Week 8 inorganic (40 marks)

1(a). A student investigates the reactions of two weak monobasic acids: 2-hydroxypropanoic acid,
CH3CH(OH)COOH, and butanoic acid, CH3CH2CH2COOH.

The student wants to prepare a standard solution of 2-hydroxypropanoic acid that has a pH of 2.19.

Plan how the student could prepare 250 cm3 of this standard solution from solid 2-hydroxypropanoic acid.

In your answer you should provide detail of the practical procedure that would be carried out, including
appropriate quantities and necessary calculations.

Ka for 2-hydroxypropanoic acid is 1.38 × 10–4 mol dm−3 at 25 °C.

[8]

(b). 2-Hydroxypropanoic acid is a slightly stronger acid than butanoic acid. The two acids are mixed together and
an acid–base equilibrium is set up.

Suggest the equilibrium equation and identify the conjugate acid–base pairs.

CH3CH(OH)COOH + CH3CH2CH2COOH ⇌ ...........................................................

[2]

(c). To prepare a buffer solution, 75.0 cm3 of 0.220 mol dm−3 butanoic acid is reacted with 50.0 cm3 of 0.185 mol
dm−3 sodium hydroxide.

Ka for butanoic acid is 1.5 × 10−5 mol dm−3 at 25 °C.

i. Calculate the pH of 0.185 mol dm−3 sodium hydroxide at 25 °C.

Give your answer to two decimal places.

pH = .......................................... [2]

ii. Calculate the pH of the buffer solution at 25 °C.

Give your answer to two decimal places.

Show all your working.

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 pH = .......................................... [4]

2. Calcium phosphate(V), Ca3(PO4)2, is a salt used in fertilisers.

Calcium phosphate(V) can be prepared by reacting together an acid and a base.

i. Suggest the formula of the acid used to prepare Ca3(PO4)2.

[1]

ii. Name a base which could be used to prepare Ca3(PO4)2.

[1]

3(a). A student was given 200 cm3 of solution X in which sodium hydroxide, NaOH, and sodium
hydrogencarbonate, NaHCO3, had both been dissolved.

The student carried out two different titrations on samples of solution X using 0.100 mol dm–3 sulfuric acid,
H2SO4.

 In the first titration, both NaOH and NaHCO3 were neutralised.

 In the second titration, only NaOH was neutralised.

The student's results for the titrations of 25.0 cm3 samples of solution X are shown.

volume of H2SO4 needed to neutralise both NaOH and NaHCO3 29.50 cm3
volume of H2SO4 needed to neutralise only NaOH 18.00 cm3

2NaOH(aq) + H2SO4(aq) → Na2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l)

2NaHCO3(aq) + H2SO4(aq) → Na2SO4(aq) + 2H2O(l) + 2CO2(g)

i. Calculate the amount, in mol, of H2SO4 used to neutralise only the NaOH in 25.0 cm3 of solution X.

Amount = ........................................................... mol [

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 ii. Calculate the concentration, in mol dm–3, of NaOH in solution X.

Concentration = ........................................................... mol dm–3 [

(b).

i. Calculate the amount, in mol, of NaHCO3 in the 200 cm3 of solution X.

Amount = ........................................................... mol [

ii. Calculate the mass of NaHCO3 in the 200 cm3 of solution X.

Give your answer to three significant figures.

Mass = ........................................................... g [

4. Calcium hydroxide is both a base and an alkali. Refer to any relevant ions in your answer.

Explain what is meant by the terms base and alkali.

Base ..........................................................................................................................................................

Alkali ............................................................................................................................................................
[2]

5(a). This question is about acids and bases.

A buffer solution has a pH of 4.50.

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When a small volume of water is added to this buffer solution, the pH does not change.

Explain why the pH does not change.

[1]

(b). Butanoic acid, CH3CH2CH2COOH, is a weak monobasic acid.

i. Explain what is meant by the term monobasic acid.

[1]

ii. A buffer solution is prepared by dissolving 3.39g of potassium hydroxide in 250 cm3 of 0.376 mol dm–3
butanoic acid.

This buffer solution has a pH of 5.07 at 25 °C.

Calculate the acid dissociation constant, Ka, of butanoic acid at 25°C.

Assume that the volume of the solution remains constant at 250 cm3 when the potassium hydroxide is
dissolved.

Ka = .......................................... mol dm –3 [4]

(c). Table 20.1 shows the ionic product, Kw, of water at 25 °C and 40 °C.

Table 20.1

Temperature / °C Kw / mol2 dm–6

25 1.00 × 10−14

40 2.92 × 10−14

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 i. Calculate the pH of water at 40 °C.

