IB Chemistry SL Reactivity 1: What drives chemical reactions? questions

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Question 1

Multiple choiceEasy1 mark

A reaction occurs in a flask immersed in water. The water temperature decreases during the reaction. Which description of the reaction is correct?

Show answer and explanation

Answer: D. The reaction is the system and the water is its surroundings. As the water cools, it loses energy to the reaction system. The reaction is therefore endothermic.

A: Reverses the temperature evidence; energy transferred to the water would warm it. B: Recognizes the endothermic classification but reverses the direction of energy transfer. C: Gives the transfer direction indicated by the cooling water but labels energy absorption by the system as exothermic.

Remember: cooling surroundings transfer energy to the system.

Question 2

Paper 2Medium4 marks

A student burns ethanol, C₂H₅OH, completely in oxygen to heat 200.0 g of water. The mass of ethanol consumed is 0.460 g, and the water temperature rises from 20.00 °C to 23.40 °C. The experiment is carried out at constant pressure.

Refer to the data booklet for the relative atomic masses and the specific heat capacity of water.

(a)

Determine the experimental molar enthalpy change of combustion of ethanol, in kJ mol⁻¹, to three significant figures.

[3]
(b)

Using the sign of your answer to (a), identify whether the reactants or the products are more stable.

[1]

Question 3

Multiple choiceEasy1 mark

An exothermic reaction is carried out with and without a catalyst. The catalyst provides an alternative pathway, while the reactants and products are unchanged. How does ΔH\Delta H compare?

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Answer: B. Enthalpy change depends on the enthalpies of the initial and final states, not on the pathway. Since those states are unchanged, ΔH\Delta H is unchanged.

A: confuses the catalyst’s effect on activation energy with making the reaction enthalpy less negative.
C: assumes the alternative pathway changes the energy released, although the initial and final states are unchanged.
D: treats an alternative pathway as the reverse reaction; reversing a reaction reverses the sign of ΔH\Delta H

Remember: Hess’s law makes ΔH\Delta H pathway-independent.

Question 4

Paper 2Medium6 marks

Carbon monoxide can be formed by the incomplete combustion of graphite and can be oxidized further to carbon dioxide. At 298 K, the standard enthalpy changes for the following reactions are:

C(graphite, s) + O₂(g) → CO₂(g)  ΔH° = −393.5 kJ mol⁻¹

CO(g) + ½O₂(g) → CO₂(g)  ΔH° = −283.0 kJ mol⁻¹

(a)

Write a balanced equation, including state symbols, for the formation of exactly 1 mol of CO(g) from its elements in their standard states.

[1]
(b)

Construct an energy cycle using the information above and your equation in (a), then calculate the standard enthalpy change for the formation of CO(g). Give your answer in kJ mol⁻¹.

[3]
(c)

Using the sign of your answer in (b), explain what it indicates about the direction of energy transfer and the relative enthalpy of the products and reactants.

[2]

Question 5

Paper 2Easy6 marks

An ethanol burner used to heat food burns ethanol in a plentiful supply of oxygen. Figure 1 shows the structural formula of ethanol.

CH3CH2OH
(a)

Use Figure 1 to state the molecular formula of ethanol.

[1]
(b)

Write a balanced equation for the complete combustion of ethanol.

[2]
(c)

A sample of 0.350 mol of ethanol burns completely. Using the equation in (b), calculate each amount in mol to three significant figures.

(i)

Oxygen consumed

[1]
(ii)

Carbon dioxide formed

[1]
(d)

Identify the oxidizing agent in the combustion reaction.

[1]

Question 6

Multiple choiceMedium1 mark

A sensor is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell supplied with hydrogen and oxygen. It ceases operating when its hydrogen supply is exhausted. Which paired description accounts for the energy conversion and distinguishes the cell from a primary cell?

Show answer and explanation

Answer: D. A fuel cell converts chemical energy directly to electrical energy. Its reactants are supplied continuously, whereas the reactants of a primary cell are contained within the cell.

A: incorrectly extends continuous external reactant supply to primary cells. B: inserts heat as an intermediate energy form; the reactant-supply distinction is correct. C: reverses the reactant arrangements of fuel cells and primary cells.

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