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NJC H2 Chemistry Prelim Paper 1 Suggested Answers

1 C 6 B 11 B 16 C 21 D 26 D
2 D 7 D 12 D 17 B 22 B 27 B
3 A 8 D 13 A 18 A 23 D 28 A
4 C 9 C 14 C 19 D 24 C 29 C
5 C 10 A 15 C 20 B 25 C 30 C

1 Ans: C

SO2 reacts with acidified KMnO4

Total vol of SO2 = 10 cm3

Left over CO2 reacts with NaOH(aq)

Vol of CO2 = 2 cm3

Vol of SO2 produced from CS2 = 4 cm3

Vol of SO2 produced from H2S = 10  4 = 6 cm3
Vol of CS2 : Vol of H2S = 2 : 6
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mole fraction of H2S in the mixture = = 0.750
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2 Ans: D

Step I: Oxidation state of Cr increases from +3 in Cr2O42− to +6 in CrO42−.

Step II: Oxidation state of Cr remains as +6 in both CrO42− and Cr2O72−.
2CrO42− + 2H+  Cr2O72− + H2O

Step III: Oxidation state of Cr decreases from +6 in Cr2O72− to +3 in Cr2O3.

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3 Ans: A

5Fe2+ + MnO4− + 8H+  5Fe3+ + Mn2+ + 4H2O

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Amount of MnO4− required = 1000 × 0.40 = 0.008 mol
Amount of Fe2+ = 5 × 0.008 = 0.040 mol

At point X, the reaction is only half completed, [Fe2+] = [Fe3+].

Ecell when connected to standard hydrogen electrode = +0.77 V

The colour change at end point is from yellow to first permanent pink.

Vol KMnO4 added Species present in conical flask Colour of solution

0 Fe2+(aq) Pale green

Before eqv pt Fe2+(aq), Fe3+(aq), Mn2+(aq) Yellow-green

At eqv pt Fe3+(aq), Mn2+(aq) Yellow

3+ 2+
Fe (aq), Mn (aq),
Just after eqv pt Pink
small amt of MnO4−(aq)
Fe3+(aq), Mn2+(aq),
In excess Purple
large amt of MnO4−(aq)

4 Ans: C

Making reference to the I.E. values from Data Booklet, we can conclude that I is
potassium.

Element C is Al, it is in Group 13.

Element F is S and it exists as S8 molecules. The lowest boiling point is Ar gas (element
H).

Ion of E (P3−, 0.212 nm) is larger than that of J (Ca2+, 0.099nm)

Element D and G are Si and Cl respectively. The compound formed is SiCl4.

5 Ans: C

The ionic compound can form strong ion-dipole interaction with polar solvent, making it
soluble in polar solvents. The long chain hydrocarbon can also form strong temporary
dipole-induced dipole interaction with non-polar organic solvents, making it soluble in
organic solvents.

Around S atom, there are 4 bond pair regions and 0 lone pair, the shape is tetrahedral.

All the C atoms are sp3 hybridised with tetrahedral shape and bond angle of 109.5°
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6 Ans: B

pV = nRT, with n and p kept constant.

As T increases,
nR
Option A: V increases. [ V = ×T]
p
pV pV
Option B: remains constant. [ = nR]
T T
m pMr
Option C: Density of the gas deceases [ = ]
V RT
Option D: pV increases. [pV = nRT]

7 Ans: D

Hrxn =  Hfo (products)   Hfo (reactants)

−27 = 3×(−394) − [Hfo Fe2O3 + 3×(−110)]
Hfo Fe2O3 = −825 kJ mol−1

8 Ans: D

The following processes are involved in the Born-Haber cycle for ionic compounds:
1) Enthalpy change of formation of BaF3(s)
2) Enthalpy change of atomisation of Ba(s)
3) Bond energy of F−F
4) 1st + 2nd + 3rd ionisation energies of Ba(g)
5) First electron affinity of F(g)

Ba3+ and F− forms ionic compounds and would not have Ba−F bond energy.

9 Ans: C

Note since pressure is kept constant, ICE table should NOT be about change in
pressure.
X(g) Y(g) + 2Z(g)

Initial / mol x 0 0

Change / mol y +y +2y

Eqm / mol xy y 2y

PY + PZ = p  0.25p = 0.75p
Since Y and Z are in a mol ratio of 1:2, PY = 0.25p, PZ = 0.5p

(0.25p)(0.5p)2
Kp = = 0.25p2
0.25p
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10 Ans: A

Titration of a strong acid (H2SO4) with a weak base (NH3). Equivalent point pH is less
than 7 as NH4+ is a weakly acidic cation.

