MAIN CONTEST MC 29
ROUND 1
1. Define the term ‘Standard Enthalpy of Formation’ of a substance
Ans: Standard Enthalpy of Formation of a substance is the enthalpy/heat change when a mole of
the substance is formed from its constituent elements in their standard states at 298 K and 100
kPa
2. Define the term ‘Standard Enthalpy of Combustion’ of a substance
Ans: It is the enthalpy/heat change when one mole of a substance is burnt completely in excess
oxygen under standard conditions (or 298 K and 100 kPa)
3. Define the term ‘Standard Enthalpy of Solution’ of a substance
Ans: It is the enthalpy/heat change when one mole of a substance dissolves under standard
conditions in 1 dm3 of water
ROUND 1
1. Explain why in the electrolysis of dilute HCl using inert electrodes, the acidity of the solution
increases
Ans: Electrolysis of dilute HCl is equivalent to electrolysis of water.
As water is removed from the solution the concentration of HCl increases and hence acidity
increases
2. Explain why in the electrolysis of CuSO4 solutions using platinum electrodes the colour of the
solution fades, but in the electrolysis using copper electrodes the colour remains the unchanged.
Ans: In the electrolysis of CuSO4 solution using inert electrodes, (Pt or C) Cu2+ ions are discharged
at the cathode whilst O2 is formed by oxidation of water at the anode. The colour is due to the
Cu2+ hence as it is removed from the solution, the colour fades.
When copper electrodes are used, copper is deposited at the cathode as copper goes into
solution at the anode, hence concentration of Cu2+ remains constant and the colour remains
the same
3. Explain why in the electrolysis of dilute H2SO4 using inert electrodes, the concentration of H2SO4
increases
Ans: Electrolysis of dilute H2SO4 using inert electrodes is the electrolysis of water.
2H2O + 4F → 2H2 + O2
As water is discharged, the concentration of H2SO4 increases
ROUND 1
1. The solubility product of FeCO3 at 30 0C is 3.6 *10-11. Calculate the mass of FeCO3 required to
prepare 500 cm3 saturated solution of FeCO3 at 30 0C. FeCO3 = 116
Ans: Solubility of FeCO3 at 30 0C = √(36 *10-12) = 6.0 *10-6 moldm-3
Solubility in gdm-3 = (6 * 116) *10-6 = 696 *10-6
For 500 cm3, mass of FeCO3 required = 348 *10-6 g or 3.48*10-4 g
2. The solubility product of a salt MX of molar mass 108 is 2.5 *10-9 at 30oC. Calculate the mass of the
solid MX that can be obtained by evaporating 250 cm3 of the saturated solution at 30oC
Ans: Solubility of solid MX at 30 0C = √(25 *10-10) = 5.0 *10-5 moldm-3
Solubility in gdm-3 = 108*5.0*10-5
Solid to be recovered from 250 cm3 = 108 *250 *5.0 *10-5/1000
= 108 *5.0 *10-5/4 = 27 *5.0 *10-5 = 1.35 *10-3 g
3. Calculate the solubility of Fe(OH)2 in moldm-3 in 0.10 moldm-3 NaOH solution at 30 0C if at that
temperature the solubility product of Fe(OH)2 is 8.0 *10-16.
Ans: Ksp = [Fe2+][OH-]2
In 0.10 moldm-3 NaOH;
8.0 *10-16 = [Fe2+][1.0 *10-1]2; [Fe2+] = 8.0 *10-14moldm-3 Hence, the
solubility of Fe(OH)2 in 0.10 moldm-3 = 8.0 *10-14 moldm-3
ROUND 2
1. Consider the following two half cells Cs+/Cs and Ag+/Ag. Their respective electrode potentials are
-2.9 V and 0.80 V. Can Caesium metal reduce silver (I) to silver metal? Explain your answer
Ans: Consider the cell with the half-cells
Anode/oxidation: Cs - e → Cs+ + 2.9 V
Cathode/reduction: Ag+ + e → Ag 0.80 V
Cell reaction: Cs + Ag+ → Cs+ + Ag 3.70 V
A cell in which Cs reduces Ag+ to Ag will have a positive emf
Hence Cs can reduce Ag+ to Ag
2. Calculate the volume of chlorine gas at STP that can be harvested in electrolysis of molten NaCl
after passing a current of 0.36 Faraday. Molar volume of a gas at STP is 22.4 dm3. Give your answer
to three places decimal.
Ans: NaCl + 1F → Na+ + ½ Cl2
1F ≡ 22.4/2 dm3 Cl2 at STP
Hence, 0.36 F ≡ (22.4/2) *(0.36/1) dm3 = 4.032 dm3 Cl2
3. 38g of a certain gas that occupied 16.62 dm3 volume exerted a pressure of 95 kPa at 27 0C. Calculate
the molar mass of the gas. Assume R = 8.31 JK-1mol-1
Ans: Use the Ideal gas equation; PV = nRT ; n = PV/RT
n = (95 *16.62)/ (300 *8.31) = 19/30 mol
But n = m/M, where M is molar mass
19/30 = 38/M; M = (30 *38)/19 = 60.0g
ROUND 4
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Addition of dilute H2SO4 solution to KI crystals will give a brown pungent smelling vapour
Ans: F.
2. AgBr is soluble in excess ammonia solution
Ans: F.
3. AgI is deep yellow solid
Ans: T.
ROUND 4
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Helium gas may be collected by downward displacement of air in a gas jar
Ans: T. Helium is lighter than air
2. Chlorine gas may be collected by downward displacement of air
Ans: F. Chlorine gas is heavier than air
3. NO gas may be collected into an empty jar by displacement of air
Ans: F. NO has almost the same molar mass (30) as air (28.4)
ROUND 5
RIDDLE MC 29
1. I am an organic compound
2. Fortunately I was born with seven carbons, all in a straight chain as my backbone
3. I have only one sp2-hybridised carbon bonded to oxygen in that chain
4. I do not respond positively to Fehling’s and Tollens’ tests
5. I would form a beautiful, crystalline derivative with 2,4-dinotrophenylhydrazine if given a chance
6. My sp2 carbon occupies the third position in the carbon chain
Who am I?
Ans: 3-heptanone
