1.

Define the terms acid and base according to the Brønsted-Lowry theory and state one
example of a weak acid and one example of a strong base.
acid is a proton/H+ donor and base is a proton/H+ acceptor;
H2CO3/CH3COOH and NaOH/KOH/Ba(OH)2;

2. Describe two different methods, one chemical and one physical, other than measuring the
pH, that could be used to distinguish between ethanoic acid and hydrochloric acid solutions
of the same concentration.
Chemical [2 max]
reaction with reactive metal/Mg/Zn/carbonate/hydrogen carbonate;
hydrochloric acid would react faster/more vigorously / ethanoic acid would
react slower/less vigorously;
Physical [2 max]
conductivity;
hydrochloric acid will conduct more/higher / ethanoic acid will conduct
less/lower; 4 max
Accept other suitable examples.

3. Black coffee has a pH of 5 and toothpaste has a pH of 8. Identify which is more acidic and
deduce how many times the [H+] is greater in the more acidic product.
black coffee;
103/1000 times;

4.
(i) Define the terms acid and base according to the Brønsted-Lowry theory. Distinguish
between a weak base and a strong base. State one example of a weak base.
(ii) (ii) Weak acids in the environment may cause damage. Identify a weak acid in the
environment and outline one of its effects.

(i) Acid: proton/H+ donor and Base: proton/H+ acceptor;

Do not accept OH– for base.
Weak base: (base/electrolyte) partially dissociated/ionized (in
solution/water) and Strong base: (base/electrolyte assumed to be
almost) completely/100% dissociated/ionized (in solution/water) / OWTTE;
NH3 / CH3CH2NH2; 3
Allow either name or formula or other suitable example.
(ii) sulfurous acid/H2SO3;
corrodes marble/limestone buildings/statues / leaching in soils /
harms/kills plants;
OR
 nitrous acid/HNO2;
corrodes marble/limestone buildings/statues / leaching in soils /
harms/kills plants;
OR
carbonic acid/H2CO3;
corrodes marble/limestone buildings/statues / acidification of lakes;

5. Describe two different properties that could be used to distinguish between a 1.00 mol dm–3
solution of a strong monoprotic acid and a 1.00 mol dm–3 solution of a weak monoprotic
acid.

(measuring) the pH / the strong acid solution will have a lower pH;
conductivity (measurement) / the strong acid will be a better conductor;
the strong acid will react more vigorously with metals/carbonates / the
reaction with metals/carbonates;
the heat change when it is neutralized with a base will be different /
heat of neutralization

6. Explain, using the Brønsted-Lowry theory, how water can act either as an acid or a base. In
each case identify the conjugate acid or base formed.

water can act as a Brønsted-Lowry acid by donating a proton/H+ to form OH–;

water can act as a Brønsted-Lowry base by accepting a proton/H+ to form H3O+

7. Water is an important substance that is abundant on the Earth’s surface. Water dissociates
according to the following equation.

H2O(l) H+(aq) + OH–(aq)

(i) State the equilibrium constant expression for the dissociation of water.
(1)

(ii) Explain why even a very acidic aqueous solution still has some OH– ions present in it.
(1)

(iii) State and explain the effect of increasing temperature on the equilibrium constant
above given that the dissociation of water is an endothermic process.
(3)
 (iv) The pH of a solution is 2. If its pH is increased to 6, deduce how the hydrogen ion
concentration changes.
(2)

[H  ][OH  ] [H O  ][OH  ]
(i) Kc = / Kc  3 / Kw = [H+][OH–]/Kw = [H3O+][OH–];
[H 2 O] [ H 2 O]
Do not award mark if [ ] are omitted or other brackets are used.
Expression must be consistent with Kc/Kw. 1

(ii) [H+] increases, [OH–] decreases but still some present (Kw / Kc constant) / [OH–]
K w K c [H 2 O]
cannot go to zero as equilibrium present / [OH–] = / , thus [OH–]
[H  ] [H  ]
cannot be zero / OWTTE;
Accept equilibrium present. 1
(iii) (changing T disturbs equilibrium) forward reaction favoured / equilibrium
shifts to the right;
to use up (some of the) heat supplied;
(Kw / Kc) increases (as both [H+] and [OH–] increase); 3

(iv) pH = 2, [H+] = 0.01 mol dm–3 and pH = 6, [H+] = 10–6 mol dm–3 / [H+] = 10–pH;
[H+] decreased/changed by 10000/10–4

8.

a) The nitrite ion is present in nitrous acid, HNO2, which is a weak acid. The nitrate ion is
present in nitric acid, HNO3, which is a strong acid. Distinguish between the terms
strong and weak acid and state the equations used to show the dissociation of each
acid in aqueous solution.
(3)

(b) A small piece of magnesium ribbon is added to solutions of nitric and nitrous acid of
the same concentration at the same temperature. Describe two observations that would
allow you to distinguish between the two acids.
(2)

(c) A student decided to investigate the reactions of the two acids with separate samples
of 0.20 mol dm–3 sodium hydroxide solution.

(i) Calculate the volume of the sodium hydroxide solution required to react exactly
with a 15.0 cm3 solution of 0.10 mol dm–3 nitric acid.
(1)

(ii) The following hypothesis was suggested by the student: “Since nitrous acid is a
weak acid it will react with a smaller volume of the 0.20 mol dm–3 sodium
hydroxide solution.” Comment on whether or not this is a valid hypothesis.
(1)
 (d) The graph below shows how the conductivity of the two acids changes with
concentration.

Identify Acid 1 and explain your choice.

