Chemistry 2014

CHEMISTRY
2014
WGHS
[PRELIMS 1-27]
ROUND 1
1. Which element is the third member of Group 2 of the Periodic Table?
Ans: Calcium (Ca)
2. Which element is the fifth member of Group 2 of the Periodic Table?
Ans: Barium (Ba)
3. Which element is the fifth member of Group 1, including hydrogen, of the Periodic Table?
Ans: Rubidium (Rb)
ROUND 1
1. Give the systematic name for an alkane with eleven (11) carbons in a straight chain.
Ans: Undecane
2. Give the systematic name for an alkene with eight (8) carbons with the double bond between
carbon-6 and carbon-7.
Ans: 2-octene
3. Give the systematic of a symmetrical alkanone containing seven (7) carbons in a straight chain.
Ans: 4-heptanone
ROUND 1
1. How many moles of magnesium are present in 18g of the metal? The atomic mass is 24.
Ans: 0.75mole or 3/4mole
2. How many grams will 0.5mole of hydrogen gas weigh? The atomic mass of hydrogen is 1.
Ans: H2 = 2g
Hence 0.5mole = 1g
3. How many moles of sulphur are present in 8g of the element? The atomic mass is 32.
Ans: Mole of S = 8/32 = 0.25 (or ¼) mole
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The first ionization energy generally decreases from left to right of a period in the periodic table.
Ans: F It increases.
2. The electron affinity of the elements in a period generally increases from left to right of the
Periodic Table.
Ans: T
3. The first ionization energy of the elements in Group 1 of the Periodic Table decreases down the
group.
Ans: T.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. For most reactions, the rate initially increases then decreases.
Ans: F . Rate α [A] x. [A] is largest at t = 0.
2. When the initial concentration of the reactant in a second order reaction is doubled, the initial rate
increases by a factor of 2.
Ans: F By a factor of 4.
3. For a first order reaction the time it takes for the reactant concentration to decrease from 100% to
50% is the same as from 25% to 12.5%.
Ans: T t1/2 for first order is constant.
ROUND 4
1 [2014]
RIDDLE
RIDDLE 1
1. I am an inorganic substance made up of one atom of a metal and an atom of a non-metal.
2. I am a black powder
3. When I am strongly heated I give out oxygen gas
4. My metal component is the major constituent of the alloy, bronze
Who am I?
Ans: Copper (II) Oxide or CuO
(Cu2O is orange-yellow)
ROUND 1
1. Define an acid according to the Lowry-Brönsted Theory.
Ans: An acid is a proton donor.
2. Why is sodium ethanoate solution alkaline?
Ans: Ethanoate ion is a conjugate bsae of a weak acid hence a strong base OR
Ethanoate ion undergoes hydrolysis to give OH- ions in solution.
3. Why is AlCl3 considered a Lewis acid.
Ans: Al3+ can accept electron pair(s).
ROUND 1
1. State Graham‟s law of Diffusion.
Ans: At constant temperature and pressure the rate of diffusion of a gas is inversely
proportional to the square root of its density (or molar mass).
2. State Boyle‟s Law.
Ans: At constant temperature, the volume of a fixed mass of a gas is proportional to its
pressure.
3. State Charles‟ law.
Ans: At constant pressure, the volume of a fixed mass of a gas is proportional to its absolute
temperature.
ROUND 1
1. Calculate the volume that 16g of Oxygen gas will occupy at S.T.P., assuming that the molar
volume of a gas at S.T.P is 22.4dm3 [ O = 16].
Ans: 16g of O2 = 0.5mol of O2
Volume = 0.5*22.4=11.2dm3.
2. How many moles of Nitrogen gas are in 7g of the gas? [N = 14]
Ans: Moles of N2 = 7/28 = 0.25 or ¼.
3. What volume will be occupied by 40g of bromine gas at S.T.P? The molar volume of a gas at
S.T.P is 22.4dm3. [ Br = 80].
Ans: Molar mass of Br2 = 160
40g of Br2= 40/160 mol
= 0.25 or ¼ mol
Volume at S.T.P = 22.4x0.25 = 5.6dm3.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. CO2 has a linear structure.
Ans: T
2. SO2 has a bent structure.
Ans: T
3. Sand or silica may be represented as SiO4.
Ans: F SiO2.
2 [2014]
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The functional group of alkanals is the carbonyl group.
Ans: F carbonyl + H.
2. The functional group of alkynes is carbon-carbon triple bond.
Ans: T
3. The functional group of tertiary alkanol is OH.
Ans: T.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 2
1. I am an organic molecule
2. My shape is two tetrahedrons fused together at one joint.
3. This means my two carbons are both sp3 hybridised
4. If I am a hydrocarbon, then who am I?
Ans: Ethane (C2H6)
ROUND 1
1. What is the wire gauze used for in the laboratory.
Ans: Normally placed on the tripod when heating a flask and its content with a Bunsen burner;
(a) To prevent direct contact of the flame with the flask.
(b) To avoid overheating.
2. What is the main difference between a 25 cm3 pipette and a 25cm3 burette?
Ans: The burette has a tap and it is graduated,
The pipette has no tap and generally not graduated.
3. What is a test tube rack?
Ans: A piece of wood work or box with holes that allows the test tubes to stand upright in
them.
ROUND 1
1. In electrolysis what is the name given to the electrode connected to the negative pole of the
battery.
Ans: Cathode.
2. What reaction takes place at the cathode during electrolysis?
Ans: Cations or molecules are reduced.
3. What reaction takes place at the anode during electrolysis?
Ans: Oxidation or Anions migrate to the anode and discharge their electrons.
ROUND 1
1. How many millimoles of NaOH are present in 250cm3of 0.30 moldm-3.
Ans: 75mmoles.
2. How many millimoles of NaOH are present in 8g of solid? (Na=23, O=16, H=1)
Ans: Moles of NaOH = 8/40 = 0.2
mmoles of NaOH = 20 mmoles.
3. How many mmole of H+ are present in 200cm3 of 0.15moldm-3solution of H2SO4.
Ans: mmole of H+ = 2(0.15*200) = 60.
= 60mmol.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The hybridization of carbon in ethene is sp2.
3 [2014]
Ans: T.
2. The hybridization of carbon of the carbonyl group is sp2.
Ans: T.
3. The hybridization of oxygen in methanol is sp2.
Ans: F sp3.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. In sodium hydride the oxidation state of hydrogen is +1.
Ans: F it is -1.
2. Lithium hydride is expected to be partly covalent and partly ionic because of the small size of Li +
ion.
Ans: F It is predominantly ionic because H- is not polarisable
3. Beryllium hydride is partly covalent and partly ionic.
Ans: T,
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 3
1. When I am dissolved in water, my heptatomic molecules disintegrate into three units
2. Two of the units are friends of Arrhenius
3. My molecules are derived from three different elements
4. Without me transportation in Accra would completely come to a halt
Who am I?
Ans: H2SO4
ROUND 1
1. Define Electron Affinity.
Ans: The enthalpy change accompanying the conversion of a mole of gaseous atoms to
gaseous ions.
2. Define First Ionization Energy.
Ans: The minimum energy required to convert a mole of gaseous atoms to gaseous
monopositive ions.
3. Define Enthalpy of Atomization.
Ans: The enthalpy change accompanying the conversion of a mole of an element into gaseous
atoms.
ROUND 1
1. Why is temporary hardness of water so called?
Ans: Hardness can be removed simply by boiling the water.
2. What causes permanent hardness of water?
Ans: The presence of tetraoxosulphate ions or other salts of Fe2+,Fe3+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ or other
multivalent ions.
3. What happens chemically when water of temporary hardness is boiled?
Ans: The calcium hydrogen trioxocarbonate (IV) dissolved in the water precipitates out as
CaCO3 and CO2 given off.
ROUND 1
1. Temporary hardness can be removed by addition of sodium trioxocarbonate (IV) to the water,
write a balanced equation for the reaction.
Ans: Ca(HCO3)2 + Na2CO3 → CaCO3 + 2NaHCO3.
2. When lead sulphide, which is black is converted to lead tetraoxosulphate (VI) by addition of
H2O2, water is also formed. Write a balanced equation for the reaction.
Ans: PbS + 4H2O2 → PbSO4 + 4H2O.
3. Iodide ions can be oxidized by H2O2 in acidic medium to give iodine and water.Write a balanced
equation for the reaction.
4 [2014]
Ans: 2I-+H2O2+2H+→I2+2H2O.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The reaction
CuO + 2HCl → CuCl2 + H2O is a redox reaction
Ans: F. Acid-base reaction.
2. The oxidation state of copper in [Cu(H2O)4]2+ and [CuCl4]2- are the same.
Ans: T.
3. The reaction
Cu(OH)2 + 2OH- → [Cu(OH)4]2- can be considered as an acid-base reaction.
Ans: T.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Addition of NH3 solution to an aqueous solution of Pb2+ ions produces a white precipitate.
Ans: T.
2. Addition of NaOH solution to an aqueous solution of Cu2+ produces a blue gelatinous precipitate.
Ans: F, Precipitate not gelatinous.
3. Addition of NaOH solution to an aqueous solution of Ca2+ ions gives no observable change.
Ans: T, no precipitate is formed.
CONTEST 4
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 4
1. The atomic number of my atoms is an odd number but the atomic mass is an even number.
2. I am an element that exists in nature as molecules
3. I do support life of animals in a different way.
4. I do not encourage destruction the way my next door neighbours does
5. If I hold the majority shares of about 80% of the atmosphere, then who I am?
Ans: N2 or Nitrogen gas.
ROUND 1
1. Name any member of Group III (or13) in the Periodic Table that is a metalloid.
Ans: Boron (B).
2. Name any member of Group IV(or 14) which is a non-metal .
Ans: Carbon (C) (not Si or Ge).
3. Name any member of Group VI (or 16) which is a metalloid.
Ans: Tellurium (Te).
ROUND 1
1. What is the difference between these two ores of iron, Haematite and Limonite.
Ans: Limonite is the hydrated form of haematite. Or vice versa
Limonite Fe2O3.H2O Haematite Fe2O3.
2. In the Blast Furnace what is major chemical constituent of the SLAG?
Ans: Slag = Calcium trioxosilicate (IV) or CaSiO3.
3. In the Blast Furnace, what reaction takes place at the hottest part of the furnace?
Ans: The bottom part is hottest, reaction is air burns/oxidises coke to Carbon (II) oxide.
2C(s)+ O2 (g)→ 2CO (g).
ROUND 1
1. What is the pH of 0.10moldm-3 KOH solution?
5 [2014]
Ans: pOH = 1 Therefore pH = 13.
2. If the pKb of a weak base is 5.0, what will be the pKa of its conjugate acid?
Ans: pKa + pKb = 14
pKa = 9.0
3. Calculate the pH of a 0.10moldm-3 solution of weak acid with pKa = 9.0
Ans: pH = 1/2pKa – 1/2logCa
= 9.0/2 + 0.5 = 5.0
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The product of the reaction between ethene gas and HCl gas will be chloroethane.
Ans: T.
2. The product of the reaction between ethene and dilute, cold KMnO4 is ethanol.
Ans: F, 1,2-Ethanediol.
3. The product of the reaction between ethene and bromine in chloroform will be 1,1-
dibromoethane.
Ans: F, 1,2-dibromoethane.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. In the course of a first order reaction, the rate constant changes as the reactant concentration
changes.
Ans: F.
2. For a second order reaction if the initial concentration of the reactant is trebled, the rate increases
by a factor of 6.
Ans: F, By a factor of 9.
3. The activation energy of a reaction is lowered by an increase in temperature of the reaction.
Ans: F, Rate constant k changes but activation energy remains constant. OR Rate
increases because of more frequent collisions OR more collisions generate the energy
required to form the activated complex
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 5
1. We belong to a family of mainly but not exclusively organic compounds
2. Our formulae are usually big
3. We have repeating units in our systems
4. We can be classified broadly as condensation or addition compounds.
Who are we?
Ans: Polymers.
ROUND 1
1. State the trend of metallic character of the elements in Group IV or (14).
Ans: Metallic character increases down the Group.
2. How does the atomic radius of the elements in the 3rd Period of the Periodic Table vary from left
to right?
Ans: Decreases from left to right.
3. Pure phosphorus as an element exists as a molecule. What is the formula of this molecular
element?
Ans: P4
6 [2014]
ROUND 1
1. What is a battery?
Ans: Several Voltaic Cells connected together in series or in parallel.
2. Distinguish between a Primary Cell and a Secondary Cell.
Ans: A Primary Cell cannot be recharged when discharged but a Secondary Cell can be
recharged.
3. What is the main advantage of Leclanché Cell over a Daniel Cell?
Ans: Leclanché Cell does not contain any liquid and therefore very portable.
ROUND 1
1. When a nuclide of atomic number 18 and mass number 20 is bombarded with a neutron it loses
an α-particle. Give the atomic number and mass number of the resultant nuclide.
Ans: 2018X + 1
0n → 17
16Y + 4
2α.
The new nuclide has atomic number of 16 and atomic mass of 17.
2. A nuclide of atomic number 42 and mass number 90 captures a β-particle and gives out 2
neutrons. Give the atomic number and mass number of the new nuclide.
Ans: 9042X + 0
-1β → 88
41Y + 2*10n.
Hence the nuclide will have atomic number 41 and mass number 88.
3. A nuclide of atomic number 13 and mass number 27 captures deuterium and emits a proton. Give
the atomic and mass number of the nuclide formed.
Ans: 2713X + 2
1D → 28
13Y + 1
1p.
Hence the nuclide has atomic number 13 and a mass number of 28.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. An element of atomic number 11 is likely to form a cation of oxidation state of +1.
Ans: T. 11=1s22s22p63s1.
2. The oxidation state of boron in the BH3 molecule is +3.
Ans: T.
3. An element of atomic number 14 is likely to form covalent bond with chlorine.
Ans: T. 14=1s22s22p63s23p2
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Cycloalkanes and alkenes have the same general formulae.
Ans: T. CnH2n.
2. 2-methylpentane and 2,2-dimethylbutane are structural isomers.
Ans: T.
3. n-butane has only one more structural isomer.
Ans: T. 2-methylpropane.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 6
1. I was born in 1766 and lived for 78years.
2. My major aim in life was to understand the chemical nature of matter.
3. My thoughts did not receive the favour of my contemporaries
4. After several experiments I suggested that matter was made up of small particles called atom.
Who am I?
Ans: (John) Dalton.
ROUND 1
Preamble to all schools.
7 [2014]
Elements A, B and C have electronegativities 2.5, 1.0 and 3.0 respectively.
1. What type of bond will be formed between A and B?
Ans: Ionic, ∆Electronegativity = 1.5 is large
2. What type of bond will be formed between A and C?
Ans: Covalent, ∆Electronegativity = 0.5. is small
3. What type of bond will be formed between B and C?
Ans: Ionic, ∆Electronegativity = 2.0. is large
ROUND 1
1. What precipitate will be formed from Al3+and aqueous NaOH?
Ans: White gelatinous precipitate.
2. What will be observed when H2S gas is bubbled through a solution of Zn2+ ion?
Ans: White precipitate formed.
3. What will be your observation when dilute ammonia and aqueous ethanedioate are added to a
solution of Ca2+ ions?
Ans: White precipitate (of Calcium ethanedioate) is formed.
ROUND 1
1. A salt A has the solubility of 24gdm-3 at 30◦C. How much solid will be deposited when 250cm3
solution at 60◦C containing 46g of the salt is cooled to 30◦C.
Ans: Solubility of A at 30◦C for 250cm3
= 250/1000*24 = 6g
Mass of salt deposited = 46-6
= 40g.
2. A salt B has solubility of 56gdm-3 at 70◦C. How much of the salt is needed to prepare 200cm3of
saturated solution at 70◦C?
Ans: Mass of B needed = 200/1000*56
= 11.2g
3. A 250 cm solution of salt C at 80◦C contains 75g of the salt, if on cooling to 30◦C, 45g of the salt
3
is deposited, what is the solubility in gdm-3 of the salt at 30◦C?

Ans: Mass of salt left in solution at 30◦C = 75-45
=30g
Solubility per dm3 = 1000/250*30
= 120.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. There are 20 carbons in palmitic acid.
Ans: F, 16 carbons.
2. There are 16 carbons in oleic acid.
Ans: F, 18 carbons.
3. There are 3 carbons in glycerol.
Ans: T.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Gold is refined by electrolysis.
Ans: T.
2. In refining gold by electrolysis, the cathode is impure gold.
Ans: F, It is the anode.
3. When NaCN is added to a metallic gold in the presence of oxygen, the complex anion contains
gold in oxidation state of +2.
Ans: F, Oxidation state of +1.
8 [2014]
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 7
1. I am the name of a certain class of chemicals.
2. I can be moulded into all kinds of shapes and I do come in various colours.
3. Sand is my commonest raw material.
4. I cool from my molten state to give an amorphous solid
Who am I?
Ans: Glass
ROUND 1
1. Give the unit of the rate constant of a first order reaction.
Ans: s-1 or per second.
2. Explain why a rise in temperature increases rates of reaction.
Ans: 1) More frequent intermolecular collisions.
2) More collisions generating enough energy to overcome the activation energy.
3. What are the units of the rate of a second order reaction?
Ans: concentration per unit time or moldm-3s-1.
ROUND 1
State one of the tenets of the Dalton Atomic Theory.
1. Elements are made up of small particles called atom.
2. Atom can neither be created nor destroyed.
3. Atoms of the same element have the same size and mass.
4. Atoms of different elements have different mass and size.
5. Atoms combine to form compounds
6. When atoms combine to form compounds, they do so in simple whole numbers.
ROUND 1
1. 8g of pure calcium reacts with excess oxygen to give calcium oxide. If the method gives 100%
yield, what mass of CaO is expected? [Ca=40.0; O=16.0]
Ans: Ca + ½O2 → CaO
40 16 56
Expected mass of CaO = 8/40*56
= 11.2g.
2. What mass of Fe2O3 is expected from a reaction of 14g of iron metal and excess oxygen, [Fe =
56.0, O = 16].
Ans: 2Fe + 3/2O2 → Fe2O3.
(2*56) (112+48).
14g of Fe ≡ 14/112*160
= 20g.
3. What mass of magnesium oxide will be formed when 12g of magnesium metal are heated in
steam to form magnesium oxide? [Mg = 24.0, O = 16.0]
Ans: Mg(s) + H2O(g) → MgO + H2(g)
24 40
Hence 12g Mg ≡ 12/24*40
= 20g.
9 [2014]
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The Arrhenius Definition of acids and bases restricts acids to compounds that can dissolve in
water.
Ans: T.
2. A solution of benzoic acid in benzene will not have any effect on dry blue litmus paper.
Ans: T.
3. Anhydrous HCl gas is an Arrhenius acid.
Ans: T Dissolves in water to form H3O+.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Proteins are condensation polymers.
Ans: T
2. Polymerisation of ethene to polyethene can be initiated with free radicals only.
Ans: F.
3. Nylons are polyamides.
Ans: T.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 8
1. I was first prepared in the laboratory as far back as 1818
2. I am a colourless ,viscous liquid with a freezing point of 4◦C
3. I am easily decomposed by heat or light to produce an explosive mixture.
4. My component atoms are derived from hydrogen and oxygen in equal proportions.
Who am I?
Ans: H2O2 or hydrogen peroxide.
ROUND 1
1. How does effective nuclear charge change down a Group in the Periodic Table?
Ans: It decreases down a Group.
2. The Effective Nuclear Charge decreases down a Group in the Periodic Table. How does this
affect atomic radius down a Group.
Ans: The atomic radius increases down a Group.
3. What is the major reason for the decrease in the atomic radius of elements from left to right in a
Period of the Periodic Table?
Ans: The effective nuclear charge increases from left to right.
ROUND 1
1. Which scientist observed that for a fixed mole of a gas, at constant pressure , a plot of the volume
versus degree Kelvin gives a straight line.
Ans: Charles (law).
2. Who observed that a plot of the rate of diffusion of a gas from one place to another is
proportional to the reciprocal of the square root of the density?
Ans: Graham (law).
3. If you want to confirm Boyle‟s law at a given temperature for a certain amount of gas, what graph
will you plot?
Ans: V vs 1/P or P vs 1/V at constant T.
ROUND 1
10 [2014]
1. How many faradays of charge would be needed to discharge 1/3 mole of alumina completely?
Ans: 1mole Al2O3 ≡ 6F. Therefore 1/3mole Al2O3 ≡ 2F.
2. How many Faradays of charge will be required to obtain 22.4 dm3 of Br2 gas at S.T.P by the
electrolysis of molten KBr
Ans: 2KBr + 2F → 2K + Br2.
But 22.4dm3 of Br2 at S.T.P ≡ 1mole of Br2.
Hence charge needed = 2F.
3. How many Faradays of charge will be needed to discharge 1 mole of O2 from Al2O3.
Ans: 3O2- ≡ 6F Therefore 2O2- or 1mole of O2 = 4F.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The ester derived from ethanoic acid and butanol is called ethyl butanoate.
Ans: F butyl ethanoate .
2. When one of the hydrogens of ammonia is replaced with pentyl group, the molecule becomes
pentanamine.
Ans: T
3. When ethanoyl chloride is heated with ammonia, the resulting compound will be ethylamine.
Ans: F Ethanamide.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The oxidation state of phosphorus in phosphonium iodide is +3.
Ans: F In PH4I P is -3
2. The oxidation state of sulphur in the H2SO3 molecule is +3.
Ans: F +4
3. The oxidation state of sulphur in Al2S3 is -2.
Ans: T
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 9
1. I am made up of symmetrical molecules
2. I am a hydrocarbon
3. My formula suggests that I am unsaturated but I am not
4. If I have 5 carbons in a ring then who am I?
Ans: Cyclopentane
ROUND 1
1. What is the hybridization of the bonding orbitals of boron in BCl3.
Ans: sp2.
2. What is the hybridization of the bonding orbitals of sulphur in H2S.
Ans: sp3
3. What is the hybridization of carbon in carbon (II) oxide.
Ans: sp.
ROUND 1
1. Give Dalton‟s formulation of the Atomic Theory concerning indestructibility of an atom and
explain why this is no longer valid.
Ans: Elements can neither be created nor destroyed. This is no longer true because elements
can be destroyed or new ones created in nuclear reactions.
2. Why is Dalton‟s Atomic Theory that says that atoms of the same element are identical no longer
true?
11 [2014]
Ans: Existence of isotopes which are atoms of the same element with different masses.
3. Is Dalton‟s Atomic Theory that the smallest unit of elements is an atom valid? Give your reasons
for your answer
Ans: Yes The atom is the recognizable, smallest unit of the element. Protons electrons and
neutrons cannot represent an element. They are common to all elements
ROUND 1
1. Give a balanced equation for the reaction of Lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4) with water to
give Lithium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide and hydrogen.
Ans: LiAlH4 + 4H2O → LiOH + Al(OH)3 + 4H2
2. Aluminum reacts with moderately concentrated HCl to give aluminum chloride and hydrogen,
write a balanced equation for the reaction.
Ans: 2Al + 6HCl → 2AlCl3 + 3H2
3. If powdered aluminum is mixed with iron (III) oxide and ignited, the oxide is reduced to iron and
alumina is formed. Provide a balanced equation for this reaction.
Ans: 2Al + Fe2O3 → Al2O3 + 2Fe.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. If a few drops of a solution containing Pb2+ ions are added to a solution of Cl- ions a white
precipitate is observed.
Ans: T PbCl2 is white.
2. If a yellow precipitate is formed on adding Pb2+solution to a solution containing a halide, the
halide could be bromide or iodide.
Ans: T PbBr2 and PbI2 are both yellow solids.
3. If provided with two solutions, one containing SO42- and the other SO32- heating the solutions will
enable you to determine which is which.
Ans: T SO32- gives pungent smelling gas, nothing is observed in the case of SO42-.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. CO has a dipole moment of 0.10 Debye hence CO2 will have dipole moment of about 0.20D
Ans: F Zero Debye because dipoles of the two CO‟s cancel out.
2. Water has a dipole of 1.8Debye; hence ethanol will have a dipole not very different from this
value.
Ans: T H2O and EtOH have the same shape.
3. HCCl3 has a dipole of 1.02 Debye; hence CCl4 will have a dipole of 1.36 Debye.
Ans: F CCl4 has zero Debye dipole.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 10
1. I am sometimes described as a rare element but I am more abundant in the earth‟s crust than
sulphur and lead
2. I am a soft transition metal and named after the first mythical sons of the earth.
3. I have a high strength/weight ratio and so I am useful in the aircraft industry
4. I am the second element of the first d-transition series.
Who am I?
Ans: Titanium.
ROUND 1
Preamble to all schools
Consider the following equilibrium reaction:
Heat + A(S) + 2B(g) = C(g) + 2D(g).
1. How will an increase in pressure affect the equilibrium?
Ans: Equilibrium point will shift to the left OR the backward reaction will be favoured.
2. How will an increase in temperature affect the equilibrium?
Ans: The equilibrium point will shift to the right OR the forward reaction will be favoured.
12 [2014]
3. How will addition of a suitable catalyst affect the equilibrium constant?
Ans: The equilibrium constant will not be affected. Equilibrium is reached in a shorter period.
ROUND 1
1. When J.J Thompson performed that well known experiment using the discharge tube, he
observed a beam when electricity was switched on. What did he call that beam?
Ans: Cathode rays.
2. What was Thompson‟s observation when the cathode rays were made to pass between positive
and negative plates?
Ans: The rays (or the beam) were deflected away from the negative plate while they were
attracted to the positive electric plate.
3. What did Thompson observe when the gas in the tube was changed?
Ans: Rays were again deflected from the negative electric plate while attracted to the positive
plate.
ROUND 1
A steel vessel contains 3moles of CO2, 4moles of O2, and 5moles of N2. The total pressure in the
vessel is 240kPa.
1. What is the mole fraction of CO2
Ans: Mole fraction of CO2 = 3/(3+4+5) = ¼ OR 0.25
2. What is the partial pressure of O2?
Ans: Partial pressure = mole fraction *P
= 4/12*240
= 80kPa.
3. Calculate the partial pressure of N2.
Ans: partial pressure of N2 = 5/12*240 = 100kPa.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The oxidation state of iodine in the IO3- ion is +5.
Ans: T
2. The oxidation state of chlorine in the HClO4 molecule is +6.
Ans: F its +7
3. The oxidation state of carbon in the Cu(CN)2 is +2
Ans: T
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. K3[Fe(CN)6] gives a red solution with iron (II) solution.
Ans: F dark blue solution
2. K4[Fe(CN)6] gives a white precipitate which later turns blue on standing with iron (II) solution.
Ans: T
3. KSCN solution added to iron (III) solution gives a dark blue precipitate.
Ans; F Gives blood red solution
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 11
1. I possess a carbon-oxygen double bond
2. I am not an acid or a derivative of an acid.
3. The arms of my carbon-oxygen unit consist of a 2 carbon unit and a three carbon unit.
4. I have no other functional group
Who am I?
13 [2014]
Ans: 3-Hexanone
ROUND 1
1. Define the term Isomerism.

Ans: Isomerism occurs when a chemical formula can represent two or more
compounds of different structures.
2. What are stereoisomers?
Ans: They are isomers that differ only in the orientation of the atoms or units
of the compounds in space.
3. What type of isomerism is shown by cis and trans 2- butene?
Ans: Stereoisomerism (Geometric isomerism 2 marks)
ROUND 1
1. What is a dibasic acid?
Ans: An acid that possesses two ionisable protons. OR an acid that can
donate two protons to a base.
2. Why is 2-chloropropanoic acid a stronger acid than 3-chloropropanoic acid.
Ans: The electron-withdrawing inductive (-I) effect of the Cl is closer to the
acid functional group in 2-chloro than in 3-chloro.
-I effect stabilizes the conjugate base of the acid.
3. Chlorine is more electronegative than bromine, and yet HCl is a weaker acid than
HBr. Why?
Ans: The H-Cl bond is stronger than the H-Br bond OR it requires more
energy to ionize HCl than HBr.
ROUND 1
1. Calculate the volume of 0.10moldm-3 solution of NaOH that will neutralize 20cm3
of 0.12moldm-3 solution of HCl.
Ans: V*0.10/20*0.12 = 1/1.
V = 24cm3.
2. Calculate the volume of 0.10moldm solution of HCl that will neutralize 25cm3 of
-3
0.08moldm-3 solution of Na2CO3 in a titration using phenolphthalein as indicator.