Give your answer to 2 decimal places.

pH = .......................................................... [2]

ii. Table 20.1 shows different Kw values at 25 °C and at 40 °C. A student suggests that water is neutral at
these temperatures.

Explain why this student is correct.

[1]

(d). A student reacts strontium metal with water to make a 250.0 cm3 solution of aqueous strontium hydroxide,
Sr(OH)2. The solution contains 0.145 g of strontium hydroxide.

• Write an equation for the reaction of strontium with water.

Calculate the pH of this 250.0 cm3 solution of strontium hydroxide at 40 °C.
You should refer back to Table 20.1 at the start of (a).
•
Give your answer to 2 decimal places.

Equation

Calculation

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 pH = .......................................................... [5]

6. What is the percentage dissociation of a 0.015 mol dm–3 solution of methanoic acid, HCOOH (K a = 1.60 × 10–4
mol dm–3)?

A 0.016%
B 1.1%
C 1.82%
D 10.3%

Your answer [1]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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Mark scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

[H+] = 10−pH = 10−2.19 = 6.46 × 10−3 (mol
dm−3)

= 0.0302(mol dm−3)

Mass of CH3CH(OH)COOH = 0.0755 ×

90 = 6.80 g

1 a Dissolve 6.80 g of the solid in distilled 8

ALLOW 5 marks for 6.80 g through
water (less than 250 cm3) in a beaker any calculation.

(then) transfer the solution to a 250 cm3 ALLOW ECF for incorrect calculation
volumetric flask AND ensure that all of mass. Mass used must be linked to
solution is washed out of beaker calculation.
(washings transferred to volumetric
flask)

(then) make solution up to 250 cm3 with

distilled water AND ensure thorough
mixing by inverting the flask several
times
CH3CH(OH)COO− +
CH3CH2CH2COOH2+
State symbols NOT required
CH3CH(OH)COOH AND
b 2
CH3CH(OH)COO− ALLOW labels ‘acid 1’, ‘base 1’ etc.
CH3CH2CH2COOH AND ALLOW ECF for second mark
CH3CH2CH2COOH2+
Both pairs identified
ALLOW 5.405405405 × 10–14 and
correct rounding to 5.4 × 10–14

ALLOW alternative approach using

pOH:
c i (Use of Kw) 2
pOH = –log(0.185) = 0.73
pH = 14 – 0.73 = 13.27
pH = −log(5.405 × 10−14) = 13.27 Correct answer scores BOTH marks

ALLOW 13.267
ii n(A−) = 9.25 × 10−3 (mol) 4 ALLOW HA / acid and A−/salt
throughout for butanoate and butanoic

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 n(HA) = 0.0165 − 9.25 × 10−3 = 7.25 ×
10−3 (mol)

acid

ALLOW pKa = −log Ka OR −log 1.5 ×

10−3 OR 4.82

ALLOW ECF from incorrect values of

n(A−) or n(HA)
Final mark also via Henderson-
Hasselbalch equation:

Total 16
ALLOW formula if seen as reactant in
an equation
IGNORE name

Examiner's Comments
2 i H3PO4 ✔ 1
This question was well answered
although it was common to see
incorrect formulae such as HPO4 from
weaker candidates.
IGNORE formulae
IGNORE lime, quicklime and
limestone

Examiner's Comments
Calcium oxide OR calcium hydroxide
ii 1
OR calcium carbonate ✔
Nearly all candidates knew the
answer to this question, but not all
gained the mark here as many gave
the formula of the base rather than its
name, despite the question stressing
the need for the name.

Total 2
3 a i Mol of H2SO4 = 0.100 × 18.00 / 1000 = 1 ALLOW calculator value or rounding
1.80 × 10–3 mol ✔ to 2 significant figures or more but
IGNORE ‘trailing zeroes’ throughout
Q4.
eg 0.200 is allowed as 0.2

Examiner's Comments

This opening part to the calculation

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 was relatively straightforward and
almost all candidates scored this
mark. Even when the mark was not
awarded it was often not because of a
lack of knowledge of the formula but
because the student used the
incorrect volume of 29.50 cm3.
ALLOW ECF for (a)(i) × 2 × 1000 / 25

Examiner's Comments

Candidates who had answered

–3
Mol of NaOH in = 1.80 × 10 × 2 × correctly part (i) were able to give the
ii 1
1000 / 25.0 = 0.144 mol dm–3 ✔ right answer here but some muddled
the stoichiometric ratio. Another
source of error was to use the wrong
volume of NaOH, with some opting to
use 200 cm3 as this was the total
volume of solution X.
b i Check the answer line. 2 If there is an alternative answer,
If answer = 0.0184 mol award 2 check to see if there is any ECF
marks credit possible using working
below.

