Thursday, October 15, 2015

GCE 'O' 2015 Science (Chemistry) Paper 5




You are provided with three solutions, X, Y and Z. Between them these three solutions contain two different sodium salts. You are also provided with a solution P.

Carry out the following tests. You should test any gases evolved. Carefully record your observations.

The volumes given below are approximate and should be estimated rather than measured unless instructed otherwise.





Test
Observations with solution X
(a)(i)
Label one test-tube X and add about 1cm3 of solution X into it.
Label another test-tube Y and add about 1cm3 of solution Y into it.
Label another test-tube Z and add about 1cm3 of solution Z into it.
Add dilute nitric acid slowly to each test-tube, with shaking, until no further change is seen.
Keep the contents of test-tubes X, Y and Z for use in part (a)(ii).
No visible reaction.
 




Observations with solution Y
Observations with solution Z
Effervescence observed. Colourless, odourless gas forms white precipitate in limewater.
Effervescence observed. Colourless, odourless gas forms white precipitate in limewater.




(a)(ii)
Add more diute nitric acid to the solution in test-tube X until the test-tube is about half full. Shake the test-tube.
Then add about 1cm3 of barium nitrate solution and shake the mixture.
Repeat using test-tubes Y and Z.
White precipitate forms.
 



White precipitate forms.
No visible reaction.


(iii)       From the observations, suggest identities for the anions present in each of the solutions
X, Y and Z.
            X contains     sulfate ions.
          Y contains     sulfate ions and carbonate ions.
          Z contains     carbonate ions.
            Give evidence from your observations to support your identification of the two anions.
            Anion 1          is sulfate as white precipitate of barium sulfate is formed when barium nitrate solution is added.
Anion 2          is carbonate as effervescence of carbon dioxide which forms white precipitate of calcium carbonate in limewater, is given out when dilute nitric acid is added. 
[2]



test
observations
(b)(i)

Add 1cm3 of solution P into a clean test-tube.
Add sodium hydroxide solution slowly, with shaking, until no further change is seen.
Green precipitate forms.

Precipitate is insoluble in excess.

Then add a further 1cm3 of sodium hydroxide solution and shake the test-tube.

Gently heat this test-tube for at least one minute but do not allow the solution to boil.
Colourless, pungent gas that turns red litmus blue is evolved.
Ammonia gas is given off.        

(ii)
Measure 2cm3 of solution P in a 10cm3 measuring cylinder. Make up to 10cm3 using deionised water. Pour this diluted solution into a boiling tube and mix thoroughly.
Add 2cm3 of the diluted solution P into a clean boiling tube.
Add 2cm3 of sulfuric acid to this solution.

Then slowly add potassium manganate(VII) solution, with shaking.
Stop adding potassium manganate(VII) when the solution has turned a permanent pale pink colour. This is solution Q.

You must retain solution Q for use in part (b)(iii).







When a little purple potassium manganite(VII) solution is added, it is decolourised / turns colourless.

(iii)
Add 1cm3 of solution Q into a clean test-tube.

Add aqueous ammonia slowly, with shaking, until no further change is seen.
Red-brown precipitate forms.
Precipate is insoluble in excess.
[6]

(c)       From your observations in part (b), what can you conclude about the cations present in solution P and solution Q?
            Explain how your observations support your conclusions.
            The cations in P is Fe2+ (or iron(II)) which forms green precipitate of iron(II) hydroxide in sodium hydroxide solution; and NH4+ (or ammonium) which gives off ammonia gas when warmed with sodium hydroxide solution.
          The cations in Q is Fe3+ (or iron(III)) which forms red-brown precipitate of iron(III) hydroxide in sodium hydroxide solution.
          Fe2+ in P is oxidized to Fe3+ in Q 
 [3]