Ans: With phenolphthalein the reaction is;
Na2CO3 + HCl → NaHCO3 + NaCl
V*0.10 / 25*0.08 = 1/1 V = 20.0cm3.
3. Calculate the volume of 0.10moldm solution of NaOH that will neutralize 20cm3
-3
of 0.045moldm-3 solution of H2SO4.

Ans: Reaction:
H2SO4 + 2NaOH → Na2SO4 + 2H2O
V*0.01/20*0.045 = 2/1 hence V = 18cm3
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The most abundant element in the earth‟s crust is oxygen
Ans: T
2. The most abundant metal in the earth‟s crust is iron.
Ans: F its aluminum
3. The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere is about 10% of the air.
Ans: F it‟s 400ppm. OR 0.04%
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The element that comes immediately below rubidium in Group 1 of the Periodic
Table is Francium.
14 [2014]
Ans: F it is caesium
2. Tin and lead are the only metals of Group 4 (or 14) of the Periodic Table.
Ans: T the rest are metalloids and non-metal.
3. Carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and fluorine are all elements that exist as molecules.
Ans: F carbon is a covalent polymer.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 12
1. I am a solid solution and known for my resilience
2. Without carbon I would succumb to any minute stress and weather condition.
3. I am malleable when I am red hot.
4. My strength and beauty are increased when small amounts of other transition elements
are added to me.
Who am I?
Ans: Steel.
Round 1
1. Define the term „alloy‟.
Ans: It is a solid solution.
2. What are the major components of steel?
Ans: Iron and Carbon
3. Iron pyrites is one of the ores of iron with the formula, FeS2. What happens to the ore when fed
into the blast furnace and how is the sulphur eliminated.
Ans: FeS2 is first converted into Fe2O3 and SO2. The SO2 is allowed to escape from the
furnace.
ROUND 1
1. How would you call the energy change for the reaction 3H2(g) +N2(g)→2NH3(g)
Ans: Enthalpy of formation of ammonia.
2. When one mole of HCl in solution reacts with half a mole of Mg(OH)2 at 25₀C and 100kPa,
about 57 kJ of heat is evolved. What is this called?
Ans: Standard enthalpy of neutralization
3. When one mole of ammonium chloride is dissolved in 1 litre of water at 298K and 100kPa, a
certain amount of heat is absorbed. What is the heat absorbed called?
Ans: Standard enthalpy of solution.
ROUND 1
1. Calculate the average rate of a reaction if it takes 20 minutes for the initial concentration
of the reactant 0.1moldm-3 to decrease to 0.04moldm-3 . Give the units.
Ans: Av. Rate = change in concentration/time
= 0.06/20*60 = 6*10-2/12*102
= 5.0*10-5moldm-3s-1.
-3 -3 -1
2. If the average rate of a reaction is 2*10 moldm s calculate how long it will take an
initial concentration of 0.1moldm-3 of a reactant to decrease by 70%.
Ans: 2*10-3 = 0.07/t
t = 0.07/2*10-3 = 70/2 = 35seconds.
3. The average rate of a first order reaction is 3.5*10-3moldm-3s-1 when the concentration of
reactant is 0.05moldm-3. Calculate the rate constant and give its units.
Ans: Rate = k [A]
3.5*10-3 = k [5*10-2]
k = 3.5*10 / 5*10-2
-3
= 0.7*10-1 = 7.0*10-2s-1.
15 [2014]
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. 2- Methyl pentane and 3- Methyl pentane are examples of structural isomers.

Ans: T (They are also positional isomers)
2. Dimethyl ether and ethanol are examples of structural isomers.
Ans: T (They are also functional group isomers).
3. 2- Propanone and propanal are examples of stereoisomers.
Ans: F (They are structural isomers/ functional group isomers.)
ROUND 3
1. Electronegativities of the elements in the second period of the Periodic Table increase
from lithium to fluorine.
Ans: T
2. The electron affinity of carbon is higher than that of nitrogen.
Ans: F
3. The first ionization energy of carbon is lower than that of nitrogen.
Ans: T
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 13
1. My name is a big contradiction.
2. I am supposed to be hard but I am not even a solid.
3. I am told I am hard simply because I am harsh on soaps but not on detergents.
4. I am usually an aqueous solution containing small amounts of multivalent cations.
Who am I?
Ans: Hard water
ROUND I
1. Give the balanced equation for the electrolysis of water and indicate the charge in faradays
needed to complete the reaction.
Ans: 2H2O → 2H2 + O2 Charge required = 4F
2. Indicate the product formed at the anode in the electrolysis of dilute NaCl solution using inert
electrodes.
Ans: O2
3. Indicate the product discharged at the cathode when dilute solution of CuSO4 is electrolyzed
using inert electrodes
Ans: Cu or copper metal.
ROUND 1
1. What is traditionally referred to as Brownian movement?
Ans: It is the random movement of small piece of a solid (such as paper or pollen grain) on the
surface of a liquid.
2. What accounts for the fact that gases are compressible but liquids are not?
Ans: The intermolecular distances between the molecules / units in liquids are less than in
gases (i.e. less free space)
3. What assumptions are made in deriving the ideal gas equation?
Ans: (a) The molecules or units of a gas are of negligible sizes compared to the space
occupied by the gas.
(b) No intermolecular forces of attraction or repulsion among the molecules / units of
the gas.
ROUND 1
16 [2014]
1. A metal M of an atomic mass 24 forms an oxide, containing 60% of the metal. Find the empirical
formula, [O=16].
Ans: M = 60% O = 40%
= 60/24 = 40/16
= 5/2 = 5/2
= 2.5 = 2.5
Hence = MO.
2. A metal M of atomic mass 51 forms an oxide, containing 44% oxygen. What is the empirical
formula of the metal oxide? [O=16].
Ans: M = 56% O = 44%
= 56/51 : = 44/16
= 1.1 : = 2.75
= 1 : = 2.5
Hence = M2O5
3. An element M forms an oxide containing 60% oxygen. If the atomic mass of the element is 32,
what is the empirical formula of the oxide?
Ans: M = 40% O = 60%
= 40/32 : = 60/16
= 1.25 : = 3.75
Hence = MO3
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. In water HNO3 is a stronger acid than HCl.
Ans: F they both ionize completely
2. Benzoic acid and hexanoic acid belong to the same homologous series
Ans: F
3. Ethanoic acid has a smaller standard enthalpy of neutralization than HCl
Ans: T Energy is used up ionizing the molecule before neutralization.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. For the reversible reaction;
S(s) + O2 (g) = SO2 (g) + heat; at equilibrium, more SO2 will be formed when
temperature is lowered.
Ans: T forward reaction is exothermic and is favoured by low temperature
S(s) + O2 (g) = SO2 (g); at equilibrium, increase in pressure will cause the
equilibrium point to shift to the left.
Ans: F the number of gaseous molecules is the same on both sides of the equation
S(s) + O2 (g) = SO2 (g); at equilibrium addition of a suitable catalyst will yield
more SO2
Ans: F catalyst will affect forward and backward reactions equally.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 14
1. My aqueous solution is very colourful and characteristic of me.
2. I contain a metal cation which does not contribute to that purple colour.
3. I am a solid and good oxidising agent with gram formula mass of 158.
4. My purple colour is attributed to the presence of a transition metal in my complex anion.
Who am I?
Ans: KMnO4
ROUND 1
1. Which is more penetrating γ-rays or β-particles?
17 [2014]
Ans: γ-rays
2. Which is more ionizing, α or β particles?
Ans: α-particles
3. Which is more penetrating β or α particles
Ans: β-particles
ROUND 1
1. How many elements are there in the second period of the Periodic Table?
Ans: 8 elements
2. How many elements are present in Group 1 of the Periodic Table, including hydrogen
Ans: 7 elements
3. How many inert gases are there in the Group 8 (or 18) of the Periodic Table.
Ans: 6 elements.
ROUND 1
1. Two half cells A+ / A and B+ / B have standard electrode potentials 0.6 and -0.4 volt respectively.
What is the reaction of a cell of maximum emf that can be constructed from the two?
Ans: Reduction A+ / A 0.6
Oxidation B / B+ 0.4
Hence B + A+ → B+ + A
+ +
2. Two half cells A / A and B / B have standard electrode potentials -0.90 and -0.4 volt. What is
the initial emf of the cell?
Ans: Emf = -0.4 + 0.9 = 0.50V
+ +
3. Two half cells A / A and B / B have standard electrode potentials +0.80 and +0.35 volt.
Calculate the initial emf of the cell made from the two half cells.
Ans: Emf = 0.80 - 0.35 = 0.45V
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. 2-Methyl-2-propanol cannot be oxidized with acidified K2Cr2O7.
Ans: T Compound is tertiary alkanol.
2. Addition of bromine in the presence of AlBr3 to ethene produces 1,2-dibromoethane
Ans: F That reagent does not react with alkenes.
3. Chlorination of benzene using chlorine gas in the presence of UV light gives benzene
hexachloride.
Ans: T
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Ionization energy of hydrogen is higher than that of Helium
Ans: F
2. Ionization energy of the Lithium is lower than that of beryllium
Ans: T
3. Ionization energy of beryllium is higher than boron
Ans: T
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 15
1. I am an organic molecule and a member of the Brönsted and Lowry family.

2. Even with the chlorine atom in my molecule, I may be regarded as a daughter of a
member with the same family genes.
3. Including my characteristic functional group, I have three carbons in a chain.
18 [2014]
4. My chlorine atom is bonded to the carbon atom next to the functional group.
Who am I?
Ans: 2-chloropropanoic acid
ROUND 1
1. Which of the two indicators, methyl orange and phenolphthalein, will you choose for the titration
of dilute HCl with NaHCO3 solution?
Ans: Methyl orange
2. Which of the two indicators, methyl orange and phenolphthalein, will you choose for the titration
of ethanoic acid solution against sodium hydroxide solution?
Ans: Phenolphthalein Solution will be alkaline at end point.
3. State whether methyl orange or phenolphthalein or both will be suitable for the titration Na2CO3
solution and dil HCl and give reasons for your choice.
Ans: Both will be suitable. Balanced equations will be different but will give same result.
ROUND 1
1. Give the products when MgCO3 is heated strongly.
Ans: MgO + CO2
2. Give the products when sodium hydrogen trioxocarbonate (IV) is heated
Ans: Na2CO3, H2O and CO2 (baking powder).
3. Give the products when Lithium trioxocarbonate (IV) is heated
Ans: Li2O (lithium oxide) and CO2
ROUND 1
1. Calculate the concentration of a KOH solution if 25cm3 of it are completely neutralised by 15cm3
of 0.20 moldm-3 of HCl solution.
Ans: 15*0.2/25*M = 1/1
= 0.12moldm-3
2. Calculate the volume of 0.3moldm-3 iron (II) solution required to reduce 21cm3 of 0.06 moldm-3
of acidified KMnO4 solution. MnO4- and Fe2+ react in the ratio 1:5.
Ans: V*0.3/21*0.06 = 5/1 V = 5*21*0.06/0.3
V = 21cm3
3. Calculate the concentration of an ethanoic acid solution if 18cm3 of it required 24.0cm3 of
0.10moldm-3 of NaOH solution for complete neutralisation. Give your answer to at least two
places of decimal
Ans: M*18/4*0.10 = 1/1
M = 24*0.1/18
= 0.13(3) moldm-3
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Solid CaCl2 can be used to dry ammonia gas during its preparation.
Ans: F CaCl2 is acidic, CaO can be used.
2. Dry ammonia gas can be collected in a gas jar by downward displacement of air.
Ans: T lighter than air.
3. Dry CO2 can be collected by upward displacement of air.
Ans: T heavier than air
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Vinegar is an aqueous solution of ethanoic acid.
Ans: T
2. Hydrolysis of proteins will yield 1-amino acids
Ans: F 2-amino acids
3. Starch and cellulose have the same monomers.
19 [2014]
Ans: F starch consists of α-isomers whilst cellulose β-isomers of glucose
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 16
1. I am an element and I exist in several allotropic forms.
2. One allotrope, the commonest one is yellow in colour.
3. 1 am used to manufacture matches and fireworks.
4. I gave birth to the process of vulcanization of rubber.
Who am I?
Ans: Sulphur
ROUND 1
1. Give the reagent and condition for the preparation of CHCl3 from methane.
Ans: Add chlorine gas to methane in the presence of (UV) light.
2. How would you prepare ethanoic acid from ethanol?
Ans: React ethanol with either acidified K2CrO7 solution or KMnO4 solution.
3. How would you convert propanoic acid to propanoyl chloride?
Ans: Heat propanoic acid with PCl5 or PCl3 or SOCl2 (Not conc HCl).
ROUND 1
1. In the experiment by Rutherford, using α-particles and gold foil, why did most of the α-particles
pass through the foil without any deflection?
Ans: Most part of the (gold) atoms is empty space.
2. In the Rutherford experiment why were the paths of a few α-particles deflected?
Ans: Those that passed very close to nucleus had their paths deflected because the α-particles
are positively charged like the nucleus.
3. In the Rutherford experiment a few α-particles virtually bounced back, why?
Ans: A few collided with the nuclei and since all the mass is concentrated in the nuclei, they
collided with the heavy nuclei and bounced back.
ROUND 1
1. Calculate the mass of copper metal that will be deposited in the electrolysis of CuSO4 solution
using copper electrodes when 0.2 Faraday of charge has been passed. Cu = 63.5.
Ans: 2F = 1Cu = 63.5g
0.2F = 6.35g
2. Calculate the mass of solid gold that will be deposited in the electrolysis of Au+ solution using
pure and impure gold as electrodes when a charge of 0.6F has been passed. Au = 197.
Ans: 1F = 1Au = 197g
0.6F = 118.2g
3. Calculate the volume of oxygen gas liberated at S.T.P when dilute H2SO4 is electrolysed, using
inert electrodes after passing 0.5 Faraday. Molar volume of a gas at S.T.P is 22.4 dm3.
Ans: 4F ≡ O2 = 22.4 dm3
0.5F = 1/8 O2 = 22.4/8 = 2.8dm3
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Mica, Feldspar and Bauxite all contain aluminium..
Ans: T
2. Mica contains hydrated aluminium hydroxide
20 [2014]
Ans: F
3. To purify alumina from bauxite, the ore is first dissolved in a concentrated solution of NaOH.
Ans: T.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Nitrogen atom can accept three electrons to form the N3- ion.
Ans: T as in Na3N.
2. Nitrogen atom can share three electrons to form 4 covalent bonds
Ans: F forms 3 covalent bonds
3. In HNO3 nitrogen shows a valency of 5
Ans: F valency of 4 but oxidation state of +5
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 17
1. I am a law of science dealing with gases.
2. I am most relevant when several gases are put in one, closed vessel.
3. Provided none of the gases react with one another chemically, I allow the gases to retain
one of their physical parameters.
4. I hate peer pressure and insist that each member exerts the pressure it would have exerted
in the absence of others.
Who am I?
Ans: Law of Partial Pressure.
ROUND 1
1. Germanium forms a difluoride, whose molecule has a net dipole. What is likely to be the shape of
the molecule?
Ans: Bent or V-shaped
2. Germanium difluoride is a bent molecule. What is likely to be the hybridisation of the bonding
orbitals of germanium?
Ans: sp2
3. How many lone pairs would be on germanium in a molecule of GeF2 ?
Ans: one lone pair
ROUND 1
1. In an Oil Refinery, there is a unit that converts straight chain alkanes into branched and cyclic
ones. Why is this done?
Ans: The branched and cyclic alkanes have better octane rating.
2. In the Oil Refinery set up, vapours of large molecules are passed over catalyst during which the
large molecules break down to give smaller ones. What is this process called?
Ans: Catalytic cracking.
3. In time past, tetraethyllead was added to the gasoline fraction before the gasoline is sold to
motorists in Ghana. What was the essence of adding this additive?
Ans: To increase the octane rating of the gasoline.
ROUND 1
1. 5 litres of nitrogen at 27◦C and 100kPa is compressed until the pressure it exerts is 175kPa. What
is the new volume? Give your answer to 2 places of decimal.
Ans: P1V1 = P2V2
5*100 = 175*V2
V2 = 2.86dm3
21 [2014]
2. 5 litres of oxygen at 27◦C is heated to 77◦C at constant pressure. What will be the new volume?
Give your answer to 2 places of decimals.
Ans: V1/T1 = V2/T2 V2 = V1*T2/T1
= 5*350/300 = 5.83litres
3. 10 litres of helium gas at 220kPa is passed into a balloon until the volume of the balloon reaches
14litres. What is the pressure of the gas in the balloon if the temperature is kept constant? Give
your answer to one place of decimal.
Ans: P2 = P1V1/V2 = 10*220/14 = 157.1kPa
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The compound H3PO3 is a diprotic or dibasic acid. This implies one hydrogen atom is not bonded
to oxygen.
Ans: T one H is bonded to P.
2. P4O6 may be regarded as the anhydride of H3PO3 acid.
Ans: T in both the oxidation state of P is +3
3. P4O10 is the anhydride of an acid different from H3PO3
Ans: T oxidation state of P is +5
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. A saturated hydrocarbon with 12 carbons is called duodecane.
Ans: T
2. The benzyl group can also be called phenyl
Ans: F Benzyl = C6H5CH2-
3. Hydrolysis of propyl methanoate by mineral acid will give propanol and methanoic acid.
Ans: T
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 18
1. I have worked well for chemists although I am only a perception or an idea on paper.
2. I believe in hybrid-vigour.
3. I can account for the shapes of many simple and complex molecules.
4. By me, it is perfectly allowed to mix s, p and d orbitals to give new orbitals.
Who am I?
Ans; Hybridisation
ROUND 1
1. What piece of glassware would you need to weigh a small quantity of a solid or a liquid on a
sensitive weighing balance?
Ans: Weighing bottle.
2. If you are performing distillation, what piece of glassware will ensure that the liquids are
reformed after evaporation?
Ans: (water) condenser.
3. Which flask is most suitable as the receiver of the titrant from the burette in a titration?
Ans: conical flask
ROUND 1
1. Give one isomer of 1-chlorobutane which is a derivative of propane.
Ans: 1-chloro-2-methylpropane or 2-chloro-2-methlypropane.
2. Give the stereoisomer of cis-2-pentene
Ans: trans-2-pentene
3. Give a positional isomer (or structural) isomer of 2-pentene
Ans: 1-pentene
22 [2014]
ROUND 1
Common preamble to all schools.
A steel flask contains 2 moles of helium, 3moles of N2 and 5moles of CO2. The total pressure in
the flask is 450kPa.
1. What is the partial pressure of helium
Ans: PHe = (2/[2+3+5])*450 = 90kPa
2. What is the partial pressure of CO2?
Ans: PCO2 = 5/10*450 = 225kPa
3. What is the mole fraction of N2?
Ans: Mole fraction of N2 = 3/10 = 0.3
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 19
1. I am made up of triatomic molecules, containing polar covalent bonds.
2. I have a bent shape.
3. Since my central atom is not as electronegative as my younger sibling, hydrogen bonding
between my molecules is not impressive.
4. I am therefore gaseous and you will notice my presence as soon as I come around since I
have a distinctive rotten egg smell.
Who am I?
Ans: H2S
ROUND 1
1. The atomic number for calcium is 20. What is the atomic number of potassium?
Ans: 19
2. The atomic number for vanadium is 23. What is its position in the first d-transition series?
Ans: 3rd Ar [4s23d3]
3. The atomic number for nitrogen is 7. What is the atomic number of phosphorus?
Ans: 15 [7+8]
ROUND 1
1. What may be the major pollutant of the water bodies in which alluvial gold mining is prevalent?
Ans: Mercury
2. What are the major pollutants of the water bodies in agricultural areas?
Ans: Pesticides, fertilizers
3. A small water body lies behind a house which allows its waste to drain into the water body. Name
one inorganic anion that can be found in this water body, apart from chloride ions.
Ans: PO43- / tetraoxophosphate (V) from detergents.
ROUND 1
1. Zinc hydroxide reacts with hydroxide ions to form the complex anion Zn(OH)42-. Write a
balanced equation for the reaction.
Ans: Zn(OH)2 + 2OH- → Zn(OH)42-.
2. Magnesium when heated to redness, reacts with ammonia to give magnesium nitride and
hydrogen. Write a balanced equation for the reaction.
Ans: 3Mg + 2NH3 → Mg3N2 + 3H2
3. Glucose in the presence of an enzyme is fermented to give ethanol and CO2. Write a balanced
equation for this.
23 [2014]
Ans: C6H12O6 → 2C2H5OH + 2CO2
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. To perform a brown ring test to confirm NO3- anion, freshly prepared Fe2(SO4)3 solution is added
to the solution of the anion followed by concentrated H2SO4
Ans: F FeSO4 is added.
2. CO2 when bubbled through an acidified K2Cr2O7 solution, the solution changes colour from
yellow to green.
Ans: F
3. When H2S is bubbled through acidified solution of KMnO4, the purple colour of the KMnO4 is
discharged.
Ans: T
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. 2-Methyl-2-pentanol is a tertiary alkanol
Ans: T
2. 2-Methyl-2-propanol can be oxidized with acidified K2Cr2O7 to give propanone.
Ans: F Compound is 3◦ alkanol, 3◦ alkanols cannot be oxidized.
3. 2-Butene will react with cold, dilute KMnO4 to give 2,3-butan-diol.
Ans: T
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 20
1. I have as many as 24 atoms from three elements in my molecule.
2. I represent one of the contradictions of chemistry because although I have the alkanone
structure I respond favourably to Fehling‟s and Tollens‟ reagents.
3. I am the sweetest member of our family.
4. If you really know who I am, you will probably call me sweetheart or honey.
Who am I?
Ans: Fructose
ROUND 1
1. Explain why metals are ductile.
Ans: The metal atoms/ions are arranged in layers. When the metal is pulled from one
end, the layers of atoms slip over one another.
2. What makes it possible for metals to conduct electricity?
Ans: The metal structure is made up of fixed cations and delocalised electrons. When
an electron enters the metal, it pushes the nearest delocalised electron which in
turn pushes the next electron .i.e. quick movement of electrons through the
metals.
3. What binds the metal atoms together?
Ans: Metallic bonds.
ROUND 1
1. Explain how ethyne can be prepared on industrial scale from coke.
Ans: (a) Coke is made to react with lime or CaO at high temperature (over
1000◦C).
(b) The calcium carbide formed is treated with water to give ethyne.
24 [2014]
2. Which compound would you need as reactant in order to prepare propyne using hot
alcoholic KOH?
Ans: 1, 2-Dibromopropane.
3. Which compound would you need in addition to methyl iodide in order to prepare propyne?
Ans: Sodium ethynide / sodium acetylide (CH≡CNa).
ROUND 1
1. The solubility product of salt MX is 3.6*10-13 .what is the solubility in moldm-3 of the salt?
Ans: Solubility = √ (3.6*10-13) = √(36*10-14)
= 6.0 * 10-7
2. If the solubility of a compound A, of molar mass 85 is 0.16moldm-3 at 30◦C how much of
the compound will be needed to prepare a 250cm3 saturated solution of A at 30◦C.
Ans: Solubility of 250cm3 = (250/1000)*0.16
= 0.04mol
Mass of A needed = 0.04*85= 3.4g
3. The solubility of compound B is 24gdm-3 at 30◦C. How much of compound B will
crystallise out if 300cm3 solution containing 20g at 80◦C is allowed to cool to 30◦C.
Ans: Solubility of 300cm3at 30◦C = (300/1000)*24
= 7.2
Mass of B that will crystallise = 20-7.2
= 12.8g
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Alkenes will decolourise both bromine in 1, 1, 1-trichloromethane and not bromine in
water.
Ans: F Both reagents will be decolourised.
2. Propanal will give positive test with Tollens‟ reagent but not with Felling‟s reagent.
Ans: F Propanal will react with both reagents
3. The addition of HCl gaseous molecules to alkynes is easier than to alkenes.
Ans: T Alkynes are more reactive than alkenes.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Hydrogenation of alkenes can only be done in the presence of a transition metal catalyst
Ans: T Ni, or Pd, or Pt.
2. CO2 can be prepared by addition of dilute HCl to marble chips
Ans: T
3. Carbon (II) Oxide forms strong complex bond with transition metals including iron.
Ans: T
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 21
1. I am an inorganic substance made up of three different elements in the ratio 1 : 1 : 3
2. I am highly temperamental and I produce brown fumes when I am agitated.
3. Though I am a member of the Brönsted – Lowry family, in most of my reactions I am acting as
an oxidizing agent.
4. Nitrogen is one my elements in addition to oxygen and hydrogen
Who am I?
Ans: HNO3 or trioxonitrate (V) acid.
ROUND 1
1. Define the process of melting.
Ans: The change of a solid to the liquid state
25 [2014]
2. Define vapourisation.
Ans: The change of a solid or a liquid state to the vapour.
3. What is the difference between vapourisation and sublimation?
Ans: vapourisation refers to change of solid or liquid to the vapour but sublimation
refers specifically to change from solid to vapour.
ROUND 1
1. What property of alkenes allows them to have stereoisomers?
Ans: Rigidity of the carbon-carbon double bond.
2. Which of the two cis and trans 2-butene, is more stable?
Ans: trans-2-butene.
3. In principle 1-butene can react with hydrogen bromide to yield two possible products 1-
bromobutane and 2-bromobutane. Which product is the preferred product?
Ans: 2-bromobutane.
ROUND 1
1. In an organic reaction, 46g of ethanol was oxidised, yielding 48g of ethanoic acid. What
is the percentage yield of this preparation? Ethanol = 46; Ethanoic acid = 60
Ans: 46g of ethanol ≡ 60g of ethanoic acid
Hence %yield = (48/60)*100
= 80
2. 27g of an impure magnesium metal were heated in steam to give 30g of magnesium
oxide. What is the percent purity of the metal [Mg= 24, MgO= 40]
Give your answer to one place of decimal.
Ans: 40g of MgO ≡ 24g of Mg
30g of MgO ≡ 18g of Mg
Hence %purity = (18/27)*100 = 66.7%
3. When 90g of copper (II) Oxide were reduced to metallic copper, only 64g of metallic
copper was obtained. What was the percentage purity of the oxide? Cu = 64g; O = 16.
Give your answer to one place of decimal.
Ans: 64g of Cu ≡ 80g of CuO.
Hence %Purity = (80/90)*100
= 88.9
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Chloroethene is the monomer of PVC
Ans: T
2. Propene is the monomer of polystyrene
Ans: F Monomer is phenylethene.
3. Ethanol is the alkanol widely used for the synthesis of polyesters
Ans: F 1, 2-ethanediol.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The manganese alkaline cells are examples of secondary cells.
Ans: F Cannot be recharged.
2. The lead-acid accumulator is made up of 6 primary cells linked in series.
Ans: F They are all secondary cells.
26 [2014]
3. In the Akosombo Dam, chemical energy from the water is converted into electrical
energy.
Ans: F mechanical energy→ magnetic energy → electrical energy.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 22
1. I am a silvery – white metal, not a transition element but known to the ancient man.
2. I have about nine stable isotopes and three allotropes, named α, β, γ.
3. I am resistant to most chemicals and I can be polished to give a beautiful, white lustre
4. When I am coated over steel, the resulting metal can be used in making cans for preserving food.
Who am I?
Ans: Tin / Sn
ROUND 1
1. What is the first stage of Mass Spectrometry?
Ans: The sample is converted into a vapour in a vacuum chamber.
2. How are the positively charged ions produced in a Mass Spectrometer
Ans: The gaseous molecules or atoms are bombarded with high energy electrons
which succeed in knocking off an electron from each molecule/atom.
3. What is the use of the magnetic field in the Mass Spectrometer?
Ans: The magnetic field deflects the ions and the extent of deflection depends on mass
over charge ratio.
ROUND 1
1. Define a primary alkanol
Ans: The OH is bonded to a carbon bonded to 2 hydrogens or one carbon
2. What is the first product of oxidation of alkanols
Ans: Alkanals
3. Name the final product formed when 2-butanol is made to react with acidified K2Cr2O7.
Ans: 2-butanone.
ROUND 1
Preamble to all schools:
Consider the following results of a rate measurement of the reaction
2A + B → C
Expt. Conc. of A moldm-3 Conc. of B moldm-3 Rate (moldm-3s-1)
1 0.01 0.02 1.6*10-3
2 0.01 0.04 6.4*10-3
3 0.02 0.02 3.2*10-3
1. What is the order of the reaction with respect to A

