SCSA Chemistry Science Inquiry Skills
14 sample questions with marking guides and sample answers · Avg. score: 68.8%
Which one of the following statements about IR spectroscopy is correct?
IR radiation changes the spin state of electrons.
Bond wave number is influenced only by bond strength.
An IR spectrum can be used to determine the purity of a sample.
In an IR spectrum, high transmittance corresponds to high absorption.
Reveal Answer
IR radiation changes the spin state of electrons.
IR radiation causes changes in the vibrational states of molecules, not the spin states of electrons (which is associated with Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy).
Bond wave number is influenced only by bond strength.
The wavenumber of a bond's vibration depends on both the bond strength (force constant) and the reduced mass of the atoms involved, as described by Hooke's Law.
An IR spectrum can be used to determine the purity of a sample.
An IR spectrum can reveal the presence of impurities if unexpected absorption peaks appear that do not belong to the pure compound.
In an IR spectrum, high transmittance corresponds to high absorption.
Transmittance and absorbance are inversely related; high transmittance means that most of the light passed through the sample, indicating low absorption.
Ibuprofen is manufactured using two different processes.
| Process | Number of reagents used | Reagents | Reagents | Ibuprofen | Ibuprofen | Waste products | Waste products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atoms | Atoms | Atoms | |||||
| 1 | 7 | 514.5 | 206.0 | 308.5 | |||
| 2 | 4 | 266.0 | 206.0 | 60.0 |
Calculate the atom economy for each process and draw conclusions about the economic and environmental impact of each process.
Reveal Answer
Process 1: atom economy =
Process 2: atom economy =
Process 2 has 37.4% better atom economy than process 1
Economic impact: Process 2 has a better atom economy than process 1 (fewer reagents are required).
Environmental impact: Process 2 is greener than process 1 because fewer waste products (atoms) are produced.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Calculates atom economy for Process 1 as 40% | 1 |
Calculates atom economy for Process 2 as 77% | 1 |
Concludes process 2 is cheaper as fewer reagent atoms are required | 1 |
Concludes process 2 is greener as fewer waste atoms are produced | 1 |
1 L of octane has a mass of 703 g at SLC. The efficiency of the reaction when octane undergoes combustion in the petrol engine of a car is 25.0%.
What volume of octane stored in a petrol tank at SLC is required to produce 528 MJ of usable energy in a combustion engine?
3.92 L
11.8 L
15.7 L
62.7 L
Reveal Answer
3.92 L
This result comes from incorrectly multiplying the theoretical volume by the efficiency (), rather than dividing by it to account for the extra fuel needed due to energy loss.
11.8 L
This value is obtained by incorrectly multiplying the theoretical volume by (or ), which is an incorrect application of the efficiency percentage.
15.7 L
This is the volume of octane required if the engine were efficient (). It fails to account for the efficiency of the engine, which requires more fuel to be burned.
62.7 L
The total energy needed is . With an energy density of (calculated from octane's heat of combustion of , molar mass of , and density of ), the required volume is .
Use the following information to answer the question.
A chemist runs a mixture of hexane, hexan-1-ol and hexan-2-one through a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) column using a polar mobile phase and a non-polar stationary phase.
The chemist wants to determine the concentration of hexane in the mixture.
Which one of the following will provide information to allow the hexane concentration to be accurately calculated?
running a series of known concentrations of hexane through the HPLC column under the same conditions
running the HPLC experiment using a non-polar mobile phase and a polar stationary phase
using published retention times and peak sizes of standard hexane chromatographs
reducing the HPLC column temperature to achieve better separation of the compounds
Reveal Answer
running a series of known concentrations of hexane through the HPLC column under the same conditions
To accurately determine concentration, a calibration curve must be constructed by running standard solutions of known concentrations under the exact same experimental conditions to compare peak areas.
running the HPLC experiment using a non-polar mobile phase and a polar stationary phase
Changing the polarity of the mobile and stationary phases alters the separation method (switching to normal phase chromatography) but does not provide the quantitative reference data needed to calculate concentration.
using published retention times and peak sizes of standard hexane chromatographs
Retention times and peak sizes are highly dependent on the specific instrument, column age, and exact experimental conditions, so published data cannot be reliably used for quantitative analysis.
reducing the HPLC column temperature to achieve better separation of the compounds
While reducing the temperature might improve the separation (resolution) of the peaks, it does not provide the reference standards required to calculate the actual concentration of the compound.