Methyl orange will be a suitable indicator as the working pH range of methyl orange
coincides with the region of sharp pH change at equivalent point of this titration.

11 Ans: B

Since Ca(OH)2 exist as aq and Mg(OH)2 exist as a solid, Ksp of Mg(OH)2 must be lower
than Ca(OH)2.
|ΔHhyd|  charge density of ion, Mg2+ has a more exothermic ΔHhyd.
q  q
|L.E.|  , magnitude of L.E. for Mg(OH)2 is greater.
r  r

12 Ans: D

Since Vtotal is kept constant, volume of reactant used is proportional to its

concentration in the final reaction mixture.
Comparing expt 3 and 4, when [P] × 2, initial rate also × 2. It is first order w.r.t P.
Comparing expt 4 and 2, when [R] × 2, initial rate × 4. It is second order w.r.t R.
Comparing expt 1 and 3, let rate = k[P][Q]y[R]2
rate 1 k(10)(10)y (10)2
=
rate 3 k(5)(5)y (10)2
4 = (2)(2)y
(2)y =2
It is first order w.r.t Q

13 Ans: A

Since Eo(MnO4,H+/Mn2+) = + 1.52 V is greater than Eo(Cu2+/Cu) = + 0.34 V, the

reduction half-cell is MnO4,H+/Mn2+ and oxidation half-cell is Cu2+/Cu.
Eocell = Eo(MnO4,H+/Mn2+)  Eo(Cu2+/Cu)

A When excess NH3 is added to Cu2+/Cu half-cell, the half-cell become

[Cu(NH3)4]2+/Cu, Eo = 0.05 V and Eocell increases.

B When additional H+ is added into MnO4,H+/Mn2+ half-cell, the position of

equilibrium for MnO4 + 8H+ + 5e Mn2+ + 4H2O shifts to the right,
o  + 2+ o
E (MnO4 ,H /Mn ) increases and E cell increases.

C Size of electrode does not affect Eo(Cu2+/Cu) as solids does not affect position of
equilibrium.

D When alloy of copper and zinc is present, Zn reacts with Cu2+ to give Zn2+ and
Cu(s). The concentration of Cu2+ decreases and position of equilibrium for
Cu2+ + 2e Cu shifts to the left, Eo(Cu2+/Cu) decreases and Eocell increases.
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14 Ans: C

15 Ans: C

This is the simplified electrolytic cell.

e e
< <

Species present: Na+ (aq), NO3 (aq), H2O, Zn cathode, Cu anode

At cathode: 2H2O + 2e  H2 + 2OH
At anode: Cu  Cu2+ + 2e
The filter paper will turn blue due to the formation of Cu2+(aq)
Note: this is not a litmus paper.

16 Ans: C

A Melting point: SiO2 > Na2O> P4O10

SiO2 (covalent lattice with strong covalent bond)
Na2O (ionic lattice with strong ionic bond)
P4O10 (simple molecular with weak IMF)

B Covalent character: P4O10 = SiO2 > Na2O

C pH when mixed with water: Na2O (pH = 14) > SiO2 (pH = 7) > P4O10 (pH = 3)

D Na2O is soluble in aq alkali due to reaction of Na2O with H2O to give NaOH.
SiO2 is insoluble in aq alkali due to strong covalent bond in the covalent lattice.
P4O10 is soluble in aq alkali due to reaction of P4O10 with NaOH to give Na3PO4.
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17 Ans: B

M(NO3)2(s)  MO(s) + 2NO2(g) + ½ O2(g) (option 2 is correct)

Ionic radius of Mg2+ is smaller than Ba2+. Mg2+ has a higher charge density and stronger
polarising power. Mg2+ is able to distort electron cloud of NO3 to a larger extent and
NO covalent bond in Mg(NO3)2 is weakened significantly. Hence Mg(NO3)2 decompose
at a lower temperature. (option 1 is correct).

q  q
|L.E.|  , magnitude of L.E. for Mg(NO3)2 is greater. However, NO covalent
r  r
bond is broken during thermal decomposition and hence we should not even be
comparing the lattice energy.

18 Ans: A

Before heating, YCln reacts with AgNO3 to produce 8.368 × 103 mol of AgCl.
After heating, the product reacts with AgNO3 to produce 5.021 × 103 mol of AgCl.