Ans: Order with respect to A is 1 Explanation: In Expts.(1) and (3)conc. of B is kept
constant while A doubled; rate increases by a factor 2.
2. What is the order of the reaction with respect to B?
Ans: Order with respect to B is 2 Explanation; Expts. (1) and (2) conc. of A is
kept constant while B is doubled; rate increases by a factor of 4.
3. Calculate the rate constant of the reaction using the experimental results of experiment
1.The rate law is Rate = k [A][B]2.
Ans: 1.6*10-3 = k [1.0*10-2][2.0*10-2]2
= k*4*10-6
k = 1.6*10-3/4*10-6
27 [2014]
= 4.0*102
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The atomic radius of the atoms of elements in the second period of the Periodic Table
decreases from Lithium to Fluorine
Ans: T
2. Neon has a bigger atomic radius than fluorine, even though neon is the last member of
Period 2.
Ans: T
3. Atomic radius of the atoms of elements in Group 2 of the Periodic Table decreases down
the group
Ans: F It increases
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The oxidation state of nitrogen in NH3 is -3
Ans: T N is more electronegative than H.
2. The oxidation state of silicon in SiH4 is +4.
Ans: T H is more electronegative than Si
3. The oxidation state of manganese in the MnO42- ion is +6
Ans: T
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 23
1. I am an organic compound with a total of seven carbons in an open chain.
2. I am variously described as unsaturated
3. I decolourise dilute aqueous KMnO4
4. My characteristic functional group is between carbons 4 and 5from one end of the chain
What is my systematic name?
Ans: 3 – heptene
ROUND 1
1. What is pOH of a solution?
Ans: It is –log10 [OH] or It is a measure of hydroxide ion concentration of a solution.
2. State if the pH of beer is above or below 7.
Ans: pH of beer is below 7, (4.0 – 4.5)
3. What is the pH range of the gastric juice in the stomach?
Ans: pH = 1.0 – 3.0
ROUND 1
1. There are two types of nuclear reactions. What are they?
Ans: (1) Radioactive decay (nucleus spontaneously disintegrates giving off
radiation)
(2) Nuclear bombardment reaction (nucleus is bombarded by a nucleus or a
nuclear particle)
2. Why is neutron the favoured nuclear particle for nuclear bombardment
Ans: Its penetration of the atom is unhindered since it has no charge.
3. Some radioactive nuclei decay by β emission, what is this process equivalent to?
Ans: Equivalent to conversion of a neutron to a proton in the nucleus.
28 [2014]
ROUND 1
1. The standard electrode potentials of the half cells, Cr3+/Cr and Cd2+/Cd are -0.74 and -
0.40 respectively. State the expected observation when chromium rod is immersed in a
solution Cd2+.
Ans: Cd2+ will be reduced to Cd and deposited on the Cr rod. Some of the Cr will
dissolve / or get oxidised to Cr3+ and go into solution.
2. Consider the following half cells with their standard electrode potentials: Cu+/Cu, 0.52v;
Cu2+/Cu, 0.34v and I2/I-/Pt, 0.53v. Which reaction, iodine oxidising copper to copper (I)
or iodine oxidising copper to copper (II) will occur readily.
Ans: I2 oxidising Cu to Cu2+
3. The following two half cells, Ni2+/Ni and Fe3+/Fe2+/Pt have electrode potentials 0.23v and
0.77v respectively. Give the equation for the reaction of a cell that can be created from
the two half cells.
Ans: Ni + 2Fe3+ → Ni2+ + 2Fe2+
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Of the three elements, sodium, magnesium, and aluminium, magnesium will have the
highest ionization energy.
Ans: T
2. Of the three elements, boron, carbon and nitrogen, boron will have the lowest ionization
energy.
Ans: T
3. Of the elements nitrogen, oxygen and fluorine, nitrogen will have the lowest ionisation
energy.
Ans: F It is oxygen.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Freshly prepared Fe(OH)2 is green
Ans: T Turns brown on standing
2. Both ammonia solution and NaOH solution will give white, gelatinous precipitate with
Al3+
Ans: T
3. Fe(OH)3 is insoluble in excess NaOH solution
Ans: T
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 24
1. My nickname in English would suggest I am always sarcastic or bitter
2. I may be bitter but you dare not taste me because I can give you very nasty burns on your fingers
and tongue.
3. I am not manufactured in Ghana even though my raw material is plentiful in Ghana
4. Without me how can you produce your hard soap?
Who am I?
Ans: Sodium hydroxide / Caustic soda
ROUND 1
Consider the equilibrium reaction
CO(g) + 3H2(g) → CH4(g) + H2O(g)
1. Write down the equilibrium constant expression Kc for the reaction.
Ans: Kc = [CH4][H2O]/[CO][H2]3
29 [2014]
2. What is the relationship between Kc and Kp of the reaction?
Ans: Kp = Kc(RT)∆n
= Kc (RT)-2
3. Predict the effect of increased pressure on the equilibrium
Ans: increased pressure will shift the equilibrium point to the right / products.
ROUND 1
1. Give the products when lithium trioxocarbonate (IV) is heated
Ans: Li2O, CO2.
2. Give the products when lithium trioxonitrate (V) is heated
Ans: Li2O, O2, nitrogen (IV) Oxide (NO2).
3. Give the products when sodium trioxonitrate (V) is heated
Ans: sodium dioxonitrate (III) [NaNO2] and O2
ROUND 1
To 25cm3 of 0.02moldm-3 solution of sodium trioxoiodate (V) solution are added excess
sodium iodide solution and about 5cm3 of 1.0 moldm-3 of H2SO4 solution. The iodate and
iodide react in the ratio 1:5.
1. How many moles of iodide will be needed to reduce all the iodate.
Ans: mole of IO3- = (25/1000)*0.02 = 0.50*10-3
-
Hence moles of I needed = 5*0.50*10-3
= 2.50*10-3 or 0.0025mol.
2. How many moles of H+ ions will be needed to facilitate the reaction if H+ is needed three
times in excess?
Ans: IO3- needs 6H+ to form 3H2O
Moles of IO3- = 0.50*10-3
+
Moles of H = 6*0.50*10-3
Three time excess = 3*6*0.5*10-3
= 9.0*10-3 or 0.009mol
3. How many moles of iodine will be formed when all the IO3- is reduced?
Ans: IO3- + 5I- + 6H+ → 3I2 + 3H2O
-
Every mole of IO3 ≡ 3 moles I2
Hence I2 to be produced = 3*0.5*10-3
= 1.5*10-3 mole or 0.0015mol
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Generally an anion formed from an atom has a bigger radius than that of the neutral atom.
Ans: T
2. Generally a cation formed from an atom has a bigger radius than that of the neutral atom.
Ans: F
3. Lattice energy is the energy required to break up a crystal structure into its component
gaseous units.
Ans: T
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
30 [2014]
1. The higher the negative value of the electron affinity of atom the more stable is the anion
formed.
Ans: T
2. NaCl will have lower lattice energy than NaBr
Ans: F Charge density on Cl- is higher than charge density on Br-, hence more
energy will be required to break up NaCl than NaBr.
3. The greater the positive value of the ionization energy of an atom the easier the cation
formation.
Ans: F
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 25
1. I am an inorganic substance containing a metal cation
2. I crystallize out from water at ordinary temperatures as a decahydrate‟
3. My decahydrate has the habit of efflorescing in dry air to lose 9 of the water molecules
4. My decahydrate has the nickname “washing soda”.
Who am I?
Ans: Na2CO3 or sodium trioxocarbonate (IV)
ROUND 1
1. Give the product when propanoic acid is treated with a hot solution of ammonia.
Ans: Ammonium propanoate
2. Give the product when an aqueous solution of ammonium propanoate is heated strongly.
Ans: Propanamide
3. Give the products when ethanoic acid is treated with sodium trioxocarbonate (IV)
solution.
Ans: sodium ethanoate, CO2 and H2O
ROUND 1
1. How many moles of chlorine gas will be discharged in the electrolysis of concentrated
NaCl solution using inert electrodes when 0.8 Faraday of charge is passed?
Ans: 1F = Cl = ½Cl2
0.8F = 0.8Cl = 0.4mol Cl2
2. What will be discharged at the cathode during electrolysis of concentrated aqueous
solution of NaCl using inert electrodes
Ans: Hydrogen gas.
3. What will be the mole ratio of the copper discharged at the cathode and the oxygen
released at the anode, during the electrolysis of aqueous CuSO4 using inert electrodes?
Ans: At cathode: Cu2+ + 2e → Cu
At anode: H2O - 2e → 2H+ + ½O2
2+
Mole Ratio Cu : O2 = 2 : 1
ROUND 1
1. Copper reacts with concentrated trioxonitrate (V) acid to give copper (II) trioxonitrate
(V), nitrogen (IV) oxide and water. Write a balanced equation for the reaction.
Ans: Cu + 4HNO3 → Cu(NO3)2 + 2NO2 + 2H2O.
2. Chlorine gas reacts with aqueous sodium hydroxide to give NaCl, NaClO and H2O. Write
a balanced equation for the reaction.
Ans: Cl2 + 2NaOH → NaCl + NaClO + H2O
3. NCl3 reacts with water to give ammonia and HOCl. Write a balanced equation for the
reaction.
Ans: NCl3 + 3H2O → NH3 + 3HOCl
ROUND 3
31 [2014]
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The element immediately below aluminium in Group 3 (or 13) is named after the country
France.
Ans: T Gallium
2. The element immediately below nitrogen in Group 5 (or 15) bears a name that means fire
in Greek.
Ans: F Phosphorus - Greek = light-bearing
3. There is an element among the Main Group elements named after Germany.
Ans: T Germanium after Germany
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. When aqueous NaHCO3 is added to a solution of ethanoic acid, nothing is observed.
Ans: F There will be effervescence
2. When a drop of barium trioxonitrate (V) solution is added to a solution of a salt in a test
tube and a white precipitate insoluble in dilute HNO3 is formed, then the salt may contain
SO32- ions.
Ans: F Precipitate BaSO3 is soluble in HNO3
3. A few drops of concentrated H2SO4 are added to a solid in a test tube and a reddish
brown vapour is observed. The solid may be an iodide.
Ans: F solid is bromide.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 26
1. I was born in 1627 in the Republic of Ireland
2. I was educated in England and lived and worked there thereafter.
3. I was the first scientist to perform controlled experiments and publish the method and results for
the benefit of mankind.
4. I showed that at a constant temperature if a volume of a gas is decreased, the pressure increases
proportionately
Who am I?
Ans: Robert Boyle
ROUND 1
1. What are the 3 general stages in the extraction of metal from its ores?
Ans: (a) concentration (b) chemical reduction of the ore.
(c) Purification of the metal.
2. In obtaining aluminium from its ore, what are the processes that may be described as
concentration?
Ans: (a) The bauxite is treated with hot concentrated NaOH solution under pressure which
dissolves the aluminium oxide and silicon oxide
(b) The aluminium hydroxide is seeded out using small amount of pure crystalline
Al(OH)3
(c) The hydroxide is roasted to give pure Al2O3
3. Which of the general stages, concentration, reduction and purification is absent in the extraction
of gold from its ore and why?
Ans: The missing stage is chemical reduction
Reason: Gold occurs in the uncombined state.
ROUND 1
Preamble to all school.
Consider the reaction:
3A + 5B → 2C + D
1. How would the rate of disappearance of A compare with the rate of disappearance of B.
32 [2014]
Ans: The rate of disappearance of A = 3/5 Rate of disappearance of B.
2. How would the rate of appearance of D compare with the rate of disappearance of A.?
Ans: Rate of formation of D = 1/3 Rate of disappearance of A.
3. How would the rate of disappearance of B compare with the rate of formation of C.?
Ans: The rate of disappearance of B = 5/2 Rate of formation of C.
ROUND 1
1. A certain quantity of a gas at 30 C and pressure of 120kPa occupies a volume of 21dm3. If it is
◦
allowed to expand to 28dm3 at the constant temperature what will be the new pressure exerted by
the gas.
Ans: P1V1 = P2V2 hence P2 = (V1/V2)*P1
P2 = 21*120/28 = 90kPa
2. If it takes oxygen gas 60 seconds to diffuse from point A to B in the lab, how long will it take
hydrogen gas, all things being equal, to diffuse from A to B. [H=1, O=16]
Ans: Rate = d/t α √ (1/M)
t2/t1 = √(M2/M1)
t2 = 60√(2/32) = ¼*60
= 15s.
3. A certain quantity of a gas at 27◦C and pressure of 98kPa occupies 20dm3. If the gas is heated to
47◦C at constant pressure, what will be the new volume of the gas? Give your answer to one place
of decimal.
Ans: V2/V1 = T2/T1 hence V2 = T2*V1/T1
V2 = (320/300)*20
= 21.3
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The intermolecular forces in H2S molecules are induced dipole – induced dipole
Ans: F Hydrogen bonding
2. The intermolecular forces in CaO is dipole – dipole
Ans: F Electrostatic/Ionic
3. The intermolecular forces in CO2 are induced dipole – induced dipole.
Ans: T
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The product obtained by reacting 1-butene with bromine water should be 1-bromo-2-
butanol
Ans: T
2. In condensation polymerization two different monomers are sometimes required
Ans: T
3. Methylamine is a weaker base than ammonia.
Ans: F
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 27
1. I am a promoter of a kind of association
2. Through me a relatively strong linkage is formed between individuals or groups.
3. I am therefore a type of covalent bond
4. I believe in one bond at a time between neighbours so whether in Greek or English my name
starts with the alphabet S.
Who am I?
Ans: sigma bond / single covalent bond.
33 [2014]
[MAIN CONTEST 28-67]
ROUND 1
1. If an element has atomic number 16, how many electrons are there in the valence shell?
Ans: 16 = 1s22s22p63s23p4
Hence 6 electrons.
2. If an element has atomic number 12, what will be its main oxidation state in its compounds?
Ans: 1s22s22p63s2
Hence +2
3. An element has atomic number 14, which group of the Periodic Table will it belong?
Ans: 14 = 1s22s22p63s23p2
Hence Group 4 (or 14)
ROUND 1
1. Give the systematic name for an alkanoic acid with 5 carbons in an open chain with bromine
bonded to the 2nd carbon from the other end.
Ans: 4-Bromopentanoic acid
2. Give the systematic name of an ester that is derived from phenylmethanol and butanoic acid.
Ans: Benzyl butanoate OR Phenylmethyl butanoate
3. What is the systematic name of an alkene with 7 carbons in an open chain and the double between
4th or 5th carbons from one end
Ans: 3-Heptene.
ROUND 1
1. Continue the following statements :
For a fixed quantity of an ideal gas its volume is inversely proportional to its pressure…...
Ans: At a constant temperature.
2. Continue the following statement:
Gas densities are directly proportional to…………..
Ans: Their molar masses at a given temperature and pressure
3. The rate of diffusion of a gas is inversely proportional to ………..
Ans: The square root of its density / molar mass at constant temperature and pressure.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 28
1. I am both a chemical and a physical process
2. Electrons are transferred during my operation
3. Unlike my cousin, I am content with a self-contained one room apartment
4. I only need external assistance in the form of electricity
5. I cannot work with AC but I am happy with DC.
6. I convert electrical energy into chemical energy
Who am I?
Ans: Electrolysis
ROUND 1
1. How many moles of copper are present in 62.5g of CuSO4.5H2O
Cu = 64.0, S = 32.0, O = 16.0, H = 1.0
Ans: CuSO4.5H2O = 64 + 32 + 64 + 5*18 = 250
250.0g CuSO4.5H2O = 1mol
62.5g CuSO4.5H2O = 1/4 or 0.25mol
34 [2014]
Hence mole of Cu = 0.25
3
2. If you dissolve 57.2g of Na2CO3.10H2O in 1dm of de-ionized water, what is the concentration of
the solution with respect to Na+ ions? Na = 23.0, C = 12.0, O = 16.0, H = 1.
Ans: Na2CO3.10H2O = 46 + 12 + 48 + 180 = 286
57.2g Na2CO3.10H2O ≡ 57.2/286 mol of Na2CO3
= 1/5 or 0.2 mol of Na2CO3
= 2/5 or 0.4 mol of Na
-3
Concentration with respect to Na = 0.4 moldm
3. A 200cm3 solution of concentration 0.15moldm-3 with respect to Cu2+ is to be prepared using
CuSO4.5H2O crystals. How much of the solid must be dissolved in the 200cm3 of water. Cu =
64.0, S = 32.0, O = 16.0, H = 1.0
Ans: CuSO4.5H2O = 64 + 32 + 64 +90
= 250
1 dm of 0.15mol of Cu2+
3
= 250*0.15
= 37.5
200cm3 = 1/5*37.5 = 7.5g
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Boron, atomic number 5,has lower first ionization than Beryllium atomic number 4,
Ans: T B ˂ Be
2. Hydrogen, atomic number 1, has lower first ionization energy than helium, atomic number 2.
Ans: T (H ˂He)
3. Phosphorus, atomic number 15, has lower first ionization energy than silicon, atomic number 14
Ans: F (P ˃ Si)
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. In the reaction 2Fe + 3Cl2 → 2FeCl3, iron metal is the oxidizing agent.
Ans: F It is the reducing agent.
2. In the reaction ZnO + C → Zn + CO, carbon is a reducing agent.
Ans: T
3. In the reaction H2 + Cl2 → 2HCl, chlorine is the oxidizing agent.
Ans: T
ROUND 1
1. Name the elements from aluminum to argon in the 3rd Period, of the Periodic Table in the right
order.
Ans: Aluminum, silicon, phosphorus, sulphur, chlorine and Argon.
2. Name the elements in Group 1 of the Periodic Table from sodium down to the last member.
Ans: Sodium, Potassium, Rubidium, Caesium and Francium.
3. Name the elements in the 2nd Period of the Periodic Table from carbon to the end.
Ans: Carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine and neon.
ROUND 1
1. Name any 3 factors that affect the rate of a reaction.
Ans: Any 3 of (a) Temperature (b) Concentration (c) Pressure
(d) Surface area of solid reactants (e) Presence of catalyst
2. Explain why the actual rate of a reaction is much lower than the calculated frequency of
collisions.
Ans: (a) Not all the collisions are effective. (b) Collision must generate the activation energy
and not all collisions generate this minimum energy.
3. Why is the order of the reaction 3A + B → products not necessarily a 4th order?
Ans: (a) Order of reaction is an experimental quantity and does not depend on the
stoichiometric ratios of reactants.
(b) It depends on the rate determining step of the mechanism
ROUND 1
1. Name an alkene which will react with HBr gas to give 2-bromopentane
Ans: 1-pentene
35 [2014]
2. Give the reagent that can convert 2-butene to 2,3-butandiol
Ans: Cold, neutral and dilute KMnO4 solution.
3. How would you prepare a mixture of chloro-, dichloro-, and trichloromethane from methane?
Ans: Mix CH4 and Cl2 in a flask and expose the mixture to (UV) light.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 29
1. If were in politics I would certainly be in the opposition party
2. I resist changes, especially if they are insignificant
3. If it comes to gender it is not easy where to place me, because I have both the positive and the
negative genes.
4. This runs through all family members
5. I am able to mob up small quantities of acids and bases
6. I play an important role in the human physiology.
Who am I?
Ans: Buffer
ROUND 1
1. The solubility of a salt is 0.3moldm-3 at 28ᵒC. How much of the salt is needed to prepare 400cm3
of saturated solution of the salt at 28ᵒC? The gram formula mass of the salt is 67g
Ans: Mass needed for 1dm3 = 0.3*67
= 20.1g
Mass needed for 400cm3 = 20.1*0.4
= 8.04g
2. The solubility of an organic compound in ethanol is 76gdm-3 at 30ᵒC. How much solid can be
harvested from a 250cm3 solution at 65ᵒC, containing 50g of the compound when the solution is
cooled to 30oC.
Ans: Solubility of the compound at 30ᵒC for 250cm3;
= 250/1000*76
= 19g
Mass to be harvested = 50 - 19 = 31g
3. The solubilities of two compounds A and B in water are 16gdm-3 and 25gdm-3 at 30ᵒC. A 20g 1:1
mixture of A and B are put in 400ml of water at 30ᵒC, how much solid will remain undissolved.
Ans: Solubility of A in 400cm3 at 30ᵒC = 400/1000*16 = 6.4
Solubility of B in 400cm3 at 30ᵒC = 400/1000*25
= 10.0
A undissolved = 10 - 6.4 = 3.6
B undissolved = 10 - 10 = 0
Total mass undissolved = 3.6g
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Sodium is normally extracted from sodium chloride by electrolysis.
Ans: T
2. Electroplating is used only as a form of protection of a metal from the elements of the weather.
Ans: F can be used to decorate or improve the appearance of metals.
3. In the purification of copper, copper metal is used as both anode and cathode
Ans: T
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Na, Mg, and B tend to form cations because of their relatively low ionization energies
Ans: F True for Na and Mg but not B.
2. Elements that have high ionization energies and high electron affinities form covalent or ionic
compounds.
Ans: T High Electron Affinity favours anion formation and high IE favours covalent
bond formation.
3. C, N and Si all form covalent bonds.
Ans: T.
36 [2014]
ROUND 1
Classify the following compounds as ionic, covalent or highly polarized covalent.
1. BeH2
Ans: Highly polarized covalent
2. BeO
Ans: Highly polarized covalent.
3. Al2O3
Ans: Highly polarized covalent
ROUND 1
Consider the following equilibrium reaction.
N2O4 (g) + heat = 2NO2 (g)
1. Predict the effect of increase in temperature on the equilibrium constant Kp.
Ans: Kp will increase.
2. Predict the effect of increased pressure on the equilibrium point.
Ans: The equilibrium point will move to the left/ reactants.
3. What is the relationship between Kp and Kc for this equilibrium?
Ans: Kp = Kc (RT)∆n = Kc (RT)1 ∆n = 1
ROUND 1
1. Name the product when 1-propanol is treated with warm acidified K2Cr2O7 solution
Ans: Propanoic acid (If Propanal 1mark)
2. Name the product when toluene is treated with acidified KMnO4
Ans: Benzoic acid (or phenylmethanoic acid)
3. Name the product when 2-butanol is treated with warm acidified K2Cr2O7solution
Ans: 2-butanone.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 30
1. I am a law
2. I am based on some observations in the field of transportation
3. The movement may involve moving from one point in an open space to another point.
4. The movement may alternatively involve moving through a small opening in a closed space.
5. Whichever be the case, it is observed that the heavier the body in motion, the slower it is.
6. To be more precise the speed of the transportation is inversely proportional to the square root of
molar mass
Who am I?
Ans: Graham‟s law of Effusion / Diffusion
ROUND 1
1. Two half-cells A+/A and B+/B have the standard electrode potentials -0.60 and +0.7 volts
respectively. Write the equation for the cell reaction, and calculate the emf of a cell that can be
created from the two half-cells
Ans: Cell Reaction: A + B+ → A+ + B
Emf = 0.60 + 0.7 = 1.3V
2. Two half-cells C+/C and D2+/D have the standard electrode potentials -0.65 and -0.54 volts
created from the two half-cells.
Ans: Cell Reaction: 2C + D2+ → 2C+ + D
Emf = 0.65 - 0.54
= 0.11v
37 [2014]
3. Two half-cells E+/E and F+/F have the standard electrode potential +0.72 and +0.32 volts
created from the two half-cells.
Ans: Cell Reaction: F + E+ → F+ + E
Emf = 0.72 - 0.32
= 0.40v
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Mica contains gold
Ans: F contains Al (or K and Si)
2. Limonite is one of the ores of iron
Ans: T
3. Siderite is an iron ore in which the iron is bonded to sulphide ions
Ans: F siderite = FeCO3
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Scientists have discovered micro-organisms that can breakdown or digest polythene
Ans: F
2. Pig iron and wrought iron are the same
Ans: F
3. All stainless steels usually contain chromium and sometimes nickel in addition.
Ans: T
ROUND 1
1. Explain why aqueous solution of Na2CO3 turns red litmus paper blue.
Ans: Because the solution is alkaline. It is alkaline because CO32- is hydrolyzed in solution OR
CO32- reacts with water to give HCO3- and OH- ions.
2. Explain why lime water becomes milky on bubbling CO2 through it
Ans: The Ca(OH)2 reacts with CO2 to give CaCO3, which is insoluble in water or forms a
suspension in the water.
3. What may be your observation if separate solutions of Na2CO3 and NaHCO3 are heated gently on
water-bath.
Ans: The NaHCO3 decomposes to give H2O, CO2 and Na2CO3, hence effervescence is
observed. In the case of Na2CO3, nothing happens.
ROUND 1
There are differences between nuclear and chemical reactions. Give any one of them.
Ans: 1). Nuclear reactions take place in the nucleus whereas chemical reactions take place in
the outer electronic shell. i.e. Protons, neutrons and electrons vrs valence electrons
2). Large amount of energy released in nuclear reactions whereas much less energy
released in chemical reactions
3). In nuclear reactions, new nuclide(s) is /are formed whereas in chemical reactions, new
compounds containing the same nuclides are formed.
4). Nuclear reactions are not affected by external factors such as temperature and
pressure, whereas chemical reactions are affected.
ROUND 1
38 [2014]
1. Give the expression for half-life of first order reactions.
Ans: t1/2 = 0.693/k where k is the rate constant.
2. Give the integrated form of the rate equation for the first order reaction, where Aᵒ is the initial
concentration of reactant and At is the concentration at time t.
Ans: log At = log Aᵒ - kt/2.303
3. What are the units for the rate constant of a second order reaction?
Ans: Unit mol-1dm3s-1
ROUND 1
1. Calculate the pH of a solution made by mixing 250cm3 of 0.20moldm-3 HCl solution with 250cm-
3
of 0.5moldm-3 NaCl solution.
Ans: The NaCl solution merely dilutes the HCl solution.
New concentration of HCl = 0.10 mldm-3 since dilution is 1 in 2
pH = -log [0.1] = 1
2. Calculate the pH of 0.10 moldm-3 solution of a weak acid of pKa 6.5
Ans: pH = ½ pKa - ½ logCa
= 6.5/2 - ½ log10-1
= 3.25 + 0.5 = 3.75
3. Calculate the pH of 0.10 moldm-3 solution of NH4+Cl- given that the pKb of ammonia is 4.76.
Ans: pKa of NH4+ = 14 - 4.76
= 9.24
pH = 9.24/2 - ½ log10-1
= 4.62 + 0.50 = 5.12
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. A sample of ammonia gas can be dried by passing it over solid CaO
Ans: T
2. HCl can be collected in a gas jar by downward displacement of air
Ans: F Upward displacement because HCl is heavier than air.
3. One of the commonest methods of preparing CO2 in the laboratory is to heat marble or limestone
chips with dilute H2SO4.
Ans: F Dilute HCl is used. H2SO4 will form insoluble CaSO4 and cover the surface of
the chips.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. In the absence of pipette, a measuring cylinder can be used in measuring 25cm3 volume for a
volumetric exercise.
Ans: F
2. In order to ensure complete solubility of a solid sample to be used in a volumetric exercise, the
solution in the volumetric flask can be warmed slightly.
Ans: F
3. A graduated pipette can be used to deliver known volumes accurately
Ans: T.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 31
1. I am not interested in enthalpies of reaction because however hard I may try I cannot change them
2. I am also not able to alter equilibrium constants
3. No matter how harsh the conditions may be I never change
4. Of course this is not absolutely true, because my physical appearance may change sometimes.
5. Activation energy is often my target
39 [2014]
6. I can lower but not raise activation energies.
Who am I?
Ans: Catalyst
ROUND 1
1. State the hybridization of the bonding orbitals of the carbon in carbon (II) oxide
Ans: sp
2. State the hybridization of the bonding orbitals of silicon in SiH4
Ans: sp3
3. State the hybridization of the bonding orbitals of boron in BCl3
Ans: sp2
ROUND 1
1. Explain why 2 gases are able to diffuse into each other.
Ans: Gaseous molecules are in constant motion in all directions. Gaseous molecules occupy
negligible portion of the volume of the gas.
2. Explain why gases in a container exert pressure.
Ans: The gaseous molecules are in constant motion and they collide with the inner walls of the
container. The collisions produce the pressure.
3. Why does the pressure of a gas reduce when temperature is reduced at constant volume?
Ans: The kinetic energy of the gaseous molecules is reduced. The frequency of collision with
walls of container is reduced, change in momentum is reduced.
ROUND 1
1. The electrode potential of the half-cell A+/A where A is a metal, is -0.40v. Will this metal be able
to liberate hydrogen gas from a mineral acid? Explain your answer
Ans: Yes, The reaction A + H+ → A+ + ½ H2
will be the cell reaction of a cell with positive emf.
2. Consider the two half-cells and their corresponding electrode potentials:
B+/B, -0.62V and C+/C, +0.37V. Deduce which of the two B and C can act as a reducing agent in
a redox reaction.
Ans: a) Positive emf: B + C+ → B+ + C
+
b) Hence B can act as a reducing agent on C
3. The Cu2+/Cu and Fe2+/Fe half-cells have the electrode potentials +0.34 and -0.44. State if
anything will happen if an iron nail is accidentally dropped into a solution of CuSO4 and explain
why?
Ans: A bit of the nail will dissolve and the nail will have a thin coating of copper metal.
Reason: Fe + Cu2+ → Fe2+ + Cu will
have positive emf.
ROUND 1
1. What is the concentration of a NaOH solution if 25.0cm3 of it require 18.0cm3 of 0.25moldm-3
HCl solution for complete neutralization?
Ans: HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O
18*0.25/25*M = 1/1
M = 18.0*0.25/25 = 0.18
Conc. of NaOH = 0.18moldm-3
2. Calculate the concentration of HCl solution if 24cm3 of it require 20cm3 of 0.10moldm-3 Na2CO3
for neutralization in a volumetric exercise, using methyl orange as indicator. Give your answer to
3 places of decimal
Ans: 2HCl + Na2CO3 → 2NaCl + H2O + CO2
20*0.1/24*M = ½
40 [2014]
M = 2*20*0.1/24
Conc. of HCl = 0.167moldm-3
3. Iodine reacts with the S2O32- ion in the ratio 1:2.
How many millimoles of S2O32- will be required to reduce all the iodine contained in 25cm3 of
0.1moldm-3 iodine solution?
Ans: mmole of iodine = 25*0.1 = 2.5
mmoles of S2O32 = 2*2.5 = 5.0
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. According to Lewis concept of acids and bases, an acid is an electron acceptor
Ans: F it is an electron pair acceptor
2. BF3 can act as a Lewis acid
Ans: T
3. The HCO3- ion is both a Bronsted-Lowry acid and a Lewis acid
Ans: F it is only a Bronsted-Lowry acid
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. All soaps and detergents have a hydrocarbon tail and ionic head.
Ans: T
2. The cleansing action of soaps and detergents are the same
Ans: T
3. Hard water has almost the same effect on soaps and detergents
Ans: F. Ca and Mg salts from soaps are insoluble – formation of scum
Scum not formed with detergents.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 32
1. I am an element but I exist as molecules
2. I was discovered in 1825
3. My name is derived from a Greek word which means I cannot boast of a pleasant smell
4. I am a dark-red, heavy liquid, never found in my native state.
5. Sea water is a good source of me
6. After precipitating all the sodium chloride from concentrated sea water, just bubble some chlorine
gas through it and I shall appear
Who am I?
Ans: Bromine
ROUND 1
1. Name the 3rd element of Group 2.
Ans: Ca
2. Name the last element in Group 2.
Ans: Radium
3. Name an element in Group 2 with symbol Sr.
Ans: Strontium
ROUND 1
1. Define a base according to the Arrhenius Theory
Ans: A substance that produces OH- ions in water.
2. Define an acid according to the Bronsted-Lowry Theory
Ans: A substance that donates a proton.
3. What is an alkali
41 [2014]
Ans: water soluble base
ROUND 1
1. Give the name of a saturated hydrocarbon with nine carbons in an open chain
Ans: Nonane
2. What is the molecular formula of alkene of 5 carbons
Ans: C5H10
3. A hydrocarbon is a 6-membered ring. What could be its molecular formula
Ans: C6H12
ROUND 1
1. Calculate the percentage carbon in octane. Give your answer to two places of decimal.
C = 12.0; H = 1.0
Ans: octane = C8H18
Formula mass of octane = 96 + 18 = 114
%C = 96/114*100 = 84.21%
2. Calculate the percentage oxygen in propanol. Give your answer to two places of decimal. C =
12.0; H = 1.0; O = 16.0
Ans: Propanol = C3H7OH
= 36 + 8 + 16
= 60
%O = 16/60*100 = 26.67%
3. Calculate the percentage hydrogen in decane and give your answer to two places of decimal.
C = 12.0; H = 1.0,
Ans: Decane = C10H22
= 120 + 22
= 142
%H = 22/142*100 = 15.49
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. One of the products of hydrolysis of vegetable oil is 1, 2, 3-propantriol.
Ans: T (1, 2, 3 – propantriol ≡ glycerol)
2. The final product of oxidation of ethanol is ethanoic acid.
Ans: F CO2 and H2O
3. The final product of fermentation of sucrose in the presence of oxygen is ethanoic acid.
Ans: T
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Mercury lamp emits blue light
Ans: F violet light
2. Sodium lamp emits yellow light
Ans: T
3. Calcium imparts red colour to colourless flame.
Ans: T
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 33
1. I am felt or seen anywhere I come into contact with equilibrium process
2. I am effective only if I and the equilibrium have something in common
3. My effect is more dramatic when solutions of sparingly soluble salts are considered.
42 [2014]
4. Try dissolving separately Ca(OH)2 in water and then is sodium hydroxide solution
5. The solubilities are different because I am in operation
Who am I?
Ans: Common-ion Effect.
ROUND 1
1. Define bond energy of a covalent bond.
Ans: Enthalpy change for breaking /The energy required to break homolytically one mole of a
covalent bond in the gaseous state.
2. Define the first ionization energy of an element.
Ans: It is the energy required to remove an electron from each neutral atom in a mole of
gaseous atoms of an element.
3. Define electron affinity of an element
Ans: The energy lost or required per mole of an element when the gaseous atoms each accept
an electron.
ROUND 1
1. How many elements are in Group 3 (or 13) of the Periodic Table?
Ans: 5 elements
2. How many elements are in Group 2 of the Periodic Table?
Ans: 6 elements
3. How many elements are present in the First d-Transition series
Ans: 10 (d1 → d10)
ROUND 1
1. What is the hybridization of oxygen in carbon (II) oxide molecule
Ans: sp
2. What is the hybridization of the carbon in the methyl group of toluene
Ans: sp3
3. What is the hybridization of carbon in benzene
Ans: sp2
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 34
1. I do occur in nature in the uncombined state but that is rare
2. Often I am in a combined state
3. The alchemists believed I am the oldest metal
4. The ancient Romans associated me with all successful plumbers
5. Indeed I am a metal among the Main Group Elements
6. I am the last member of Group 4 (or 14) of the Periodic Table with atomic number 82
Who am I?
Ans: Lead
ROUND 1
1. Lime may be obtained by heating strongly sea shells which are about 90% calcium
trioxocarbonate. How much lime is expected from 1kg of sea shells
Ca = 40.0, C = 12.0, O = 16.0
Ans: CaCO3 = 40 + 12 + 48 = 100
CaO = 40 +16 = 56
CaCO3 → CaO
100 → 56
If 100% pure 1kg CaCO3 → 560g CaO
90% pure → 560*0.9
43 [2014]
= 504.0g
2. Slaked lime is obtained by adding measured amount of water to lime, CaO. How much water is
needed to just convert 44.8g lime to slaked lime? Ca = 40.0, O = 16.0, C = 12.0, H = 1.0
Ans: CaO + H2O → Ca(OH)2
56 18 → 74
Water required = 18*44.8/56
= 14.4g
3. Some bauxite deposit is found to contain an average of 10.8% aluminium. How much alumina
can be obtained from 1kg of the bauxite?
Al = 27.0 O = 16.0
Ans: 2Al + 3/2O2 → Al2O3 (alumina)
54 54+48
54g of Al represent 102g Al2O3
But 1000g bauxite ≡ 108g Al
108g Al≡ 108/54*102 g of Al2O3
= 204g of Al2O3 (alumina)
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Dilute ammonia added to lead ions in solution will give a gelatinous white precipitate.
Ans: F White precipitate but not gelatinous
2. Dilute ammonia added to iron (II) solution produces a pale green precipitate soluble in excess
ammonia solution.
Ans: F Pale green precipitate but does not dissolve in excess ammonia solution.
3. Dilute sodium hydroxide solution added to iron (III) solution gives a red-brown gelatinous
precipitate.
Ans: T
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The most abundant element in the universe is helium
Ans: F It is hydrogen
2. The most abundant element on earth is oxygen
Ans: T
3. The most abundant metalloid in the earth crust is silicon
Ans: T
ROUND 1
1. What is the symbol for gold?
Ans: Au
2. What is the symbol for tungsten
Ans: W
3. What is the symbol for silver
Ans: Ag
ROUND 1
1. State Hess‟ law
Ans: The total enthalpy change of a reaction is independent of the reaction path.
2. State Avogadro‟s law
Ans: Equal volumes of any two gases at the same temperature and pressure contain the same
number of molecules.
3. State the Law of Combining Volumes
44 [2014]
Ans: When gases at the same temperature and pressure react with one another they do so in
volume ratios of small whole numbers.
ROUND 1
1. What are organic esters?
Ans: They are compounds derived from the reaction of alkanoic acid / carboxylic acid with
alkanols/ alcohols OR compounds that can be hydrolysed to give alkanoic acids and
alkanols
2. What are amides?
Ans: They are compound obtained from the reaction of ammonia or primary or secondary
amines with carboxylic / alkanoic acid or alkanoic acid halides OR compounds that can
be hydrolsed to give alkanoic acids and ammonia or 1◦/ 2◦ amines.
3. What are amines
Ans: They are organic compounds in which one or two of or all three hydrogens in ammonia
have been replaced with alkyl or aryl groups.
ROUND 1
1. 10cm3 of 0.80moldm-3 solution of NaOH are diluted to 250cm3. Calculate the new concentration
of NaOH
Ans: Dilution 10cm3 → 250cm3
1 in 25
New concentration of NaOH = 0.8/25
= 0.032moldm-3
3 3
2. 25cm of a solution of HCl were diluted to 400cm and the concentration of the HCl of the new
solution was found to be 0.04moldm-3. What was the original concentration of the HCl solution?
Ans: Dilution factor 25 → 400
1 in 16
Hence the old concentration = 0.04*16
= 0.64moldm-3
3. 15cm of 0.05moldm H2SO4 solution were diluted to 300cm3. Calculate the concentration of the
3 -3
new solution with respect to H+ ions.

