MAIN CONTEST MC 26
ROUND 1
1. Biotechnology may be used to extract gold from its ore. Explain how this is done?
Ans: Some microbes are introduced into a suspension of the powered ore in water.
The microbes feed on the impurities and free the gold from its solid matrix.
2. In the extraction of iron using the Blast Furnace, explain why iron is always at the bottom of the
furnace with the slag on top of it and not vice versa.
Ans: The slag is less dense than the molten iron
3. In the extraction of aluminium from bauxite the ore is treated with concentrated solution of NaOH,
and then the solution is seeded. What substance precipitates out at this stage?
Ans: Aluminium hydroxide Al(OH)3
ROUND 1
Preamble to all schools:
Two half-cells are provided; state which half-cell will constitute the anode and which one will
constitute the cathode and give the maximum initial emf of a voltaic cell that can be constructed
from the half-cells.
1. Cd2+/Cd - 0.40 V; Cu2+/Cu 0.34 V
Ans: Anode : Cd2+/Cd: Cd - 2e → Cd2+ + 0.40 V
Cathode : Cu2+/Cu: Cu2+ + 2e → Cu + 0.34 V
Emf = 0.4 + 0.34 = 0.74 V
2. Ag+/Ag 0.80 V; Sn4+,Sn2+/Pt 0.15 V
Ans: Anode: Sn4+,Sn2+/Pt; Sn2+ - 2e → Sn4+ - 0.15 V
Cathode: Ag+/Ag; Ag+ + e → Ag + 0.80 V
Emf = 0.80 - 0.15 = 0.65 V
3. I2/I-/Pt 0.54 V; Cr3+/Cr 0.74 V
Ans: Anode: I2/I-/Pt; 2I- - 2e → I2 - 0.54 V
Cathode: Cr3+/Cr ; Cr3+ + 3e → Cr 0.74 V
Emf = 0.74 - 0.54 = 0.20 V
ROUND 2
Preamble to all schools:
NO2 dimerises in a reversible process to give N2O4 according to the following equation:
2NO2 → N2O4
1. In one such reaction a one litre flask was charged with 1 mole of NO2 and heated to 100 0C. At
equilibrium, it was found that 0.25 mol of N2O4 was formed. Find the equilibrium constant.
Ans: 2NO2 → N2O4
Initial: 1 mol 0
Equil: 1 – 0.5 0.25
KC = (0.25/(0.5)2) = 0.25/0.25 = 1
2. In another reaction the initial amount of NO2 was 2 mol. At equilibrium at 125 0C, the amount of
NO2 left was found to be 0.4 mol. Calculate the equilibrium constant at 125 0C.
Ans: 2NO2 → N2O4
Initial: 2mol 0
Equil: 2 – 1.6 0.8
If 0.4mol of NO2 was left at equilibrium then 1.6mol of it had reacted to give 0.8 mol N2O4.
KC = (0.8/(0.4)2) = 0.8/0.16 = 5
3. State the LeChàtelier’s Principle and use it to determine the effect of increased pressure on the
equilibrium between NO2 and N2O4
Ans: When a system in equilibrium is altered by a change, of same condition, a change occurs to
shift the equilibrium composition (or equilibrium point) in a way that tends to reduce that
change of condition
In the equilibrium reaction the number of gaseous molecules decreases from left to right.
Increase in pressure will favour the forward reaction OR will shift the equilibrium position to
the right.
ROUND 4
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The atomic radius of magnesium is larger than that of aluminium but smaller than that of sodium
Ans: T.
2. Atomic radius of boron is larger than that carbon and also larger than that of aluminium
Ans: F. Atomic radius of boron is smaller than that of aluminium
3. Atomic radius increases from top to bottom of a Group of the Main Group elements
Ans: T.
ROUND 4
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Carbon – carbon single bond is stronger than the double bond
Ans: F. The double bond is made up of sigma and pi bonds
2. Generally a pi bond is weaker than a sigma bond
Ans: T.
3. If carbon forms a double bond with silicon, carbon – silicon double bond will be weaker than
carbon – carbon double bond
Ans: T. Less effective overlap
ROUND 5
RIDDLE MC 26
1. I had my tertiary education at G-Poly
2. I exist in many food items
3. Strictly I am made up of two distinct parts
4. With hot water, my two parts can be identified
5. My prominent part constitutes 80 % of me and the other part only 20.0 % of me
6. I am present in corn, yam, plantain, rice sorghum and cassava and many more.
Who am I?
Ans: Starch
