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?

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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

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 3

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?

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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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