P.S.

/CHEMISTRY
The University of the State of New York

REGENTS HIGH SCHOOL EXAMINATION

PHYSICAL SETTING
CHEMISTRY
Friday, January 24, 2020 — 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., only

The possession or use of any communications device is strictly prohibited when

taking this examination. If you have or use any communications device, no matter how
briefly, your examination will be invalidated and no score will be calculated for you.

This is a test of your knowledge of chemistry. Use that knowledge to answer all
questions in this examination. Some questions may require the use of the 2011 Edition
Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Chemistry. You are to answer all questions in all
parts of this examination according to the directions provided in this examination
booklet.

A separate answer sheet for Part A and Part B–1 has been provided to you. Follow
the instructions from the proctor for completing the student information on your
answer sheet. Record your answers to the Part A and Part B–1 multiple-choice
questions on this separate answer sheet. Record your answers for the questions in
Part B–2 and Part C in your separate answer booklet. Be sure to fill in the heading on
the front of your answer booklet.

All answers in your answer booklet should be written in pen, except for graphs and
drawings, which should be done in pencil. You may use scrap paper to work out the
answers to the questions, but be sure to record all your answers on your separate
answer sheet or in your answer booklet as directed.

When you have completed the examination, you must sign the statement printed
on your separate answer sheet, indicating that you had no unlawful knowledge of the
questions or answers prior to the examination and that you have neither given nor
received assistance in answering any of the questions during the examination. Your
answer sheet and answer booklet cannot be accepted if you fail to sign this declaration.

Notice. . .
A four-function or scientific calculator and a copy of the 2011 Edition Reference Tables for
Physical Setting/Chemistry must be available for you to use while taking this examination.

DO NOT OPEN THIS EXAMINATION BOOKLET UNTIL THE SIGNAL IS GIVEN.

P.S./CHEMISTRY
 Part A

Answer all questions in this part.

Directions (1–30): For each statement or question, record on your separate answer sheet the number of the
word or expression that, of those given, best completes the statement or answers the question. Some questions
may require the use of the 2011 Edition Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Chemistry.

1 Which statement describes a concept included in 6 Which element requires the least amount of
the wave-mechanical model of the atom? energy to remove the most loosely held electron
(1) Protons, neutrons, and electrons are located from a gaseous atom in the ground state?
in the nucleus. (1) Na (3) P
(2) Electrons orbit the nucleus in shells at fixed (2) Ar (4) Cl
distances.
(3) Atoms are hard, indivisible spheres.
7 Which terms identify two different categories of
(4) Electrons are located in regions called
compounds?
orbitals.
(1) covalent and molecular
(2) covalent and empirical
2 As an electron in an atom moves from a higher (3) ionic and molecular
energy state to a lower energy state, the atom (4) ionic and empirical
(1) becomes a negative ion
(2) becomes a positive ion
8 Which statement describes the energy and
(3) releases energy
bonding changes as two atoms of fluorine become
(4) absorbs energy
a molecule of fluorine?
(1) Energy is absorbed as a bond is broken.
3 Two atoms that are different isotopes of the same (2) Energy is absorbed as a bond is formed.
element have (3) Energy is released as a bond is broken.
(1) the same number of protons and the same (4) Energy is released as a bond is formed.
number of neutrons
(2) the same number of protons but a different
number of neutrons 9 Which part of a calcium atom in the ground state
is represented by the dots in its Lewis electron-
(3) a different number of protons but the same
dot diagram?
number of neutrons
(4) a different number of protons and a different (1) the electrons in the first shell
number of neutrons (2) the electrons in the fourth shell
(3) the protons in the nucleus
(4) the neutrons in the nucleus
4 The element in Group 14, Period 3, of the
Periodic Table is classified as a
(1) metal (3) metalloid 10 Based on Table S, an atom of which element
(2) noble gas (4) nonmetal has the strongest attraction for electrons in a
chemical bond?
(1) aluminum (3) magnesium
5 Which element has chemical properties that are (2) chlorine (4) sulfur
most similar to potassium?
(1) calcium (3) nitrogen
(2) cesium (4) sulfur

