Topic 2.3.

Structure and Properties of Material 5054 Chemistry Topical Paper 2

1 The structures of diamond and silicon dioxide are shown. 5070/22/O/N/15/Q7

silicon atom
oxygen atom

diamond silicon dioxide

(a) An isotope of silicon is represented by the symbol 14 Si.

29

Deduce the number of protons and neutrons in this isotope.

number of protons .....................................................................................................................

number of neutrons ...............................................................................................................

[1]

(b) Silicon has a relative atomic mass of 28.

Define the term relative atomic mass.

..............................................................................................................................
.....................

..............................................................................................................................
.................[1]

NIAZ AHMED AWAN (niaz.awan564@gmail.com)

Topic 2.3. Structure and Properties of Material 5054 Chemistry Topical Paper 2

2 The structures of diamond, graphite and silicon carbide are shown below. 5070/02/M/J/06/Q5

= carbon atom

= silicon atom

diamond graphite

silicon carbide
(a) Suggest the formula for silicon carbide.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) Explain why graphite conducts electricity but silicon carbide does not.

..........................................................................................................................................

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

(c) Silicon carbide has a very high melting point.

(i) Explain why silicon carbide has a very high melting point.

...................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(ii) Suggest why the melting point of diamond is higher than that of silicon carbide.

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

NIAZ AHMED AWAN (niaz.awan564@gmail.com)

© UCLES 2006
Topic 2.3. Structure and Properties of Material 5054 Chemistry Topical Paper 2
5070/02/O/N/06/Q1
3 The diagram shows the structures of various compounds.

Na+ Br– Na+ Br–

S
O C O Br– Na+ Br– Na+
O O
Na+ Br– Na+ Br–

A B C

O2– O2– O2–

Zn2+ Zn2+ H
Zn2+ Zn2+ Br H
O O2– O2– O2– O2– C
H H Zn2+ Zn2+ Zn2+ Zn2+
C
O2– O2– O2– O2– O2–
H Br
Zn2+ Zn2+ Zn2+ Zn2+ H

D E F

Use the letters A to F to answer the following.

Each compound may be used once, more than once or not at all.
Which two of these compounds have giant structures?

…………………………………. and ……………………………………. [1]

5070/02/M/J/07/Q9/d
4 This question is about the chemistry of the elements in Period 3 of the Periodic Table.
Pure sand is silicon(IV) oxide. It has a giant molecular structure similar to that of diamond.
Suggest two physical properties of silicon(IV) oxide.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

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

NIAZ AHMED AWAN (niaz.awan564@gmail.com)

Topic 2.3. Structure and Properties of Material 5054 Chemistry Topical Paper 2
5070/02/O/N/07/Q4
5 In recent years scientists have made tube-shaped structures of carbon called nanotubes.

carbon atom

(a) State two differences between the structure of a carbon nanotube and the str ucture of
diamond.
..........................................................................................................................................

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

(b) Carbon nanotubes are fifty times stronger than steel.

Use ideas about structure and bonding to suggest why these nanotubes are so strong.

......................................................................................................................................[1]

(c) Carbon nanotubes are good electrical conductors.

(i) State the name of another form of carbon which can conduct electricity.

..............................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) Carbon nanotubes conduct electricity nearly as well as copper.

Explain why copper is a good conductor of electricity.

..............................................................................................................................[1]

(d) Another form of carbon is buckminsterfullerene.

carbon atom
Argon can be trapped inside the cage-like structure of buckminsterfullerene.
(i) Explain why argon is unreactive.

..............................................................................................................................[1]
NIAZ AHMED AWAN (niaz.awan564@gmail.com)
Topic 2.3. Structure and Properties of Material 5054 Chemistry Topical Paper 2

38
(ii) One isotope of argon is 18 Ar.
Calculate the number of neutrons in this isotope of argon.