(2)

(a) strong acid completely dissociated/ionized and weak acid partially

dissociated/ionized;
HNO3(aq) → H+(aq) + NO3–(aq);
HNO2(aq) H+(aq) + NO2–(aq);
Allow only arrows as shown.
State symbols not needed.
Accept H2O and H3O+. 3
(b) With HNO3:
faster rate of bubble/gas/hydrogen production;
faster rate of magnesium dissolving;
higher temperature change;
Accept opposite argument for HNO2.
Award [1] if 2 observations given but acid is not identified.
Reference to specific observations needed. 2 max
(c) (i) (nitric acid) 7.5 cm3; 1
(ii) not valid as nitrous acid reacts with same volume/ 7.5 cm3; 1
(d) HNO3;
(higher conductivity for solutions with same concentration as) there are
more ions in solution; 2
9.

(i) Define a Brønsted-Lowry acid.

(1)

(ii) Deduce the two acids and their conjugate bases in the following reaction:

H2O(l) + NH3(aq) OH–(aq) + NH4+(aq)

(2)

(iii) Explain why the following reaction can also be described as an acid-base reaction.

F–(g) + BF3(g) BF4–(s)

(i) donates a proton / H+ ion; 1

(ii) (acid) (conjugate base)
H2O OH–;
NH4+ NH3;
[1 max] if all four acids and bases given but not clearly paired. 2
(iii) Lewis acid accepts an electron pair / Lewis base donates an electron pair;
F– is the base / BF3 is the acid; 2

10. Ethanoic acid, CH3COOH, is a weak acid.

(i) Define the term weak acid and state the equation for the reaction of ethanoic acid with
water.
(2)

(ii) Vinegar, which contains ethanoic acid, can be used to clean deposits of calcium
carbonate from the elements of electric kettles. State the equation for the reaction of
ethanoic acid with calcium carbonate.

(i) partially dissociated or ionized;

CH3COOH + H2O CH3COO– + H3O+ / CH3COOH CH3COO– + H+;
required for mark. 2
(ii) 2CH3COOH + CaCO3 → Ca(CH3COO)2 + CO2 + H2O
11. The equations of two acid-base reactions are given below.

Reaction A NH3(aq) + H2O(l) NH 4 (aq) + OH–(aq)

The reaction mixture in A consists mainly of reactants because the equilibrium lies to the
left.

Reaction B NH2–(aq) + H2O(l) NH 3 (aq) + OH–(aq)

The reaction mixture in B consists mainly of products because the equilibrium lies to the
right.

(i) For each of the reactions A and B, deduce whether water is acting as an acid or a base
and explain your answer.
(2)

(ii) In reaction B, identify the stronger base, NH2– or OH– and explain your answer.
(2)

(iii) In reactions A and B, identify the stronger acid, NH4+ or NH3 (underlined) and explain
your answer.

(i) acid in both reactions;

because it loses a proton/hydrogen ion/H+ / proton/hydrogen ion/H+ donor;
Second mark can be scored if they do not identify it as an acid in
both reactions. 2
(ii) NH2–;
more readily accepts a proton / equilibrium lies to the right /
takes H+ from H2O;
If OH– chosen award [0] 2
(iii) NH4+;
donates a proton more readily than NH3 / equilibrium lies to the left;
12. (a) Describe two different experimental methods to distinguish between aqueous solutions
of a strong base and a weak base.
(5)

(b) Two acidic solutions, X and Y, of equal concentrations have pH values of 2 and 6
respectively.

(i) Calculate the hydrogen ion concentrations in the two solutions and identify the
stronger acid.
(2)

(ii) Determine the ratio of the hydrogen ion concentrations in the two solutions X
and Y.

(a) solutions of the same concentration;

pH meter;
strong base has a higher pH / weak base has lower pH;
indicator paper/U.I solution;
strong base has a higher pH/more purple / weak base has lower pH/blue not
purple / OWTTE;
measuring conductivity (with conductivity meter);
strong base has a higher conductivity / weak base has lower conductivity;
comparing heat of neutralization with acid;
strong base releases more heat / weak base releases less heat;
Award [4 max] for two correct methods with expected results. 5
(b) (i) X;
[X] = 10–2 (mol dm–3) and [Y] = 10–6 (mol dm–3); 2
(ii) 10 000/104 :1;
13. State an equation that shows why rain water is naturally acidic.

CO2 + H2O H2CO3

14. The two major acids that cause acid rain originate from different sources.

(i) Outline the process responsible for the production of each acid and state an equation to
show its formation.

Acid 1:

Acid 2:

(ii) Acid rain has caused damage to limestone buildings and marble statues. State an
equation to represent the reaction of acid rain with limestone or marble.

(i) Acid 1:
(HNO2/HNO3) high temperature in internal combustion/jet engine;
reaction between N2 and O2 at high temperature/lightning;
Accept either of the above for first mark.
2NO2 + H2O → HNO3 + HNO2 / 4NO2 + O2 + 2H2O → 4HNO3;
Acid 2:
(H2SO3/H2SO4) from burning of coal / smelting plants / sulfuric
acid plants / volcanic activity;
Do not accept combustion of fossil fuels.
SO2 + H2O → H2SO3 / SO3 + H2O → H2SO4; 4 max
Allow H2SO3/H2SO4 to be Acid 1 and HNO2/HNO3 to be Acid 2.
(ii) CaCO3+ 2HNO3 → Ca(NO3)2 + CO2 + H2O; 1
Accept equation with H2SO3 or H2SO4 or ionic equations.