Ans: Dilution factor 15 → 300
1 in 20
New conc. of H2SO4 = 0.0025 moldm-3
New conc. of H+ = 0.005moldm-3
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The major inter-atomic forces in helium is dipole-dipole
Ans: F induced dipole – induce dipole
2. The major inter-molecular forces in ethene is dipole-dipole
Ans: F induce dipole-induce dipole
3. The major inter-molecular forces in ethanoic acid is hydrogen bonding
Ans: T
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Both sp3 and sp2 carbons are present in butanal
Ans: T
2. The hybridization of nitrogen in NH3 is sp3
Ans: T
3. The hybridization of S in H2S is sp
Ans: F it is sp3
45 [2014]
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 35
1. I am a hydrated salt, quite bitter to taste
2. I am made up of a metal cation
3. Apart from my molecules of water of crystallisation my anion has two different non-metal
elements
4. My cation is derived from an element in Group 2 of the Periodic Table
5. During my preparation I crystallise out as a heptahydrated salt
6. I could be bought from a standard Pharmacy shop
7. I am a useful purgative
Who am I?
Ans: Epsom salt or Magnesium tetraoxosulphate (VI) heptahydrate or
MgSO4.7H2O
ROUND 1
1. Which of these elements has the lowest first ionization energy- sodium, magnesium, and
aluminum
Ans: sodium
2. Which of the following elements has the lowest first ionization energy- helium, neon, and argon.
Ans: Argon
3. Which of the following elements has the lowest first ionization energy-beryllium, boron, and
carbon.
Ans: Boron
ROUND 1
1. Define basicity of an acid
Ans: The number of replaceable hydrogens in an acid or the number of protons an acid can
donate.
2. What is an Arrhenius base?
Ans: Any substance that can produce OH-ions in its aqueous solution
3. What is an acidic salt
Ans: A salt that contains replaceable hydrogen or a salt that is only partially neutralized by a
base so that the ion can donate a proton
ROUND 1
1. What is the main physical characteristic property of esters, especially the simple ones
Ans: Pleasant / sweet fragrance
2. Name one natural source of esters apart from fats and vegetable oils
Ans: Fruits, flowers, essential oils, bees honeycomb
3. Which functional group is common to all esters?
Ans: C double bond O and O- (O=C-O- )
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 36
1. I belong to a well known class of organic compounds
2. This class contains mostly carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms in their molecules
3. Quite often I am also regarded as having been derived from an acid – hence my nickname acid
derivative
4. I and my siblings are regarded to have peculiar fragrance
5. Bananas and apples owe their fragrance to me
6. When I am hydrolysed, I produce 1-pentanol and ethanoic acid
Who am I?
Ans: Phenyl ethanoate
46 [2014]
ROUND 1
2+
1. How many moles of Cu are present in 50g of copper (II) tetraoxosulphate (VI) pentahydrate. Cu
= 64.0, S = 32.0, O = 16.0, H = 1.0
Ans: CuSO4.5H2O = 64 + 32 + 64 + 90
= 250
50g of salt = 50/250 moles
= 0.2moles
2. A solution of iron (II) is prepared by dissolving 83.4g of iron (II) tetreoxosulphate (VI)
heptahydrate in a litre of dilute H2SO4 solution. What is the concentration with respect to Fe2+
ions. Fe = 56.0, S = 32.0, O = 16.0, H = 1.0
Ans: FeSO4.7H2O = 56 + 32 + 64 + 7*18
= 278
2+
Moles of Fe in 83.4g = 83.4/278
= 0.30
Hence concentration = 0.30moldm-3
3. A 0.15moldm-3 solution of trioxocarbonate (IV) is prepared from sodium trioxocarbonate (IV)

