PChemistry Past Paper Ch 2.

Shape of molecules and ions

January 2009
20 This question is about boron and nitrogen compounds.
(a) Draw and name the shape of a boron trifluoride, BF3, molecule. Suggest the FBF bond angle. (3)
Name of shape
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FBF bond angle
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(b) Ammonia has the formula NH3. Its HNH bond angle is less than the FBF bond angle in boron trifluoride.
(i) Estimate the HNH bond angle in NH3. (1)
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(ii) Explain why the HNH bond angle is less than that for FBF. (1)
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Jun 2009
3 Which of these carbon structures is represented by the diagram below?

A Graphite
B Diamond
C A fullerene
D A carbon nanotube
5 Which of these bond angles is the smallest?
A HNH in NH3
B HCH in CH4
C HOH in H2O
D OCO in CO2
6 Which statement best describes the shape and bond angles in the molecule SF6?
A Octahedral, 90 and 180
B Trigonal bipyramidal, 90 and 180
C Octahedral, 90 and 120
D Trigonal bipyramidal, 90 and 120

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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 2.1

Shapes of molecules and ions

January 2010
1 Which of the following bond angles occur in a molecule of ethanol, C2H5OH?
A 90 and 180
B 104.5 and 180
C 104.5 and 109.5
D 109.5 and 120
2 Which of the following molecules is linear?
A Carbon dioxide, CO2
B Sulfur dioxide, SO2
C Water, H2O
D Methanal, HCHO
16(c)

Scientists have found that the bonds between nitrogen and oxygen in the nitrate ion are all the same length.
Is the students suggestion supported by this evidence? Explain your answer

(1)

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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 2.1

Shapes of molecules and ions

*(a) Why are the bonds within a layer of carbon atoms in graphite stronger than the bonds between the
layers of carbon atoms? (2)
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(b) The data below gives the relative electrical conductivity of a pure graphite crystal.
Relative conductivity in plane of carbon

Relative conductivity perpendicular to

hexagons

plane of carbon hexagons

3.7

0.0017

Explain why the relative electrical conductivity of graphite differs with direction. (2)
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(c) Suggest why the strength of the bond between the layers in graphite would increase if some carbon
atoms were replaced with nitrogen atoms.

(2)

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(d) Suggest ONE benefit of using a light activated catalyst for the new process

(1)

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(e) The liquid fuel, methanol, is made by reacting carbon monoxide with hydrogen.
Write an equation for this reaction. State symbols are not required. (1)

*(f) Benzene, which is needed for the new process of breaking down carbon dioxide, can be made from coal.
It is now usually made by catalytic treatment of one fraction of crude oil at temperatures of around 500 C
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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 2.1

Shapes of molecules and ions

and 20 atmospheres pressure.

Suggest the benefits and disadvantages of breaking down carbon dioxide using benzene and the catalyst as
described in the passage. You should consider
the energy and resources needed
the effects on the atmosphere
whether it is a beneficial method for producing energy compared to direct use of fossil fuels

(6)

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(g) Carbon exists in forms other than graphite. Nanotubes are rolls of graphite layers, and fullerenes are
cages of carbon atoms. Both nanotubes and fullerenes can trap other substances in their structures, and
fullerenes can be coated with other substances.
Give ONE application of carbon nanotubes or fullerenes which exploits this behaviour. (1)
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Jun 2010
1 This question is about bond angles.
A 90
B 104
C 107
D 109.5
Select, from A to D above, the most likely value for the bond angle of
(a) HCH in methane, CH4.
A

(b) FSF in sulfur hexafluoride, SF6.

A

(c ) FOF in oxygen difluoride, OF2.

A

3 Buckminsterfullerene has the formula C60. Its structure is shown below.

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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 2.1

Shapes of molecules and ions

The bonding in buckminsterfullerene is similar to the bonding in graphite. Which of the following is true?
A All the bond angles in buckminsterfullerene are 120.
B The melting temperature of buckminsterfullerene is higher than that of graphite.
C There are delocalized electrons in buckminsterfullerene.
D On complete combustion, buckminsterfullerene forms carbon dioxide and

water.

January 2011
14 This question is about methanol, CH3OH, and ethanol, CH3CH2OH.
(a) (i) Draw a dot and cross diagram for methanol, showing outer electrons only. (1)

(ii) Give the approximate values for the HCH and COH bond angles in methanol. Justify your answers. (4)
HCH angle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Justification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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COH angle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Justification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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(iii) Using displayed formulae, draw a diagram to show a hydrogen bond between two methanol molecules.
On your diagram, show the bond angle around the hydrogen atom of the hydrogen bond and give its value.
(2)

May 2011
4 What is the FBF bond angle in boron trifluoride, BF3?
A 180
B 120
C 109.5
D 90
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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 2.1

Shapes of molecules and ions

5 What is the total number of electrons in the covalent bonds in a beryllium chloride molecule, BeCl2?
A2
B4
C6
D8
6 Which of the following molecules is linear?
A CO2
B C2H4
C H2O
D NH3
18 This question is about ethanethiol, CH3CH2SH. Thiols are like alcohols, but the oxygen atom has been
replaced by a sulfur atom. They react in a similar way to alcohols.
(a) (i) Draw a dot and cross diagram for ethanethiol, showing outer electrons only. (2)

(ii) Give the value for the CSH bond angle in ethanethiol. Justify your answer.

(3)

CSH angle ..............................