Butane, , undergoes complete combustion according to the following equation.
67.0 g of released 3330 kJ of energy during complete combustion at standard laboratory conditions (SLC).
The mass of carbon dioxide, , produced was
0.105 g
3.18 g
50.9 g
204 g
Reveal Answer
0.105 g
This value is obtained by incorrectly dividing the moles of (4.62 mol) by its molar mass (44.0 g/mol) instead of multiplying.
3.18 g
This incorrect answer results from a series of calculation errors, likely involving dividing the mass of butane by the product of the molar masses of butane and carbon dioxide.
50.9 g
This mass is calculated by incorrectly assuming a 1:1 molar ratio between butane and carbon dioxide, rather than the correct 2:8 ratio given in the balanced equation.
204 g
First, calculate the moles of butane: . Using the 2:8 molar ratio from the equation, the moles of produced is . Finally, multiply by the molar mass of (44.0 g/mol) to get , which rounds to 204 g.
Use the following information to answer the question.
A chemist runs a mixture of hexane, hexan-1-ol and hexan-2-one through a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) column using a polar mobile phase and a non-polar stationary phase.
Which of the following shows the chemicals in order of their retention times, from lowest to highest?
hexane, hexan-2-one, hexan-1-ol
hexane, hexan-1-ol, hexan-2-one
hexan-2-one, hexan-1-ol, hexane
hexan-1-ol, hexan-2-one, hexane
Reveal Answer
hexane, hexan-2-one, hexan-1-ol
This order represents the highest to lowest retention time, which would be the correct order if the stationary phase were polar (normal-phase HPLC).
hexane, hexan-1-ol, hexan-2-one
Hexane is the most non-polar compound, meaning it will interact most strongly with the non-polar stationary phase and have the highest, not lowest, retention time.
hexan-2-one, hexan-1-ol, hexane
While hexane correctly has the highest retention time, hexan-1-ol is more polar than hexan-2-one due to its ability to form hydrogen bonds, so hexan-1-ol will elute before hexan-2-one.
hexan-1-ol, hexan-2-one, hexane
In reverse-phase HPLC (non-polar stationary phase, polar mobile phase), the most polar compound has the lowest retention time. Hexan-1-ol (most polar) elutes first, followed by hexan-2-one, and the non-polar hexane elutes last.
Scientific posters communicate the findings of scientific investigations.
Which section of a scientific poster should explain the reason for undertaking an investigation?
discussion
conclusion
introduction
methodology
Reveal Answer
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.
conclusion
The conclusion summarizes the main findings of the investigation and their broader implications, rather than explaining why the study was started.
introduction
The introduction provides the background information, context, and the specific rationale or reason for undertaking the investigation.
methodology
The methodology section details the procedures, materials, and techniques used to conduct the investigation, not the reason for doing it.
Consider the following statements.
I. HPLC is a qualitative process.
II. HPLC is a quantitative process.
III. Triplets give information about molecule structure.
Which of the above statements apply to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)?
I only
II only
I and II only
I, II and III
Reveal Answer
I only
While HPLC can be used qualitatively to identify substances based on retention time, this option is incomplete because HPLC is also a quantitative technique.
II only
While HPLC can be used quantitatively to determine concentration based on peak area, this option is incomplete because HPLC is also a qualitative technique.
I and II only
HPLC is both a qualitative process (identifying components via retention time) and a quantitative process (determining concentration via peak area).
I, II and III
Statement III is incorrect because triplets refer to splitting patterns found in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, not HPLC.
A food chemist conducted an experiment in a bomb calorimeter to determine the energy content, in joules per gram, of a muesli bar. A 3.95 g sample of the muesli bar was combusted in the calorimeter and the temperature of the water rose by 16.7 °C. The calibration factor of the calorimeter was previously determined to be .
The energy content of the muesli bar is
Reveal Answer
This value is incorrect and likely results from improperly multiplying the total energy by the mass or another calculation error, rather than dividing the total energy by the mass.
The total energy released is the calibration factor multiplied by the temperature change (). Dividing this total energy by the mass of the sample () gives the correct energy content per gram ().
This incorrect value is obtained by multiplying the calibration factor by the mass and dividing by the temperature change, which does not correctly calculate energy content.
This incorrect value is obtained by dividing the calibration factor by both the temperature change and the mass, which is a misapplication of the calorimeter formula.