decahydrate. How much of the hydrated salt is needed to prepare 1dm3 of the solution.
Na = 23.0, O = 16.0, C = 12.0, H = 1.0
Ans: Na2CO3.10H2O = 46 + 12 + 48 + 180
= 286
0.15 mole of CO32- ≡ 0.15*286
= 42.90g
i.e 42.90g would be dissolved in 1dm3 of solution.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Charles‟ law allows one to determine the volume of a fixed mass of gas at different pressures
provided the temperature is constant.
Ans: F That is Boyle‟s law
2. At high pressures ideal gases do not obey Boyle‟s law
Ans: T
3. For a given mass of a gas the product of its pressure, volume and temperature will always be a
constant.
Ans: F Should be PV divided by T
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. A solution containing HCl and NH4Cl could constitute a good buffer
Ans: F HCl is a strong acid or NH4Cl is a weak acid, its conjugate base absent.
2. A solution of H2CO3 and NaHCO3 could be used as a buffer
Ans: T weak acid and its conjugate base
3. A solution of ammonium chloride and ammonia could serve as a buffer
Ans: T NH4Cl/NH3 - a weak base and its conjugate acid.
ROUND 1
1. Beryllium has atomic number 4 while lithium has atomic number 3. Which of the two has a
bigger atomic radius?
Ans: Lithium
47 [2014]
2. Boron has atomic number 5 while aluminium has atomic number 13. Which has the bigger atomic
radius?
Ans: Aluminium
3. Hydrogen has atomic number 1 while lithium has atomic number 3. Which element has the
smaller atomic radius?
Ans: Hydrogen
ROUND 1
1. State the postulate of the Kinetic Theory of Matter that describes gaseous molecules.
Ans: Gases are composed of molecules whose sizes are negligible compared to the
average distances between them
2. State the postulate of the Kinetic Theory of Matter that describes the movement of gaseous
molecules.
Ans: Molecules move randomly in straight lines in all directions (at various speeds)
3. State the postulate of the Kinetic Theory of Matter that describes collisions of the gaseous
molecules.
Ans: When gaseous molecules collide with one another the collisions are elastic.
ROUND 1
1. What are the building blocks of proteins?
Ans: α-amino acids/ 2-amino acids
2. What is the alkanol unit of fats and vegetable oil?
Ans: 1, 2, 3-propantriol or glycerol
3. Give the systematic name of the monomer of polystyrene
Ans: Phenylethene
ROUND 1
1. Calculate the volume of 0.12moldm-3 HCl solution that will neutralize 25cm3 of 0.15cm3 of
ammonia solution. Give your answer to 2 places of decimals.
Ans: HCl + NH3 → NH4Cl
0.12*V/0.15*25 = 1/1
V = 31.25cm3
2. What volume of 0.14 moldm-3 of dilute NaOH will neutralize 20cm3 of 0.063 moldm-3 H2SO4
solution
Ans: H2SO4 + 2NaOH → Na2SO4 + 2H2O
0.14*V/0.063*20 = 2/1
V = 18.0
3. Calculate the concentration of dilute ethanoic acid solution if 25cm3 of it requires 14.5cm3 of
0.15moldm-3 NaOH solution for complete neutralization.
Ans: NaOH + AcOH → NaOAc + H2O
14.5*0.15/25*M = 1/1
M = 14.5*0.15/25
= 0.087moldm-3
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. An element with atomic number 15 will belong to Group V (or 15) of the Periodic Table.
Ans: T
2. An element with atomic number 10 will be an inert gas
Ans: T
3. An element with atomic number 21 will be the first element in the first d-transition series
Ans: T
ROUND 3
48 [2014]
TRUE OR FALSE
1. 3-Methylnonane has a total of nine carbons in an open chain
Ans: T
2. 4 Different isomeric pentanols can be derived from the pentane molecule
Ans: F 3, 1-pentanol, 2-pentanol, 3-pentanol
3. Only two isomeric hexanones can be derived from the hexane molecule
Ans: T 2-hexanone, and 3-hexanone.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 37
1. I was born in the city of Turin in Italy in 1776
2. I studied for degrees in law at university
3. After graduation and during my practice as a lawyer I took private lessons in mathematics and
science including chemistry.
4. I became interested and believed in the Theories of Dalton and Gay-Lussac although the former
did not believe the theory of the latter.
5. I did put out a hypothesis in chemistry which later became a law, which for almost half a century
my contemporaries did not accept
6. I hypothesised that ,equal volumes of gases at the same temperature and pressure contain equal
numbers of molecules
Who am I?
Ans: (Lorenzo Romano Amedeo Carl ) Avogadro
ROUND 1
Common preamble to all schools
Give the names of any two elements in the first period of the d-transition elements. Name the one
with the lower atomic number first.
Ans: Scandium ( Sc, 21); Titanium (Ti, 22); Vanadium ( V, 23); Chromium ( Cr,
24); Manganese ( Mn, 25); Iron ( Fe, 26); Cobalt ( Co, 27); Nickel (Ni,
28); copper (Cu, 29); zinc (Zn, 30).
ROUND 1
1. What does the Faraday constant F, represent?
Ans: It represents charge on a mole of electrons
2. What is a rate constant, k?
Ans: It is the constant in the rate law equation
OR It is the proportionality constant in the relationship between rate (of
reaction) and concentration (of reactants).
OR It is numerically equal to the rate of a reaction when concentration of
each reactant is 1moldm-3.
3. Define the percentage yield of a chemical preparation.
Ans: It is the actual or experimentally determined yield expressed as a percentage of
the theoretical yield.
ROUND 1
1. How many different chlorinated compounds can be obtained when methane and excess
chlorine are mixed in the presence of light?
Ans: 4 CH3Cl, CH2Cl2, CHCl3, and CCl4.
2. How many different chlorinated compounds can be obtained when a mixture of toluene
and chlorine is exposed to light
Ans: 3 chloromethylbenzene, dichloromethylbenzene, and
trichloromethylbenzne.
3. Chlorination of methane in the presence of sunlight proceeds via free radical mechanism,
how many reaction steps are involved in the mechanism? Name them
49 [2014]
Ans: 3 steps
Chain initiation,
propagation and
termination.
ROUND 1
1. How many moles of oxygen at STP will be discharged when dilute H2SO4 is electrolysed
using ⅓ Faraday of charge? Give your answer to 3 places of decimal.
Ans: Electrolysis of dilute H2SO4 ≡ electrolysis of H2O.
2H2O + 4F → 2H2 + O2
4F ≡ 1 mol of O2
⅓F = (⅓)/4*1 = 1/12 or 0.083mol
Moles of O2 at STP = 0.083.
2. What volume in cm3 of hydrogen at STP will be discharged in the electrolysis of dilute
H2SO4 using 1/5 Faraday of charge. Molar volume of a gas at STP = 22.4dm3
Ans: 2H2O + 4F → 2H2 + O2
4F ≡ 2H2
2F = H2
1/5F = 1/(5*2) mol = 1/10 mol
Volume of H2 = 22400/10 cm3
= 2240 or 2.24*103cm3
3. What mass of water will be used up in the electrolysis of dilute H2SO4 using ⅓ Faraday?
H = 1; O = 16.
Ans: 2H2O + 4F → 2H2 + O2
4F ≡ 2H2O
2F = H2O = 18g
⅓F = [1/(3*2)]*18
= 3.0g
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The anode of a typical dry cell battery normally used for radios and wall clocks is a
carbon rod.
Ans: F It is the zinc container.
2. To purify gold using an electrolytic method, both electrodes should be gold
Ans: T
3. The electrolyte in the small alkaline battery is KOH
Ans: T
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. If an organic compound is burnt in excess air and the vapour passed through a KOH
solid, the percentage oxygen and percentage carbon in the compound can be determined.
Ans: F only %C can be determined from the CO2 formed which will be absorbed
by the KOH.
2. If you burn an organic compound in pure air and pass the vapour over dry CaCl2, you can
determine the percentage hydrogen in the compound.
Ans: T Hydrogen in the compound is converted into H2O. This will be absorbed
by the CaCl2.
3. Sodium fusion test can determine the presence of only nitrogen and halogen in an organic
molecule.
Ans: F Can determine S also.
ROUND 4
50 [2014]
RIDDLE 38
1. I am a salt and at the same time a Bronsted and Lowry acid.
2. My anion is a simple one, one atom with a negative charge.
3. My cation is pentatomic.
4. All the atoms in me are derived from non-metals, three of them.
5. Add sodium hydroxide to me and a gas that evolves changes red litmus paper blue.
6. My anion will give a white precipitate with silver (I) ion.
Who am I?
Ans: NH4Cl or Ammonium chloride
ROUND 1
1. If you measured the energy lost or gained when 1 mole of gaseous atoms of an element accepts
one mole of electrons to form singly charged anions, what have you measured?
Ans: Electron Affinity of the element.
2. What is the electronegativity of an atom?
Ans: It is the ability of an atom to attract or pull electrons to itself (when it is in a molecule)
3. What is the difference between electron affinity and electronegativity
Ans: Electron Affinity has units, electronegativity has no units.
ROUND 1
1. If all radioactive nuclei disintegrate in a first order kinetics, what can you say about the half-lives
of such disintegrations?
Ans: Their half-lives are constant.
2. When a nuclide of mass number 27 and proton number 13 captures a neutron to produce a
daughter nuclide of mass number 24 and proton number 11, what radioactive particle would it
have emitted?
27 1 24 4
Ans: α-particle ( 13Ӽ + 0n → 11Y + 2α )
3. A nuclide of mass number 32 and proton number 15 undergoes β-decay. Give the mass number
and the proton number of the daughter nuclide
Ans: Mass number 32, proton number 16. (i.e. a neutron is converted into a proton).
ROUND 1
1. What is the shape or geometry of sp hybridised orbitals of carbon
Ans: Linear
2. What is the shape of ammonia molecule
Ans: Trigonal pyramid
3. What is the shape of the carbonyl group
Ans: Flat or planar
ROUND 1
1. Calculate the percentage hydrogen in a molecule of hexane. Give your answer to one place of
decimal. C = 12.0; H = 1.0
Ans: Hexane = C6H14 = 72+14 = 86
%H = 14/86*100
= 16.3
2. Calculate the percentage oxygen in a molecule of ethanol. Give your answer to one place of
decimal. O = 16.0; C = 12.0; H = 1.0
Ans: Ethanol = C2H5OH = 24+6+16
= 46
O% = 16/46*100
= 34.8
3. Calculate the percentage carbon in octane. Give your answer to one place of decimal. C = 12.0;
H = 1.0
Ans: Octane = C8H18 = 96+18
51 [2014]
= 114
%C = (96/114)*100 = 84.2%
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The Electronegativities of all elements in Group 8 (or 18) are the same.
Ans: T (They are all zero).
2. The Electronegativities of the elements in the second period of the Periodic Table, Li to F
increases smoothly from left to right
Ans: T (Li 1.2, Be 1.5, B 2.0, C 2.5, N 3.0, O 3.5, F 4.0)
3. Though beryllium and aluminium belong to different Periods and Groups of the Periodic Table,
they have almost the same electronegativity
Ans: T (Be, 1.5; Al, 1.5 The Diagonal effect)
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Gasses assume the shape of their containers because there are no attractive or repulsive forces
among the gaseous unit.
Ans: F It is because they move in all directions.
2. The Kinetic Theory of matter assumes that gaseous particles do not occupy any space
Ans: F They do occupy space, but the Theory says the space is negligible compared to
the intermolecular distances.
3. The Kinetic Energy of matter assumes that the Kinetic Energy of gaseous particles is negligible at
room temperature.
Ans: F The Kinetic Energy is zero only at 0K.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 39
1. Apart from being chemical, there is nothing peculiar about me.
2. I have several siblings, encountered almost everywhere.
3. Some are known to be lazy and therefore are static.
4. Some, including me are hardworking and therefore are dynamic.
5. The Frenchman, Le Chatelier made several observations about me and published them for the
benefit of the scientific world.
6. I always have forward and backward processes.
Who am I?
Ans: Chemical Equilibrium
ROUND 1
1. What is an orbital?
Ans: It is the volume of space inside an atom where there is a high probability of finding an
electron or electrons.
2. Which orbital 3px or 4px has higher energy?
Ans: 4px It is part of the 4th shell, which is at higher energy level than the 3rd shell.
3. Which electron would require more energy to ionize the 3p1 or 4p1 electron?
Ans: 3p1 would require more energy to ionise.
ROUND 1
1. Define the Standard Enthalpy of Formation.
Ans: It is the enthalpy change for the formation of one mole of a substance in the standard
state from the stable form of its elements in their standard state.
52 [2014]
2. Standard Enthalpy changes are stated for standard state, what is the standard state?
Ans: Presure of 1 atmosphere (or 100kPa) and temperature of 25οC or 298K.
3. The standard enthalpy of formation for ethane is -85kJmol-1 while that for liquid benzene is
+49kJmol-1. What do these values signify?
Ans: a) Ethane is formed from its elements with evolution of heat while benzene is formed
with absorption of heat. AND
b) Ethane is (thermodynamically) stable while benzene is not OR ethane is more stable
than benzene.
ROUND 1
1. Name three forces that hold neutral organic molecules together
Ans: van der Waals forces (= Dipole-Dipole, Induced dipole-induced dipole), and
Hydrogen bonding
2. What forces are likely to be present among molecules of liquid ethanal? Be more precise
Ans: Dipole-Dipole; There is no hydrogen bonded to an electronegative atom/element so no
H-bonding. If van der Waals force 1 mark
3. What forces are likely to be present among molecules of benzene vapour? B more precise
Ans: Induced dipole-induced dipole. If van der Waals forces 1 mark
ROUND 1
1. Calculate the pH of an HCl solution prepared by diluting 10cm3 of 1moldm-3 HCl solution to
1dm3.
Ans: Dilution is 1 in 100
New concentration 0.01moldm-3
pH = 2
2. Calculate the pH of an HCl solution made by diluting 30cm3 of 1moldm-3 HCl solution to
300cm3.
Ans: Dilution 30 in 300
1 in 10
New concentration of HCl = 0.10moldm-3
pH = 1
3. Calculate the pH of a KOH solution made by diluting 50cm3 of 0.1moldm-3 KOH solution to
500cm3
Ans: Dilution 50 in 500
1 in 10
New KOH concentration = 0.01
pOH = 2
pH = 12
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. α-Particles have poor penetrating power and cannot ionize gaseous molecules.
Ans: F Poor penetrating but can ionize gaseous molecule
2. γ-Radiation is a product of radioactive decay.
Ans: T
3. Electron capture is a mode of radioactive decay
Ans: T Decay of an unstable nucleus by capturing an electron from inner orbital of an
atom into the nucleus.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Under some experimental conditions, the rate constant could be numerically equally to the rate of
the reaction.
53 [2014]
Ans: T when concentration of reactant(s) is 1moldm-3
2. A Rate Law Equation cannot be written for a zero order reaction.
Ans: F Rate = k[A]ο
3. If the half-life of a first order reaction is 50minutes, it takes 50minutes for reactant concentration
to decrease from 50% of its original concentration to 0%
Ans: F t½ = 100% → 50% → 25% → 12½ etc.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 40
1. I am an organic compound.
2. To be more precise, I am an alkanone.
3. I know I would fail the haloform test and so I do not try it.
4. My backbone is made up of 5 carbons in an open chain.
5. My isomeric friend tells me I am more symmetrical.
6. If I have no other carbon apart from the five, then who am I?
Ans: 3-Pentanone or pentan-3-one.
ROUND 1
1. Which rule says that in filling the orbitals of an atom, electrons always occupy the lowest empty
energy level first?
Ans: Aufbau Rule
2. State Pauli‟s Exclusion Principle.
Ans: No two electrons in an atom can have the same energy (or same 4 quantum numbers)
3. State Hund‟s Rule
Ans: a) When electrons fill a subshell every orbital in the subshell is singly occupied before
any orbital is doubly occupied.
b) All electrons in singly occupied orbitals have their spins in the same direction.
NOTE Give full marks even if only a) is given but let the student know what has been
left out
ROUND 1
1. What is the oxidation state of chromium in the Cr2O72- ion
Ans: +6
2. What is the oxidation state of sulphur in S4O62- ion
Ans: +2½
3. What is the oxidation state of sulphur in the S2O82- ion
Ans: +7
ROUND 1
1. How can one confirm that an organic compound contains carbon?
Ans: The compound is burnt in excess O2 and the gas passed through lime water. The lime
water turns milky.
2. How would you test for the presence of a carbon-carbon π-bond in an organic compound?
Ans: Test the (ethanolic solution of the) compound with Br2 in HCCl3 or CCl4 OR bromine
water OR dilute, cold, aqueous KMnO4. The colour of Br2 or KMnO4 disappears.
3. An organic compound is heated with dilute NaOH solution and a gas that is shown to be
ammonia is evolved. What class of compounds does the organic compound belong?
Ans: An (unsubstituted) amide
ROUND 1
1. Fluorine reacts with dilute sodium hydroxide to give sodium fluoride, fluorine (I) oxide and
water. Write a balanced equation for the reaction.
54 [2014]
Ans: 2F2 + 2NaOH → 2NaF + F2O + H2O
2. Fluorine reacts with concentrated sodium hydroxide to give sodium fluoride, oxygen and water.
Write a balanced equation for the reaction.
Ans: 2F2 + 4NaOH → 4NaF + O2 + 2H2O
3. Fluorine trioxonitrate (V) reacts with water to give fluorine (I) oxide and trioxonitrate (V) acid.
Ans: 2FNO3 + H2O → F2O + 2HNO3
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Efflorescent chemical normally decomposes to give oxygen as one of its products.
Ans: F loses water to the atmosphere.
2. A deliquescent chemical absorbs enough water from the atmosphere to turn into a solution
Ans: T
3. Table sugar is deliquescent but common salt is not.
Ans: F Both are.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. An electrochemical cell is a set-up consisting of two electrodes dipping into electrolyte can only
convert chemical energy into electrical energy
Ans: F can also convert electrical energy into chemical energy i.e electrolysis.
2. An electrolytic cell is a cell that uses an electric current to drive a spontaneous reaction.
Ans: T
3. In a voltaic cell, chemical energy is converted into electrical energy.
Ans: T.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 41
1. I am a solid solution.
2. My solute is a Main group element.
3. My solvent is a d-transition element.
4. I am normally used in the chemical laboratory as a component of a reducing agent.
5. Including hydrogen my solute is the 3rd member of Group 1.
6. My solvent is the only liquid metal known.
Who am I?
Ans: Sodium amalgam
ROUND 1
1. Which gas law can be expressed mathematically as PV = constant, where P and V are the
pressure and the volume of a given mass of an ideal gas at a constant temperature?
Ans: Boyle‟s law
2. State Charles‟ law
Ans: The volume (or pressure) of a fixed mass of gas at constant pressure (or volume) is
directly proportional to its absolute temperature.
3. How does the density of a given gas vary with temperature and pressure?
Ans: The density of a gas decreases with temperature and increases with pressure.
ROUND 1
1. Disodium hydrogen tetraoxophosphate (V) is a salt. How else can it be classified?
Ans: It could be an acid or a base OR an amphoteric substance.
2. Aluminium chloride is a salt. What else could it be?
Ans: It could also be a Lewis acid.
3. Sodium ethanoate is a salt. What else could it be?
Ans: A Lowry and Bronsted base.
ROUND 1
55 [2014]
1. Name two functional groups present in a molecule of vitamin A.
Ans: Alkene and Alkanol
2. What functional groups are present in the open chain structure of D-glucose?
Ans: a) Alkanal b) Primary alkanol c) Secondary alkanol
3. What functional groups may be present in a protein molecule?
Ans: a) Amide b) alkanoic acid group c) amino group
ROUND 1
Common preamble to all Schools.
Consider the following 3 half-cells with their electrode potentials
A+/A 0.95V; B+/B -1.20V; C+/C 0.35V.
1. What will be the initial emf of a cell made up of A+/A and C+/C?
Ans: Emf= 0.95 – 0.35 = 0.60V
2. What will be the initial emf of a cell made up of B+/B and a hydrogen electrode?
Ans: Emf = 0.0V – (-1.20) = 1.20V
3. What will be the initial emf of a cell made up of the half cells A+/A and B+/B.
Ans: Emf = 0.95 – (- 1.20) = 2.15V
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Hydrocarbons may be classified into two broad groups – aliphatic and aromatic.
Ans: T
2. Furan is an example of aromatic compound with fused rings.
Ans: F
3. Methanol and butanol are members of a homologous series.
Ans: T (methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol – they differ from preceding by -CH2- )
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. CO2 and SiO2 are oxides of elements from the same Group of the Periodic Table and hence their
molecular structures are similar.
Ans: F (CO2 is linear, SiO2 is a covalent tetrahedral network.)
2. NH3 and BH3 both contain central trivalent atom hence have similar structures.
Ans: F (NH3 is trigonal pyramidal and BH3is trigonal planar.)
+
3. NH4 and CH4 are both tetrahedral.
Ans: T
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 42
1. My existence was predicted as far back as 1871 by Mendeleev.
2. I was actually discovered in 1886 and named after a country.
3. I am a metalloid
4. Doped with Arsenic, Gallium or other elements, I am used as a transistor.
5. My oxide is transparent to infra-red. I am therefore used in optical equipment for detecting infra-
red.
6. I am named after a country whose executive leader carries the title chancellor.
Who am I?
Ans: Germanium
ROUND 1
Consider the following reaction in the gaseous state
2N2O5 (g) → 4NO2(g) + O2 (g)
56 [2014]
1. How will the rate of formation of oxygen be related to the rate of decomposition of N2O5-
?
Ans: Rate of formation of O2 = Half the rate of decomposition of N2O5 .
2. At a certain temperature and pressure it takes 2 hours for a mole of N2O5 to decompose
completely to NO2 and O2 . Will the rates at t = 30minute, t = 60 minute and t = 90
minute all be the same?
Ans: No Rate of decomposition depends on concentration of reactant. This varies
with time.
3. How will the rate of formation of NO2 at any time be related to the rate of decomposition
of N2O5 .
Ans: The rate of formation of NO2 will be twice the rate of decomposition of N2O5 .
ROUND 1
1. Explain what radioactive decay, one type of nuclear reaction is.
Ans: It is a process in which a nucleus spontaneously disintegrates giving off
radiation.
2. Another type of nuclear reaction is nuclear bombardment reaction. Explain this type of
reaction.
Ans: It is a process in which nucleus is bombarded with or struck by a nuclear particle
or by another nucleus.
3. When beryllium is bombarded with alpha particles a new nuclide is formed in addition to
a penetrating radiation which is not affected by electric or magnetic field. What would
this radiation be?
Ans: Either Gamma ray or Neutron (10n.)
ROUND 1
1. Explain what a carbonyl compound is?
Ans: Any compound with one or two alkyl (or aryl) group(s) attached to carbonyl
group.
OR a carbonyl compound is either an alkanal or an alkanone.
2. What is the functional group of an alkanoic acid?
Ans: -COOH (Do not accept RCOOH)
3. What is a secondary amine?
Ans: An organic compound in which there are two alkyl (or aryl) groups bonded to
nitrogen, the third being hydrogen.
ROUND 1
Common preamble to all schools:
Two inorganic salts A and B have solubilities of 28 and 35g per dm3 respectively at 30οC.
1. 300cm3 solution saturated with respect to both A and B is evaporated to dryness. How
much solid or crystals will be harvested?
Ans: mass of A = 300/1000*28 = 8.4
Mass of B = 300/1000*35 = 10.5
Total solid to be harvested = 18.9g
2. A 50g mixture of A and B containing 26g of A and 24g of B is shaken with 500 cm3
deionized water at 30οC until no more solid dissolves. How much solid will be left?
Ans: Mass of A that will saturate the 500cm3
= 500/1000*28 = 14g
Mass of B that will saturate the 500cm3
= 500/1000*35 = 17.5
Mass left = 50 - (14+17.5) = 50 – 31.5
= 18.5g
3. A 400cm3 solution saturated with respect to both A and B are required. What is the total
mass of A and B that will be needed
57 [2014]
Ans: Mass of A required = 400/1000*28
= 11.2
Mass of B required = 400/1000*35
= 14.0
Hence total A and B = 25.2g
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Magnesium is to sodium as calcium is to potassium
Ans: T
2. Beryllium is to aluminium as carbon is to sulphur
Ans: F Phosphorus.
3. Nitrogen is to oxygen as sulphur is to fluorine
Ans: F Chlorine
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Liquids are not compressible because there are very strong intermolecular repulsion
forces in liquids
Ans: F Intermolecular distances are very small.
2. Solubilities of gases in liquids increase with temperature.
Ans: F
3. Densities of gases increase with increase in temperature
Ans: F densities decrease with temperature.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 43
1. I am a law in chemistry.
2. I am named after a Russian chemist born in 1802.
3. He died quite young at the age of 48.
4. I deal with enthalpy changes.
5. To illustrate how useful I am, let me give you a scenario.
6. A certain compound can be prepared by two routes; one involves 4 steps and the other only two
steps. How will the net enthalpy changes compare?
7. I am smart; I say that there will be no difference.
Who am I?
Ans: Hess‟ law (of constant heat summation)
ROUND 1
1. Name the most abundant metal in the earth‟s crust
Ans: Aluminium
2. Name the most abundant element on earth
Ans: Oxygen
3. Explain why though there is oxygen gas everywhere, organic matter such as kerosene and alcohol
do not burn spontaneously?
Ans: The oxygen - oxygen bond is strong and would require lots of energy to split it before it
can react. OR Reactions have high activation energy.
ROUND 1
58 [2014]
1. Name any three variables that can alter the rate of a given reaction
Ans: a) Increase the concentration of reactant
b) Increase the temperature of the reaction
c) Introduce a suitable catalyst
d) Change the pressure for a reaction in gaseous phase
e) Increase the surface area for a heterogeneous reaction.
2. Define an order of reaction with respect to a reactant.
Ans: It is the exponent of the concentration term in the Rate law.
3. What is the overall order of the following reaction which is in the gaseous state?
2NO + 2H2 → N2 + 2H2O
Ans: It cannot be stated from the balanced equation. Order is an experimental quantity that has
to be determined experimentally.
ROUND 1
1. Why is polyester classified as a condensation polymer?
Ans: It is formed by combination of monomers with the elimination of small molecules such as
H2O from every two monomers.
2. Which functional groups are required for the formation of nylon?
Ans: a) Nylon is a polyamide b) An amino group and alkanoic acid/acid derivative are
required.
3. Classify polystyrene as a condensation or addition polymer
Ans: addition polymer.
ROUND 1
1. Calculate the enthalpy of reaction per mole when methane reacts with chlorine gas to give
chloromethane and HCl gas. Enthalpies of formation of methane, chloromethane and HCl gas are
-75, -84, and -92 kJmol-1 respectively.
Ans: CH4 (g) + Cl2 (g) → H3CCl (g) + HCl (g)
∆Hreaction = -84 + (-92) – (-75)
= -176 + 75
= -101 or -1.01 x 102 kJmol-1
2. If the enthalpies of formation of gaseous methanal and liquid methanoic acid are -166 and -410
kJmol-1 respectively, calculate the enthalpy change per mole whenever gaseous methanal is
oxidised by air to methanoic acid.
Ans: HCHO (g) + ½O2 → HCOOH (l)
∆Hreaction = -410 – (-166)
= -244 or -2.44 x 102 kJmol-1
3. Calculate the enthalpy change per mole whenever a proton in aqueous solution is neutralized by
hydroxide ion in aqueous solution to form liquid water. The enthalpies of formation of H+(aq), OH-
-1
(aq) and H2O(l) are 0, -230 and -286 kJmol respectively.
+ -
Ans: H (aq) + OH (aq) → H2O (l)
∆Hreaction = -286 – (-230)
= -56 kJmol-1
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. During the electrolysis of CuSO4 solution using carbon anode, oxygen gas is released at the
anode.
Ans: T
59 [2014]
2. During electrolysis of concentrated NaCl solution using carbon as the anode, oxygen is
discharged at the anode.
Ans: F Cl2 is discharged
3. Electrolysis of concentrated NaCl using mercury as the cathode produces sodium amalgam.
Ans: T
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Methylamine is a weaker base than aniline
Ans: F CH3NH2 ˃ C6H5NH2
2. The OH group bonded to a benzene ring becomes a proton donor because hydrogen bonding is
enhanced.
Ans: F The phenyl group stabilizes the conjugate base by mesomeric effect.
3. In chloroalkanoic acids, the closer the chlorine to the COOH, the stronger the acid.
Ans: T Inductive effect fades with distance.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 44
1. I am a chemical reaction that occurs both in the inorganic and organic world.
2. You may have heard about me more in the organic world.
3. I am named after the family of one of the common reactants.
4. To the alkenes, I am an addition reaction.
5. To the alkanes and the aromatic substances, I am a substitution reaction.
6. An example of me is the addition of chlorine molecule to propene.
Who am I?
Ans: Halogenation (do not accept chlorination)
ROUND 1
1. Name the major sources of CO2 in the atmosphere
Ans: a) Burning of fossil (petroleum) fuels
b) Bush fires
2. What is the major outcome of the greenhouse effect caused by CO2 and other gases?
Ans: Warming of the earth
3. Explain how the CO2 in the earth‟s atmosphere cause the greenhouse effect.
Ans: CO2 strongly absorbs the infra red radiation from the earth and re-radiates it to the earth.
ROUND 1
1. Define chemical equilibrium
Ans: The state reached by a reaction when the rates of the forward reaction and backward
reaction are equal.
OR When there are no changes in the concentrations of reactants and products over a
period of time.
2. State the Equilibrium constant expression.
Ans: It is the expression obtained by multiplying the concentrations of the products divided by
the concentrations of reactants raising each concentration term to a power equal to the
coefficient in the chemical equation.
3. Give the relation between Kc and Kp of an equilibrium reaction in the gaseous state
Ans: Kp = Kc (RT)∆n where ∆n is the difference between the number of
gaseous products and gaseous reactants.
ROUND 1
60 [2014]
Give the colour of the precipitate formed when H2S is bubbled through a solution that contains
the following stated cation.
1. Fe2+
Ans: Black precipitate
2. Zn2+
Ans: White precipitate
3. Cu2+
Ans: Black precipitate
ROUND 1
1. Calculate the pH of 0.10moldm-3 solution of a weak organic acid of pKa 5.2
Ans: pH = ½pKa - ½logCa
= 5.2/2 + 0.5
= 3.1
2. 100cm3 of 0.10moldm-3 solution of an organic acid of pKa 4.6 is diluted to 1dm3.
Calculate the change in pH
Ans: conc. of acid in the diluted solution
= 0.010moldm-3
Initial pH = 4.6/2 + 0.5 = 2.8
Final pH = 2.3 + 1 = 3.3
Change in pH = 0.5
3. Calculate the pH of a 0.10moldm-3 solution of a weak base with pKb 7.4
Ans: pOH = ½pKb - ½logCb
= 7.4/2 + 0.5 = 3.7 + 0.5
= 4.2
pH = 14.0 - 4.2 = 9.8.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. 2-chloro-2-methylpropane is an example of a tertiary halide
Ans: T
2. 2-Butanone will give a positive result in the haloform test
Ans: T
3. Both ethane and ethene will react with chlorine gas in the presence of UV light
Ans: F Ethane will but ethene will not; will react only if chlorine is in a solvent.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The oxidation states of nitrogen in N2O and N2O4 are +1 and +4 respectively
Ans: T
2. The oxidation state of nitrogen in N2O5 is 2.5
Ans: F
3. The oxidation state of nitrogen in the NH4+ ion is -3
Ans: T
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 45
1. My constituent elements are just two, carbon and hydrogen.
2. I am therefore an organic compound.
3. My molecules have several planes of symmetry indeed, six of them.
61 [2014]
4. I can be obtained from crude petroleum.
5. My carbon atoms do not believe in queues; they would rather hold hands and form a circle.
6. My chemical formula is C6H6 and the chemists describe me as aromatic.
Who am I?
Ans: Benzene
ROUND 1
1. An atom has atomic number 14. How many electrons are in the s sub-shells of the atom
Ans: 14 ≡ 1s22s22p63s23p2
Hence electrons in s – orbitals 6
2. A neutral atom has atomic number 15. What type of bond can it form?
Ans: 15 ≡ 1s22s22p63s23p3
Hence 3 ( and 5) covalent bonds. Give full marks if only 3 covalent bonds given
3. A neutral atom has atomic number 25. How many d-electrons are present in a neutral atom
Ans: 25 ≡ ([Ar] 4s23d5 ) Will have 5 d-electrons
ROUND 1
1. What will be formed at the anode during electrolysis of dilute NaCl using platinum electrodes?
Ans: O2 (4OH- → 2H2O + O2)
2. What product will be formed at the cathode during electrolysis of copper (II) tetraoxosulphate
(VI) solution using carbon electrodes?
Ans: Cu metal (Cu2+ + 2e → Cu)
3. What product will be formed at the cathode during electrolysis of dilute HCl using platinum
electrodes?
Ans: H2(g) (H+ + e → ½H2).
ROUND 1
1. Give two similarities in the structures of cyclohexane and benzene.
Ans: a) Both contain six carbons (and some hydrogens)
b) In both, all the carbons are in a form of a ring.
2. Give the major structural difference between cyclohexane and benzene
Ans: cyclohexane is fully saturated whilst benzene is unsaturated / aromatic/ OR
cyclohexane has 12 hydrogens whilst benzene has 6
3. Name two isomeric compounds,of formula C5H10 ,one that can react with bromine in CCl4 and
one that cannot react with bromine in CCl4
Ans: one that can 1-pentene or 2-pentene
One that cannot cyclopentane or methylcyclobutane, dimethylcyclopropane,
ethylcyclopropane.
ROUND 1
An inorganic salt X, with formula mass 160 forms pentahydrate crystals. O = 16.0; H = 1.0
1. How many grams of the hydrated salt must be dissolved in 300cm3 of water to give a 0.20moldm-
3
solution of the salt?
Ans: Molar mass of the hydrated salt = 160 + 5*18
= 250
0.20moldm-3 = 0.2*250= 50g
Hence for 300cm3 of 0.20moldm-3 solution, mass of salt needed = 0.3*50 =
15g
2. What is the concentration of a 200cm3 solution containing 20g of the salt?

Ans: 200cm3 ≡ 20g of salt
1000cm3 ≡ 5*20 = 100g
Hence, conc. in moldm-3 = 100/250 = 0.4moldm-3
62 [2014]
3. 55g of the hydrated salt is heated at about 110οC until all the water of crystallisation is lost. What
will be the mass of the anhydrous solid left?
Ans: 250g of the hydrated salt ≡ 160g of anhydrous salt
55g of the hydrated salt ≡ 55/250*160
= 35.2g of the anhydrous salt
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Thermoplastics have strong interchain forces as they are not easily broken by heat.
Ans: F They melt easily hence have weak interchain forces.
2. Thermosetting plastics do not melt and can be moulded easily
Ans: F
3. The interchain forces in thermoplastics are likely to be van der Waals forces.
Ans: T
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The enthalpy change for the reaction
H+(aq) + OH-(aq) → H2O(l) may be regarded as enthalpy of formation of water.
Ans: F H2O is not being formed from its elements.
2. The difference in the bond strengths of H-F (568 kJmol-1) and H-Br (366 kJmol-1) may be due to
the difference in the electronegativities of F and Br.
Ans: F The difference is due to extent of orbital overlap which is in turn due to the
different sizes of orbitals.
3. The bond energy of an N-N bond is about half the bond energy of N=N.
Ans: F N=N is made up of one σ and one π while N-N is only one σ. The σ and π have
different energy.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 46
1. I am a very major class of chemical reactions.
2. I am found both in the organic and inorganic world.
3. At least two reagents are required for my kind of reaction to take place.
4. Generally, where ever and whenever I have taken place, a molecule of water pops up but there are
a few exceptions.
5. I am used in preparing all kinds of salts.
6. If a pH indicator is provided, I become a powerful quantitative method of analysis.
Who am I?
Ans: Neutralisation.
ROUND 1
1. Explain why exothermic compounds are supposed to be stable compounds?
Ans: When they are formed from their elements in their standard states they are more stable
than the reactants. OR They contain less internal energy than the internal
energy of the reactants put together.
2. Explain why endothermic reactions are supposed not to occur spontaneously?
Ans: The products formed (thermodynamically) are less stable than the reactants. OR The
internal energy of products is higher than the internal energy of the reactants.
3. The combustion of methane to form CO2 and H2O is an exothermic reaction and yet it does not
occur spontaneously. Why?
Ans: The reaction needs an external energy to overcome the activation energy. OR Energy is
required to break the strong O-O bond oxygen before oxygen can react.
ROUND 1
63 [2014]
1. What is the oxidation state of silicon in Na2SiO3
Ans: +4
2. What is the oxidation state of chlorine in ClO4- ion?
Ans: +7
3. What is the oxidation state of iron in the complex ion [Fe(CN)6]4-
Ans: +2
ROUND 1
1. How many carbon atoms are present in duodecanoic acid?
Ans: 12 carbons
2. How many carbons are in 3-undecanone?
Ans: 11 carbons
3. How many hydrogens are present in a molecule of 1-octyne?
Ans: 14 hydrogens
ROUND 1
1. A solution of a liquid disinfectant is labelled as having a concentration of 25% w/v. Explain how
a 2dm3 solution of this disinfectant may have been prepared.
Ans: 100cm3 solution contains 25g of pure disinfectant
2000cm3 solution require = 2000/100*25
= 500g
Hence, 500g of pure disinfectant were weighed and enough water added to it until the
volume was 2dm3.
2. A disinfectant is labelled as 36ppm. How was 1dm3 of this solution prepared starting from the
pure disinfectant.
Ans: 36ppm = 36 parts per 1 million or 36g in 1000000cm3. Hence, 36mg in 1000cm3
OR 0.036g dissolved in 1000cm3.
3. Convert a label of a solution of a liquid compound from 240ppm to %V/V.
Ans: 1000000 parts of solution contains 240 parts of solute
Hence, 100 parts will contain 240*10-4 = 0.0240
New label is 0.024% V/V.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. In the cathode ray tube used by J. J. Thompson the ray was deflected away from the positive plate
towards the negative plate in the electric field.
Ans: F Rather from negative plate towards the positive plate.
2. Since the cathode ray tube was evacuated, the rays were formed from the materials of which the
tube was made.
Ans: F Ray was formed from very small amount of gas left in the tube after most of it
had been removed.
3. J.J. Thompson proposed, on the basis of his experimental results, that electrons move around a
positive nucleus.
Ans: F Thompson‟s model described the atom as a solid sphere with electrons stuck
uniformly in it.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Sigma bonds are formed by head-long overlap of orbitals.
Ans: T
2. Carbon-carbon triple bond is made up of two sigma bonds and a pie bond
Ans: F
3. Pie bonds are formed by lateral overlap of orbitals
64 [2014]
Ans: T
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 47
1. I am a metal and historical data indicate that I was being mined more than 5000 years ago.
2. Occasionally I occur in the uncombined state, but my major ores are the sulphides, oxides and
trioxocarbonates (IV).
3. I am associated with the Island of Cyprus.
4. When I am polished, I take on a very bright metallic lustre so much that I look like a precious
metal admired by all.
5. I am the third among the metals when it comes to ability to conduct electricity.
6. I do occur in the Fehling‟s Reagent.
Who am I?
Ans: Copper
ROUND 1
In the manufacture of clinker, a raw material for cement, limestone is mixed with clay and sand
and the mixture heated strongly.
1. What could possibly happen to the limestone?
Ans: Limestone, CaCO3 would decompose to give CaO and CO2
2. Give the names and formulae of the specific compounds in the clay and sand that are expected to
react.
Ans: Silica SiO2; Alumina Al2O3 or the hydrated ore, Al(OH)3
3. Give the names and formulae of the products formed after heating the mixture.
Ans: Calcium trioxosilicate (IV) CaSiO3
Calcium dioxoaluminate (III) Ca(AlO2)2.
ROUND 1
1. What is the relationship between temperature of matter and its kinetic energy?
Ans: Temperature of matter is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the constituent units.
2. At what temperature does matter possess minimum kinetic energy?
Ans: Zero degree Kelvin (O◦K)
3. At zero degree Kelvin what property of a given mass of gas is zero?
Ans: Volume
ROUND 1
1. Which compound would you need to prepare N-butylpropanamide?
Ans: 1-butylamine (or 1-butanamine) and propanoic anhydride or chloride.
2. What compounds would be needed to prepare phenylmethanoate?
Ans: Phenol and methanoic acid
3. Which compounds will be needed to prepare propanoic butanoic anhydride?
Ans: Propanoic acid and butanoic acid.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 48
1. If you take out my functional group the rest of my body is a hydrocarbon.
2. I turn acidified K2Cr2O7 solution from yellow to green.
3. My product with K2Cr2O7 is not able to give positive results with Tollens‟ or Fehling‟s
reagent.
4. I have straight backbone of 6 carbons
5. I do form an iodoform
6. Definitely I am an alkanol of some sort.
Who am I?
65 [2014]
Ans: 2-Hexanol
ROUND 1
250cm3 of 0.20moldm-3 solution of HCl are added to 200cm3 of 0.30 moldm-3 solution of NaOH
and the mixture shaken to give a uniform solution.
1. Determine which is in excess and by how much in mmoles.