This shows that Y can form two chlorides with different oxidation state.
Y must be from Group 15 (e.g. PCl5 and PCl3)

1 mol of YCl5 gives 5 mol of Cl

Amount of YCl5 = (8.368 × 103)  5 = 1.674 × 103 mol
Mr of YCl5 = 0.50  1.674 × 103 = 298.8
Ar of Y = 298.8  5×35.5 = 121.3
Y is Sb

19 Ans: D

Down Group 17,

- Thermal stability of HX decreases due to weaker bond energy
- Enthalpy change of formation becomes less exothermic (calculate using BE
values)
- The ease of oxidation increases as Eo(X2/X) decreases down the group.
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20 Ans: B

A The tartrate ion acts as a Bronsted acid, it donates 2 H+ to react with 2 OH and
form the new ligand.

B There are 2 chiral carbons for tartrate ion with 4 possible stereoisomers. However
due to internal line of symmetry, 2 of the isomers are identical (they are known
as the meso compound). Hence there are only 3 stereoisomers.

H H
C C OH
HO 
COO COO

H H H H

C C C C
COO 
OOC OH
COO
HO
COO OH OH

C The coordination number of the complex ion is 4. (4 dative bonds)

D The oxidation number of Cu in the complex ion is +2. The ligands each have a
charge of 3 after losing a H+ from the tartrate ion.

21 Ans: D

There are a total of 6 central atoms with tetrahedral electron geometry. Hence, these 6
atoms are sp3 hybridised. Take note that for the case of O and N in the molecule, the
lone pair sits in the sp3 orbital.
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22 Ans: B

OH
H C CH2CH3
H is the minor product from the addition reaction due to the lower
stability of the carbocation intermediate.

23 Ans: D

4 moles of CO2 can be obtained from the reaction of compound A with hot excess
acidified KMnO4.

Since 1 mole of CaCO3 can be obtained from every mole of CO2 produced,
Mass of CaCO3 = 4 x 100.1 = 400.4 g

24 Ans: C

The molecular formula is C8H9NO5. (option 1 is wrong)

There are 2 chiral carbons with 1 C=C bond capable of cis-trans isomerism. Hence
total number of stereoisomer = 23 (option 2 is correct)

HBr(g) reacts with alkene and alcohol groups, 2 Br atoms are found in the product.
(option 3 is correct)

LiAlH4 reduces carboxylic acid and amide but not alkene. Only 4 H atoms are found in
the product. (option 4 is wrong)
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25 Ans: C

The energy profile diagram suggests the substitution proceeds in 2 steps, meaning it is
an SN1 reaction. This would mean that the rate = k [(CH3)3CCl]. Overall order of reaction
would be 1 (option 2 is correct). [OH–] would not affect the rate of reaction (option 4
is wrong).Intermediate Z is the carbocation (option 1 is wrong).

Rate of reaction is also not based on products. There is also no equilibrium established
in this question. Le Chatelier’s Principle does not apply in this question. Removal of
product does not cause any increase in the yield (Option 3 is correct).

26 Ans: D

NaBH4 only reacts with carbonyl groups. H2(g), Ni(s) can react with alkene, carbonyl
and nitrile group.

27 Ans: B

Acyl chloride reacts readily with water to give Cl.

Alkyl halide reacts with hot OH(aq) to give Cl.
CCl bond in chlorobenzene and Cl bonded directly to C=C has a partial double bond
character due to delocalisation of lone pair electron of Cl into the neighbouring  electron
cloud. These CCl bond will not break upon heating with OH(aq)

28 Ans: A

OH in phenol is 2, 4 directing w.r.t the OH group, dilute HNO3 will only lead to mono
nitration.

29 Ans: C

The cyanohydrin product from propanone does not contain a chiral centre, only one
product CH3C(OH)(CN)CH3 is formed. Hence it cannot be considered as racemic
mixture

+ C atom in propanal experiences less steric hindrance and is able to react with the
nucleophile CN at a faster rate. Furthermore, there are 2 electron donating alkyl groups
bonded directly to the + C atom in propanone, decreasing the magnitude of + on the
C atom. Hence propanone reacts with the nucleophile CN at a slower rate.

The cyanohydrin product CH3C(OH)(CN)CH3 reacts with hot NaOH(aq) to give pungent
NH3 gas which turns moist red litmus paper blue.
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30 Ans: C

D2O
A CH 3CH2CN CH 3CH2COOD + NH4+
DCl, heat

I2, NaOD
B CH 3COCHI2 CH 3COO + CDI3
D2O, warm

D2O 
C COCl COO  + KCl
KOD

D
LiAlD4
CH 3CH2CONHCH3 CH 3CH2CD2NHCH3 + D2O