Justification .......................................................................................................................................................
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(b) There are hydrogen bonds between ethanol molecules but not between ethanethiol molecules.
(i) Explain why the bond angle around the hydrogen atom involved in a hydrogen bond is 180. (2)
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January 2012
1. This question concerns the shapes of molecules and ions:
A linear
B trigonal planar
C pyramidal
D tetrahedral
Select from A to D the shape of
(a) boron trichloride, BCl3 (1)

D
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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 2.1

(b) the ammonium ion, NH4+

(c) carbon dioxide, CO2

Shapes of molecules and ions

(1)

(1)

May 2012
2 The diagram below shows a dot and cross diagram of nitric acid.
(a) Identify which of the labelled sets of electrons represents a dative covalent bond.
A

(1)

(b) In terms of orbital overlap, the double bond is (1)

Aa

bond

B two

bonds

C two

bonds

Da

bond and a

bond

9 The oxygen atom in a molecule of water has two bonding pairs and two lone pairs of electrons. Based on
the electron-pair repulsion theory, the HOH bond angle is most likely to be
A 180
B 109.5
C 107
D 104.5
10 The shape of a molecule of boron trifluoride, BF3, is
A trigonal planar.
B pyramidal.
C tetrahedral.
D T-shaped
January 2013
1 Which of these bond angles is the largest?
A ClBCl in BCl3
B HNH in NH3
C ClBeCl in BeCl2
D HOH in H2O
2 In propene, CH2=CHCH3,
A the C=C double bond is longer and stronger than the CC single bond.
B the C=C double bond is shorter and stronger than the CC single bond.
C the C=C double bond is shorter and weaker than the CC single bond.
D the C=C double bond is longer and weaker than the CC single bond.
23 The skeletal formula of cyclohexanol is shown below.

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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 2.1

Shapes of molecules and ions

(a) (i) The actual bond angles differ from the angles in the two dimensional diagram shown.
What is the angle of the CCC bond labelled a? (1)
Angle .................................................................................................................................................................
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*(ii) What is the angle of the COH bond? Justify your answer, explaining why the size of the angle is
different from the angle in (i). (3)
Angle .................................................................................................................................................................
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Explanation
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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 2.1

Shapes of molecules and ions

May 2013
6 Fullerenes, graphite and diamond are all forms of carbon. Fullerenes dissolve in petrol, but diamond and graphite
do not. This is because
A the bonds between the carbon atoms in fullerenes are weaker than in diamond or graphite.
B diamond and graphite are giant structures but fullerenes are molecular.
C there are delocalized electrons in diamond and graphite but not in fullerenes.
D there are covalent bonds in diamond and graphite, but not in fullerenes.

2013 May R
o

19 Which of the following molecules has a linear shape and bond angles of 180 ?
A CH4
B H2O
C CO2
D SF6

23 Nanorockets have generated a lot of excitement due to their potential uses in the medicinal field, such as in the
delivery of drugs around the body.

Some bacteria have the ability to move at speeds of 100 times their body length per second. Scientists in one study
made nanorockets that reached speeds of up to 200 times their length per second. These scientists made their rockets
on a nano scale (109) from nanotubes with platinum coated on the inside as a catalyst. The fuel used to power these
tiny rockets was hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, which forms water and oxygen gas when undergoing decomposition.

Other forms of nanotechnology are already being used. For example, some sun creams use nanoparticles of
titanium(IV) oxide which form an invisible protective layer against UV radiation.

(a) Write an equation for the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. State symbols are not required. (1)

(b) Draw a dot and cross diagram to show the electronic configuration of the oxygen gas produced in the breakdown of
the hydrogen peroxide (only outer electrons should be shown). (1)

(c) Suggest a dot and cross diagram for the hydrogen peroxide molecule in which each oxygen atom is covalently
bonded to one hydrogen atom (only outer electrons should be shown). (2)

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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 2.1

Shapes of molecules and ions

*(d) The bond angles in hydrogen peroxide are similar to those in a water molecule. Suggest a bond angle for hydrogen
peroxide and reasons for your value. (3)
Bond Angle ..................................................
Reasons .............................................................................................................................................................................
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(j) Nanotubes can be made from carbon. These carbon nanotubes can be good electrical conductors in a similar way to
graphite. Explain why they are able to conduct electricity. (2)
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January 2014 IAL

+

1 The HOH bond angle in an oxonium ion, H3O , is approximately

A 104.5
B 107
C 109.5
D 120

2 The bond angles within a molecule of tetrachloromethane result from repulsion between
A atoms.
B bonded pairs of electrons.
C atomic nuclei.
D lone pairs of electrons.

18 Graphite is made up of hexagonal rings of carbon atoms in a layered arrangement. The carbon atoms in the same
layer are 0.14 nm apart.
What is the distance between adjacent layers of carbon atoms?
A 0.04 nm
B 0.13 nm
C 0.15 nm
D 0.34 nm

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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 2.1

Shapes of molecules and ions

21 Iodine pentoxide, I2O5, is a white crystalline solid. It is formed by heating HIO3 to about 200 C in a stream of dry air.
The reaction is shown below.
2HIO3 I2O5 + H2O
(a) (i) Is this production of iodine pentoxide a redox reaction? Justify your answer by stating the oxidation number of
iodine in both of these compounds. (1)
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(ii) Suggest why it is important to have a stream of dry air. (1)
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(iii) Above 300 C, iodine pentoxide decomposes to form iodine and oxygen. Write the equation for this decomposition.
State symbols are not required. (1)

(iv) In iodine pentoxide, each iodine atom is bonded to three oxygen atoms and one of these oxygen atoms is bonded
to both iodine atoms as shown in the layout below.
Complete the dot and cross diagram for the molecule, using dots for the oxygen electrons and crosses for the iodine
electrons.
In this molecule, each iodine atom has twelve electrons in its outer shell. Show outer shell electrons only. (2)

(v) The shape around the iodine is similar to that around the nitrogen in ammonia, NH 3. Suggest a value for the O I
O bond angle and the name of the shape around the iodine atom. (2)
O I O bond angle .................................................................................
Shape .....................................................................................................................

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