A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) instrument is set up with a polar mobile phase and a non-polar stationary phase. Three amino acids – leucine, Leu, alanine, Ala, and asparagine, Asn – are added to the mobile phase and are run through the HPLC.
The order of the retention times, from shortest to longest, for these three amino acids is
Leu, Ala, Asn
Leu, Asn, Ala
Ala, Asn, Leu
Asn, Ala, Leu
Reveal Answer
Leu, Ala, Asn
This order represents the longest to shortest retention times. Leucine is the most non-polar and would interact most strongly with the non-polar stationary phase, resulting in the longest retention time.
Leu, Asn, Ala
Leucine is the most non-polar of the three amino acids and will have the longest retention time, not the shortest.
Ala, Asn, Leu
While leucine correctly has the longest retention time, asparagine is more polar than alanine due to its amide group and will elute before it.
Asn, Ala, Leu
In reverse-phase HPLC (polar mobile phase, non-polar stationary phase), the most polar compound elutes first. Asparagine is the most polar, followed by the slightly non-polar alanine, and finally the most non-polar leucine.
Scientists often repeat trials of an experiment using the same experimental method and the same equipment.
Which one attribute of experimental data will be improved when there is an increase in the number of times that a trial is repeated?
bias
validity
accuracy
reliability
Reveal Answer
bias
Bias is a systematic error that consistently skews results in one direction. Repeating trials with the same method and equipment will simply reproduce the bias, not improve it.
validity
Validity refers to how well an experiment measures what it actually intends to measure. Repeating the exact same procedure does not change or improve its validity.
accuracy
Accuracy is how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value. If the equipment is miscalibrated, repeating trials will not make the average result any closer to the true value.
reliability
Reliability refers to the consistency of experimental results. Increasing the number of trials reduces the impact of random errors and outliers, thereby improving the reliability of the data.
Methane gas, , can be captured from the breakdown of waste in landfills. is also a primary component of natural gas. can be used to produce energy through combustion.
Write the equation for the incomplete combustion of to produce carbon monoxide, CO.
Reveal Answer
2CH4(g) + 3O2(g) → 2CO(g) + 4H2O(l) or
CH4(g) + 1.5O2(g) → CO(g) + 2H2O(l)
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Correct response. | 1 |
If 20.0 g of is kept in a 5.0 L sealed container at , what would be the pressure in the container?
Reveal Answer
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Calculates correct amount of CH4 (1.25 mol). | 1 |
Calculates correct pressure of CH4 (6.2 x 10^2 kPa). | 1 |
A Bunsen burner is used to heat a beaker containing 350.0 g of water. Complete combustion of 0.485 g of raises the temperature of the water from to .
Calculate the percentage of the Bunsen burner's energy that is lost to the environment.
Reveal Answer
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Calculating the energy from CH4. | 1 |
Calculating the energy absorbed by water. | 1 |
Working out the percentage of energy loss. | 1 |
Compare the environmental impact of obtained from landfill to the environmental impact of obtained from natural gas.
Reveal Answer
Similarity – methane from both sources
- Both produce atmospheric carbon dioxide through combustion.
- Methane from both sources contains small amounts of nitrogen and sulfur; combustion of natural gas leads to the formation of acidic oxides such as SOx and NOx.
Difference – landfill versus natural gas
- Methane from landfill can be produced renewably, whereas methane from natural gas releases stored carbon.
- Methane from landfill is more carbon neutral, methane from natural gas increases atmospheric CO2 levels.
- Obtaining methane from natural gas via fracking causes additional significant environmental damage, whereas when obtaining methane from a landfill the damage has already been done in the formation of the landfill.
- Landfill gases contain less methane and release more CO2 (for the same amount of energy generated), natural gas contains more methane and releases comparatively less CO2.
- Methane captured from landfill and used as a source on energy may have a positive impact as it is a more potent greenhouse gas than CO2.
- CH4 from landfill is more easily collected compared to fracking/sourcing methane from fossil fuels.
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
1 mark for each valid comparison point (any 2 of): Both produce atmospheric carbon dioxide through combustion; Methane from both sources contains small amounts of nitrogen and sulfur; Methane from landfill can be produced renewably, whereas methane from natural gas releases stored carbon; Methane from landfill is more carbon neutral; Obtaining methane from natural gas via fracking causes additional significant environmental damage; Landfill gases contain less methane and release more CO2; Methane captured from landfill may have a positive impact as it is a more potent greenhouse gas than CO2; CH4 from landfill is more easily collected. | 2 |
Digesters use bacteria to convert organic waste into biogas, which contains mainly methane, . Biogas can be used as a source of energy.