Ans: mmole of HCl = 250*0.2= 50
mmole of NaOH = 200*0.3= 60
Hence NaOH is in excess by 10mmole
2. Calculate the concentration of NaCl in the solution and give your answer to 2 places of decimal.
Ans: Amount of NaCl formed is determined by the reagent in limiting amount.
HCl is in limited amount
NaCl formed = 50mmol
Concentration = mmol/vol 50/450
= 1/9 or 0.11moldm-3
3. Calculate the concentration of OH- ions in solution. Give your answer to 3 places of decimal.
Ans: Excess OH- = 10mmol
Total volume = 250 + 200 = 450
Hence concentration = 10/450 = 0.022moldm-3
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. 20cm3 of 0.4moldm-3 of HCl solution has the same pH as 40cm3 of 0.2moldm-3 of HCl solution.
Ans: F pH = -log10[H+] and H+ concentrations are different.
2. 20cm of 0.1moldm of ethanoic acid solution will have the same pH as 20cm3 of 0.1moldm-3
3 -3
propanoic acid solution.

Ans: F They are weak acids with different Ka‟s
3. NH4OH is fully ionised.
Ans: F NH4OH is a weak base.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. In a zero order reaction, the rate of reaction remains the same from the beginning to the end
Ans: T Rate is independent of concentration of the reactant.
2. The unit of the rate of reaction depends on the order of the reaction
Ans: F Rate is always change in concentration per unit time.
3. The half-life of a first order reaction does not depend on the concentration of the reactant.
Ans: T t1/2 = 0.693/k
ROUND 1
1. Hydrogen could be placed in two possible Groups of the Periodic Table. Which Groups are these?
Ans: Group 1 and Group 7 (or 17)
2. Why is fluorine more electronegative than chlorine?
Ans: Fluorine has a smaller atomic radius than chlorine. The positive nucleus has greater pull
on the in-coming electron.
3. Even though lithium belongs to Group 1 of the Periodic Table, its compounds have high degree
of covalency. Explain
Ans: Li+ ion is small and therefore possesses high charge density and hence high polarising
power.
66 [2014]
ROUND 1
1. Explain why standard enthalpies of formation of H2, N2, and O2 and graphite are all zero?
Ans: By convention, the standard enthalpies of formation of all elements in their most stable
forms are set to be zero.
2. State how the chemical energy in matches is transformed when a match is struck
Ans: Chemical energy is transformed into a) light energy b) heat energy and c)
sound energy.
3. When a reaction mixture in a flask explodes what are the most obvious chemical energy
transformation?
Ans: Chemical energy is transformed into a) sound energy b) mechanical energy
c) kinetic energy.
ROUND 1
1. Give the product of reaction when 1-butene decolourises bromine in trichloromethane.
Ans: 1, 2-dibromobutane.
2. Ethene decolourises cold KMnO4 solution. What is the product formed.
Ans: 1, 2-Ethandiol/Ethylene glycol.
3. 1-Propene will decolourise bromine water. What will be the product formed?
Ans: 1-Bromo-2-propanol.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 49
1. I am made up of penta-atomic molecules
2. One of my elements is the last but one member of Group 7 or 17
3. I am a strong acid and a good oxidizing agent at the same time.
4. I myself am a product of oxidation.
5. Trioxo should be part of my systematic name
6. I am definitely a member of the Bronsted-Lowry club in good standing
Who am I?
Ans: HIO3 or Troxoiodate (V) acid.
ROUND 1
1. Duodecane is a saturated hydrocarbon. What will be the molar mass of the alkanol derived from
it? O = 16.0; C = 12.0; H = 1.0.
Ans: Duodecane = C12H26 = 144+26
= 170
Alkanol = C12H25OH = C12H26O = 170+16
= 186
2. Calculate the molar mass of an alkene that can be derived from decanol. O = 16.0;
C = 12.0; H = 1.0
Ans: Decanol = C10H21OH
Decene = C10H20
= 120+20
= 140
3. What is the molar mass of an alkanone derived from nonane. O = 16.0;
C = 12.0; H= 1.0
Ans: Nonane = C9H20 = 108+20 = 128
Alkanone = -2H + O = -2+16 = 14
Hence Alkanone = 128 + 14 = 142.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Protein can be hydrolysed by both aqueous acids and aqueous bases
Ans: T
67 [2014]
2. The functional group that unites the α-amino acids in the protein molecule is the carbonyl.
Ans: F It is the amide.
3. Proteins are linear molecules
Ans: F
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. CaO is amphoteric
Ans: F It is basic
2. Al2O3 is amphoteric
Ans: T
3. Silica is an acid
Ans: T It reacts with CaO.
ROUND 1
Complete the following statements.
1. Carbon is to Nitrogen as ……. is to silicon
Ans: Aluminium
2. Sodium is to calcium as magnesium is to……
Ans: Gallium
3. Nitrogen is to phosphorus as …… is to selenium
Ans: sulphur
ROUND 1
1. When a radioactive nuclide emits an α-particle, how does the mass number change?
Ans: It decreases by 4 mass units
2. When a radioactive element decays by beta emission, how does the atomic or proton
number change?
Ans: It increases by 1
3. When a radioactive element decays by electron capture how does the mass number
change?
Ans: Atomic mass remains unchanged.
ROUND 1
1. Arrange in the decreasing order the length of the carbon-carbon bond in benzene,
cyclohexane, and ethene.
Ans: Cyclohexane ˃ benzene ˃ ethene.
2. Arrange in a decreasing order the enthalpy of hydrogenation of benzene, 1,3-
cyclohexadiene and cyclohexene.
Ans: 1, 3-cyclohexadiene ˃ benzene ˃ cyclohexene
3. Arrange in the increasing order the carbon-oxygen bond lengths in propanone, propanol,
and carbon (II) oxide.
Ans: carbon (II) oxide (triple bond) ˂ propanone (double bond) ˂
propanol (single bond)
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 50
1. I am not an ordinary metal but a special one

2. I occur both pure and in the combined state in nature
3. When I am fresh I have a brilliant white lustre
4. I have atomic number 47 and atomic weight of 108
68 [2014]
5. When it comes to malleability, only one metal can beat me
6. The ancient Romans gave me a name as if I am an Argentinian
Who am I?
Ans: Silver/Ag
ROUND 1
1. Elemental calcium is burnt in air to give calcium oxide. What mass of calcium oxide will
be formed from 5g of calcium if the method gives only 90% yield Ca = 40; O=
16.0
Ans: Ca + ½ O2 → CaO
40 16 56
5g Ca ≡ 5/40*56
= 7g
90% yield = 0.9*7 = 6.3g
2. In another preparation of calcium oxide, the yield is only 75%. If 21g of calcium oxide is
obtained how much calcium is used? Ca = 40.0; O = 16.0
Ans: 75% yield = 21g CaO
Hence 100% yield = 21/75*100 28g CaO
But 56g CaO ≡ 40 of calcium
28g CaO = 20g of Ca.
3. 25kg of Ca on heating with oxygen gave 30kg of the oxide. What was the percentage
yield of the preparation? Give your answer to one place of decimal. Ca = 40.0; O=
16.0
Ans: Ca + [O] → CaO
40 16 56
25kg of Ca ≡ 25/40*56 = 35kg
Hence % yield = 30/35*100
= 85.7%
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The molar volume of an ideal gas is 2.24*10-2 m3
Ans: T (1dm3 = 0.001m3)
2. The units of Faraday are coulomb
Ans: T
3. The charge required to discharge chloride ions to give a mole of chlorine gas is 1
Faraday.
Ans: F 2 Faraday of charge required.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. A solution that gives a white precipitate with BaCl2, soluble in dilute HNO3 would not
contain SO42- ions.
Ans: T
2. Cl- ions give cream precipitate with Ag+ ions.
Ans: F white precipitate.
3. A solid silver halide that is sparingly soluble in ammonia solution is likely to be silver
chloride.
Ans: F silver bromide.
ROUND 1
1. What do members of a Group in the Periodic Table have in common?
Ans: Members have the same number of electrons in their outermost/valence shell.
2. What do elements in a Period of the Periodic Table have in common?
69 [2014]
Ans: They have the same number of (electron) shells OR Electrons occupy the same shell.
3. What do d-transition elements have in common?
Ans: They have partially filled d-subshells.
ROUND 1
1. What is the value of the product of the Ka of a weak acid and Kb of its conjugate base at 25◦C.
Ans: Ka * Kb = 1.0*10-14
2. What substance is to be added to a solution of NaHCO3 to make it a buffer whose pH is below 7?
Ans: H2CO3
3. What substance has to be added to a solution of NaH2PO4 to make it a buffer?
Ans: Either H3PO4 OR Na2HPO4 Anyone of the two for full marks.
ROUND 1
The balanced equation for the reaction between KMnO4 and SO32- ions in acidic medium is as
follows.
2MnO4- + 5SO32- + 6H+ → 2Mn2+ + 5SO42- + 3H2O.
-3 -
1. Calculate the volume of 0.010 moldm MnO4 solution that will be required to react completely
with 25cm3 of 0.015moldm-3 acidified solution of SO32-.
Ans: V*0.010/25*0.015 = 2/5
V = 15cm3.
2. In another volumetric exercise, calculate the concentration of the acidified SO32- solution if 18.0
cm3 of it reacted completely with 20cm3 of 0.090 solution of KMnO4 solution.
Ans: 20*0.090/M*18.0 = 2/5
M = 0.25 moldm-3.
3. Yet in another titration 15cm3 of 0.5moldm-3 of the acidified solution of SO32- was used. What is
the minimum amount in moles of the H+ that are required?
Ans: SO32-/H+ = 5/6
2-
Moles of SO3 = 15/1000*0.5
= 0.0075mol
Hence moles of H+ = 6*0.0075/5
= 0.009 0r 9.0*10-3mol
ROUND 1
1. Name the two alkanols normally present in methylated spirit.
Ans: Methanol and Ethanol.
2. Which acid is responsible for the characteristic smell of male goats?
Ans: Any one of:
Hexanoic acid - Caproic acid
Octanoic acid - Capyric acid
Decanoic acid - Capric acid
(Latin word for goat - Caper)
3. How many carbons are in palmitic acid?
Ans: 16 [CH3 (CH2)14COOH]
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The major reactions of ethene are addition reactions.
Ans: T
2. The major reactions of benzene are electrophilic addition reaction.
70 [2014]
Ans: F Electrophilic substitution
3. The alkyhalides can undergo either substitution or addition reactions
Ans: F Can undergo substitution or elimination
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Nitrogen gas prepared in the laboratory can be collected in a gas jar by downward displacement
of air.
Ans: F N2 has almost the same density as air
2. Dry nitrogen gas may be obtained by bubbling it through concentrated H2SO4
Ans: T
3. Ammonium chloride partly dissociates to ammonia and HCl gas when it is heated.
Ans: T (NH4Cl = HCl + NH3)
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 51
1. I am an element known to the ancient man and woman
2. I am an allotrope of an element
3. I used to be mined in Sri Lanka and a few other places but now I am mostly artificially
prepared.
4. The ancient Greeks gave me a name to reflect one of my important uses in education
5. I am a good conductor of electricity but I am so soft I can be used in the same way as
grease is used in machines.
6. My atomic number is 6
Who am I?
Ans: Graphite (Do not accept carbon)

ROUND 1
1. What property of metals makes it possible for them to be beaten into flat sheets?
Ans: Malleability - they are malleable
2. How does the structure of metals allow them to be ductile?
Ans: Metals consist of layers of cations with mobile electrons in-between there layers. When
pulled, these layers slide over one another.
3. Why is diamond, an allotrope of carbon, unable to conduct electricity?
Ans: The structure of diamond is made up of tetrahedral carbons with bonds, whose electrons
are localized.
ROUND 1
1 Give the molecular formula for Washing Soda
Ans: Na2CO3.10H2O
2 Give the molecular formula of Plaster of Paris.
Ans: CaSO4.½H2O.
3 Name the constituents of Aqua Regia
Ans: Concentrated HNO3 and concentrated H2SO4
ROUND 1
1 Which compound gives honey its characteristically sweet taste – one attempt?
Ans: Fructose
2 When malt sugar, maltose is hydrolyzed what compounds are obtained?
Ans: (2 moles of) Glucose (per mole of maltose)
3 What will be obtained when lactose in human or cow milk is hydrolyzed?
Ans: A molecule/mole of glucose and a molecule/mole of galactose (per
molecule/mole of lactose).
71 [2014]
ROUND 1
1. Trioxoiodate(IV) acid reacts with H2S in solution to give water, elemental sulphur and iodine.
Ans: 2HIO3 + 5H2S → I2 + 6H2O + 5S
2. Hydriodic acid reduces tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid to give hydrogen sulphide, iodine and water.
Write a balanced equation for the reaction
Ans: 8HI + H2SO4 → 4I2 + 4H2O + H2S
3. Write a balanced equation for the roasting of zinc sulphide in air to give zinc oxide and sulphur
(IV) oxide
Ans: 2ZnS + 3O2 → 2ZnO + 2SO2
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. When CO2 is bubbled through lime water, a clear solution is finally obtained.
Ans: T
2. When solid zinc oxide is added to NaOH solution a clear solution is finally obtained
Ans: T ZnO dissolves in alkaline solution
3. All alums contain trivalent metals
Ans: T
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. In a voltaic cell, electrons flow from the anode to the cathode in the external circuit
Ans: T
2. In an electrolytic cell, oxidation takes place at cathode
Ans: F
3. In an electrolytic cell, electrical energy is consumed and chemical energy is created.
Ans: T
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 52
1. I cannot be emitted from a nucleus without the nucleus losing its identity
2. I believe in moderation in everything I do.
3. I can penetrate and also ionize other molecules
4. If I were a boxer I would belong to the light weight division but I would bear a fully
formed charge
5. I am affected by electric field and magnetic field when I am in motion.
6. I am the only member of the nuclear family with an identical twin in the outhouse
Who am I?
Ans: Beta particle.
ROUND 1
1. Define standard Enthalpy of Combustion of a substance.
Ans: It is the heat which occurs when a mole of the substance is completely burnt in excess
oxygen under standard conditions.
2. Define standard Enthalpy of Solution of a substance
Ans: It is the enthalpy change that occurs when 1 mole of a substance dissolves under standard
conditions in 1 dm3 of water.
3. Define Hydration Energy
Ans: It is the enthalpy change that accompanies the formation of an electrostatic bond in
solution between a mole of ions in the gaseous state and water molecules.
72 [2014]
ROUND 1
1. What is a wiregauze used in the laboratory for?
Ans: To prevent the flame of a Bunsen burner from making direct contact with a flask
(containing an inflammable liquid)
2. In a science laboratory, dilute NaOH, dilute HCl, dilute ammonia, etc are provided on benches in
certain containers. What are these containers called?
Ans: Reagent bottles
3. If you want to add a little distilled or deionized water to a solid in a test tube, what is the best
apparatus to be used?
Ans: Wash bottle or distilled water bottle.
ROUND 1
1. There are two broad types of isomerism. What are these?
Ans: Structural Isomerism and Stereoisomerism
2. 1-Butanol and 2-butanol belong to a sub-group of structural isomers. Name this sub-group.
Ans: Positional isomers
3. Butanol and diethyl ether belong to a sub-group of structural isomers. Name this group.
Ans: Functional group isomers.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 53
1. I am a white substance with very high melting point
2. On paper I am represented as a diatomic molecule but in reality I am a three dimensional
ionic network.
3. I absorb and react with both moisture and CO2 when I am exposed to them
4. When I am put in cold water my enthalpy of solution is so high the solution boils
5. My metal cation is useful to all mammals
6. I bear the name of a citrus fruit
What is my chemical name?
Ans: Calcium oxide
ROUND 1
The following bond energies in kJmol-1 are provided.
C-H 432; C=C 838; C-C 347; Br-Br 193; Cl-Cl 234; C-Br 180 ; C-Cl 346; H-H
436;.
1. Use the bond energy to calculate the enthalpy change for addition of bromine to 1-butene.
Ans: CH3CH2CH=CH2 + Br2 → CH3CH2CHBrCH2Br
Energy change for bonds broken C=C 838 + Br-Br 193 =1031
Energy change for bonds formed = 2C-Br + C-C
= 2*180 + 347 = -707
Enthalpy of reaction = 1031 - 707 = +324 kJmol-1.
2. Use the bond energies to calculate enthalpy of hydrogenation of 1-propene
Ans: CH3CH=CH2 + H2 → CH3CH2CH3
Bonds broken = C=C + H-H = 838 + 436 = 1274
Bonds formed = C-C + 2C-H = 347 + 2*432 = 1221
Enthalpy of reaction = +53kJmol-1
3. Use the bond energies to calculate enthalpy change for addition of chlorine to 2-pentene.
Ans: CH3CH2CH=CHCH3 + Cl2 → CH3CH2CHClCHClCH3
73 [2014]
Bonds broken = C=C + Cl2 = 838 + 234
= 1072
Bonds formed = C-C + 2C-Cl = 347 + 2*346 = 1039
Enthalpy of reaction = 1072 - 1039 = +33kJmol-1
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Teflon, the polymer used as non-stick material in frying and sauce pans is an example of
condensation polymer.
Ans: F Addition
2. The monomer for Teflon is tetrafluoroethene
Ans: T
3. Plasticizers are a class of polymers
Ans: F They are additives to polymers.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. SO2 is a linear molecule
Ans: F Bent.
2. CO2 is a linear molecule
Ans: T
3. H3O+ is a trigonal plane
Ans: F It is a trigonal pyramid like NH3
ROUND 1
1. Give two of the observations made by Rutherford and his team in the α-particle scattering
experiment.
Ans: Any two of the following:
a) Most of the α-particles went through the gold foil without any deflection.
b) A few α-particles were deflected through small angles.
c) A ( very) few α-particles were deflected backwards
2. In the α-particle scattering experiment, what were the relative population of those particles whose
paths were deflected through small angles and those who bounced back?
Ans: Those who bounced back were far less than those whose paths were deflected.
3. How did Rutherford explain the fact that a few α-particles bounced back?
Ans: Those ones collided with the heavy, positively charged nucleus of the gold.
ROUND 1
1. The molecule of NO reacts with chlorine gas to form NOCl. What type of reaction is this?
Ans: Redox reaction.
2. The cyanide ion reacts with iron II to form the complex anion [Fe(CN)6]4-. What type of reaction
is this?
Ans: Acid-Base reaction, (Fe2+ acting as a Lewis acid)
Complexation Reaction- 1 mark.
3. Elemental sulphur slowly dissolves in strong alkalis to give a mixture of sulphide and
trioxosulphate (IV) ions. Identify the oxidizing and reducing agents in this reaction.
Ans: Oxidizing agent - sulphur
Reducing agent - sulphur.
74 [2014]
ROUND 1
1. When 3-hexanol is dehydrated, what may be the product?
Ans: 3-hexene (if 2-hexene give 1 mark)
2. When HBr is added to 1-hexene, what may be the product?
Ans: 2-Bromohexane
3. When 2-Butene is made to react with cold, dilute KMnO4, what may be the product?
Ans: 2, 3-butanediol
ROUND 1
24g of Argon gas, 22g of CO2 gas and 11.2g of nitrogen gas are put in a steel vessel and sealed.
C = 12.0; O = 16.0; Ar = 40.0; N = 14.0
1. What is the sum of the moles of all the gases?

Ans: moles of CO2 = 22/44 = 0.5
Moles of Argon = 24/40 = 0.6
Moles of Nitrogen = 11.2/28 = 0.4
Sum = 0.5+0.6+0.4 = 1.5mol.
2. If the sum of the moles of all the gases is 1.5, what are the mole fractions of CO2 and Argon?
Ans: mole fraction of CO2 = 0.5/1.5 = 1/3 or 0.33
Mole fraction of Ar = 0.6/1.5 = 0.4
3. If the total pressure in the vessel is 200kPa, calculate the partial pressure of argon.
Ans: mole fraction of argon = 0.4
Hence partial pressure of argon = 0.4*200
= 80kPa
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The atomic radius of nitrogen is larger than that of phosphorus
Ans: F
2. The atomic radius of aluminium and phosphorus are nearly the same.
Ans: F
3. The chloride ion has a larger radius than chlorine atom
Ans: T
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Ca2+ ions do not give a precipitate with dilute ammonia or H2S
Ans: T
2. While lead ions give a black precipitate with H2S, aluminium gives no precipitate with H2S
Ans: T Al gives white precipitate with (NH4)2S
3+
3. Fe ions give cream precipitate with dilute ammonia
Ans: F It gives red-brown precipitate.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 54
1. My presence in the atmosphere was suspected by Cavendish in 1785
2. I was actually discovered in 1894 by two prominent scientists.
3. I exist as gaseous atoms in the natural state
4. My current name which is in Greek means I am inactive
5. Like other members of my family I hardly react with any substance
6. With the atomic number 18, I am the third member of Group 0 of the Periodic Table
75 [2014]
Who am I?
Ans: Argon
ROUND 1
1. Which of these can be found in nature in the uncombined state: Iron, magnesium, sulphur?
Ans: Sulphur
2. Which of these can be found in the uncombined state in nature: Gold, manganese argon?
Ans: Gold and Argon.
3. Which of these can be found in the uncombined state in nature: Mercury, sodium and carbon?
Ans: Carbon.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 55
1. I am a binary compound with triatomic, non-polar molecules

2. I am colourless and odourless
3. Both elements in my molecule are non-metals
4. I am easily compressed to give a solid, normally by-passing my liquid state
5. I am more abundant in the atmosphere of rich, industrialised countries
6. I do not live in a greenhouse but my name is very much associated with greenhouse effect
Who am I?
Ans: CO2 or carbon (IV) oxide
ROUND 1
1. Which of these statements is not included in Dalton‟s Atomic Theory? One attempt
a) Elements are made up of small particles called atoms.
b) Atoms consist of nuclei with surrounding electrons
Ans: (b)
2. Which of these statements is not included in Dalton‟s Atomic Theory? One attempt
a) Atoms of the same element may have different masses but the same size.
b) Atoms can neither be created nor destroyed.
Ans: (a)
3. Which of these statements is included in Dalton‟s Atomic Theory?
a) Atoms of different elements have different mass and size
b) When atoms combine to form compounds, they do so in simple whole numbers
Ans: Both (a) and (b)
ROUND 1
1. Which classes of organic compound would have OH unit in their molecules
Ans: Alkanols, Phenols and Alkanoic acids (not asking for functional group)
2. Give one isomer of 1-butanol
Ans: Any one of 2-butanol, diethyl ether, methyl propyl ether
3. Name the two stereoisomers of 2-pentene
Ans: cis-2-pentene and trans-2-pentene
ROUND 1
1. A gold ore is found to be 70 ppm. How much gold in grams can be extracted from 5kg ore?
Ans: 1,000,000 parts of the ore contain 70 parts
Hence 1000 parts of the ore would contain 0.070 parts
Also 5kg of ore ≡ 5*0.07
= 0.35kg
= 350g
76 [2014]
2. A certain method of converting ethanol to alkanoic acid gives only 80% of the expected yield.
How many kg of ethanoic acid can be obtained from 11.5kg of ethanol
Ethanol = 46; Ethanoic acid = 60
Ans: 46kg ethanol → 60kg ethanoic acid
11.5kg ethanol → 15kg
80% yield = 0.8*15
= 12kg
3. An iron ore, iron pyrites FeS2 contains 20% of the pyrites. How much iron metal can be obtained
from 120kg of the ore assuming that the process is 100% efficient?
Fe = 56.0; S = 32.0; FeS2 = 120.
Ans: 100kg of ore ≡ 20kg of FeS2
120kg of ore = 120/100*20 = 24kg of FeS2
120kg of FeS2 ≡ 56kg Fe
Hence 24kg of FeS2 = 11.2kg Fe
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Na2CO3 decomposes on heating to Na2O and CO2
Ans: F Na2CO3 does not decompose on heating.
2. Paints made of lead trioxocarbonate (IV) turn black with time in the cities.
Ans: T PbS is formed as exhaust fumes of vehicles contain S2- ions.
3. Calcium hydrogen trioxocarbonate (IV) solution produces a precipitate when the solution is
boiled
Ans: T CaCO3 precipitates Ca(HCO3)2 → CaCO3 + CO2 + H2O
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Electrolysis of molten KBr will require 2Faraday of charge to discharge 1 mole of bromine gas.
Ans: T 2Br- → Br2 + 2e
2. During rusting of iron, the iron metal is oxidized initially to iron (II)
Ans: T
3. During rusting of iron, the iron metal is oxidized only in moist air.
Ans: T the oxidation requires the presence of O2 and H2O.
ROUND 1
1. Explain why powdering of a solid in a heterogeneous reaction increases the rate of the reaction.
Ans: Surface area increases. The number of collisions of reactant molecules with solid reactant
increases.
2. Give the units of the rate constant of a second order reaction.
Ans: [(conc)-1t-1] = mol-1dm3s-1
3. Substances A and B in solution at a certain temperature react slowly. What changes can be made
to increase the rate?
Ans: a) Increase in temperature
b) Increase in concentrations of A or B or both
c) Change in solvent.
ROUND I
1. Explain why the reaction between 1 moldm-3 each of NH3 and HCl will give a different enthalpy
change from the reaction of NaOH and HCl.
Ans: Solution of NH3 contains NH4OH. NH4OH is a weak base and so energy is used up to
ionize the NH4OH.
2. Which energy changes need to be considered in dissolving a solid ionic compound in 5dm3 of
water?
Ans: a) Lattice energy b) hydration energy c) Energy of solution or dilution.
77 [2014]
3. What does it imply when an ionic salt is sparingly soluble in water?
Ans: The hydration energy is less than the lattice energy.
ROUND 1
1. Which reagent is required to convert propanol to propanoic acid in the laboratory?
Ans: Na2/K2Cr2O7 in acid (dil H2SO4)
2. Name the reagent required to convert 2-butanone to iodoform or triiodomethane
Ans: I2 in K/ NaOH solution
3. Which enzyme in yeast catalyzes the conversion of glucose into ethanol?
Ans: Zymase.
ROUND 1
1. Zinc metal reacts with dilute HNO3 to give zinc trioxonitrate (V), nitrogen (I) oxide and water.
Ans: 4Zn + 10HNO3 → 4Zn (NO3)2 + N2O + 5H2O.
2. Copper (II) trioxonitrate (V), on heating decomposes to give copper (II) oxide, nitrogen (IV)
oxide and oxygen. Write a balanced equation for the reaction
Ans: 2Cu (NO3)2 → 2CuO + 4NO2 + O2
3. Copper metal reacts with concentrated HNO3 to give Copper (II) trioxonitrate (V), nitrogen (IV)
oxide and water. Write a balanced equation for the reaction
Ans: Cu + 4HNO3 → Cu (NO3)2 + 2NO2 + 2H2O
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The hybridization of oxygen in a molecule of water is sp2
Ans: F it is sp3
2. The hybridization of oxygen in the carbonyl group is sp2
Ans: T
3. The hybridization of oxygen in CO2 is sp2
Ans: F sp
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. After aluminium, the most abundant metal is manganese
Ans: F It is iron
2. The third most abundant component of the air in the atmosphere is Argon.
Ans: T
3. The most abundant metalloid is silicon
Ans: T
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 56
1. I am a hydrocarbon of a type
2. I was formed millions of years ago in the forested, swampy parts of our planet
3. I am a solid usually mined from deep pits
4. I am a major source of fuel
5. When I am destructively distilled, gases, liquids, and a solid residue are obtained
6. Sometime ago I and Newcastle were proverbial brothers
78 [2014]
Who am I?
Ans: Coal.
ROUND 1
Consider the following equilibrium reaction:
2NH3 (g) + 3Cl2(g) ↔ N2 (g) + 6HCl (g)
1. Predict the effect of increase in pressure on the equilibrium point.
Ans: The equilibrium point will shift to the left or towards the reactants.
2. Give the expression for the Kc of the equilibrium.
Ans: Kc = [N2][HCl]6/[NH3]2[Cl2]3
3. Express the Kp of the reaction in terms of Kc.
Ans: Kp = Kc (RT)2
ROUND 1
Preamble to all schools:.
Describe the penetrating ability and ionizing ability of the given nuclear particles in terms
of very good, average or poor.
1. Neutron;
Ans: penetrating - very good
Ionizing - poor
2. Gamma Ray
Ans: Penetrating - very good.
Ionizing - average
3. α-particle
Ans: Penetrating - poor
Ionizing - very good
ROUND 1
1. Give the reagent for converting benzene to chlorobenzene in one step.
Ans: Cl2/FeCl3
2. Give the product of addition of chloroethane in the presence of AlCl3 to benzene.
Ans: A mixture of 1, 2-diethylbenzene and 1, 4-diethylbenzene
3. How can one convert benzene to nitrobenzene in one step?
Ans: Warm with a 1:1 mixture of concentrated H2SO4 and concentrated HNO3 (at
about 55◦C.)
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 57
1. If I were a Ghanaian I would be having my education at a Polytechnic institution
2. I would also be attending a Polyclinic whenever I had health problems
3. Unfortunately I am only an organic molecule involved in the poly business
4. I wonder there is a day an adult Ghanaian would not touch me or use me.
5. I am born whenever thousands of ethene are put together.
6. I never die because there is nothing yet on this planet that can kill me.
7. I have lived too long and have become an environmental nuisance to all
Who am I ?
Ans: Polyethene or Polythene
ROUND 1
1. Ethanoic acid has a pKa of 4.80. Calculate the pH of 0.100moldm-3 of sodium ethanoate
solution.
Ans: pKb of ethanoate ion = 14 - 4.8 = 9.2
pOH = ½ pKb – ½ logCb
= 4.6 + 0.5 = 5.1
79 [2014]
pH = 14 – pOH = 8.9
2. 100cm3 of 0.10 moldm-3 solution of NaOH are mixed with 400cm3 of 0.15moldm-3 HCl
solution. Calculate the pH of the resultant solution.
Ans: mmol of OH- = 10
mmol of H+ = 60
Excess mmol of H+ = 50
3
Total volume 500cm
Concentration of H+ ion in moldm-3 = 0.1moldm-3
Hence pH = 1
3. Calculate the pH of 0.01moldm-3 solution of phenylmethanoic acid. The pKa of

