast furnace.

(i)

State the name and formula of the main impurity in iron ore.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Name the raw material used to remove the impurity. Show with equations how the
impurity is removed.
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(2)
(Total 3 marks)

18

24.

State the process used to extract aluminium on an industrial scale and write equations for the
reactions involved.
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(Total 3 marks)

25.

Explain the use of cryolite in the production of aluminium, other than cost.

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(Total 2 marks)

19