Contest 6

Round 1A
1. What is a non-polar (or pure) covalent bond?

Ans: Covalent bond in which a pair of electrons is shared equally between atoms with
the same/very similar electronegativities

2. What is a Polar covalent bond?

Ans: Covalent bond in which a pair of electrons are shared unequally between atoms
of different electronegativities

3. What is an ionic bond?

Ans: The electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions (cations and anions)
as a result of transfer of electrons from one to the other.

Round 1B
For the reaction A + B → C;
You are given the following rate data for 3 experiments conducted:
Expt. Initial [A] Initial [B] Rate of formation of C
(mol dm-3) (mol dm-3) (mol dm-3 s-1)
1 0.020 0.100 4.0 × 10 -4
2 0.080 0.100 1.6 × 10 -3
3 0.020 0.050 1.0 × 10 -4

1. Determine the rate law for the formation of C.

Ans: R = k[A][B]2

From expt. 1 and 3, when [A] remains constant, and [B] is doubled, rate quadruples
From expt. 1 and 2, when [B] remains constant, and [A] is quadrupled, rate quadruples

2. Given that the rate law is R = k[A][B]2, determine the rate constant for the reaction
Ans: 2.0 dm6 mol-2 s-1 (units not important)
k = R / [A][B]2
From experiments 3 (or any other), k = 1.0 × 10-4 / 0.020 × (0.05)2 = 2.0 dm6 mol-2 s-1

3. Given that the rate law expression is R = k[A][B]2 and rate constant is 2.0 dm6 mol-2 s-1,
estimate the rate of a reaction in which the concentration of A is 0.050 moldm-3 and
concentration of B is 0.080 moldm-3

Ans: 6.4 × 10-4 mol dm-3 s-1

R = k[A][B]2 = 2 × (0.050) × (0.080)2 = 6.4 × 10-4 moldm-3s-1

 Contest 6

Round 2
1. HClO2, is a weak acid with dissociation constant of 1.0×10-2. A student adds a limited
amount of NaOH to 0.024 moldm-3 of HClO2 until NaClO2 of 0.012 moldm-3 is formed.
What is the pH of this solution?

Ans: pH = 2.0

Using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation;

pH = pKa + log ([salt] / [weak acid)
Amount of weak acid remaining = initial conc. of weak acid – conc. of salt formed
pH = 2.0 + log (0.012/0.012)

2. Given the standard reduction potential of

Li+ to Li(s) = -3.04 V and standard reduction potential of
Mg2+ to Mg(s) is -2.38 V, determine the electrode potential for the reaction:
2Li(s) + Mg2+(aq) → 2Li+(aq) + Mg(s)

Ans: 0.66 V
Ecell = Ecathode − Eanode
= -2.38 – (-3.04) = +0.66 V
3. What is the main function of surfactants?
Ans: They decrease the surface tension of water (or solvents)

Round 4A
1. Non-polar covalent bonds have no ionic character. Ans: T

2. All ionic bonds have some covalent character Ans: T

3. The higher the electronegativity difference, the higher the ionic character on a bond.

Ans: T
 Contest 6

Round 4B
1. Calcium flouride will decrease the solubility of a solution of silver chloride
Ans: F

2. Calcium hydroxide will be more soluble in the presence of aqueous hydrochloric acid
Ans: T

3. Solubility of barium flouride will be higher at 60 °C than at 25 °C.

Ans: T

Round 5 (Riddle)
1. Usually my name does not convey anything good

2. In chemistry however, I bring about useful products

3. I make the complex become simple

4. Heat is my most important tool

5. I break long chain hydrocarbons into simpler and more useful ones

Who am I?

Ans: Cracking (or thermal cracking)