P.S. Chem.–Jan. ’20 [2]

 11 Which substance can not be broken down by 17 Systems in nature tend to undergo changes
chemical means? toward
(1) aluminum (1) lower energy and less randomness
(2) ammonia (2) higher energy and less randomness
(3) aluminum oxide (3) lower energy and greater randomness
(4) ammonium chloride (4) higher energy and greater randomness

12 Which statement describes the particles of an 18 Which organic prefix is matched with the number
ideal gas, based on the kinetic molecular theory? of carbon atoms that it represents?
(1) There are attractive forces between the (1) hept-, 7 (3) pent-, 3
particles. (2) non-, 8 (4) prop-, 4
(2) The particles move in circular paths.
(3) The collisions between the particles reduce
19 Which terms represent two types of organic
the total energy of the gas.
reactions?
(4) The volume of the gas particles is negligible
compared with the total volume of the gas. (1) sublimation and deposition
(2) sublimation and fermentation
(3) saponification and deposition
13 What is the amount of heat released by 1.00 gram (4) saponification and fermentation
of liquid water at 0°C when it changes to 1.00 gram
of ice at 0°C?
(1) 4.18 J (3) 334 J 20 Given the organic functional group:
(2) 273 J (4) 2260 J O
C H
14 Which term identifies a type of intermolecular
force? Which class of organic compounds has molecules
(1) covalent bonding (3) ionic bonding with this functional group?
(2) hydrogen bonding (4) metallic bonding (1) aldehydes (3) ketones
(2) esters (4) organic acids
15 Which statement describes a reaction at
equilibrium? 21 Which particles are transferred during a redox
(1) The mass of the products must equal the reaction?
mass of the reactants. (1) atoms (3) neutrons
(2) The entropy of the reactants must equal the (2) electrons (4) positrons
entropy of the products.
(3) The rate of formation of the products must
equal the rate of formation of the reactants. 22 Which process can be represented by a half-
reaction equation?
(4) The number of moles of the reactants must
equal the number of moles of the products. (1) distillation (3) sublimation
(2) oxidation (4) vaporization
16 Entropy is a measure of
(1) accuracy 23 Which form of energy is converted to electrical
energy in a voltaic cell?
(2) precision
(3) the disorder of a system (1) chemical (3) nuclear
(4) the attraction of a nucleus for an electron (2) mechanical (4) thermal

P.S. Chem.–Jan. ’20 [3] [OVER]

 24 Which compound is an Arrhenius base? 28 A change in the nucleus of an atom that converts
(1) HCl (3) Ca(OH)2 the atom from one element to another element is
(2) H3PO4 (4) CH3COOH called
(1) oxidation-reduction
(2) single replacement
25 In a neutralization reaction, an aqueous solution
(3) substitution
of an Arrhenius acid reacts with an aqueous
(4) transmutation
solution of an Arrhenius base to produce
(1) an ether and water
(2) an ether and an alcohol 29 Which radioactive emission has the greatest
(3) a salt and water penetrating power, but the least ionizing power?
(4) a salt and an alcohol (1) alpha particle (3) gamma ray
(2) beta particle (4) positron
26 According to one acid-base theory, a base is an
(1) H2 acceptor (3) H⫹ acceptor 30 Which statement describes a benefit of using
(2) H2 donor (4) H⫹ donor fission reactions?
(1) Radioactive waste must be stored for long
periods of time.
27 Based on Table N, uranium-238 and uranium-235 (2) Nuclear fuel consists of stable isotopes.
have different
(3) Gamma radiation is produced.
(1) decay modes (4) Large amounts of energy are produced per
(2) half-lives mole of reactant.
(3) numbers of protons
(4) numbers of electrons

P.S. Chem.–Jan. ’20 [4]

 Part B–1

Answer all questions in this part.