phenylmethanoic acid is 4.2
Ans: pH = ½ pKa + ½ logCa
= 2.1 + 1 = 3.1
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. On adding Pb2+ solution to a solution suspected to contain a halide, a yellow precipitate
formed confirms a bromide.
Ans: F could be bromide or iodine
2. AgI is insoluble in ammonia solution
Ans: T
3. Chlorine water will release bromine from bromides.
Ans: T
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Ba is to Caesium as calcium is to potassium
Ans: T
2. Beryllium is to boron as sulphur is to phosphorus.
Ans: F chlorine
3. Carbon is to silicon as caesium is to rubidium
Ans: F Francium
ROUND 1
1. Give the chemical formula of an ore of aluminium kaolin.
Ans: Al2Si2O7.2H2O
2. Give the chemical formula of limonite, an ore of iron.
Ans: Fe2O3.H2O
3. Give the chemical formula of mica, an ore of aluminium.
Ans: K2AlSi6O16
ROUND 1
1. Give all the common physical properties of metals.
Ans: (a). Have shiny, silvery surface when clean.
(b). Are malleable and ductile.
(c). Are good conductors of heat and electricity.
2. Classify graphite as solid chemical and explain how it is formed.
Ans: Covalent network solid.
How it is formed: (a). Each carbon, sp2 hybridised, forms 3 covalent bonds with 3
other carbons, resulting in a flat sheet of hexagonal rings of carbons. The unhybridised p
80 [2014]
orbitals each with an electron, form a delocalised system with neighbouring carbons,
resulting in a sheet of electrons between layers of carbons.
3. Name the metalloids among the first 18 elements of the Periodic Table.
Ans: Boron (B) and Silicon (Si).
ROUND 1
1. Explain why tertiary amines cannot form amides with carboxylic acid.
Ans: Formation of amide results in the elimination of a water molecule from the amine and
acid. Tertiary amines have no hydrogen bonded to the Nitrogen to combine with the –OH
on the acid to form the H2O molecule.
2. Explain why tertiary alkanols cannot be oxidised unless by harsh oxidation that involves breakage
of the C-C
Ans: Oxidation of alkanols involves elimination of 2 hydrogen, one from the carbon to which
the –OH is bonded and the H on the OH. A tertiary alkanol does not have such C-H.
3. Explain why alkanones do not react with Fehling‟s reagent.
Ans: Fehling‟s reagent is a mild oxidising agent. Alkanones cannot be oxidised except in the
harsh oxidation involving breaking of C-C bond, eg combustion. Oxidation by Fehling‟s
reagent requires that a hydrogen atom be removed from the carbon of the carbonyl group.
ROUND 1
1. Calculate the percentage oxygen in the gram formula mass or a mole of copper II
tetraoxosulphate(VI)pentahydrate and give your answer to one placedecimal. Cu=64.0 S =
32.0 O = 16.0
Ans: Molar mass of (CuSO4.5H2O) = 64+32+64+90
= 250g
Mass of O = 9*16 = 144g
%O = (144∕250) * 100%
= 57.6%
2. Calculate the percentage oxygen in 2-octanone. O=16.0; C=12.0 ; H=1.0

Ans: Octanone = C8H16O
= 96+16+16
= 128gmol-1
%O = (16∕128) * 100%
= 12.5%
3. Calculate the percentage oxygen in the tetraoxophosphate(V) acid (H3PO4) and leave your answer
to one place of decimal. P=31.0; O=16.0; H=1.0
Ans: H3PO4 = 3+31+64
= 98gmol-1
%O = (64∕98) * 100%
= 65.3%
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Electrical energy is consumed in all electrochemical cells.
Ans: F Only electrolytic cells consume electricity.
2. In the electrolysis of alumina, cryolite, NaAlF6 is added to reduce the amount of charge in
coulombs per mole of alumina consumed.
Ans: F To reduce melting point of alumina.
3. The Leclanché dry cell is a typical secondary cell.
Ans: F
81 [2014]
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Natural gas is over 90% methane.
Ans: T
2. Methane is the product of anaerobic decomposition of organic matter.
Ans: T
3. The gas which comes out as the first fraction in an oil refinery is usually of the same composition
as Natural gas.
Ans: F Varies but it contains some C2, C3 and C4 hydrocarbons.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 58
1. I am a water soluble solid

2. When a drop of my solution falls into a blue flame, an intense yellow colour is produced.
3. I am a white salt
4. Interestingly, my anion is derived from a very colourful element
5. That element in its natural state exists as a diatomic molecule, purple in colour
6. My cation is derived from an element with atomic number 11
Who am I?
Sodium iodide or NaI
ROUND 1
1. What is the oxidation state of nitrogen in the complex anion [Ag(CN)2]-
Ans: -3
2. What is the oxidation state of sulphur in the S2O32-ion?
Ans: +2
3. What is the oxidation state of gold in the complex anion [Au(CN)2]-
Ans: +1
ROUND 1
1. For a second order reaction the concentration-time equation is where [A]c and
[A]o are the concentration of the reactant at the time t and time=0 respectively. What is the
expression for the time when 50% of the initial reactant has been consumed?
Ans:
2. Give the concentration-time equation for a first order reaction. Assume the concentration at t = 0
and t = t are [A]o and [A] respectively .
Ans:
3. In order to determine k of a first order reaction graphically, is plotted against t. How is k
obtained?
Ans: Gradient of graph = , hence k can be calculated.
ROUND 1
1. Explain why dimethylamine is expected to be more basic than methylamine.
82 [2014]
Ans: Basicity of amines is due to the electron-pair on the N. In dimethylamine there are two
methyl groups. Methyl groups are electron donating thus increasing the charge on the
nitrogen..
2. Benzene and its derivatives undergo electrophilic substitution reactions. Explain why toluene is
expected to undergo such substitution more readily than benzene.
Ans: Toluene has a methyl group attached to the ring. Methyl group is electron donating (by
Inductive effect). The pi-electron cloud is greater in toluene.
3. The carbonyl group attracts nucleophiles to its carbon because it has a partially formed positive
charge. Explain why this attraction is less in alkanones than alkanals.
Ans: Alkanones have 2 alkyl groups attached to the carbon while the alkanal has only 1. The
two alkyls groups are electron donating (by inductive effect), thus reducing the positive
charge on the carbon of the carbonyl group of the alkanone more than that of the alkanal.
ROUND 1
Common pre-amble to all Schools.
Consider the following equilibrium process in the gaseous phase.
2A + B 3C + 5D
Initially 8 moles of A and 5 moles of B were placed in a 10dm3 flask at 300K and the mixture
allowed to come to equilibrium.
1. If at equilibrium, it was found that 0.45 moles of C were formed, how many moles of D would
have been formed.
Ans:
Mole of D = 0.75
2. If under a different equilibrium condition 6.8 moles of A were present, how many moles of C
would have been formed.
Ans: moles of A that would have reacted = 8.0 - 6.8
= 1.2
But
Moles of C = 1.8 mols

3. If under yet another different condition of equilibrium, 4 moles of B are left, how many moles of
A and D were present.
Ans: Moles of B that had reacted = 1 mol
Moles of A that were present = 8 - 2 mol = 6 mols
Moles of D that would have been formed = 5 mol
ROUND 1
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Methane will have larger induced dipole-induce dipole forces than butane.
Ans: F the larger the molecule the greater the van der Waal forces.
2. There is hydrogen bonding in gaseous HCl
Ans: F Cl is not electronegative enough.
3. Whereas H2O has higher boiling point than H2S, CH4 has a lower boiling than SiH4.
Ans: T Boiling point of H2O is anomalous because of H- bonding.
83 [2014]
ROUND 1
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The compound HCBrClOH will have two stereoisomers.
Ans: T Carbon is bonded to four different substituents.
2. 2-Hexene and 3-Hexene are stereoisomers.
Ans: F Positional isomers.
3. 2-Hexene will have two stereoisomers.
Ans: T cis and trans
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 59
1. I am basically a process
2. I can be an analytical or a separation method
3. In the laboratory, my beginnings are traced to a flask.
4. A water condenser and a thermometer are some of my precious tools.
5. A special kind of partitioned column is indispensable.
6. I am the basic operation at the Tema Oil Refinery
Who am I?
Fractional Distillation
ROUND 1
1. How is petroleum formed?
Ans: By slow decomposition over millions of years of plant and animal remains.
2. What is the chemical composition of petroleum?
Ans: A mixture of hydrocarbons and small amounts of organic compounds containing nitrogen
(N), oxygen (O) and sulphur (S).
3. Petroleum contains small amounts of organic compounds containing nitrogen, oxygen and
sulphur. What are some of the likely sources of these compounds? Name any three.
Ans: Proteins, nucleic acids or DNA/RNA, vitamins, carbohydrate, chlorophyll, steroids,
terpenoid compounds, alkaloids, flavanoids etc.
ROUND 1
1. Two liquids A and B have vapour pressures at 30oC, 25 kPa and 40 kPa respectively. Which one
will have lower boiling point and why?
Ans: B will have a lower boiling point. Boiling point is temperature at which vapour pressure
equals atmospheric pressure. B‟s vapour will reach atmospheric pressure at a lower
temperature.
2. The type of a meniscus of a liquid in a glass capillary is a balance between which forces.
Ans: Forces of attraction between the molecules of the liquid and the glass on one hand and
between molecules within the liquid.
3. Compare and contrast these solids; solid CO2 (or dry ice ) and diamond.
Ans: Solid CO2 is made up of CO2 molecules held by van der Waals forces (or induced dipole
– induced dipole). Diamond consists of atoms held by large network of covalent bonds.
ROUND 1
Common preamble to all schools: Name the major organic constituent or constituents of
the following.
1. Honey.
Ans: Fructose, Glucose and some unhydr,olysed Sucrose.
2. Honeycombs.
Ans: Ester of a long chain alkanols and fatty acids. (alkyl alkanoates ).
3. Palm oil.
Ans: Triester of glycerol or 1,2,3-propantriol. Or esters of palmitic and stearic acids
84 [2014]
ROUND 1
1. Write a balanced equation for the combustion of 2-nonanone.
Ans; Nonanone = C9H18O
C9H18O + 13O2 → 9CO2 + 9H2O
2. Write a balanced equation for the combustion of a mole of fructose.
Ans: Fructose = C6H12O6
C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O
3. Write a balanced equation for the combustion of a mole of decanoic acid.
Ans: Decanoic acid = CH3(CH2)8COOH
= C10H20O2
C10H20O2 + 14O2 → 10CO2 + 10H2O
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The negatively charged hydrogen ion, the hydride ion, has a larger ionic radius than flouride ion.
Ans: T (H- = 0.208nm, F- = 0.136nm)
2. Sodium atom has a larger atomic radius than hydrogen atom.
Ans: T (Na has more shells Na = 0.154, H = 0.037)
3. N ion has a smaller ionic radius than O2- ions.
3-
Ans: F N3- has more electrons in the same shell hence greater repulsion (N3- =
0.171nm, O2 -= 0.140nm)
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE.
1. In the electrolysis of dilute H2SO4 using inert electrode, the gases discharged at the cathode and
anode will be in the mole ratio of 1:2 respectively.
Ans: F Ratio should be 2:1 (H2:O2).
2. In the electrolysis of CuSO4 solution using inert electrodes, copper metal is formed at the cathode
while oxygen is released at the anode.
Ans: T
3. In the electrolysis of concentrated NaCl solution using inert electrodes, the gases released at the
cathode and the anode are in the mole ratio of 1:1.
Ans: T (H2 at cathode and Cl2 at anode).
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 60
1. We are identical twins but unfortunately, we are forever bound together like Siamese twins
2. We are hardly found on earth or in the earth‟s atmosphere
3. We as twins, are colourless, odourless and tasteless
4. We may be found as part of natural gas from oil wells
5. We form an explosive mixture with oxygen
6. When we are separated, we combine individually with many substances.
Who are we?
Hydrogen molecule or H2
ROUND 1
1. Explain why or how mass spectroscopy is able to determine the presence and natural
abundance of isotopes of an element.
Ans: Mass spectrometer‟s results depend on mass/charge ratios. Since isotopes have
different masses, they will give different mass to charge ratios in the monitor (or
screen or plot). More than one peak will indicate the number of isotopes. The
intensity of the signal depends on relative abundance.
85 [2014]
2. What role does the magnetic field play in the mass spectrometer?
Ans: It causes moving ions to execute circular paths or it causes ions to be deflected
from their linear paths, the radii depending on the mass/charge ratios.
3. What role does the electric field play in the mass spectrometer?
Ans: The electric field accelerates the ions formed.
ROUND 1
1. Name an isomer of 1-butanol which is also a tertiary alkanol
Ans: 2-methyl-2-propanol
2. Name an isomer of 1-pentanol whose molecule contains the longest chain of 4 carbons.
Ans: 3-methyl-2-butanol.
3. Is phenylmethanol an aromatic alcohol or aliphatic alcohol? Explain your answer
Ans: It is an aliphatic alcohol because the OH group is bonded to an sp3 carbon
(or saturated carbon).
ROUND 1
1. What type of acid is the NH4+ ion?
Ans: It is a Bronsted-Lowry or Arrhenius acid
2. What type of base is the NH3 molecule?
Ans: It is a Lowry-Bronsted or Lewis Base. (If Lewis is not mentioned, 1 mark)
3. What type of base is a dilute, aqueous solution of ammonia?
Ans: The dilute solution of NH3 consists of NH4OH, some of which is ionised and
some NH3 molecules. Hence dilute aqueous ammonia is an
a) Arrhenius base
b) Bronsted-Lowry base
c) Lewis base.
(All three for full marks)
ROUND 1
The iron (II) concentration of a solution is determined in a volumetric exercise by
titrating 20cm3 of acidified (H2SO4) solution of iron II against K2Cr2O7 solution. The
equation for the reaction of the titration is as follows:
Cr2O72- + 5Fe2+ + 14H+ → 2Cr3+ + 5Fe3+ + 7H2O
1. If the concentration of K2Cr2O7 is 0.08moldm and the titre is 12.0cm3 calculate the
-3
concentration of the Fe2+ solution.

Ans: M*20.0/0.08*12.0 = 5/1
M = 0.08*12*5/20
= 0.24moldm-3
2. Calculate the minimum mmole of H2SO4 required for the 20cm3 of 0.24moldm-3 solution
of the Fe2+
Ans: mmole of Fe2+ = 0.24*20
= 4.8
mmole of H+ needed = 14/5*4.8 = 33.6/5
= 13.44
mmole of H2SO4 = 6.72
3. If in another titration 16.0cm3 of 0.065moldm-3 solution of K2Cr2O7 is needed, what is the

concentration of the acidified Fe2+ solution?
Ans: M*20.0/0.065*16 = 5/1
M = 0.065*16*5/20
= 0.260moldm-3
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
86 [2014]
1. When NH3 solution is added to Cu2+ ion solution a gelatinous, light blue precipitate is
formed.
Ans: F Light blue precipitate is formed but it is not gelatinous.
2. When NH3 solution is added to a solution of Fe2+ ions a gelatinous, pale green precipitate
is initially formed.
Ans: T
3. When H2S is bubbled through a solution of Al3+ ions, a white precipitate of aluminium
sulphide is formed.
Ans: F No precipitate with H2S but white precipitate of Al(OH)3 with (NH4)2S.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Sulphur uses sp3 hybridised orbitals in the H2S molecule
Ans: T
2. Boron uses sp2 hybridised orbitals in the molecule of BCl3
Ans: T
3. In the toluene molecule, the carbon of the methyl group attached to the benzene uses sp2
hybridised orbitals.
Ans: F uses sp3
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 61
1. I am a binary compound with triatomic molecules
2. I was born with a bent back bone
3. Despite my younger age and lighter weight, I seem to be more sociable and influential in our
community
4. I am known as a universal solvent
5. My boiling point is higher than those of my heavier siblings
6. I am used in illustrating hydrogen bonding
Who am I?
Water or H2O
ROUND 1
Name the constituent metals of the given alloy
1. Potassium amalgam
Ans: Potassium and mercury
2. Magnalium
Ans: Aluminium, copper and magnesium
3. Bronze
Ans: Copper and tin
ROUND 1
1. Define bond energy
Ans: It is the energy required to break a mole of a covalent bond homolytically
2. Why is it that though C=C and C=O are both double bonds, the bond energies are not the
same.
Ans: The strength of the bonds depends on the extent of overlap of the orbitals. The
orbitals of oxygen are different (in size) from the orbitals of C.
3. Why do you think H-H bond is stronger than C-C bond?
Ans: The hydrogen orbitals are spherical and overlap of the two orbitals is maximal
OR Carbon uses sp3 orbitals which are larger and directional.
ROUND 1
87 [2014]
1. Why does the Equation of State of a real gas deviate from the Gas Law at high pressures?
Ans: a) At high pressures the volumes of the gaseous molecules are no longer
negligible
b) The molecules are close enough to experience intermolecular attractions
and repulsion
2. What is the advantage of gaseous molecules moving in a chaotic manner?
Ans: The molecules move in all directions
a) To ensure uniform pressure and
b) To ensure that gases take the shape of their containers.
3. Why would a General Gas Law PVT = constant not hold for gases?
Ans: If PVT = constant
It means PV is proportional to 1/T. But this is not possible because at
constant pressure (volume), volume (pressure) increases with increase in
temperature.
ROUND 1
A steel vessel contains 3 gases, oxygen, helium, and neon, with the following partial
pressures. Oxygen 75kPa, helium 60kPa and neon 80kPa
1. Calculate the mole fraction of neon in the vessel and give your answer to 2 places of
decimal.
Ans: Partial pressure = mole fraction*Total Pressure
Hence mole fraction of neon = 80/(75+60+80)
= 80/215
= 0.37
2. Calculate the mole fraction of helium present and give your answer to two places of
decimal.
Ans: mole fraction of helium = 60/215
= 0.28
3. If the volume of the vessel is 10dm3 and the temperature 0°C. Give the expression for the
number of moles of neon present. R = 8.31Jmol-1K-1
Ans: PV = nRT
n = 80*10/8.31*273
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Addition of dilute H2SO4 to iodide solution will not produce any observable change.
Ans: T
2. Addition of excess dilute ammonia to solid AgI will give a clear solution.
Ans: F AgI is insoluble in ammonia
3. Addition of concentrated H2SO4 to solid KI will produce a purple vapour
Ans: F will produce a colourless vapour
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. An element with atomic number 11 will form +1 ions readily
Ans: T (Na)
2. An element with atomic number 20 will form covalent compounds with valency of 2
Ans: F (Ca forms divalent ions)
88 [2014]
3. An element with atomic number 10 will form either ionic or covalent bond easily.
Ans: F Complete octet. (Neon at. no. 10 does not form compounds)
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 62
1. I am a natural polymer
2. I occur as a mixture of two very similar polymers, one water soluble the other water
insoluble
3. I am an important source of energy to animals including man
4. My monomer can be turned into a non-poisonous liquid used as a solvent
5. I am produced and stored virtually in all parts of the plant including the seeds, fruits, stem
and roots.
6. Gari foto), kenkey and fish and tuo zaafi are all delicacies in which I play prominent roles.
Who am I?
Starch
ROUND 1
1. Which other element, apart from Francium is named after France.
Ans: Gallium (Latin for France – Gallia)
2. Helium is derived from a Greek word. What does the Greek word mean
Ans: Sun ( Greek sun = Helio)
3. Iodine is also derived from a word in the Greek language, what does iodine mean?
Ans: Purple ( Greek iodes = purple)
ROUND 1
1. State the main addition made by J.J. Thompson to the Dalton‟s Atomic Theory?
Ans: Atoms consist of positive and negative charges, the negative charge, he called the
electron.
2. Which of the observations made by Geiger, Masden and Rutherford in the α-particle
scattering experiment made the most significant contribution to science and why?
Ans: Some of the α-particles bounced straight back, indicating there was a positively
charged and dense nucleus where all the mass of the atom is concentrated
3. Which observation convinced the team that the nucleus was positively charged?
Ans: The α-particles which are positively charged were repelled away or deflected as
they got close to the nucleus.
ROUND 1
+ +
1. Two half-cells A /A and B /B where A and B are metals have electrode potentials -0.50V
and +0.30V. Which of the two metals will react with mineral acid to release hydrogen gas
and why?
Ans: For hydrogen to be released, the half-cell,
2H+ + 2e → H2 should occur
It means A and B have no choice but to undergo oxidation.
A/A+ will have positive electrode potential whilst B/B+ will be negative; hence A
will react with acid to release hydrogen.
2. Two half-cells C+/C and D+/D have electrode potentials 0.60V and 0.30V respectively.
Which species will be the strongest reducing agent? Give your reasons.
Ans: D is the strongest. It has to be a metal. Ions cannot donate electrons
To act as a reducing agent, the half-cell reaction should be;
M - e → M+
D - e → D+ has the less negative value. Hence D is
relatively a stronger reducing agent than C.
3. Two half-cells E2+/E and F3+, F2+/Pt have electrode potentials -0.45V and 0.70V
respectively. Give the balanced equation of the cell reaction of a cell that can be created
from these two.
89 [2014]
Ans: (Oxidation E - 2e → E2+)
(Reduction 2F3+ + 2*e → 2F2+)
Equation E + 2F3+ → E2+ + 2F2+
(Emf = 0.7 + 0.45 = 1.15)
ROUND 1
The electrolysis of dilute NaCl using inert electrodes is equivalent to the electrolysis of
water.
2H2O → 2H2 + O2
1. How many moles of water will be discharged by 15 Faraday of charge?

Ans: 4 Faraday ≡ 2H2O
2 Faraday = H2O
15 Faraday = 7.5 moles of H2O
2. What volume of oxygen at STP will be released by 24 Faraday of charge? Molar volume
of gas at STP = 22.4dm3
Ans: 4 Faraday = O2
24 Faraday = 24/4 O2
= 6 O2
Volume = 134.4 or 1.344*102dm3
3. What mass of hydrogen will be released by 26 Faradays of charge? H = 1.0

Ans: 2F = 1H2
26F = 13H2
Mass of H2 = 26g
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The Ethanol molecule is a bent molecule
Ans: T Like H2O
2. PH3 has a trigonal pyramidal shape
Ans: T Like NH3
3. SO2 molecule is linear like CO2
Ans: F Bent molecule
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. If the half-life of a radioactive nuclide is 100 years it will take 200 years to lose 75% of
its activity
Ans: T ( 2t1/2 100 →50 →25)
2. In a Geiger counter the radioactive substance produces nuclear particles which ionise
gaseous molecules in a metal tube.
Ans: T
3. In the Geiger counter, it is the gaseous ions that give the pulse detected by the electronic
equipment.
Ans: F It is the electrons produced that cause the pulse.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 63
1. I am a physical property
2. I can also be a powerful analytical tool
90 [2014]
3. I am associated with a transition from one state of matter to another
4. My name suggests that I start from the state of matter of the lowest kinetic energy to a state of
matter of medium kinetic energy
5. I am described as a point but quoted as a range
6. Zero degrees Celsius for water is a typical example of me.
Who am I?
Melting point (Do not accept freezing point)
ROUND 1
1. Explain why the first ionization energy of beryllium is higher than that of boron although
beryllium has the lower atomic number
Ans: Be has a valence shell of 2s2 while boron has a valence shell of 2s22p1. The fully
filled 2s2 subshell is stable and would not lose an electron readily. The 2p1
electron of the boron may be lost more easily so that boron assumes the more
stable configuration of 2s2.
2. Explain the significance of the positive value the electron affinity of magnesium which
is +67kJmol-1
Ans: Electron affinity is the energy change for the process Mgo(g) + e → Mg(g)-. The
process is unfavourable as the in-coming electron will make the fairly stable
valence configuration of 3s2 less stable.
3. Explain why the first electron affinity of oxygen, O → O- is -141 but that for O- → O2-
is +798.
Ans: Adding an electron to the neutral atom whose valence configuration is 2s22p4
makes it more stable. However the second electron faces the strong repulsive
field of the first electron which repels it. A lot of energy is needed to overcome
this repulsive force.
ROUND 1
1. Which of these gases is/are not Greenhouse gase(s) : CO2, CO, CH4, and C2H6
Ans: CO and C2H6
2. Which of these oxides of nitrogen may be considered to be the anhydride of trioxonitrate
(V) acid? Explain your answer. N2O, NO2, and N2O5
Ans: N2O5
Explanation: 1) N is in oxidation state of +5 in N2O5 as in HNO3
2) Reaction with water gives the acid; N2O5 + H2O → 2HNO3
3. What industrial preparation may be classified as fixation of nitrogen and why?
Ans: Haber Process
Reason: Atmospheric nitrogen is made to react with H2 to give NH3 (at high
temperature and pressure) which can be converted into other nitrogen containing
salts.
ROUND 1
1. Without specifying particular organic compounds state the functional groups that must be
present in the monomers of polyamides such as nylon.
Ans: Either
one monomer with 2 amino groups and another monomer with two carboxylic
acid groups.
OR
One monomer with both amino group and carboxylic acid group.
2. State an outline of a scheme you would use to make 1-propene from propane.
Ans: Either
91 [2014]
1) CH3CH2CH3 + Cl2 + hv/ligt → CH3CHClCH3 +
CH3CH2CH2Cl + other compounds
After separation
2) CH3CH2CH2Cl + ethanolic acid KOH/NaOH/heat → CH3CH=CH2 or
CH3CHClCH3 + ethanolic acid KOH/NaOH/heat → CH3CH=CH2
OR
CH3CH2CH3 + Cl2 + hv/ligt → CH3CHClCH2Cl + other compounds
After separation
CH3CHClCH2Cl + Zn/Ether → CH3CH=CH2
3. What reagents will be needed to prepare p-nitrophenyl ethanoate

Ans: p-Nitrophenol and ethanoic acid or ethanoyl chloride or ethanoyl anhydride.
ROUND 1
Two solutions, 300cm3 of 0.25moldm-3 KOH and 200cm3 of 0.15moldm-3 H2SO4 are
thoroughly mixed in a flask.
1. Which ion, OH- or H+ will be in excess and by how many mmoles.