..............................................................................................................................[1]

5070/02/O/N/07/Q10
6 Soda-lime glass is made by heating a mixture of calcium carbonate , sodium carbonate and sand
in a furnace to a high temperature.
Other glasses contain compounds called silicates. The simplified structures of a silicate and soda-
lime glass are shown.

O O

Si Si Si O Si O–
O O O O O
O–
Si Si Si O Si O 2+
Ca
Si
Na+ O O
O O O O–
– Si
O Si Si
Si Si Si O
Si
O O O O O O– O O –
+
Si O– Na
Si Si O Na+
O– Si
O O
O O Si
O
O Si
Si Si Na+
O– Si
O O O O O O
–
Si Si Si Ca 2+ O O– O
Si Na+ Si
O O O Si O –
O–
Si Si Si
O O O O O
Si Si

silicate soda-lime glass

(a) Describe two differences between the silicate and the soda-lime glass.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

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

(b) When soda-lime glass is melted, it conducts electricity.

Use the information in the diagram to explain this fact.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................[1]

NIAZ AHMED AWAN (niaz.awan564@gmail.com)

Topic 2.3. Structure and Properties of Material 5054 Chemistry Topical Paper 2

7 Carbon and graphite are two forms of carbon. 5070/22/O/N/10/Q5

diamond graphite

(a) (i) Describe two differences in the structure of diamond and graphite.

..................................................................................................................................

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

(ii) Explain, in terms of their structure, why graphite is soft but diamond is hard.

..................................................................................................................................

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

(b) Carbon monoxide can be f ormed by the reduction of carbon dio xide with red-hot
carbon.

(i) Write an equation for this reaction.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................[1]

(ii) Carbon monoxide has a triple covalent bond.

Draw the electronic structure of carbon monoxide. Show only the outer electrons.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

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

NIAZ AHMED AWAN (niaz.awan564@gmail.com)

Topic 2.3. Structure and Properties of Material 5054 Chemistry Topical Paper 2

(iii) Carbon monoxide reacts with chromium to form chromium carbonyl.

The structure of chromium carbonyl is shown below.
O

O C O
C C
Cr
C C
O C O

Write the empirical formula for chromium carbonyl.

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

5070/02/M/J/09/Q2
8 Boron nitride, BN, e xists in tw o physical forms. The structures of these f orms are sho wn
below.

structure A structure B

These two forms of boron nitride resemble two allotropes of carbon.

(a) Suggest why boron nitride with structure A can be used as a lubricant.

..........................................................................................................................................

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

(b) Suggest why boron nitride with structure B does not conduct electricity.

...................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) Suggest why boron nitride with structure B can be used in cutting tools and drill bits.

..........................................................................................................................................

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

NIAZ AHMED AWAN (niaz.awan564@gmail.com)

Topic 2.3. Structure and Properties of Material 5054 Chemistry Topical Paper 2

5070/22/M/J/11/Q5
9 Blue diamonds are an impure f orm of carbon. Part of the str ucture of a b lue diamond is
shown below.

= carbon atom
= boron atom

blue diamond
Blue diamonds have a high melting point and can conduct electricity.

(a) Explain, in terms of structure and bonding, why blue diamonds have a high melting
point.
...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

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

(b) Normal diamonds are a pure form of carbon. They do not conduct electricity.
(i) Explain, in terms of structure and bonding, why normal diamonds do not conduct
electricity.
...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................[1]
(ii) Suggest why blue diamonds can conduct electricity.

...................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) Graphite is another pure f orm of carbon. Suggest two reasons why graphite is often
used as an electrode in electrolysis.

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................

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

NIAZ AHMED AWAN (niaz.awan564@gmail.com)

Topic 2.3. Structure and Properties of Material 5054 Chemistry Topical Paper 2

10 Define the term compound. 5070/22/O/N/12/Q1/a

...................................................................................................................................... [1]

5070/22/O/N/12/Q7
11 Glass contains silicon(IV) oxide and a number of metal oxides.
(a) The structure of silicon(IV) oxide is shown below.

