SK017

Past Year Examination Questions Unit 1

Unit 1: Matter
Atom & molecule, Mole Concept

Jan 99

1. Two common isotopes of chlorine are 35Cl and 37Cl. The relative abundance of the natural
occurring isotopes is as follows:
35
Cl
37
= 3.127
Cl
i. By using chlorine as an example, explain the meaning of isotope.
ii. With reference to the 12C = 12.00 scale, the relative isotopic mass of 35Cl = 34.9689 amu
and 37Cl = 36.9659 amu, calculate the relative atomic mass of chlorine. <35.4528>

2. Oxalic acid is usually used to clean off blood and rust stains. It consists of 2.24 % hydrogen,
26.65 % carbon and 71.08 % oxygen by mass. The molar mass of oxalic acid is 90.0 g /mol.
i. Determine the empirical formula of oxalic acid. <CHO2>
ii. What is its molecular formula?
<C2H2O4>
iii. 500 mL of oxalic acid solution is prepared by dissolving 10.0 g of oxalic acid in water.
The solution has a density of 1.05 g/mL. Calculate the molarity and molality of the
oxalic acid solution.
<0.222 M; 0.216 m>

3. When the iron ore hematite, Fe2O3, is heated in a furnace with carbon monoxide, CO, the
products obtained are iron, Fe and carbon dioxide, CO2.
i. Write a balanced equation for the reaction occurred.
ii. If 8.00 x 104 kg of hematite is used, calculate the mass of iron obtained. <5.60x104
kg>
iii. What mass of CO is needed in the above reaction (ii).
<4.20x104 kg>
iv. Determine the oxidation state of Fe and C in Fe2O3 and CO respectively. <+3; +2>
[Ar Fe=56; C=12; O=16]

Jun 99

4. Air contains 21% oxygen gas. The natural oxygen gas consists of three isotopes 16O, 17O and
18
O.
i. Write the molecular formula of oxygen gas that might exist in the air.
ii. A mixture of these isotopes was analysed in a mass spectrometer. A stream of univalent
positive ions produced is deflected by the magnetic field and is detected by the ion
detector. Which ion would be deflected least? Explain.
iii. Calculate the molar mass of the heaviest oxygen gas. <36>

5. a. 1.50 g oxide of metal M, MO2 reacts with excess hydrochloric acid solution, HCl to
produce 386 cm3 chlorine gas at STP as given by the following equation:
MO2 + HCl MCl2 + Cl2 + H2O
i. Balance the above equation.
ii. Determine the relative molecular mass of MO2 and the relative atomic mass of M.
<87.2; 55.2>
b. In a separate experiment, 0.20 g of MO2 was added to 25 mL of 0.10M HCl solution.
i. Determine the limiting reagent in the reaction. <HCl>
ii. Calculate the mass of MCl2 produced in the reaction. <0.0789>

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 SK017
Past Year Examination Questions Unit 1

6. i. What is the meaning of limiting reagent?

ii. Metal Al reacts with H2SO4 to produce aluminium sulphate, Al2(SO4)3 and hydrogen, H2. If
10.0 g of Al are reacted with 60.0 g of sulphuric acid, 57.0 g of solid Al2(SO4)3 are
produced. Determine the limiting reagent. Calculate the theoretical yield of Al2(SO4)3 and
the percentage yield. <63.3; 90.0>

Jan 00

7. Mass spectrometer is used to determine the relative atomic mass. State the main function for the
component or part in a mass spectrometer:
i. Vacuum pump
ii. Vaporisation chamber
iii. Electric field
iv. Magnetic field

8. The carnotite ore consists of 3.5% U3O8. The ore was processed to obtain hydrated uranil
sulphate, (UO2)SO4.3H2O. In 1000.0 kg of carnotite, calculate the masses of U3O8 and uranium,
U as well as (UO2)SO4.3H2O that can be obtained. <35.0; 29.7;
52.40>
[Ar U=238; O=16]

9. A compound P, with relative molecular mass 46, consists only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. A
2.30-g sample of P is burned completely in excess oxygen to yield 4.40 g of carbon dioxide gas
and 2.70 g of water. Calculate the mass of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in 2.30 g of P. Hence
determine its empirical and molecular formulae. Write a balanced equation for this combustion
reaction. <C2H6O>

10. A 100-mL sodium hydroxide solution is prepared by dissolving 0.40 g of a dry NaOH(s) in
water.
25.0 mL of the solution is neutralised by sulphuric acid, H2SO4(aq).
i. Calculate the amount concentration of the NaOH solution. <0.10>
ii. Write a balanced equation for the reaction that occurred.
iii. Calculate the amount (moles) of H2SO4 used.
<1.25x10−3>

11. A 50.0-g sample of zinc, Zn was added into a 50.0-L of solution containing 3.9 g Ag+ per litre.
The reaction occurred was as follows:
Zn + 2Ag+ → Zn2+ + 2Ag
Was the added zinc enough to react completely with all the Ag+ in the solution? Explain your
answer.