Directions (31–50): For each statement or question, record on your separate answer sheet the number of the
word or expression that, of those given, best completes the statement or answers the question. Some questions
may require the use of the 2011 Edition Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Chemistry.

31 Given the table representing the subatomic 35 A measured value for the atomic radius
particles in four different atoms: of platinum atoms was determined to be
143 picometers. Based on Table S, what is the
Number of Number of Number of percent error of this measured value?
Atom
Protons Neutrons Electrons (1) 0.10% (3) 10.%
A 4 4 4 (2) 9.1% (4) 13%
E 5 7 5
G 6 7 6
36 What is the chemical formula for sodium oxalate?
(1) NaO (3) NaC2O4
J 12 12 12
(2) Na2O (4) Na2C2O4
Which atom has a mass of 12 u?
(1) A (3) G 37 Given the formula of a compound:
(2) E (4) J
H H H

32 Which electron configuration could represent C C C H

the electrons in a sodium atom in an excited H H
state?
(1) 2-8 (3) 2-7-1 What is the molecular formula for this compound?
(2) 2-8-1 (4) 2-7-2 (1) CH (3) CH3
(2) CH2 (4) C3H6
33 What is the number of valence electrons in a
nitrogen atom in the ground state? 38 Which equation represents conservation of
(1) 5 (3) 7 charge?
(2) 2 (4) 14 (1) I⫺ ⫹ 2e⫺ → I2 (3) Br2 → 2Br⫺ ⫹ 2e⫺
(2) 2I⫺ → I2 ⫹ 2e⫺ (4) Br ⫹ 2e⫺ → Br⫺
34 Graphite and diamond are both solid forms of
the element carbon. Which statement explains 39 Which equation represents a single replacement
the different properties of these two forms of reaction?
carbon?
(1) 2Al(s) ⫹ 3Cl2(g) → 2AlCl3(s)
(1) Diamond has ionic bonding and graphite has (2) 2Al(s) ⫹ 6HCl(aq) → 2AlCl3(aq) ⫹ 3H2(g)
metallic bonding.
(2) Diamond has metallic bonding and graphite (3) 2AlCl3(s) → 2Al(s) ⫹ 3Cl2(g)
has ionic bonding. (4) AlCl3(aq) ⫹ 3KOH(aq) → Al(OH)3(s) ⫹ 3KCl(aq)
(3) Diamond has a different crystal structure
from graphite. 40 The bond between which two atoms is most
(4) Diamond has carbon atoms with more polar?
valence electrons than graphite.
(1) C–O (3) H–O
(2) F–F (4) N–H
P.S. Chem.–Jan. ’20 [5] [OVER]
 41 The table below shows the volume and 44 Given the potential energy diagram representing
temperature of four different gas samples at a reaction:
100. kPa.

Gas Volume Temperature 3

Sample (L) (°C)