Mol of NaHCO3 in 25.0 cm3 = [0.100 × ALLOW for an alternative method for
11.50 / 1000] × 2 = 0.00230 mol ✔ M1
Total mol of H2SO4 used = [0.100 ×
29.50 / 1000] = 0.00295 mol

Mol of H2SO4 reacting with NaHCO3 =

Mol of NaHCO3 in 200 cm3 = 0.00230 × 0.00295 – answer to (a)(i)
200 / 25.0 = 0.0184 mol ✔ Expected answer = .00295 – 0.00180
= 0.00115 mol

Mol of NaHCO3 in 25.0 cm3 = 0.00115

× 2 = 0.00230 mol

ALLOW ECF for mol of NaHCO3 ×

200 / 25.0

For ECF in M2 titration values of

11.50 or 29.50 must have been used
in M1

Second marking point is for scaling up

number of mol of NaHCO3 by 200 /
25.0 (Usually seen as ‘8’)

Examiner's Comments

This was probably the most

challenging question on the paper and
many candidates could not see the
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 route to the answer. Encouragingly
many did see the need to find the
difference in the two titres and so their
calculations did involve 11.50 cm3.
The second mark for scaling up the
amount was not often awarded.
ALLOW ECF for (b)(i) × 84.0 correctly
calculated and rounded to three
significant figures.

Mass of NaHCO3 = 0.0184 × 84.0 = Examiner's Comments

ii 1.55 g ✔ 1
(must be three significant figures) In essence this was a very easy
question that simply required
candidates to multiply their answer to
(i) by 84.0 and give the answer to 3
significant figures.

Total 5
ALLOW proton acceptor

ALLOW Is soluble and releases OH−

ions (into aqueous solution)

Examiner's Comments
Base: A substance which readily
Of the two parts, the definition of base
accepts H+ ions (from an acid) ✔
4 2 was more often given correctly. A few
Alkali: releases OH– ions into (aqueous)
weaker candidates described a base
solution ✔
in terms of the reaction with acids to
give salts but most gave the correct
answer. The description of an alkali
was less well answered with some
commenting on the presence of OH−
ions and others on the solubility but
few doing both.

Total 2
5 a ratio/proportion [HA]/[A-] is the same 1 ALLOW Change in [HA] and [A-] is
(AO 3.1) proportional

ALLOW the concentrations of the

weak acid and conjugate base change
by same amount

Examiner’s Comments

Misconception

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 Only the most successful candidates
linked the pH not changing to the ratio
of [HA] and [A-] not changing on
addition of water. The majority of
candidates described the buffer being
able to minimise pH change on
addition of small amounts of acid or
base or that water being neutral would
not affect the pH.
ALLOW One molecule of (butanoic)
acid donates/dissociates to form one
proton/H+

ALLOW only one hydrogen ion in the

acid can be replaced per molecule (in
an acid-base reaction)
One mole of (butanoic) acid
1
b i donates/dissociates to form one mole
(AO 1.1) Examiner’s Comments
of protons/H+ ✓
Very few candidates wrote the
complete definition of a monobasic
acid. Most wrote “donates one proton”
only, omitting mole or molecule. Some
candidates described donating
electrons or OH-.
ii FIRST CHECK THE ANSWER ON 4 FULL ANNOTATIONS MUST BE
ANSWER LINE (AO 1.2 USED
IF ANSWER = 1.5(3) x 10–5 award 4 × 1) ---------------------------------------------------
marks (AO 2.6 ----
-------------------------------------------------- × 3)
ALLOW ECF throughout
+ –pH –5.07
 [H ] = 10 OR 10
OR 8.51 × 10–6 ✓

ALLOW 2 SF for [H+] (use of pH)

 OR 0.0604
(0.06042781)
ALLOW 3 SF up to the calculated
(nA– in buffer) =
value.
(n(KOH))
Ignore RE after 3SF for moles and
concentration values
OR
0.0604 x 4 OR 0.242 ✓
Mark use of 2SF in working as
([A–] in buffer)
incorrect once and then allow ECF
 nHA in buffer = (0.376 x
0.25) – 0.0604
= (0.094) –
0.0604
OR 0.0336
(0.03357219...)
OR
[HA] in buffer = (0.376 –

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 0.242) OR 0.0336 x 4 ALLOW full marks for use of moles
OR 0.134 (volumes cancel)
(0.13428877) ✓

 Ka = [H+][A–] ÷ [HA]

=1.53 x 10–5
–5 –
= 1.5..... × 10 (1.5319942 × 10 ALLOW final answer to 2SF
5
)✓
Common errors for 3 marks
5.47(1731026) x 10-6
(not subtracting moles of KOH from
HA)

Examiner’s Comments

This calculation proved difficult with

many figures and sums appearing
with little indication as to their
relevance. Candidates should
remember to provide written
indications of what it is they’re working
out – presenting the calculations
without any annotations can make it
harder for error carried forward marks
to be given if there is an error in their
calculation. Few candidates scored all
4 marks.

