Contest 3

Round 1A
1) A solution of a weak acid is slowly titrated against a strong base. Predict the pH of the
solution at the equivalence point and explain your answer.

Ans: pH will be greater than 7 (basic).

Salt formed undergoes (anionic) hydrolysis to produce excess OH- ions in solution.

2) A solution of a strong acid is slowly titrated against a strong base. What will be the pH at
the equivalence point? Explain.

Ans: pH will be 7 (neutral).

The salt formed will not undergo hydrolysis. Hence pH of solution will be due to pH
of water.

3) A solution of a strong acid is slowly titrated against a weak base. Predict the pH at the
equivalence point and explain your answer.

Ans: pH will be less than 7 (acidic). The salt formed will undergo (cationic)
hydrolysis to produce excess H+ ions in solution.

Round 1B

1) Calculate the percentage composition of carbon in ethanoic acid, CH3COOH.

Atomic mass (g/mol) of C = 12; O = 16; H = 1.0

Ans: 40.0 %
Molecular mass of CH3COOH = 60 g/mol
Percentage C = 24/60 × 100% = 40 %

2) Calculate the percentage composition of oxygen in CuSO4.

Atomic mass (g/mol) of Cu = 64; S = 32; O = 16

Ans: 40 %

Molecular mass of CuSO4 = 160

Percentage O = 64/160 × 100% = 40 %

3) Calculate the percentage composition of carbon in urea, CH4N2O.

Atomic mass of C = 12; N = 14; O = 16 g/mol.

Ans: 20 %

Molecular mass of CH4N2O = 60 g/mol

Percentage C = 12/60 × 100% = 20 %
 Contest 3

Round 2

1. A hypothetical element Y has 2 naturally occurring isotopes labelled Y1 and Y2. Given
that Y1 has a mass of 60.0 and an abundance of 80%, and Y2 has a mass of 70.0 and an
abundance of 20%, what is the atomic mass of Y?
Ans: 62.0
Atomic mass = Σ(fractional abundance × mass of isotope)
= (80/100 × 60 + 20/100 × 70) = 48+14 = 62.0
2. From experimental measurements, the empirical formula of an organic compound is
found to be C6H9NO2. Using mass spectrometry, the molecular mass of the compound is
determined as 381.0 g. What is the molecular formula of this compound?
Atomic mass (g/mol) of C = 12; H = 1.0; N = 14; O = 16

Ans: C18H27N3O6
Empirical formula mass (EFM) = (12 × 6) + (1×9) + (14 × 1) + (16 × 2) = 127
EFM × n = molecular mass (MM)
Hence n = MM/EFM = 381.122/127 = 3
3. A solution made using 14.5 g of NaCl is mixed with another solution made from 60.0 g of
AgNO3. Calculate the mass of AgCl formed.
Molecular mass (g/mol) of NaCl = 58; AgNO3 = 170; AgCl = 144.

Ans: 36.0 g
Moles of NaCl = 14.5/58 = 0.25
Moles of AgNO3 = 60/170 = 0.35
Limiting react is NaCl and will determine amount of AgCl formed.
Mass of AgCl = 0.25 × 144 = 36 g

Round 4A

1) Periodic table of elements is arranged in order of increasing atomic size Ans: F

2) Bromine has a bigger atomic size than potassium Ans: F

3) Aluminium has a bigger atomic radius than sodium Ans: F

 Contest 3

Round 4B

1) All ammonium salts are soluble in water Ans: T

2) All sulphate salts are soluble in water Ans: F

3) All hydroxide salts are soluble in water Ans: F

Round 5 (Riddle)
1. I am like your divorce attorney in Chemistry

2. This is because, I am perhaps the most powerful when it comes to separation

3. It’s okay if you think I am using colourful words

4. I consider two options: are you mobile or static?

5. Your affinity for one or the other helps with the separation

Who am I?

Ans: Chromatography