A digester processed 1 kg of organic waste to produce 496.0 L of biogas at standard laboratory conditions (SLC). The biogas contained 60.0% .
Biogas was combusted to release of energy. This energy was used to heat 100 kg of water in a tank. The initial temperature of the water was 25.0 °C.
Both biogas and coal seam gas contain as their main component.
Why is biogas considered a renewable energy source but coal seam gas is not?
Reveal Answer
Biogas is considered renewable because its production-and-use cycle is continuous so that it is constantly replenished whereas coal seam gas is used at a faster rate than it can be replenished.*
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Provides a direct comparison of both biogas and coal seam gas indicating the period of time used to produce these materials | 1 |
Write the thermochemical equation for the complete combustion of at SLC.
Reveal Answer
*
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Writes a correctly balanced chemical equation with associated states | 1 |
Provides a molar enthalpy of combustion with a negative sign that matches the equation written | 1 |
Calculate the amount of energy that could be produced by from 1 kg of organic waste.
Reveal Answer
*
*
Energy
*
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Calculates correctly | 1 |
Calculates correctly | 1 |
Calculates the energy produced correctly | 1 |
What is the maximum temperature that the water in the tank could reach?
Reveal Answer
Energy
*
*
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Calculates correctly | 1 |
Calculates correctly to three significant figures | 1 |
State why this temperature may not be reached.
Reveal Answer
For example:
- loss of heat/energy to the atmosphere
- heat/energy loss in the combustion chamber
- heat/energy loss since the tank material also is heated
- heat/energy loss from the piping
- faulty insulation
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Provides any logical reason involving incomplete transfer of heat/energy to the water (e.g., loss of heat to the atmosphere, heat loss in the combustion chamber, heat loss to the tank material, heat loss from piping, or faulty insulation) | 1 |
Collagen is found in muscles, joints and skin. It is the most abundant protein in the body. Gelatin can be made by boiling animal collagen in water for many hours. Collagen and gelatin are made from the same 18 amino acids. Gelatin is more easily metabolised by the body than collagen.
Researchers have identified pathways that will enable production of the biofuel 2-methylpropan-1-ol from proteins. 2-methylpropan-1-ol can be used in petrol engines. 2-methylpropan-1-ol has a heat of combustion of .
Gelatin is produced when collagen is broken into smaller molecules.
Name the chemical reaction that produces gelatin from collagen.
Reveal Answer
Hydrolysis
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Identifies hydrolysis as the chemical reaction that produces gelatin from collagen. | 1 |
Explain how consuming gelatin can be useful in increasing collagen levels in the body. In your answer, identify any chemical processes involved.
Reveal Answer
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Indicates that gelatin contains essential amino acids that must be included in the diet for collagen synthesis to occur. | 1 |
Identifies that consumed gelatin is broken down via hydrolysis into its constituent amino acids. | 1 |
Explains that the body forms required collagen through the condensation of these amino acids to form a polypeptide. | 1 |
Vitamin C is required for the production of collagen in the body.
What is the source of the vitamin C present in the body? Justify your answer.
Reveal Answer
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
States that vitamin C is sourced through diet or food. | 1 |
Recognises that vitamin C is an essential vitamin and cannot be synthesised in the body. | 1 |
Vitamin C is added to some foods to help prevent spoilage.
State how vitamin C can slow the rate of oxidative rancidity in some foods.
Reveal Answer
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
States that vitamin C is preferentially oxidised, slowing the rate of oxidative rancidity. | 1 |
Compare the energy content of octane and 2-methylpropan-1-ol. Explain the difference.
Reveal Answer
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
States that the energy content of octane () is higher than the energy content of 2-methylpropan-1-ol (). | 1 |
Explains that 2-methylpropan-1-ol contains oxygen and is therefore already partially oxidised. | 1 |
A small fuel burner containing of 2-methylpropan-1-ol was placed directly underneath a beaker containing of water at standard laboratory conditions (SLC).
Calculate the maximum temperature that the water could reach if the contents of the fuel burner underwent complete combustion.
Reveal Answer
| Descriptor | Marks |
|---|---|
Calculates the correct energy released (). | 1 |
Calculates the correct change in temperature, (). | 1 |
Calculates the correct final temperature ( or or ). | 1 |