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

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.

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