Ans: mmoles of OH- = 300*0.25 = 75
+
mmoles of H = 2*200*0.15 = 60
hence OH- will be in excess by 15mmole.
2. Calculate the concentration of K2SO4 in the solution

Ans: mmole of SO42- from the H2SO4 = 200*0.15 = 30
Total volume = 500
Concentration in moldm-3 = 30/500 = 0.06
3. Calculate the pH of the final solution if the OH- is in excess by 15mmol and give your
answer to two places of decimal. [
Ans: concentration of OH- = 15/500 moldm-3
0.03 or 3*10-2
= pOH = 2 - 0.477
= 1.523
pH of the solution = 14 – 1.52
= 12.48
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Faradays first law of electrolysis relates the quantity of charge or electricity passed
through a cell and the molar masses of substances discharged
Ans: F Relates the charge and masses of the substances.
2. Faradays second law can be stated as follows: „the amount of charge needed to discharge
one mole of an ion at an electrode is related to the number of charges on the ion.
Ans: T
3. The Faraday‟s constant is the amount of charge on Avogadro number of electrons.
Ans: T Avogadro number of electrons = 1mol of electrons.
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. Sodium trioxonitrate V decomposes on heating to give sodium oxide and NO2
Ans: F Products NaNO2 + O2
92 [2014]
2. Magnesium trioxonitrate V decomposes on heating to give magnesium oxide, nitrogen
(II) oxide and oxygen
Ans: F Products: MgO, NO2, and O2.
3. Lithium trioxonitrate V decomposes on heating to give lithium oxide, nitrogen (IV) oxide
Ans: F Products: Li2O, NO2, and O2. Oxygen gas missing.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 64
1. I am a colourless, poisonous gas
2. I am binary gaseous compound with triatomic molecules
3. I am formed whenever a certain element is burnt in air
4. I could also be the product of roasting of certain ores and burning of coal as fuel.
5. Despite being toxic, I am used as a food preservative became I can kill many different
kinds of fungi.
6. I am a raw material for the production of the most produced industrial chemical, H2SO4
Who am I?
Ans: Sulphur (IV) oxide OR sulphur dioxide or SO2
ROUND 1
1. Which of these two hydroxides is more soluble in water and why? Lithium hydroxide and
sodium hydroxide
Ans: NaOH is more soluble, it is more ionic than LiOH.
2. Aluminium hydroxide is insoluble in water. What may account for this?
Ans: Al(OH)3 is covalent with limited ionic character.
3. Is beryllium hydroxide basic or acidic or amphoteric?
Ans: it is amphoteric, it reacts with both acids and bases
e.g. Be(OH)2 + 2HCl → 2H2O + BeCl2
Be(OH)2 + 2NaOH → Na2[Be (OH)4]
ROUND 1
1. Which is bigger, lithium atom or boron atom
Ans: Lithium atom
2. Which is bigger, lithium atom or sodium atom
Ans: Sodium atom
3. Which is bigger fluorine atom or neon atom
Ans: Neon atom
ROUND 1
1. Explain why though both chlorine molecules and bromine molecules experience induced
dipole – induced dipole intermolecular forces, bromine is a liquid while chlorine is
gaseous.
Ans: Bromine atoms are bigger and heavier therefore bromine molecules experience
greater intermolecular forces
2. State the intermolecular forces in gaseous ammonia, and explain your answer.
Ans: Hydrogen bonding: there are hydrogen atoms bonded to an electronegative atom
N.
3. State the intermolecular forces in gaseous SO2, and explain your answer.
Ans: Dipole- dipole type of van der Waals forces.
SO2 is a bent molecule and the dipoles do not cancel out.
ROUND 1
93 [2014]
The rate law for the reaction
I-(aq) + ClO-(aq) → IO-(aq) + Cl-
May be written as Rate = k[I-]x[ClO-]y
In order to determine x and y, the following experiments were performed
Experiments I-(moldm-3) ClO-(moldm-3) Rate (moldm-3s-1)
1 0.010 0.010 5.1*10-3
2 0.020 0.010 1.02*10-2
3 0.010 0.020 2.04*10-2
1. Find x in the rate law

Ans: From Exp (1) and (2) when the concentration of I- is doubled, the rate increases
by a factor of 2
Hence x = 1
2. Find y in the rate law
Ans: From Exp (1) and (3) when the concentration of ClO- is doubled, the rate
increases by a factor of 4
Hence y = 2
3. Calculate the rate constant k using the results of experiment (1) given that x = 1 and y =
2.
Ans: Rate = k [1.0*10-2][1.0*10-2]2
-3
5.1*10 = k*1.0*10-6
k = 5.1*10-3/1.0*10-6
k = 5.1*103
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. 1-pentene will show stereoisomerism
Ans: F 1-pentene cannot show cis-trans isomerism
2. Addition of water to 2-pentyne in the presence of H2SO4 will yield an alkanone
Ans: T CH3COCH2CH2CH3
3. Partial reduction of 2-butyne by addition of 1 mole of H2 in the presence of a catalyst
will yield the more stable trans-2-butene
Ans: F H‟s are added on the same side of the double bond.
(Addition is syn)
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. By careful selection of catalyst polymers of different structures of phenylethene can be
made.
Ans: T 1) polymers with the phenyl groups on the same side of the chain
2) Polymers with the phenyl groups on alternate sides
3) Polymers with the phenyl groups placed randomly
2. Synthetic rubbers, which have similar structures as natural rubber are made by
polymerisation of substituted 1, 3-butadiene
Ans: T
3. Vulcanisation is the process of mending car tyres with punctures.
Ans: F vulcanisation is the process of heating rubber with sulphur.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 65
1. I cannot stand nitrogen (II) oxide molecules
2. They affect me in the same way chlorine atoms do
3. I am one of the allotropes of an element
4. I do not sustain life, but I protect life on earth from harmful radiation of the sun
94 [2014]
5. Chlorine atoms and NO catalyse my decomposition
6. The use of chlorofluoromethanes as refrigerants has been banned because of me.
Who am I?
Ans: Ozone or O3
ROUND 1
Common preamble to all school
State the expected observation in the following inorganic qualitative analyses:
1. Excess dilute NaOH added to a solution of Ca2+ ions
Ans: A white chalky precipitate, insoluble in excess
2. Excess dilute ammonia solution added to a solution of Zn2+ ions
Ans: A white precipitate which dissolves in excess ammonia solution
3. H2S gas bubbled into a solution of Ca2+ ions
Ans: No precipitate formed
ROUND 1
Give the correct, systematic name of a compound wrongly named as follows
1. 1, 2-dimethylpropane
Ans: 2-methylbutane
2. tertiary-Butylethane
Ans: 2, 2-Dimetylbutane
3. 2-Bromo-3-pentene
Ans: 4-Bromo-2-pentene
ROUND 1
1. Give the letter names or letter representation of the first three shells in any atom, in the
order of increasing energy.
Ans: K, L, M
2. What is „screening effect‟ in atoms, and how does it vary down a Group of the Periodic
Table
Ans: The reduced attraction by the nucleus or protons in atom for the outermost
electrons caused by the core electrons or completed shells
It decreases down a Group
3. What is Effective Nuclear Charge and how does it vary in a Period of the Periodic Table.
Ans: The net positive charge which the outermost electron feels through attraction by
the nucleus.
It increases across a Period.
ROUND 1
1. You are given that the Ka of HCN is 4.9*10-10,determine by calculation which is a
stronger base CN- or NH3. Kb of ammonia is 1.8*10-5
Ans: Ka of HCN = 4.9*10-10
-
But Ka (HCN)*Kb (CN )= Kw
Kb of CN- = 1.0*10-14/4.9*10-10
= 2.0*10-5
Hence CN- is a slightly stronger base than NH3.
2. Calculate the pH of 0.10moldm-3 solution of NH4Cl. The pKb of NH3 is 4.74

Ans: pKa of NH4+ = 14 - pKb(NH3) = 14 - 4.74
95 [2014]
= 9.26
pH = ½ pKa - ½ log Ca
= 9.26/2 + 0.5
= 4.63 + 0.5
= 5.13
3. Calculate the pH of 0.10 moldm-3 solution of aqueous ammonia solution, given that the
pKb of NH3 is 4.74
Ans: pOH = ½ pKb - ½ log Cb
= 4.74/2 + 0.5
= 2.87
pH = 14 - 2.87
= 11.13
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The oxidation state of iodine in the salt Na2H3IO6 is +7
Ans: T
2. The oxidation state of iodine in H4I2O9 is +5
Ans: F It is +7
3. The oxidation state of iodine in Pb3(IO5)2 is +6
Ans: F It is +7
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. 1, 2-dimethylcyclobutane will show two types of stereoisomerism
Ans: T will show cis-trans isomerism and optical isomerism
2. 1, 3-dimethylcyclobutane will show only one type of stereoisomerism
Ans: T will show cis-trans isomerism but not optical isomerism
3. Methylcyclobutane will not have any isomers
Ans: F will not have any stereoisomers but will have structural isomers e.g. 1-
pentene, 2-pentene, ethylcyclopropane, 1,2-dimethylcyclopropane.
ROUND 4
RIDDLE 66
1. My name suggests I live in certain dwelling place located possibly in the forest area or
places with lush vegetation.
2. I am associated with a house which could be real or virtual
3. My house is supposed to create certain micro-climate
4. While my real house is desirable, my virtual one is an enemy of mankind
5. The clouds in the sky, CO2 and other gases constitute my technical team which does the
construction of my house
6. The Infra-Red portion of the electromagnetic spectrum constitutes my vehicle.
Who am I?
Ans: Greenhouse Effect
ROUND 1
1. In which shell or at which energy level can one find the f-subshell?
Ans: 4th shell or 4th Energy level.
2. How many elements would have an electron or electrons in the 4f subshell?
Ans: 14
3. What is the name given to all the elements with electrons either in the 4f subshell or 5f
subshell?
Ans: 4f Lanthanide series or Rare Earths
96 [2014]
5f Actinide series
(Any one of the two for full marks)
ROUND 1
1. What is chromatography?
Ans: A separation technique that depends on how different compounds move or
partition between a moving phase and stationary phase.
2. If you perform a column chromatography with the column packed with alumina how is
separation achieved?
Ans: As solvent is passed down the column, the substances will show different
abilities to be adsorbed on the surface of the alumina or desorbed and washed
down by the solvent.
3. In paper chromatography, how are substances separated?
Ans: The paper has incorporated in it some water molecules. The substances have
different abilities to partition between the stationary water (molecules) and the
moving organic solvent
ROUND 1
Common permeable to all schools:
Alkanoic acids have trivial names that have Latin origins. They are related to some things
after which the Romans named them. For each of the following, give the trivial name and
why they were given such trivial names
1. Ethanoic Acid.
Ans: Trivial name is Acetic Acid. It occurs in vinegar. Latin word for vinegar is ACETUM.
2. Butanoic Acid.
Ans: Trivial name is Butyric acid. It smells like butter. Latin word for butter is BUTYRUM
3. Methanoic Acid.
Ans; Trivial name is Formic Acid. The irritating sensation when ants bite is due to the fact that
they squirt some formic acid into the bite. Latin name for ant is FORMICA.
ROUND 1
Given the following half –cells and their corresponding electrode potentials, write down the
balanced equation for the cell reaction of the cell that can be created from the half-cells and
calculate the initial emf.
1. ClO-,H2O, Cl-, OH-/Pt…………………………….0.9V
Cu+/Cu……………………………………..0.52V
Ans: Oxidation 2Cu – 2e → 2Cu+…………. (1) -0.52
Reduction ClO+ + 2e + H2O → Cl- + 2HO-…. (2) 0.9V
Multiply (1) by 2 and add.
Cell Reaction: 2Cu + ClO- + H2O → 2Cu+ + Cl- + 2HO-
Emf = (0.9 – 0.52) V = 0.48V
2. Sn4+,Sn2+/Pt…………………………...0.15V
NO3-, H+/NO/Pt………………………..0.96V
Ans: Oxidation: Sn2+ + 2e →Sn4+……………. ……………….. (1)
Reduction NO3- + 3e + 4H+ → NO + 2H2O……………… (2)
Multiply (1) by 3 and (2) by 2, and add.
Cell reaction: 3Sn2+ + 2NO3 + 8H+ → 3Sn4+ + 2NO + 4H2O.
Emf = (0.96 – 0.15) V = 0.81V
3. Hg2+, Hg22+/Pt… 0.9V ; Cr3+/Cr….. - 0.74V
3+
Ans: Oxidation: Cr – 3e → Cr …………………… (1)
Reduction: 2Hg2+ + 2e → Hg22+……………… (2)
97 [2014]
Multiply (1) by 2 and (2) by 3 and add.
Cell Reaction: 2Cr + 6Hg2+ → 2Cr3+ + 3Hg22+
Emf = (0.90 + 0.74) V = 1.64V
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The major constituent gases of troposphere in an increasing concentration are CO2, Argon, O2,
and N2.
Ans: T [Troposphere is the lowest region (~10km) of the atmosphere.]
2. When carbon-14 decays by beta-emission a nitrogen nuclide is formed.
Ans: T
3. Carbon-14 is formed as a result of cosmic-ray bombardment of carbon-12 nuclei.
Ans: F (Bombardment of nitrogen-14 nuclei.)
ROUND 3
TRUE OR FALSE
1. The pH in human milk is between 4.6 and 5.6.
Ans: F It is almost neutral, usually between 6.6 and 7.6
2. The pH of beer is between 4.0 and 4.5.
Ans: T
3. The pH of the gastric content of human is 1.0 – 3.0.
Ans: T
ROUND 4
RIDDLE – 67
1. I studied Organic Chemistry at the University of Kazan and St. Petersburg.
2. I returned to University of Kazan as an Organic Chemistry lecturer and did a lot of research
there.
3. I ended up at University of Moscow as Professor of Organic Chemistry from 1873 to 1893.
4. I made significant contributions to structural chemistry, for example by proving that butyric acid
(butanoic acid) and isobutyric acid (2-methylpropanoic acid) are isomers.
5. I also proved that 4 – and 7- membered rings can be made, contrary to the then notion that only
6-membered rings were stable enough to exist.
6. I am sure very few of you know these achievements of mine. Perhaps the best known about me is
the rule named after me- a rule that allows you to predict the product formed when say HCl or
H2O is added to an unsymmetrical alkene.
Who am I?
Ans: (Vladimir Vasilyevich) Markovnikov.
98 [2014]
ROUND 2
PROBLEM OF THE DAY
Use the given enthalpies of formation of the various gaseous compounds and the enthalpy of reduction of
carbon (IV) oxide with hydrogen to give carbon (II) oxide and steam or water vapour to calculate
enthalpies of reactions (1), (2) and (3). The calculation of enthalpy of reaction (3) may require the use of
Hess‟s Law.
N2O(g) + 4H2(g) → 2NH3 + H2O(g) (1)
H2O2 → H2O + ½ O2 (g) (2)
CO2 (g) → CO + ½ O2 (g) (3)
Heat of formation in kJmol-1
H2O (g), -241.8; H2O2, -133.1; CO2 (g), -393.5; N2O (g ) +81.6;
NH3 -46.1
∆H( reaction) of reduction of CO2 by hydrogen = +41.2kJmol-1
Ans: Reaction (1)
∆H reaction = [2*(- 46.1) + (-241.8)] - [+81.6]
= - 415.6 or -4.156*102kJmol-1
Reaction (2)
∆H reaction = (-241.8) – (-133.1)
= -108.7 or -1.087*102kJmol-1
Reaction (3)
CO2 (g) + H2(g) → H2O(g) + CO(g) ΔH +41.2 (a)
H2O(g) → H2 + ½ O2 (g) ΔH +241.8 (b)
Add (a) and (b) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------.
CO2 (g) → CO (g) + ½ O2 (g) ΔH +283.0
Hence ∆H of reaction (3) is +283 or +2.83*102 kJmol-1
ROUND 2
PROBLEM OF THE DAY
An organic synthesis gives a major product A and 2 by-products B and C, which are all solids. Ethanol is
identified as a suitable solvent for purification of the product by crystallisation.
The solubilities of A, B and C are 30g, 6g and 3g per 100cm3 of ethanol respectively at 65°C. The
solubilities of A, B and C at 3°C are 3g, 0.6g and 2g per 100cm3 of ethanol. The ice bath available can
cool ethanol to 3oC
99 [2014]
Calculate the mass and the composition of crystals obtained after one crystallisation in 50cm3 ethanol of
a12.0 g crude product made up of 90% A, 5% B, and 5% C.
Ans: A B C Total
1) Composition of crude in g 10.8 0.6 0.6 12.0g

2) Solubilities at 65°C per 50cm3 15 3 1.5 19.5g
Hence all the 12g will dissolve in the 50cm3 of ethanol at 65°C
3) Solubilities at 3°C 1.5 0.3 1.0 2.8g
4) On cooling to3°C crystals formed 9.3 0.3 0
Hence total mass of crystals 9.3 + 0.3 = 9.6g
Composition of crystals: 9.3g of A and 0.3g of B
ROUND 2
PROBLEM OF THE DAY
Gaseous methanol can be prepared according to the following equilibrium reaction.
CO (g) + 2H2 (g) == CH3OH (g)
A 10 litre metal vessel is charged with 3moles of CO gas and 5moles of hydrogen gas
and the mixture heated up to 363 K. When equilibrium is established, it is found that
1mole of methanol gas is formed. Calculate the equilibrium constant Kc and write
down an expression for the Kp of the equilibrium. R = 8.31JK-1mol-1. You may give
the value of Kc to two places of decimal.
.
Ans: CO (g) + 2H2 (g) == CH3OH (g)
Initial 3 5 0 moles
At equilibrium 3-1 5-2 1 moles
Kc = (1/10)/ [(2/10)*(3/10)2]
= 1*102/2*9
= 5.56
Kp = Kc(RT)-∆n ∆n = -2
Kp = 5.56*(8.31*363)-2 or
= 5.56/ (8.31*363)2
ROUND 2
PROBLEM OF THE DAY
Estimate the enthalpy change for the aerial oxidation of liquid ethanol to liquid ethanoic acid using (a)
Bond energies and (b) Enthalpies of formation, all in kJmol-1. Are the values in (a) and (b) the same?
If they are not give one possible reason for the two values being different.
Bond C- C=O C-C O- O2

H H
Energy(kJmo- 411 799 346 459 494
1
)
ΔHfo ΔHfo(C2H5OH ΔHfo(CH3COOH ΔHfo(H2O

) ) )
Energy(kJmol -278 -487 -286
-1
)
100 [2014]
Ans: By Bond Energies
CH3CH2OH(l) + O2 → CH3COOH(l) + H2O(l)
Bonds broken O2 + 2C-H; 494 + 822 = +1316
Bond made C=O + 2O-H; -799 - 918 = -1717 kJmol-1
∆H reaction = -1717 + 1316 = -401kJ
By Enthalpies of formation
∆H = Sum ∆H (products) - Sum ∆H(reactants)
= (-487-286) - (-278) = -495 kJ
Values are not the same. Bond Energies are average bond energies, not the real ones and so may
not give accurate values. Enthalpies of formation are experimental or real values and will give
accurate values.
ROUND 2
PROBLEM OF THE DAY
A mixture of Na2CO3 and NaHCO3 is analysed using a volumetric method. A certain mass of a
solid mixture of the pure salts is dissolved in de-ionized water, transferred into a 250cm3
volumetric flask and more water added to the mark.
25.0cm3 of the solution is titrated against 0.10moldm-3HCl, first using phenolphthalein
indicator. At the end point, methyl orange is added to the same solution and the titration
continued to the orange end-point. The average titre for the first part (phenolphthalein indicator)
is 10.1cm3 and the titre for the second part (methyl orange) is 18.7cm3.
1. Write down the equations of reaction for the first (phenolphthalein) and the second (methyl
orange) parts.
2. Calculate the masses of Na2CO3 and NaHCO3 present in the solid mixture. Na2CO3 = 106,
NaHCO3 = 84. Give your final answer to 2 places of decimal.
Ans: Phenolphthalein as indicator
Na2CO3 + HCl → NaHCO3 + NaCl
Methyl orange as indicator
(total)NaHCO3 + HCl → NaCl + CO2 + H2O.
Na2CO3 content : 10.1*0.1/25*M = 1/1 hence M = 0.040
Moles in 250cm3 = 0.040/4 = 0.010
Mass of Na2CO3 = 106*0.010 = 1.06g
NaHCO3 content :Titre due to the original NaHCO3 alone = 18.7 – 10.1 = 8.6cm3
8.6*0.1/Ḿ*25 = 1/1 Ḿ = 0.034(4)
Moles of NaHCO3 in 250 cm3 = 0.034(4)*250/1000 = 0.0085 or 0.0086
Mass of NaHCO3 = 84.0*0.0085 or 0.0086 = 0.71g or 0.72g
ROUND 2
PROBLEM OF THE DAY

When sparingly soluble salts are put in water, the amount that dissolves ionises to set up
equilibrium at a particular temperature, between the undissolved salt and the ions in solution.
The equilibrium constant for this is Ksp. Therefore for a salt MX, and solubilty, x moldm-3, Ksp
is x2; for MX2, Ksp is 4x3 and so on.
Calculate the solubilities in moldm-3 of the following sparingly soluble salts, whose Ksp‟s are
given: PbS, Ksp = 2.5 x 10-27
CaSO4, Ksp = 1.6 x 10-5
CaF2, Ksp = 3.2 x 10-11
Calculate also the solubility of CaSO4 in 0.1moldm-3 H2SO4 solution, and account for any difference in
the solubilities in water and H2SO4.
101 [2014]
Ans: For PbS, Ksp = x2 = 2.5*10-27 = 25*10-28
Solubility x = 5.0*10-14 moldm3
For CaSO4, Ksp = x2 = 1.6*10-5 = 16*10-6
Solubility x = 4.0*10-3.moldm-3
For CaF2, Ksp = 4x3 = 3.2*10-11 = 32*10-12
Solubility x = 2.0*10-4 moldm-3
Solubility of CaSO4 in H2SO4.
Ksp = [x‟][0.1] = 1.6*10-5
x‟ = 1.6*10-4 moldm-3
CaSO4 is less soluble in H2SO4 than in water because of common ion effect.
[END]
102 [2014]

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CHEMISTRY

is deposited, what is the solubility in gdm-3 of the salt at 30◦C?

1. Define the term Isomerism.

0.08moldm-3 solution of Na2CO3 in a titration using phenolphthalein as indicator.

of 0.045moldm-3 solution of H2SO4.

1. 2- Methyl pentane and 3- Methyl pentane are examples of structural isomers.

1. I am an organic molecule and a member of the Brönsted and Lowry family.

1. What is the order of the reaction with respect to A

new solution with respect to H+ ions.

3. A 0.15moldm-3 solution of trioxocarbonate (IV) is prepared from sodium trioxocarbonate (IV)

2. What is the concentration of a 200cm3 solution containing 20g of the salt?

1. Determine which is in excess and by how much in mmoles.

propanoic acid solution.

1. I am not an ordinary metal but a special one

Ans: Graphite (Do not accept carbon)

Ans: Calcium oxide

1. What is the sum of the moles of all the gases?

1. I am a binary compound with triatomic, non-polar molecules

Ans: CO2 or carbon (IV) oxide

3. Calculate the pH of 0.01moldm-3 solution of phenylmethanoic acid. The pKa of

2. Calculate the percentage oxygen in 2-octanone. O=16.0; C=12.0 ; H=1.0

1. I am a water soluble solid

Moles of C = 1.8 mols

concentration of the Fe2+ solution.

3. If in another titration 16.0cm3 of 0.065moldm-3 solution of K2Cr2O7 is needed, what is the

1. How many moles of water will be discharged by 15 Faraday of charge?

3. What mass of hydrogen will be released by 26 Faradays of charge? H = 1.0

3. What reagents will be needed to prepare p-nitrophenyl ethanoate

1. Which ion, OH- or H+ will be in excess and by how many mmoles.

2. Calculate the concentration of K2SO4 in the solution

1. Find x in the rate law

2. Calculate the pH of 0.10moldm-3 solution of NH4Cl. The pKb of NH3 is 4.74

PROBLEM OF THE DAY

N2O(g) + 4H2(g) → 2NH3 + H2O(g) (1)

H2O2 → H2O + ½ O2 (g) (2)

CO2 (g) → CO + ½ O2 (g) (3)

Heat of formation in kJmol-1

∆H( reaction) of reduction of CO2 by hydrogen = +41.2kJmol-1

Ans: Reaction (1)

∆H reaction = [2*(- 46.1) + (-241.8)] - [+81.6]

∆H reaction = (-241.8) – (-133.1)

CO2 (g) + H2(g) → H2O(g) + CO(g) ΔH +41.2 (a)

H2O(g) → H2 + ½ O2 (g) ΔH +241.8 (b)

Add (a) and (b) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------.

CO2 (g) → CO (g) + ½ O2 (g) ΔH +283.0

Hence ∆H of reaction (3) is +283 or +2.83*102 kJmol-1

PROBLEM OF THE DAY

1) Composition of crude in g 10.8 0.6 0.6 12.0g

PROBLEM OF THE DAY

Bond C- C=O C-C O- O2

ΔHfo ΔHfo(C2H5OH ΔHfo(CH3COOH ΔHfo(H2O

PROBLEM OF THE DAY

Solubility x = 5.0*10-14 moldm3

For CaSO4, Ksp = x2 = 1.6*10-5 = 16*10-6

For CaF2, Ksp = 4x3 = 3.2*10-11 = 32*10-12

Solubility x = 2.0*10-4 moldm-3

Solubility of CaSO4 in H2SO4.

Ksp = [x‟][0.1] = 1.6*10-5

For CaSO4, Ksp = x2 = 1.610-5 = 1610-6

For CaF2, Ksp = 4x3 = 3.210-11 = 3210-12