Potential Energy
helium 1 25
neon 2 50. 2
argon 1 25 4
krypton 2 25
1
Which two gas samples contain equal numbers
of atoms?
Reaction Coordinate
(1) helium and neon
(2) helium and argon
Which numbered interval represents the heat of
(3) neon and argon reaction?
(4) neon and krypton
(1) 1 (3) 3
(2) 2 (4) 4
42 Given the equation representing a solution
equilibrium:
45 When comparing voltaic cells to electrolytic cells,
H2O oxidation occurs at the
BaSO4(s) Ba2⫹(aq) ⫹ SO42⫺(aq)
(1) anode in both types of cells
What occurs when Na2SO4(s) is added to this (2) cathode in both types of cells
system, increasing the concentration of SO42⫺(aq)? (3) anode in voltaic cells, only
(4) cathode in voltaic cells, only
(1) The equilibrium shifts to the left, and the
concentration of Ba2⫹(aq) decreases.
(2) The equilibrium shifts to the left, and the 46 Based on Table J, which metal is more active
concentration of Ba2⫹(aq) increases. than tin, but less active than zinc?
(3) The equilibrium shifts to the right, and the (1) Ag (3) Cs
concentration of Ba2⫹(aq) decreases. (2) Cr (4) Mn
(4) The equilibrium shifts to the right, and the
concentration of Ba2⫹(aq) increases.
47 In a titration, 10.0 mL of 0.0750 M HCl(aq) is
exactly neutralized by 30.0 mL of KOH(aq)
43 Given the formula for a compound: of unknown concentration. What is the
concentration of the KOH(aq) solution?
H H H O (1) 0.0250 M (3) 0.225 M
(2) 0.0750 M (4) 0.333 M
H C C C C N H
H H H H 48 Which emission causes the atomic number of a
nuclide to decrease by 2 and its mass number to
What is a chemical name for the compound? decrease by 4?
(1) 1-butanamine (3) butanamide (1) an alpha particle (3) gamma radiation
(2) 1-butanol (4) butanoic acid (2) a beta particle (4) a positron

P.S. Chem.–Jan. ’20 [6]

 49 The diagram below represents the bright-line spectra of four elements and a bright-line spectrum produced
by an unidentified element.
Bright-Line Spectra
500 600 700
Element L

Element M

Element X

Element Z

Unidentified Element

500 600 700

Wavelength (nm)

What is the unidentified element?

(1) L (3) X
(2) M (4) Z

50 Given two equations representing reactions:

235
Equation 1: 92U ⫹ 10n → 141 92 1
56Ba ⫹ 36Kr ⫹ 30n
1 2
Equation 2: 1H⫹ 1H → 32He

Which type of reaction is represented by each of these equations?

(1) Both equations represent fission.
(2) Both equations represent fusion.
(3) Equation 1 represents fission and equation 2 represents fusion.
(4) Equation 1 represents fusion and equation 2 represents fission.

P.S. Chem.–Jan. ’20 [7] [OVER]

 Part B–2

Answer all questions in this part.

Directions (51-65): Record your answers in the spaces provided in your answer booklet. Some questions may
require the use of the 2011 Edition Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Chemistry.

Base your answers to questions 51 through 53 on the information below and on your knowledge of chemistry.

The four naturally occurring isotopes of sulfur are S-32, S-33, S-34, and S-36. The table
below shows the atomic mass and percent natural abundance for these isotopes.

Naturally Occurring Isotopes of Sulfur

Atomic Natural
Isotope Mass Abundance
(u) (%)
S-32 31.972 94.99
S-33 32.971 0.75
S-34 33.968 4.25
S-36 35.967 0.01

51 State both the number of protons and the number of neutrons in an S-33 atom. [1]

52 In the space in your answer booklet, show a numerical setup for calculating the atomic
mass of sulfur. [1]

53 Compare the energy of an electron in the third shell of a sulfur atom to the energy of
an electron in the first shell of the same atom. [1]

P.S. Chem.–Jan. ’20 [8]

 Base your answers to questions 54 through 57 on the information below and on your knowledge of chemistry.

During a laboratory activity, appropriate safety equipment is used and safety procedures
are followed. A student separates a sample of rock salt that has two components; NaCl(s)
and small insoluble rock particles. First, the student thoroughly stirs the sample of rock salt
into a sample of water in a flask. The mixture in the flask is filtered using the lab apparatus
shown below.

Ring stand

Iron ring
Filter paper
Glass funnel

Beaker

The water is evaporated from the beaker. The filter paper and its contents are dried.
The data collected by the student are shown in the table below.

