1.

(a) k increases with increase in T / k decreases with decrease in T; 1

Do not allow answers giving just the Arrhenius equation or involving
ln k relationships.

(b) gradient = –Ea/R;

–30000 (K) = –Ea/R;
Allow value in range –28800–31300 (K).
5 –1 –1
Ea =(30000 × 8.31=) 2.49 × 10 J mol /249 kJ mol ; 3
–1
Allow value in range 240–260 kJ mol .
Allow [3] for correct final answer.

–3
(c) 0.9 × 0.200 = 0.180 (mol dm );
2 –3 –3 –1
rate = (0.244 × (0.180) =) 7.91 × 10 mol dm s ; 2
Award [2] for correct final answer.
–3 –3 –1
Award [1 max] for either 9.76 × 10 mol dm s or
–5 –3 –1
9.76 × 10 mol dm s .
[6]

2.

correctly labelled axes showing number of particles/frequency against

(kinetic) energy;
correctly shaped graph for T (curve must not touch or cross x axes);
T  curve to the right of T and with a peak lower than T;
increasing the temperature increases the (kinetic) energy of the
particles / more particles will possess the necessary activation energy;
there will be more collisions per unit time / the frequency of collisions
increases / there are more successful collisions; 5
[5]

IB Questionbank Chemistry 1
3. (i) (minimum) energy needed for a reaction to occur / difference in
energy between the reactants and transition state; 1

(ii)

correct position of activation energy;

correct position of ∆H and H(CH3NC)/reactant line above H(CH3CN)/
product line;
Accept ∆E instead of ∆H on diagram if y-axis is labelled as energy.
Do not penalize if CH3NC and CH3CN are not labelled on diagram.
correct position of transition state;
Allow [2 max] if axes are not labelled on diagram. 3

(iii) as temperature/T increases rate constant/k increases (exponentially); 1

Ea

(iv) from graph gradient m = R ;
measurement of gradient from chosen points on graph;
Units of m are K. Do not penalize if not given, but do not award mark for
incorrect units.
Value of m is based on any two suitable points well separated on the plot.
correct answer for Ea;
correct units corresponding to answer;
2 –1
Note: A typical answer for Ea = 1.6 × 10 kJ / kJ mol . 4
[9]

IB Questionbank Chemistry 2