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CAIE A-Level Chemistry AS 12.1 Nitrogen and Sulfur Questions

Practise explaining nitrogen inertness, ammonia acid–base chemistry and the atmospheric reactions of nitrogen oxides.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Chemistry 9701
Level
AS

Exam points

  • explain nitrogen’s low reactivity using its strong non-polar N≡N triple bond
  • use proton transfer to explain ammonia basicity, ammonium formation and ammonia displacement
  • connect NO and NO2 separately to catalytic converters, PAN formation and acid-rain chemistry

Covered syllabus points

12.1.1—Lack of reactivity of nitrogen, using triple12.1.2—And explain12.1.3—NOx sources and catalytic removal12.1.4—Atmospheric NOx and photochemical smog12.1.5—Role of NO and NO2 in the formation of acid

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

Nitrogen gas is unreactive, whereas oxygen gas and chlorine gas are reactive.
Which statements help to explain this difference?
1 The two N atoms in an N2\mathrm{N}_{2} molecule are held together by a very strong triple bond.
2 The triple bond between two N atoms is not polar. The bonds in O2\mathrm{O}_{2} and Cl2\mathrm{Cl}_{2} are polar.
3 The atoms in N2\mathrm{N}_{2} have a full outer shell of electrons. The atoms in O2\mathrm{O}_{2} and Cl2\mathrm{Cl}_{2} do not have a full outer shell of electrons.

A

1, 2 and 3 are correct

B

1 and 2 only are correct

C

2 and 3 only are correct

D

1 only is correct

Question 2

[Maximum number: 1]

Ammonia reacts with acids to form the ammonium ion.

NH3+H+⇌NH4+\mathrm{NH}_{3}+\mathrm{H}^{+} \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{NH}_{4}^{+}

Which row is correct?

shape of NH4+\mathrm{NH}_{4}{ }^{+}

bond angle

in NH4+/∘\mathrm{NH}_{4}{ }^{+} /{ }^{\circ}

pyramidal

107

pyramidal

109.5

tetrahedral

107

tetrahedral

109.5

Question 3

[Maximum number: 1]

Which statement about the oxides of nitrogen is correct?

A

During lightning storms, atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen combine to form oxides of nitrogen.

B

In a catalytic converter, nitrogen monoxide is removed by reaction with carbon dioxide.

C

In car engines, the restricted supply of oxygen eliminates the possibility of the formation of oxides of nitrogen.

D

In the atmosphere, nitrogen monoxide reacts with sulfur dioxide to produce sulfur trioxide.

Question 4

[Maximum number: 1]

Photochemical smog is a type of air pollution produced in urban areas by the effect of sunlight on substances released from vehicle exhausts.

Which mixture of primary pollutants leads to the formation of photochemical smog?

A

carbon dioxide and water vapour

B

carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbons

C

nitrogen oxide and unburnt hydrocarbons

D

sulfur dioxide and water vapour

Question 5

[Maximum number: 1]

Nitrogen dioxide is a gas that contributes to air pollution. It is produced in internal combustion engines.

Which statement is correct?

A

Nitrogen dioxide acts as a catalyst in the atmospheric oxidation of sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide.

B

Nitrogen dioxide reacts to form nitrogen monoxide in the catalytic converter of a car exhaust system.

C

PAN forms when nitrogen dioxide reacts with the gases formed by complete combustion of the fuel.

D

Under high pressure in an internal combustion engine, nitrogen dioxide forms from impurities in the fuel.

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