Rock Salt Separation Lab Data

Mass
Object or Material
(g)
rock salt sample 16.4
filter paper 1.6
clean empty beaker 224.2
filter paper with dry rock particles 2.2
beaker with dry NaCl(s) 240.0

54 State evidence, other than mass, from the information given that the components of rock
salt have different properties. [1]

55 Explain, in terms of particle size, why the rock particles are trapped by the filter
paper. [1]

56 State the number of significant figures in the mass of the beaker with dry NaCl(s). [1]

57 Show a numerical setup for calculating the percent by mass of NaCl in the rock salt
sample. [1]

P.S. Chem.–Jan. ’20 [9] [OVER]

 Base your answers to questions 58 through 61 on the information below and on your knowledge of chemistry.

Cylinder A and cylinder B are sealed, rigid cylinders with movable pistons. Each
cylinder contains 500. milliliters of a gas sample at 101.3 kPa and 298 K. Cylinder A contains
H2(g) and cylinder B contains N2(g). The diagrams below represent these two cylinders.

Cylinder A Cylinder B

Movable piston

H2(g) N2(g)

58 Compare the mass of the gas in cylinder A to the mass of the gas in cylinder B. [1]

59 State a change in temperature and a change in pressure that will cause the gas in
cylinder A to behave more like an ideal gas. [1]

60 Explain, in terms of collisions between gas molecules and the walls of the container,
why pushing the movable piston farther into cylinder B at constant temperature would
increase the pressure of the N2 gas. [1]

61 Show a numerical setup for calculating the volume of the gas in cylinder B at STP. [1]

Base your answers to questions 62 and 63 on the information below and on your knowledge of chemistry.

The electrical conductivity of three aqueous solutions was tested at room temperature.
A 0.1 M HCl(aq) solution conducted, but a 6.0 M HCl(aq) solution was a better conductor.
A 0.1 M C6H12O6(aq) solution was also tested. During this laboratory activity, appropriate
safety equipment was used and safety procedures were followed.

62 State, in terms of the concentration of ions, why the 6.0 M HCl(aq) is a better
conductor of electricity than the 0.1 M HCl(aq). [1]

63 Identify the element in C6H12O6 that allows it to be classified as an organic compound. [1]

P.S. Chem.–Jan. ’20 [10]

 Base your answers to questions 64 and 65 on the information below and on your knowledge of chemistry.

Phosphorus-30 and phosphorus-32 are radioisotopes. Phosphorus-30 decays by positron

emission.

64 Complete the equation in your answer booklet for the decay of phosphorus-30 by writing
a notation for the missing product. [1]

65 Based on Table N, determine the time required for an original 100.-milligram sample
of P-32 to decay until only 25 milligrams of the sample remain unchanged. [1]

P.S. Chem.–Jan. ’20 [11] [OVER]

 Part C

Answer all questions in this part.

Directions (66-85): Record your answers in the spaces provided in your answer booklet. Some questions may
require the use of the 2011 Edition Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Chemistry.

Base your answers to questions 66 through 69 on the information below and on your knowledge of chemistry.

Sir William Ramsey is one scientist credited with identifying the noble gas argon.
Sir Ramsey separated nitrogen gas from the air and reacted it with an excess of magnesium,
producing solid magnesium nitride. However, a small sample of an unreactive gas remained
with a density different from the density of the nitrogen gas. Sir Ramsey identified the
unreactive gas as argon and later went on to discover neon, krypton, and xenon.

66 Compare the chemical reactivities of nitrogen gas and argon gas based on Sir Ramsey’s
experiment using magnesium. [1]

67 Compare the density of nitrogen gas to the density of argon gas when both gases are at
298 K and 101.3 kPa. [1]

68 State, in terms of valence electrons, why the noble gases that Sir Ramsey discovered have
similar chemical properties. [1]

69 State the trend, at standard pressure, of the boiling points of these noble gases, as they
are considered in order of increasing atomic number. [1]

Base your answers to questions 70 through 72 on the information below and on your knowledge of chemistry.