Jun 00

12. The neutralisation reaction between sulphuric acid and sodium hydroxide yields sodium
sulphate and water.
i. Write a balanced equation for this neutralisation reaction.
ii. Calculate the number of moles of sodium hydroxide needed to produce 0.08 mol sodium
sulphate.
iii. Calculate the mass of sulphuric acid is needed for the reaction in (ii). <0.16;
7.84>

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 SK017
Past Year Examination Questions Unit 1

13. Hydrogen gas is produced when a certain mass of zinc reacts with an aqueous solution of
hydrochloric acid. The concentration of the hydrochloric acid supplied is 12.5 M.
a) Write a balanced equation for the preparation of hydrogen gas.
Calculate the volume of hydrochloric acid needed to prepare 100 cm3 of 0.5 M hydrochloric
acid. <4.0>
b) If 2.356 g of zinc were reacted with 25 cm3 of 0.5M hydrochloric acid, calculate the mass of
hydrogen gas produced. <0.0125>

14. i. What is the meaning of percentage yield?

ii. Combustion of potassium chloride, KCl produces potassium chlorate, KClO3 as shown by
the equation:
2KCl(s) + 3O2(g) → 2KClO3(s)
Calculate the mass of oxygen gas used to produce 3.8 g of potassium chlorate as 86.0 %
yield. <1.72>

MST 01

15. A 1.50-g sample of a compound, consisting of elements chlorine and chromium, was dissolved
completely in water. The solution was added to excess silver nitrate solution, AgNO3. All the
chlorine from the sample was converted to 4.074 g of silver chloride precipitate, AgCl.
Determine
i. the number of moles of Ag+ and Cl− in the silver chloride precipitate.
<0.0284>
ii. the mass of chlorine and chromium <1.008;
0.492>
iii. the empirical formula of the compound. <CrCl3>
[Ar Cr=52; Cl=35.5; Ag=108]

16. When ammonia is reacted with copper(II) oxide at elevated temperature, nitrogen gas, solid
copper and steam are produced as the following equation:
2NH3(g) + 3CuO(s) → N2(g) + 3Cu(s) + 3H2O(l)
If 18.0 g of ammonia is reacted with 90.0 g of copper(II) oxide,
i. Determine the limiting reagent <CuO>
ii. Calculate the mass of nitrogen gas produced <10.6>
iii. What is the percentage yield if 10.0 g nitrogen is produced? <94.3>
[Ar N=14; H=1; Cu=63.5; O=16]

Mac 01

17. i. Define isotope.

ii. A sample of chlorine consists of 76% 35Cl and 24% 37Cl. Calculate the relative atomic mass
of chlorine if the masses of isotopes are 34.96 amu and 36.97 amu respectively. <35.44>

18. A solution containing Fe2+ ion was titrated in acidic medium with K2Cr2O7 solution in order to
oxidise the Fe2+ to Fe3+ and to reduce the dichromate ion, Cr2O72− to Cr3+. 25.00 mL of the
solution containing Fe2+ was titrated against 31.00 mL of 1.85x10−2 M K2Cr2O7 solution.
Write a balanced equation for this titration and calculate the concentration of the Fe2+ solution
used. <0.135>

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 SK017
Past Year Examination Questions Unit 1

MST Jun 02

19. Explain the meaning of theoretical yield and percentage yield for a reaction.
A 433.2-g sample of a iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3 is reacted with excess carbon monoxide, CO to
produce 254.3 g Fe as shown by the following equation:
Fe2O3(s) + 3CO(g) → 2Fe(s) + 3CO2(g)
Determine the theoretical yield and percentage yield for the above reaction. <303.3; 83.9>

20.

