HKCEE & HKAL Past Paper Questions: Part 12 Patterns in Chemical World

1. HKAL 1988 I
Elements exhibit periodic behaviour as their atomic number increases.
Illustrate graphically the periodicity of one such properties of the elements from hydrogen (Z=1) to argon
(Z=18).
(2 marks)

2. HKAL 1990 II Q4b

Account for the following observation.
SiO2 is a solid with a high melting point, whereas CO2 is a gas at room temperature.
(4 marks)

SiO2: three-dimensional network solid with very strong Si-O bonds. (1M + 1M)
CO2: exists as discrete molecules with only weak intermolecular van der Waals forces. (1M + 1M)

3. HKAL 1991 II Q4a

(i)

Briefly explain what is meant by periodicity in the chemical properties of the elements.

(ii)

Draw diagrams showing the variations in melting point (or boiling point) for the elements from lithium to
argon.
(5 marks)

4.

HKAL 1998 I Q3b

Sketch the trends for the properties below, and account for the trend in each case.
(i)

melting point of the alkali metals, Li, Na and K

(ii)

boiling point of the period 3 elements, Na, Mg and Al.

(4 marks)

5. HKAL 1999 I Q1b

Account for the following:
At 298K and 1 atm pressure, carbon dioxide is a gas whereas silicon dioxide is a solid.
(1 mark)

6. HKAL 20022 II Q2c

The graph below
b
showss the variatioons of meltinng points and
d boiling poinnts of the Perriod 3 elemen
nts.

Explain whhy
(i)

silicoon, a metalloiid, has a veryy high meltinng point;

(ii)

the booiling pointss of the metalls are in the order;

o
Al > Mg > Na;

(iii) there is generally a larger diffference betweeen the meltiing point andd the boiling point for meetals than forr
non- metals;
m
(iv) the melting
m
point of sulphur iss the highest among the non-metals.
n
(9 marrks)

7. HKAL 20055 I Q1b

(i)

Sketcch the variatiion in electrical conductivvity of the Period 3 elem

ments from soodium to argo
on at

room
m

tempeerature and atmospheric

a
pressure.

(ii) Explainn the variatioon in (i).

(5 marrks)

8. HKAL 2006 I Q1a

The table below lists the melting points of three oxides of the Period 3 elements:
Oxide

Na2O

Al2O3

SO2

Melting point /

920

2040

75

Account for the large difference in the melting points of the three oxides.
(3 marks)

9. HKAL 2008 II Q1b

Both sodium and chlorine are elements in Period 3 of the Periodic Table.
(i)

At room temperature and atmosphere pressure, Na 2 O is a solid with a very high melting point
whereas Cl 2 O is a gas. Account for this difference in property between Na 2 O and Cl 2 O .

(ii)

Na 2 O 2 is another oxide of sodium. Write the chemical equation for the reaction of Na 2 O with water
and that of Na 2 O 2 with water.

(iii)

Cl 2 O 7 is another oxide of chlorine. Give the products formed when Cl 2 O and Cl 2 O 7 are treated
separately with water.
(6 marks)

10. HKAL 1990 I Q3d

Illustrate, with examples using nickel, two characteristic properties of transition metals.
(2 marks)

Catalytic property: the use of nickel catalyst in the hydrogenation of oils to make margarine.
Variable oxidation states: Ni2O3, NiO, NiO2 etc
Form coloured ions: Ni2+(aq) is green