Most found the concentration of H+

from the pH and the moles of KOH
correctly but did not recognise they
had to take away the moles of KOH
from those of HA to find the remaining
concentration of HA. Some
candidates then used the [H+] as the
[HA]. A few candidates tried a [H+]
squared expression of a weak acid.

Exemplar 2

The candidate has clearly set out the

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 calculation so each numerical value
can be linked and the steps
understood. The only error is not
calculating the excess acid (i.e. not
subtracting moles OH- from initial
moles acid) so 3 marks were given.
DO NOT ALLOW use of A– or X–
FIRST CHECK THE ANSWER ON
ANSWER LINE Examiner’s Comments
if answer = 6.77 award 2 marks
2
-------------------------------------------------- Most candidates were given the first
(AO 1.1
Kw = [H+][OH–] OR Kw = [H+]2 OR [H+] = mark from a correct or rearranged
c i × 1)
√Kw ✓ equation. Many candidates then
(AO 2.2
answered this question correctly and
× 1)
were given both marks. Those who
([H+] = √(2.92 x 10–14)) didn’t, either used 1.00x10-7 as [OH-]
pH = –log(1.71 x 10-7) = 6.77 ✓ when calculating [H+]=Kw/[OH-] or
calculated pH as -log(2.92x10-14).
ALLOW moles/number of H+ is
(always) equal to moles/number of
OH–.
DO NOT ALLOW ratio [H+] : [OH–]
doesn’t change
1
(In pure water), [H+] (always) equals
ii (AO 3.2 Examiner’s Comments
[OH–]
× 1)
This question proved difficult with only
a few candidates able to state that in
neutral water, [H+] = [OH-]. Many
candidates said that as the pH is
close to 7, water is therefore neutral.
d  Equation 5 IGNORE state symbols (even if
Sr + 2H2O → Sr(OH)2 + H2 ✓ (AO 2.6) wrong)
(AO 2.4 ALLOW multiples
× 3)
(AO 1.2 ALLOW Sr2+ + 2OH – for Sr(OH)2
× 1)
ALLOW 3 SF up to the calculated
CHECK THE ANSWER ON ANSWER value.
LINE Ignore RE after 3SF.
if answer = 11.51 award 4 calculation
marks ALLOW ECF throughout but final
-------------------------------------------------- answer must be pH>7

 n(Sr(OH)2)

= = 1.1924… x 10–3
✓
Final answer must be from
 [OH–]
calculated values.
= 2 x (1.1924 x 10–3 ÷
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 0.25) = 9.539… x 10–3 ✓

 [H+] = Kw ÷ [OH–] Common errors for 3 calculation

marks
= = 3.061… x
11.98 (Use of Kw = 1 × 10−14)
10 –12
✓
11.21 (no × 2)
 pH = –log(3.061… x 10–12) = 10.91 (÷ by 2)
11.51 ✓
Common error for 2 calculation
2 DP required marks

pH = 11.67 (no × 2 and wrong Kw)

--------------------------------------------------

Alternative method for:-

pH = pKw – pOH

o n(Sr(OH)2)

= = 1.1924… x
10–3

o [OH–]

= 2 x (1.1924 x 10–3 ÷
0.25) = 9.539… x 10–3

o pH = pKw - pOH

= (-log 2.92 x 10-14) - (-

log 9.539..x 10-3)

 pH = 13.53(46) - 2.02(05)
= 11.51

Examiner’s Comments

Most candidates wrote the correct

equation. Common errors were using
Sr2+ as reactant, not balancing the
H2O and not having the H2 as second
product.

Most candidates calculated the moles

of Sr(OH)2 correctly but fewer
recognised that [OH-] = twice the

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 [Sr(OH)2]. As a result, most
candidates scored 3 calculation
marks. A few candidates chose the
incorrect Kw value.

Total 14
Examiner’s Comments
1
6 D The most successful candidates
(AO 2.6)
showed their workings for the correct
answer of D.

Total 1

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