A sample of normal rainwater has a pH value of 5.6 due to dissolved carbon dioxide gas
from the atmosphere. Acid rain is formed when other gases, such as sulfur dioxide, dissolve
in rainwater, which can result in lake water with a pH value of 4.6. The equation below
represents the reaction of water with SO2(g).

H2O( ) ⫹ SO2(g) → H2SO3(aq)

70 State how many times greater the hydronium ion concentration in the lake water is than
the hydronium concentration in the sample of normal rainwater. [1]

71 State the color of methyl orange in a sample of normal rainwater. [1]

72 Based on Table G, describe what happens to the solubility of SO2(g) as the temperature
increases from 10.°C to 30.°C at standard pressure. [1]

P.S. Chem.–Jan. ’20 [12]

 Base your answers to questions 73 through 77 on the information below and on your knowledge of chemistry.

A metal worker uses a cutting torch that operates by reacting acetylene gas, C2H2(g),
with oxygen gas, O2(g), as shown in the unbalanced equation below.

C2H2(g) ⫹ O2(g) → CO2(g) ⫹ H2O(g) ⫹ heat

73 Write the empirical formula for acetylene. [1]

74 In your answer booklet, use the key to draw a particle model diagram to represent the
phase of the O2(g). Your response must include at least six molecules. [1]

75 Balance the equation in your answer booklet for the reaction of acetylene and oxygen,
using the smallest whole-number coefficients. [1]

76 Determine the mass of 25 moles of acetylene (gram-formula mass = 26 g/mol). [1]

77 Explain, in terms of bonding, why the hydrocarbon gas used in the cutting torch is
classified as an alkyne. [1]

P.S. Chem.–Jan. ’20 [13] [OVER]

 Base your answers to questions 78 through 82 on the information below and on your knowledge of chemistry.

Water, H2O, and hexane, C6H14, are commonly used as laboratory solvents because they
have different physical properties and are able to dissolve different types of solutes. Some
physical properties of water and hexane are listed on the table below.

Physical Properties of H2O and C6H14

Boiling Point Melting Point Vapor Pressure at 69°C

Solvent
(°C) (°C) (kPa)

H2O 100. 0. ?

C6H14 69 –95 101.3

78 Compare the thermal energy of a 10.-gram sample of water at 25°C to the thermal
energy of a 1000.-gram sample of water at 25°C. [1]

79 State what happens to the potential energy of the molecules in a solid sample of hexane
at –95°C as heat is added until the hexane is completely melted. [1]

80 Determine the vapor pressure of water at 69°C. [1]

81 Explain, in terms of the molecular polarity, why hexane is nearly insoluble in water. [1]

82 Explain, in terms of molecular formulas and structural formulas, why

2,2-dimethylbutane is an isomer of hexane. [1]

P.S. Chem.–Jan. ’20 [14]

 Base your answers to questions 83 through 85 on the information below and on your knowledge of chemistry.

In a laboratory investigation, a student constructs an electrochemical cell to decompose

water, as represented in the diagram below. The water in the electrochemical cell contains a
small amount of dissolved sodium sulfate, to increase conductivity. The three equations
represent the reaction in each test tube and the overall reaction. During this laboratory activity,
appropriate safety equipment is used and safety procedures are followed.

O2(g) H2(g)

Wires

– +

Battery

Anode Cathode
Water

+ –
O2 Test Tube: 2H2O( ) O2(g) + 4H (aq) + 4e
+ –
H2 Test Tube: 2H (aq) + 2e H2(g)

Overall Reaction: 2H2O( ) O2(g) + 2H2(g)

83 State the change in oxidation number that occurs for oxygen in the overall reaction. [1]

84 Compare the number of electrons lost by oxygen to the number of electrons gained by
hydrogen in the overall reaction. [1]

85 Determine the number of moles of hydrogen gas produced when 0.0004 mole of
oxygen gas is produced in the cell by the overall reaction. [1]

P.S. Chem.–Jan. ’20 [15] [OVER]

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