HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY

HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION 1997

CHEMISTRY PAPER II
10.45am-11.45am(1 hour)
1. Read carefully the instructions on the answer sheet and insert the information
required (including the subject code ) in the spaces provided
2. When told to open this book ,check that all the questions are there .Look for the
words 'END OF PAPER ' after the last question
3. ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS .All the answers should be marked on the Answer
sheet
4. Note that you may only mark ONE answer to question .Two or more answers will
score NO MARKS
5. ALL questions carry equal marks .NO marks will be deducted for wrong answers
There are 50 questions in this paper

1.The chemical properties of an element depend on ,,

A. its relative atomic mass.
B. the number of isotopes of the element.
C. the number of electron shells in its atoms.
D. the number of outermost shells electrons in its atoms.
2. elements X and Y form a compound having the following electronic structure :

(Only outmost shell electrons are shown.)

Which of the following combinations is correct?
X Y
A. Na S
B. Mg Br
C. Al Cl
D. Si O
3. Argon exists as a gas at room temperature and pressure because.
A. argon molecules are monoatomic.
B, argon is chemically insert.
C. the outermost electron shell of an argon atom has an octet structure.
D. the attractive force between argon atoms is weak.
4. Which of the following statements concerning the elements in the third period of
the Periodic Table is correct?
A. Both sulphur and chlorine can be reduced by aqueous sodium sulphite.
B. Magnesium is a stronger reducing agent than sodium.
C. Phosphorus and chlorine form a covalent compound.
D. Magnesium burns in oxygen to form an acidic oxide.
5. Which of the following diagrams best represents a part of the giant lattice of
sodium chloride crystal?
(In these diagrams, ● represents Na+ ion and ○ represents Cl- ion)

6. A 2.0 M sodium chloride solution is prepared by dissolving 11.7 g of sodium

chloride in distiller water. What is the volume of the solution formed?
(Relative atomic masses : Na=23.0, Cl = 35.5)
A. 50.0 cm3
B. 100.0 cm3
C. 250.0 cm3
D. 500.0 cm3

7. During the electrolysis of 1 M copper (II) chloride solution using copper electrodes
, Which of the following changes would occur at the electrodes?
Cathode Anode
A. Hydrogen CHLORIDE
liberated liberated
B. Copper CHLORIDE
deposited liberated
C. Copper Copper
dissolved deposited
D. Copper Copper
deposited dissolved

8. Which of the following conversions involves the smallest change in oxidation

number of the underlined element?
A. C(s) → CO2(g)
B. NO3-(aq) → NO2(g)
C. SO32-(aq) → SO42-(aq)
D. MnO4-(aq) → Mn2+(aq)
9. Metal X reacts with dilute nitric acid to give a colorless solution. When sodium
hydroxide solution is added to the solution, a white precipitate which dissolves in
excess sodium hydroxide solution is formed. X is probably
A. copper.
B. iron.
C. lead.
D. magnesium.

10. Which of the following combinations is INCORRECT?

Chemical Method of
storage
A. Calcium Under water
B. Potassium Under paraffin
oil
C. Ethanol In a cool place
D. Potassium In a brown
permanganate bottle
solution
11.

A zinc-carbon cell is connected to a voltmeter as shown in the above diagram. Which

of the following statements concerning the set-up is INCORRECT ?
A. electrons flow from the zinc case to the carbon rod in the external circuit.
B. The zinc case gradually becomes thinner as the cell discharges.
C. Manganese (Ⅳ) oxide acts as an oxidizing agent.
D. Ammonium chloride acts as a reducing agent.
12. Which of the following graphs best represents the change in mass with time when
calcium carbonate is strongly heated?
13. Which of the following statements concerning the reaction of aqueous ammonia
with hydrochloric acid is correct?
A. The reaction is exothermic.
B. A white precipitate is formed.
C. Ammonium chloride and chloride are produced.
D. The product ammonium chloride is a covalent compound.
14. The formula of a metal carbonate is X2CO3. 100 cm3 of a solution containing 0.69
g of the carbonate requires 50 cm3 of 0.20 M hydrochloride acid for complete
reaction. What is the relative atomic mass of metal X?
(Relative atomic masses : C=12.0,O=16.0)
A. 19.0.
B. 23.0.
C. 39.0
D. 78.0
15 Which of the following substances, when mixed, would produce a precipitate?
A. chloride water and potassium bromide solution.
B. ethyl ethanote and ethanol.
C. iron (III) sulphate solution and aqueous ammonia.
D. nitric acid and potassium hydroxide solution.
16. Which of the following compounds represents the first member of a homologous
series?
A. ethane.
B. ethane.
C. ethanol.
D. ethanoic acid.
17. Which of the following gases occupies the largest volume at room temperature
and pressure?
(Relative atomic masses : H=1.0, C=12.0,N=14.0,O=16.0; molar volume of gas at
room temperature and pressure=24.0 dm3)
A. 1.0 g of ammonia.
B. 2.0 g of nitrogen.
C. 3.0 g of oxygen.
D. 4.0 g of carbon dioxide.
18. The model shown below represents a compound containing 6 hydrogen atoms
(white spheres ) and 3 carbon atoms (black spheres)

Which of the following statements concerning the compound is INCORRECT?

