Acids and Bases: Reactions
Neutralization Reactions: Write balanced chemical equations (including state symbols) for the reaction between:
Dilute Hydrochloric acid and Sodium Hydroxide.
Sulfuric acid and Copper(II) oxide.
Reactions with Carbonates: Describe the observations made when dilute Nitric acid is added to a beaker containing Calcium Carbonate chips. How would you test the gas evolved?
Amphoteric Oxides: Define the term amphoteric. Name two oxides that exhibit this property and state how they behave when reacted with a strong alkali like Sodium Hydroxide.
Acidity and Alkalinity: Distinguish between a strong acid and a concentrated acid. Use the concept of ionization in your answer.
Proton Transfer: Using the Bronsted-Lowry theory, identify the acid and the base in the following reaction:
Salt Preparation
Soluble Salts (Excess Base Method): Describe the steps required to prepare a pure, dry sample of Copper(II) Sulfate crystals starting from Copper(II) Oxide and Sulfuric acid. Explain why the oxide is added in excess.
Soluble Salts (Titration): Why is the titration method used to prepare Sodium Chloride instead of the "excess base" method? Explain the role of the indicator in this process.
Insoluble Salts (Precipitation): You are required to prepare a sample of Barium Sulfate.
Name two soluble starting reagents you could use.
Briefly outline the filtration and washing process needed to obtain the pure salt.
Hard Water
Causes of Hardness: Identify the two specific metal ions responsible for causing hardness in water.
Temporary vs. Permanent: Explain the chemical difference between temporary hardness and permanent hardness in terms of the anions present.
Removal of Hardness: Write a chemical equation to show how boiling removes temporary hardness. Why does boiling fail to remove permanent hardness?
Ion Exchange: Describe how an ion-exchange resin works to soften water. Which ions are being swapped?
Economic Impact: State one advantage and one disadvantage of living in a hard water area (e.g., in the Maltese Islands).
Pollution
Acid Rain: Identify the two main gases responsible for acid rain. State one man-made source for each gas.
The Greenhouse Effect: Name two greenhouse gases. Explain how an increase in these gases leads to global warming.
Photochemical Smog: Explain how nitrogen oxides (NOx) are formed in car engines and name the device fitted to cars to reduce these emissions.
Water Pollution: Explain the process of eutrophication, starting from the runoff of nitrogenous fertilizers into a valley or pond.
Carbon Monoxide: Why is Carbon Monoxide (CO) considered a toxic gas? Relate your answer to its effect on hemoglobin in the blood.
States of Matter & Kinetic Theory
Particle Arrangement: Use the kinetic theory to contrast the arrangement and movement of particles in a solid versus a gas.
Phase Changes: Define the terms sublimation and condensation. Give one example of a substance that sublimes at room temperature.
Diffusion: Explain why a smell (like perfume) spreads faster in a warm room than in a cold room. Refer to the kinetic energy of particles.
Gas Pressure: Using the kinetic theory, explain why the pressure inside a car tire increases when the car is driven for a long distance on a hot day.
Cooling Curves: Sketch a cooling curve for a pure substance as it turns from a liquid to a solid. Label the melting point and explain why the temperature remains constant during the change of state.