Nucleon No. of No. of No. of

Symbol Net charge
number protons electrons neutrons
90
Sr2+ 90 38 B C +2
Q 82 A 36 47 D

The above table listed some characteristics of the elements 90Sr2+ and Q.
Write out the values for A, B, C and D as well as the symbol for Q in the above table.

21. A 0.188-g sample of a sodium oxalate, Na2C2O4 is dissolved in water, acidified and titrated
against KMnO4 solution. A volume of 17.5 mL of KMnO4 solution is needed for the titration as
shown by the following equation:
MnO -4 + C2O42− → Mn2+ + CO2 (acidic medium)
i. balance the above equation.
ii. Calculate the number of moles of Na2C2O4 prepared.
<0.0014>
From the balanced equation in (i), calculate the concentration of KMnO4 solution. <0.032>

Mac 02

22. Analysis using mass spectrometer shows that copper consists of two natural occurring isotopes
63
Cu and 65Cu.
63
Cu
If the ratio of relative abundance for the two isotopes is 65
= 2.235 , calculate the
Cu
percentage of relative abundance of each copper isotope. <69.09, 30.91>

23. 10.64 g of metal oxide M2O3 are reacted with excess hydrogen gas and produces 3.78 g of water
and metal M as shown by the equation:
M2O3(s) + 3H2(g) → 2M(s) + 3H2O(g)
Calculate the relative molecular mass of M2O3, relative atomic mass of metal M and the mass of
metal M produced in the above reaction. <152; 52; 7.28g>

MST Jul 03

24. A solution contains glycerol, C3H8O3 and water. This solution is usually used as coolant in
vehicles such as cars. If the solution consists of 66.0 g glycerol and 46.0 g water and its density
is 1.10 g cm−3, calculate:
i) the per cent by mass of glycerol <58.9>
ii) the concentration of glycerol <7.05>

Sept 03

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 SK017
Past Year Examination Questions Unit 1

25. Sulphuric acid, H2SO4 of 95 % by mass has a density of 1.84 g mL−1. Calculate the molarity of
the concentrated H2SO4 and the volume of the acid needed to prepare 1.0 L of 0.08 M H2SO4
solution. [Mr H2SO4= 98.07] <17.82 M; 4.49
mL>

MST July 04

26. A sample of potassium chromate is dissolved in a basic solution. The solution formed needs
6.194 g of sodium sulphite for the reduction of CrO42− to Cr(OH)3 and the oxidation of SO32−.
The reaction goes as follows:
CrO42− + SO32− → Cr(OH)3 + SO42−
(a) Balance the above equation.
(b) Calculate the mass of K2CrO4 that has reacted with Na2SO3. <6.344 g>

27. (a) How many electrons and neutrons are in the particle 2658Fe3+
(b) How many moles of sucrose, C12H22O11, should be dissolved in 100.0g of water to obtain a
solution in which the mole fraction of C12H22O11 is 0.124? <0.79 mol>

(c) A student prepares ammonium bicarbonate by the reaction

NH3 + CO2 + H2O → NH4HCO3
She uses 0.87 mol NH3 and 0.94 mol CO2. Water is present in excess.
i. Which compound is limiting reactant? <NH3>
ii. What is the actual yield of ammonium bicarbonate (in gram) if she obtains a 74.7 %
yield
in the reaction ? <51.34 g>

Oct 04

28. (a) A hydrated potassium carbonate has the formula K2CO3.xH2O. From 10.00 g of the
hydrate, 7.95 g of anhydrous salt was left after heating. Determine the value of x in the
formula. <2>

(b) A 3.80 g sample of bronze was dissolved in sulphuric acid. The copper in alloy reacted with
sulphuric acid according to the equation
Cu(s) + 2H2SO4(aq) → CuSO4(aq) + SO2(g) + 2H2O()
The CuSO4 formed in the reaction was mixed with sufficient KI to produce CuI(s), I3−, and SO42
−
ions. The I3− ion formed in this second reaction was then titrated against thiosulphate, S2O32−
solution to form I− and S4O62− ions.
i. Write the ionic equations for the last two reactions.
ii. Calculate the percentage by mass of copper in the bronze sample of 26.20 mL of 1.05
M S2O32− solution was consumed in the titration.
<46%>

MST July 05

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 SK017
Past Year Examination Questions Unit 1