A. Its structural formula is C3H6.
B. It can be prepared by cracking petroleum fractions.
C. It can decolorize bromine in 1, 1, 1-trichloroethane.
D. It can undergo polymerization.

19. Which of the following compounds CANNOT be produced directly from ethene ?
A. carbon dioxide.
B. ethanol.
C. ethyl ethanoate
D. 1, 2-dibromoethane.
20. When a glass of wine is left overnight, it becomes sour. Which of the following
reactions is responsible for this change?
A. fermentation.
B. oxidation.
C. dehydration.
D. esterification.
21. The following equation represents the reaction of chloride with dilute sodium
hydroxide solution at room temperature:
Cl2 (g) + 2NaOH (aq) → NaCl (aq) + NaClO (aq) + H2O (l)
Which of the following statements concerning this reaction is correct?
A. chloride is oxidized and sodium hydroxide is reduced.
B. chloride is reduced and sodium hydroxide is reduced.
C. chloride is simultaneously oxidized and reduced.

22. Which of the following statements concerning the compound, CH3COOCH2CH3 ,

is correct?
A. It is a food preservative.
B. It has a pleasant smell.
C. Its systematic name is methyl ethanoate.
D. It is an electrolyte.
Direction: Q.23 and Q.24 refer to the following experiment :

23. Which of the following set-ups should be connected to the delivery tube to collect
the gaseous products formed?
24. Which of the following reactions is involved in this experiment ?
A. cracking.
B. redox.
C. catalytic hydration.
D. destructive distillation.

25. Which of the following statements concerning the Haber Process is

INCORRECT ?
A. Iron is used as a catalyst in the process.
B. The reaction involved in the process is reversible.
C. The reaction involved in the process is exothermic.
D. The process is performed at one atmosphere pressure
26. Which of the following statements concerning food additives is correct?
A. A food additive with an E number of 102 can be used as a sweetener in candies.
B. Sodium benzoate can be used as a flavour enhancer in potato chips.
C. Sodium nitrite can be used to inhibit the growth of bacteria chips.
D. Synthetic esters can be used to enhance the appearance of fruit juice.
27. Consider the following chemical equation :
O2(g) + 4Fe(OH)2(x) → 2Fe2O3(y) + 4H2O(z)
Which of the following chemical combinations is correct?
X y z
A. S s l
B. S aq aq
C. Aq s aq
D. aq l

28. What mass of copper is obtained when 0.40 mol of copper (II) oxide are
completely reduced by carbon?

(Relative atomic masses : O=16.0, Cu = 63.5)

A. 12.7 g.
B. 15.9 g.
C. 25.4 g.
D. 31.8 g.
29 An iron nail is heated with concentrated sulphuric acid. Which of the following
combinations is correct?
Gas given off Color of
solution
formed
A. hydrogen Pale green
B. hydrogen Yellow
C. Sulphur Pale green
dioxide
D. Sulphur yellow
dioxide

30. M is an element in the third period of the Periodic Table. M forms a sulphate
which has the formula M2(SO4)3. The formula of the nitrate of M is
A. MNO3.
B. M(NO3)2.
C. M(NO3)3.
D. M2(NO3)3.

31. Which of the following statements concerning citric acid is/are correct?
(1) It is a strong acid.
(2) It is present in oranges.
(3) It exists as a solid at room temperature.
A. (1) only.
B. (2) only.
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only
32. Which of the following metal oxides can be reduced to the metal when heated
with carbon.
(1) aluminium oxide.
(2) lead (II) oxide.
(3) iron (III) oxide.
A. (1) only.
B. (2) only.
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only
33. Which of the following statements concerning the reaction of methane with
bromine is/are correct?
(1) It is an addition reaction.
(2) It is a substitution reaction.
(3) A similar reaction will occur if propane is used instead of methane.
A. (1) only.
B. (2) only.
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

