unit 15 (water and Air)
1 (a) Describe a chemical test which shows the presence of water.
test .............................................................................................................................................
colour change if water is present ...............................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................
[3]
(b) How could you show that a sample of water is pure?
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]
(c) Describe how water is treated before it is supplied to homes and industry.
....................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [2]
(d) State two industrial uses of water.
....................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [2]
2015/w/33 [Total: 8]
2 (a) (i) Coal is a solid fossil fuel.
Name another fossil fuel.
....................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Explain what is meant by the term fossil fuel.
.............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [2]
(b) The burning of fossil fuels is largely responsible for the formation of acid rain. Two of the acids
in acid rain are sulfuric acid and nitric acid.
(i) Explain how the combustion of coal can form sulfuric acid.
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [3]
(ii) High temperatures generated by the combustion of fossil fuels can lead to the formation
of nitric acid. Explain.
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [3]
2015/s/33 [Total: 9]
2
3 The diagram shows part of the carbon cycle. This includes some of the processes which
determine the percentage of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
carbon dioxide in
the atmosphere
combustion respiration
photosynthesis
(i) Carbon dioxide is one greenhouse gas. Name another one.
.......................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Explain the term respiration and how this process increases the percentage of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
............................................................................................................................................
.
.............................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [3]
(iii) Explain why the combustion of waste crop material should not alter the percentage
of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
.................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................... [2]
(iv) In 1960 the percentage of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was 0.032% and in
2008 it was 0.038%. Suggest an explanation for this increase.
................................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................... [2]
2010/w/31 [Total: 8]
4(a) Catalytic converters reduce the pollution from motor vehicles.
oxides of nitrogen and less harmful gases to
carbon monoxide atmosphere
catalysts: rhodium,
platinum, palladium
(i) Describe how carbon monoxide and the oxides of nitrogen are formed in car engines.
.....................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [4]
3
Describe the reaction(s) inside the catalytic converter which change these pollutants nto less harmful
(ii)
gases. Include at least one equation in your description.
............................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................... [3]
2012/w/31
(b) The percentage of oxygen in air can be determined by the following experiment.
large pile of small pile
copper of copper
gas syringe heat gas syringe
containing
50 cm3 of air
The gas syringe contains 50 cm3 of air. The large pile of copper is heated and the air is passed
from one gas syringe to the other over the hot copper. The large pile of copper turns black. The
gas is allowed to cool and its volume measured.
The small pile of copper is heated and the remaining gas passed over the hot copper. The copper
does not turn black. Thefi nal volume of gas left in the apparatus is less than 50 cm3.
(i) Explain why the copper in the large pile turns black.
..................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................. [2]
(ii) Why must the gas be allowed to cool before its volume is measured?
............................................................................................................................................. [1]
(iii) Explain why the copper in the small pile did not turn black.
............................................................................................................................................. [1]
(iv) What is the approximate volume of the gas left in the apparatus?
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]
2013/s/32 [Total: 12]
