SCH 2102

W1-2-60-1-6
JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY
OF
AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
University Examinations 2016/2017
FIRST YEAR FIRST SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR THE
DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
SCH 2102: PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I
DATE: DECEMBER 2016 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: ANSWER QUESTION ONE AND ANY OTHER TWO
QUESTIONS

Useful Data:

R = 0.082dm3 atm mol-1K-1 or 1.987 cal K-1 mol or 8.314Jmol-K-1

1 atm = 1.01 x 105 Nm-2 or 760mmHg or 760 ton

Question One (30 Marks)

a) Distinguish between molarity and molality. (2 Marks)

b) State four (4) postulates of kinetic molecular theory of gases. (4 Marks)

c) (i) Define the term solubility product of a binary electrolyte. (1 Mark)

(ii) Calculate the solubility product of lead chloride at 25ºC given that its solubility
at this temperature is 4.75g litre-1 (P6 = 207, Cl = 35.5). (4 Marks)

d) Calculate the mass of N2 gas which exerts a pressure of 2.5 x 105 NM2 in a 300cm2
vessel at 20ºC (N = 14) (3 Marks)

e) (i) Define the term pH (1 Mark)

(ii) A sample of freshly prepared juice has a pH of 8.54. Calculate the hydrogen
ion concentration of this juice. (2 Marks)

f) Determine the oxidation number of Chlorine (Cl) in each of the following: (3 Marks)
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(i) HCIO2

(ii) Cl2O3

(iii) KClO4

g) What are the conjugate bases of? (4 Marks)

(i) HS HS-

(ii) H3O+

(iii) [Al(H2O)6]3+

(iv) H2 PO4

h) (i) Define the term equilibrium state (1 Mark)

(ii) State three (3) characteristics of chemical equilibrium (3 Marks)

i) Write the:

(i) Kinetic gas equation (1 Mark)

(ii) Van der Waals equation (1 Mark)

Question Two (20 Marks)

a) Distinguish between electrolytic and electrochemical cell. (2 Marks)

b) In a titration 23.8cm3 of a solution of ethanoic cell and (CH3COOH) were neutralized

by 25.0cm3 of 0.1059m sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. While, in a separate
experiment, the acid solution was found to have a pH of 2.86. Calculate the Ka for
ethanoic acid. (6 Marks)

c) The solubility product of Ag2CO3 at 20ºC = 8 x 10-12 mol3dm-9. What is its solubility at
this temperature? (4 Marks)

d) What is?

(i) Buffer solution (1 Mark)

(ii) An acid – base indicator (1 Mark)

e) Calculate the pH of a buffer solution containing 0.1M of each CH3COOH and

CH3COONa. What will be the pH on adding 0.01m HCl to 1 litre of the solution
[Ka = 1.8 x 10-5] (6 Marks)
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Question Three (20 Marks)

a) (i) State Le Chatelier’s principle. (1 Mark)

(ii) Briefly explain how the following factors affect equilibrium: (6 Marks)

(I) Concentration

(II) Pressure

(III) Inert gas

b) The solubility of CaF2 (molar mass = 78) in water is 1.6 x 10-2 gl-1 at 20ºC. Calculate
the solubility of CaF2. (3 Marks)

c) State two (2) causes of deviation of real gases from ideality. (2 Marks)

d) Given the standard reduction potential below:

EO
CU + 2e ⇆ CU
2+
+ 0.34V
Zn2+ + 2e ⇆ Zn – 0.76V
Fe + e ⇆ Fe
3+ 2+
– 0.44V
Ce4+ + e ⇆ Ce3+ + 1.76V
H+ + e ⇆ H 0.00V

(i) Identify the standard electrode. (1 Mark)

(ii) Identify the strongest oxidizing agent (1 Mark)

(iii) State two (2) uses of electrode potential (2 Marks)

(iv) Predict and determine the cell reaction that gives the highest e.m.f (2 Marks)

e) Explain the observation, ammonium chloride solution turns litmus red. (2 Marks)

Question Four (20 Marks)

a) (i) State two (2) functions of a salt bridge in an electrochemical cell. (2 Marks)

(ii) Name two (2) salts that are used in the salt bridge. (2 Marks)

b) Calculate the volume of m/s of 92.84M NaOH solution required to titrate 25m\s of
2.25M H2SO4 (3 Marks)

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c) 10g of an impure iron salt were dissolved in water and made up to 200cm3 of solution.
20cm3 of this solution, acidified with dilute H2SO4 required 25cm3 of 0.04M KmnO4
solution before a faint colour appeared:

(i) Write a balanced ionic equation for the reaction of acidified manganate
(VII)/permanganate ions with iron (II) ion. (5 Marks)

(ii) How many moles of iron (II) reacts with one mole of Mn O4 ions? (1 Mark)

(iii) How many moles of iron (II) ions react with 25cm3 of 0.04M KMn O4
solution? (2 Marks)

(iv) How many grams of Fe2+ are there in 200cm3 of the original solution (Fe =
56)? (2 Marks)

(v) Calculate the percentage by mass of iron in the impure iron (II) salt.
(1 Mark)

d) State two (2) limitations of solubility product. (2 Marks)