29. At a high temperature, metal oxide M2O3 reacts with hydrogen gas to produce metal M and
water. The reaction of 10.64 g of M2O3 will produce 3.78 g of water.
a. Write a balanced chemical equation for the above reaction.
b. Calculate
i. the relative molecular mass of M2O3 <152>
ii. the mass of M produced <7.28
g>

Oct 05

30. (a) Mass spectrum of copper is shown as follows:

Relative intensity
Based on the figure,
i. write all the isotopes of copper.
ii. Determine the percentage abundance of each isotope.
69.0
iii. Calculate the average atomic mass of copper. <63.62>

31.0
(b) A sample of concentrated hydrochloric acid contains 38% HCl by mass and has a density of
1.1997 g mL−1. For this solution, calculate its 63 65 m/e
i. amount concentration (molarity) <12.47 M>
ii. molality <16.82
m>

MST Jul 06

72
31. (a) Determine the number of electrons in germanium ion, 32 Ge2+.

(b) At room temperature, 255 g of copper (I) oxide, Cu2O react with 180 g of copper (I)
sulphide , Cu2S according to the equation below :
2Cu2O + Cu2S → 6Cu + SO2

Determine
i. the limiting reactant
ii. the mass of the excess reactant remained at the end of the reaction. <38.1 g>

[ Molar mass of Cu2O = 143.0 g mol-1 ; Molar mass of Cu2S = 159.1 g mol-1 ]

(c) An aqueous ammonia solution with a density of 0.898 g mL-1 contains 28% ammonia by
mass.
Calculate the molarity of the solution. <14.8 M>

Oct 06

32. (a) Define nucleon number and isotope.

Give the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in each of the following species.

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 SK017
Past Year Examination Questions Unit 1

79
i. 35 Br –
130
ii. 56 Ba 2+

(b) A 50 mL of a saturated NaOH solution containing 52% NaOH by weight with a density of
1.48 g mL-1 is used to prepare a 0.1 M NaOH solution. Determine the initial concentration
of NaOH solution and the amount of water required to prepare the 0.1 M NaOH solution.
<19.24 M; 9.57 L>

MST Jul 07

33. (a) i. State two components in mass spectrometer.

ii. Oxygen consists of three isotopes with atomic masses of 15.9949, 16.9913 and 17.9916
amu and their abundances are 99.76%, 0.04% and 0.20% respectively. Calculate the
atomic mass of oxygen. <16.00 amu>

(b) A solution made by dissolving 16.0 g of CaCl2 in 64.0 g of water has a density of 1.18 g/mL
at 20oC. Determine
i. the percent by mass of CaCl2
<20%>
ii. the molarity of CaCl2 solution
<2.12 M>

Oct 07

34. (a) Compound A consists of the element C, H and O. The complete combustion of
4.624g of the compound A yielded 6.557g of CO2 and 4.026g of H2O. Determine
the empirical formula of compound A.

(b) The reaction between acetic acid, CH3COOH and barium hydroxide, Ba(OH)2
produces a salt. Determine the maximum mass of the salt obtained if 17.13g of
barium hydroxide is used.

MST Jul 08

35. (a) The two naturally occurring isotopes of gallium are gallium-69 and gallium-71 which are
found in the ratio of 3:2. Determine the atomic mass of gallium.

(b) The density of an aqueous solution containing 10% of ethanol, C2H5OH by mass is
0.984 g mL-1. Calculate

i. the molality of the solution.

ii. its molarity.
iii. the volume of the solution that contains 0.125 mole of ethanol.

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 SK017
Past Year Examination Questions Unit 1

[Molar mass of C2H5OH = 46.0 g mol-1]

Oct 08

36. (a) FIGURE 1 shows the mass spectrum for copper, Cu, atom which has been identified to
have two isotopes.

64.9278
62.9298

65
63 29 Cu
Relative
29 Cu
abundance

62 63 64 65 66

Mass/charge

FIGURE 1

i. Define isotope.
ii. Using the information given in FIGURE 1, calculate the abundance of each
isotope for Cu.

(b) Urea, (NH2)2CO is used as fertilizer and in animal feed. It is prepared by reacting ammonia
and carbon dioxide as shown:

2NH3(g) + CO2(g) (NH2)2CO(s) + H2O(l)

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 SK017
Past Year Examination Questions Unit 1

In a process, 637.2 g of ammonia is allowed to react with 1142 g of carbon dioxide.

i. Determine the limiting reagent in the reaction.

ii. Calculate the mass of urea formed.