NESA Chemistry Communicating

3 sample questions with marking guides and sample answers · Avg. score: 86.7%

Q1
2022
VCAA
1 mark
Q1
1 mark

Scientific posters communicate the findings of scientific investigations.
Which section of a scientific poster should explain the reason for undertaking an investigation?

A

discussion

B

conclusion

C

introduction

D

methodology

Reveal Answer
A

discussion

The discussion section is used to interpret the results, explain their significance, and compare them to existing literature, not to state the initial reason for the study.

B

conclusion

The conclusion summarizes the main findings of the investigation and their broader implications, rather than explaining why the study was started.

C

introduction

Correct Answer

The introduction provides the background information, context, and the specific rationale or reason for undertaking the investigation.

D

methodology

The methodology section details the procedures, materials, and techniques used to conduct the investigation, not the reason for doing it.

Q26
2025
SCSA
10 marks
Q26

Write balanced equations for any reactions between the following sets of substances and describe the expected observations of the reaction.

  • Show only those species that are involved in the reaction; include all state symbols.
  • Include a description of the reactants and products.
  • If there is no reaction, write ‘no reaction’.
  • If there is no change observed write ‘no observable reaction’.
Q26a
5 marks

A strip of copper metal is added to a sealed flask containing chlorine gas.

Equation

Expected observations

Reveal Answer

Equation:
Cu(s)+Cl2(g)→CuCl2(s)Cu(s) + Cl_2(g) \rightarrow CuCl_2(s)

Observation:
Reactants – salmon pink solid and greenish-yellow gas
Products – green solid forms on solid and greenish-yellow gas decolourises

Marking Criteria
DescriptorMarks

Correct species

1

Correctly balanced

1

State symbols

1

states the observation: Reactants – salmon pink solid and greenish-yellow gas

1

states the observation: Products – green solid forms on solid and greenish-yellow gas decolourises

1
Q26b
5 marks

Combustion of octane gas in limited oxygen gas.

Equation

Expected observations

Reveal Answer

Equation:
2C8H18(g)+17O2(g)→16CO(g)+18H2O(g)2 C_8H_{18}(g) + 17 O_2(g) \rightarrow 16 CO(g) + 18 H_2O(g)

Observation:
heat evolved/temperature increases/(orange) flame
Any one of the following (to match equation):

  • black solid/soot formed
  • colourless gases mixed
Marking Criteria
DescriptorMarks

Correct species

1

Correctly balanced

1

State symbols

1

states the observation: heat evolved/temperature increases/(orange) flame

1

states the observation: Any one of the following (to match equation): black solid/soot formed OR colourless gases mixed

1
Q30
2023
SCSA
12 marks
Q30

Write a balanced ionic equation for any reactions occurring between the following substances and state any observations before and after mixing.

If there is no reaction, write 'no reaction' for the equation and if there is no change observed write 'no visible reaction'. Use the colours stated in the Data booklet if required.

Q30a
4 marks

A piece of iron wool is added to a 0.1 mol L−10.1\text{ mol L}^{-1} solution of copper(II) sulfate.

Reveal Answer

Equation:
Fe(s)+Cu2+(aq)→Cu(s)+Fe2+(aq)\text{Fe(s)} + \text{Cu}^{2+}\text{(aq)} \rightarrow \text{Cu(s)} + \text{Fe}^{2+}\text{(aq)}

Observed colour change/s:

  • a grey/silver solid and blue solution
  • form a salmon pink solid (solution decolourises/pale green)
Marking Criteria

Equation

DescriptorMarks

Correct reactants

1

Correct products

1

Observed colour change/s

DescriptorMarks

a grey/silver solid and blue solution

1

form a salmon pink solid (solution decolourises/pale green)

1
Q30b
4 marks

Calcium hydrogencarbonate powder is added to excess 1 mol L−11\text{ mol L}^{-1} nitric acid.

Reveal Answer

Equation
Ca(HCO3)2(s)+2H+(aq)→Ca2+(aq)+2H2O(l)+2CO2(g)\text{Ca(HCO}_3)_2\text{(s)} + 2 \text{H}^+\text{(aq)} \rightarrow \text{Ca}^{2+}\text{(aq)} + 2 \text{H}_2\text{O(l)} + 2 \text{CO}_2\text{(g)}

Observed colour change/s:

  • white solid and colourless solution
  • solid dissolves/reacts and there is effervescence (bubbling)
Marking Criteria

Equation

DescriptorMarks

Correct species

1

Correct balancing

1

Observed colour change/s

DescriptorMarks

white solid and colourless solution

1

solid dissolves/reacts and there is effervescence (bubbling)

1
Q30c
4 marks

Excess chlorine gas is bubbled through a 0.1 mol L−10.1\text{ mol L}^{-1} sodium bromide solution.

Reveal Answer

Equation:
2Br−(aq)+Cl2(g)→Br2(aq)+2Cl−(aq)2 \text{Br}^-\text{(aq)} + \text{Cl}_2\text{(g)} \rightarrow \text{Br}_2\text{(aq)} + 2 \text{Cl}^-\text{(aq)}

Observed colour change/s:

  • greenish-yellow gas is bubbled through a colourless solution
  • forms an orange solution
Marking Criteria

Equation

DescriptorMarks

Correct species

1

Correct balancing

1

Observed colour change/s

DescriptorMarks

greenish-yellow gas is bubbled through a colourless solution

1

forms an orange solution

1

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