Key:
silicon atom

oxygen atom

(i) Describe two similarities in the structure of silicon(IV) oxide and diamond.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

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

(ii) Explain why silicon(IV) oxide has a high melting point.

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

(iii) Explain why silicon(IV) oxide does not conduct electricity.

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

12 Choose from the following elements to answer the questions below. 5070/22/M/J/13/Q1/d

barium calcium carbon copper helium hydrogen

iron lead lithium sulfur zinc

Each element can be used once, more than once or not at all.
Name an element which
has two giant molecular structures,

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

NIAZ AHMED AWAN (niaz.awan564@gmail.com)

Topic 2.3. Structure and Properties of Material 5054 Chemistry Topical Paper 2

5070/22/O/N/13/Q3/e
13 Silicon is an element in Group IV of the Periodic Table.
Silicon(IV) chloride reacts with water to form silicon(IV) oxide.
Part of the structure of silicon(IV) oxide is shown below.

Key
silicon atom
oxygen atom

Explain, in terms of structure and bonding, why silicon(IV) oxide has a very high melting
point.

..........................................................................................................................................

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

14 The structures of diamond and silicon dioxide are shown. 5070/22/O/N/15/Q7

silicon atom
oxygen atom

diamond silicon dioxide

(a) Describe one similarity in the structures of diamond and silicon dioxide.

...............................................................................................................................................[1]

(b) Explain why silicon dioxide has a high melting point.

...................................................................................................................................................

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

NIAZ AHMED AWAN (niaz.awan564@gmail.com)

Topic 2.3. Structure and Properties of Material 5054 Chemistry Topical Paper 2

,
(c) Silicon dioxide reacts with hot concentrated sodium hydroxide to form sodium silicate
Na2SiO3.
Deduce the formula of the silicate ion.

...............................................................................................................................................[1]

(d) Explain why diamond does not conduct electricity.

...............................................................................................................................................[1]

(e) Graphite is a form of carbon which conducts electricity.

Graphite is used as electrodes in electrolysis.
What is the meaning of the term electrolysis?

...............................................................................................................................................[1]

15 Choose from the following substances to answer the questions below. 5070/02/M/J/05/Q1
aluminium oxide
ammonia
barium sulphate
calcium carbonate
carbon monoxide
lead(II) iodide
nitrogen dioxide
silicon dioxide

Each substance can be used once, more than once or not at all.

Name a substance which

(a) has a giant molecular structure,

......................................................................................................................................[1]

NIAZ AHMED AWAN (niaz.awan564@gmail.com)

 Topic 2.3. Structure and Properties of Material 5054 Chemistry Topical Paper 2

MARK SCHEME

1 (a) protons 14 and neutrons 15 (1) [1]

(b) (weighted) mass of atom on scale where carbon-12 atom weighs 12 units / idea of [1]
mass of an atom comparison with C-12 atom (1)

2 (a) formula is SiC [1]

(b) graphite has free / delocalised / mobile electrons (1)
SiC does not (1) [2]

(c) (i) SiC has many strong /covalent bonds (1)

(ii) diamond has stronger bonds (1) [2]
3 C and E/sodium bromide and zinc oxide (both required) [1]
4 Anytwo from:
© UCLES 2006
high melting point or high boiling point
insoluble in water
does not conduct electricity/poor electrical conductor/electrical insulator
does not conduct heat/poor conductor of heat
ALLOW: solid or hard [2]
5 (a) any 2 of the following: [2]
• nanotubes have hexagons (of C atoms) & diamond has tetrahedrally arranged atoms
• nanotubes – each carbon bonded to 3 other carbons & diamond – each carbon bonded to 4
others;
• nanotubes have definite size to molecules OR are tubular & diamond has no fixed size/no
tubular structure
• nanotubes have delocalised electrons & diamond has no delocalised electrons
(b) Have strong bonds/have 3-dimensional structure of covalent bonds
throughout the structure/giant covalent lattice/giant covalent structure [1]
ALLOW: strong forces between atoms
NOT: ‘have covalent bonds’ without further clarification
(c) (i) graphite [1]
(ii) electrons can move/are mobile/are delocalised [1]
NOT: has free moving charges
(d) (i) full outer shell (of electrons)/can’t gain or lose electrons (easily)/outer shell has 8
electrons/has outer octet of electrons [1]
(ii) 20 [1]