34. One mole of sulphur atoms has a mass twice that of one mole of oxygen atoms.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
(1) 2 g of sulphur and 1 g of oxygen each occupy the same volume at room
temperature and pressure.
(2) 2 g of sulphur and 1 g of oxygen each contain the same number of atoms.
(3) The number of atoms contained in one mole of sulphur is twice that contained in
one mole of oxygen.
A. (1) only.
B. (2) only.
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only
35. Dilute ammonia solution is used in domestic glass cleansers because
(1) it can saponify grease.
(2) it can non-corrosive.
(3) it contains ammonium ions which can emulsify grease.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. (1) only.
B. (2) only.
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only
36. Which of the following substances can be used to distinguish between
concentrated nitric acid and concentrated sulphuric acid?
(1) sodium carbonate power.
(2) copper turnings.
(3) cane sugar.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1),(2) and (3)

37. Which of the following substances would react with sodium hydroxide solution?
(1) ammonium chloride solution.
(2) copper (II) sulphate solution.
(3) ethanoic acid.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1),(2) and (3)
38. Which of the following statements about using ethanol as a car fuel is correct?
(1) Ethanol is a cleaner fuel than petrol.
(2) Using ethanol as a car fuel is economical in agricultural countries with sugar cane
as the main crop.
(3) A car engine has to be suitably modified when using ethanol as a fuel.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1),(2) and (3)
39. Concentrated sulphuric acid is corrosive to skin because.
(1) it is a dehydrating agent.
(2) it is an oxidizing agent.
(3) each molecular of sulphuric acid has two ionizable hydrogen atoms.
Which of the above statements are correct?
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1),(2) and (3)

40. Which of the following methods can be used to solve the pollution problems
associated with the disposal of plastic waste?
(1) recycling of plastic.
(2) making biodegradable plastic.
(3) burning plastic waste in incinerators with tall chimneys.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1),(2) and (3)
41. Aluminium is used to make window frames because
(1) it is strong.
(2) it can resist corrosion.
(3) it is the most abundant metallic element in the earth crust.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1),(2) and (3)
42. Which of the following measures can reduce the formation of acid rain?
(1) installing catalytic oxidizers in cars.
(2) using unleaded petrol in cars.
(3) using fuels of low sulphur content cars.
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1),(2) and (3)

43. Which of the following elements are essential for plant growth?
(1) potassium.
(2) phosporus.
(3) silicon.
(4) nitrogen.
A. (1), (2) and (3) only
B. (1), (2) and (4) only
C. (1), (3) and (4) only
D. (2), (3) and (4) only
44. Which of the following substances are used to produce nitric acid in industry?
(1) air.
(2) water.
(3) nitrogen
(4) ammonia.
A. (1), (2) and (3) only
B. (1), (2) and (4) only
C. (1), (3) and (4) only
D. (2), (3) and (4) only
Directions: Each question below (Question Nos. 45 to 50) consists of two separate
statements . Decide whether each of the two statements is true or false; if both are
true, then decide whether or not the second statement is a correct explanation of first
statement. The select one option from A to D according to the following table:
A. Both statements are true and the
2 nd statement is a correct
explanation of the 1 st statement.

B. Both statements are true but the 2

nd statement is NOT a correct
explanation of the 1 st statement.
C. The 1 st statement is false but the
2 nd statement is true.
D. Both statements are false.

1 st 2 nd statement
statement
45 Newspaper Sulphur-
gradually turn containing
yellow in air pollutants are
present in air

46 Sugar can be Sugar can act as a

used as a dehydrating agent
preservative
fruits
47 The reaction The reaction of
of sodium sodium with
with water water is
produces exothermic
hydrogen
48 The body of a Common salt and
motor car will water form a
corrode faster conducting
if common solution
salts is
sprinkled on
 roads after a
heavy snow

49 When filling It is more

a pipette with accurate to fill a
a solution, a pipette with a
pipette filler solution by using
is preferred to a pipette filler
sucking with than by sucking
the mouth. with the mouth.
50 Concentrated Concentrated
hydrochloric hydrochloric acid
acid can react is a strong
with silver oxidizing agent

END OF PAPER
KEYS
1. D 11. D 21. C 31. D 41. A
2. B 12. A 22. B 32. D 42. B
3. D 13. A. 23. D. 33. D 43. B
4. C 14. C. 24. A 34. B 44. B
5. B 15. C 25. D 35. A 45. B
6. B 16. B 26. C 36. C 46. A.
7. D 17. C 27. A 37. D 47. B
8. B 18. A 28. C. 38. D 48. A
9. C 19. C 29. D 39. A 49 C
10 A 20. B 30. C 40. A 50. D