6 (a) any 2 of:

• silicate has regular arrangement of atoms and soda-lime glass has irregular arrangement;
ALLOW: e.g. soda lime glass has a less regular arrangement of atoms ORA
• silicate has no ions/named ion(s)/all atoms (covalently) bonded and soda lime glass has
calcium/sodium ions; [ALLOW: has oxygen ions]
• all the oxygen atoms are (covalently) bonded to two silicon atoms in silicate but in soda lime
some are only bonded by one (covalent) bond;
• silicate has larger spaces/an open structure and soda-lime glass has a more compact
structure/collapsed structure [2]
5070/02/M/J/06
(b) Ca /Na ions can move
2+ +
[1]
ALLOW: ions can move/ions are free to move
NOT: ions are delocalised/ions are free

NIAZ AHMED AWAN (niaz.awan564@gmail.com)

Topic 2.3. Structure and Properties of Material 5054 Chemistry Topical Paper 2

MARK SCHEME

7 (a) (i) 1 mark for each pair of matching descriptions up to max of 2 marks [2]
• diamond: atoms closely packed
graphite: layers / atoms less closely packed /
• diamond: each atom joined to 4 other atoms
graphite: each atom joined to 3 others
ALLOW: (atoms in) diamond form more bonds than graphite
• diamond: atoms arranged tetrahedrally / in a pyramid / in bent hexagons /
ALLOW: in triangles
graphite: atoms arranged in hexagons / rings / layers
• diamond: all atoms connected (by covalent bonds)/
graphite: some atoms (i.e. those between layers) not connected (by covalent
bonds)
• graphite: had intermolecular forces / van der Waal’s forces
diamond doesn’t / has strong forces or bonds throughout
• diamond has no free moving electrons / no delocalised electrons / all electrons
involved in bonding
graphite has (some) delocalised / mobile electrons

(ii) in graphite the layers can slide / weak forces between the layers / intermolecular
forces between the layers
; [1]
in diamond there is continuous 3 dimensional structure of (covalent) bonds /
covalent bonds are linked in all directions / (strong) bonding in all directions / all
atoms in fixed positions [1]
ALLOW: all the atoms are bonded together
REJECT: ionic structure

(b) (i) CO2 + C → 2CO [1]

IGNORE: state symbols
(ii) 6 electrons shared between C and O; (1)
2 non bonding electrons on outer shell of oxygen and 2 non bonding electrons on
outer shell of carbon (1) [2]
REJECT: 0 non bonding electrons on outer shell of oxygen and 4 non bonding
electrons on outer shell of carbon
IGNORE: dots / crosses
IGNORE: inner shell electrons
NOTE: mark these points independently
(iii) CrC6O6 [1]
ALLOW: Cr(CO)6

8 (a) weak forces between layers / van der Waals forces between layers ; [1]
ALLOW: weak bonds between layers
NOT: the forces are weak / has weak forces between atoms
NOT: no forces / bonds between layers
NOT: has layers and weak forces
NOT: weak forces between molecules
NOT: weak electrostatic forces between layers
layers can slide / slip ; [1]
NOT: atoms slide over each other

NIAZ AHMED AWAN (niaz.awan564@gmail.com)

Topic 2.3. Structure and Properties of Material 5054 Chemistry Topical Paper 2

MARK SCHEME

(b) no mobile / no moving electrons / no delocalised electrons / [1]

(all) electrons in covalent bonds ;
ALLOW: no free electrons / no sea of electrons
IGNORE: no ions
(c) Any two of: [2]
• hard
IGNORE: strong / tough
• high melting point
IGNORE: high boiling point
• lots of strong (covalent) bonds
ALLOW: giant structure of strong bonds
ALLOW: has strong bonds throughout
ALLOW: all the bonds are difficult to break / takes a lot of energy to break all the
bonds
ALLOW: ideas of all the atoms held together strongly
NOT: has covalent bonds / has strong bonds (without qualification)
NOT: rigid arrangement of tetrahedral structure
NOT: strong forces of attraction between atoms / strong electrostatic forces

9 (a) many (strong) covalent bonds [1]

IGNORE: has a giant molecular structure
needs a lot of energy to break bonds / needs a lot of heat to break bonds / needs high
temperature to break bonds [1]
ALLOW: hard to break the bonds / large amount of energy to overcome bonds / lot of energy
needed to break strong forces between atoms
NOT: (just) lot of energy needed to break strong forces
REJECT: references to intermolecular or ionic forces = 0 for the question
(b) (i) no free electrons / no mobile electrons / electrons not free to move / all outer electrons
fixed in position / no delocalised electrons / all electrons involved in covalent bonding /
no sea of electrons [1]
ALLOW: the four electrons needed to form a covalent bond
IGNORE: no ions to move
(ii) (some) electrons free to move / it has delocalised electrons / blue diamond has
delocalised electrons (some of the) electrons are delocalised / (some) free electrons /
sea of electrons [1]
IGNORE: boron is metallic / boron is a metalloid / boron has sea of electrons / boron has
delocalised electrons
(c) Any two from: [2]
• conducts electricity / has free moving electrons
• high melting point
• (relatively) unreactive
ALLOW: less reactive / doesn’t react with solution
• doesn’t dissolve in water / insoluble in water
IGNORE: price / it is a solid

NIAZ AHMED AWAN (niaz.awan564@gmail.com)

Topic 2.3. Structure and Properties of Material 5054 Chemistry Topical Paper 2

MARK SCHEME

10 (substance containing) two or more elements bonded / joined [1]

11 (a) (i) (both have) tetrahedral arrangement of atoms / (both have) hexagonal
arrangement of atoms; (1)

(both are) giant structures / giant molecular (structures) / macromolecules /

covalent lattices; (1) [2]

(ii) many (covalent) bonds / giant structure / macromolecule / all atoms joined
together / network of bonds / lattice; (1)

takes a lot of energy to break bonds / hard to break bonds / high temperature
needed to break bonds / bonds are strong; (1) [2]

(iii) no free electrons / no delocalised electrons / no sea of electrons / all electrons

in covalent bonds / electrons can’t move / electrons in fixed positions; [1]

12 carbon [1]

13 many (strong) bonds / many (covalent) bonds / lattice / giant structure / lattice of
covalent bonds (1)
a lot of energy needed to break the bonds / high temperature needed to break the
bonds / strong bonds (1) [2]

14 (a) (atoms) arranged tetrahedrally / tetrahedral (structure) / (bent) hexagonal [1]

(structure) / four atoms round carbon and four atoms round silicon / both giant
(structures) / both lattices / both macromolecules / each has one atoms surrounded
by four others (1)
(b) giant structure / lattice (1) [2]
(all) bonds are strong / takes a lot of energy to break bonds / needs high
temperature to break the bonds (1)
(c) SiO32– (1) [1]
(d) no mobile electrons / does not have delocalised electrons / does not have free [1]
electrons / all electrons are used in bonding (1)
(e) breakdown / decomposition of substance using electric current (1) [1]

15 silicon dioxide

NIAZ AHMED AWAN (niaz.awan564@gmail.com)