iGCSE Chemistry (0620) Theory (Core):2.7 Metallic bonding: Exam Style Questions Paper 3

Question

 Lead is an excellent roofing material. It is malleable and resistant to corrosion. Lead rapidly becomes coated with basic lead carbonate which protects it from further corrosion.

    (a) Lead has a typical metallic structure which is a lattice of lead ions surrounded by a ‘sea’ of mobile electrons. This structure is held together by attractive forces called a metallic bond.

(i) Explain why there are attractive forces in a metallic structure.[2]

(ii) Explain why a metal, such as lead, is malleable.[2]

    (b) Basic lead(II) carbonate is heated in the apparatus shown below. Water and carbon dioxide are produced.

(i) Silica gel absorbs water. Silica gel often contains anhydrous cobalt(II) chloride. When this absorbs water it changes from blue to pink.
       Suggest a reason.[1]
(ii) Soda lime is a mixture of sodium hydroxide and calcium oxide. Why do these two substances react with carbon dioxide?[2]

(iii) Name two substances formed when soda lime reacts with carbon dioxide.[2]

    (c) Basic lead(II) carbonate has a formula of the type xPbCO3.yPb(OH)2 where x and y are whole numbers.
            Determine x and y from the following information.

PbCO3 → PbO + CO2

Pb(OH)2 → PbO + H2O

When heated, the basic lead(II) carbonate gave 2.112 g of carbon dioxide and 0.432 g of water.

Mass of one mole of CO2 = 44g
Mass of one mole of H2O = 18g

Number of moles of CO2 formed =  [1]

Number of moles of H2O formed =  [1]

x = ___ and y = ___

Formula of basic lead(II) carbonate is ___ [1] [Total: 12]

Answer/Explanation

Ans:

(a) (i) (attractive force between) positive ions 
                  and (negative) electrons
                 opposite charges attract ONLY [1]
                 electrostatic attraction ONLY [1]

(ii) lattice / rows / layers of lead ions / cations / positive ions
NOT: atoms / protons / nuclei
can slide past each other / the bonds are non-directional

   (b) (i) anhydrous cobalt chloride becomes hydrated
                ACCEPT: hydrous

(ii) carbon dioxide is acidic
        sodium hydroxide and calcium oxide are bases / alkalis 

(iii) Any two of:
        water, calcium carbonate and sodium carbonate 
        ACCEPT: sodium bicarbonate

   (c) number of moles of CO2 formed = 2.112 / 44 = 0.048
          number of moles of H2O formed = 0.432 / 18 = 0.024

x = 2 and y = 1 NOT: ecf from this line

formula is 2PbCO3.Pb(OH)2 / Pb(OH)2. 2PbCO3

Question

 There are three types of giant structure – ionic, metallic and giant covalent.

   (a) In an ionic compound, the ions are held in a lattice by strong forces.

(i) Explain the term lattice.[2]

(ii) Explain how the ions are held together by strong forces.[1]

   (b) Describe the bonding in a typical metal.[3]

   (c) The electrical conductivities of the three types of giant structure are given in the following table.

Explain the differences in electrical conductivity between the three types of giant structure and the difference, if any, between the solid and liquid states of the same structure.[5] [Total: 11]

Answer/Explanation

Ans:

(a) (i) regular arrangement / repeating pattern NOT structure
                  cond: ions
                  not molecules / atoms

(ii) attraction between opposite charges / electrostatic attraction 

   (b) delocalized / mobile / free / sea of electrons 
           positive ions / cations
           not atoms / protons / nuclei
           attraction between these electrons and ions

   (c) giant covalent
          no ions 
          no delocalized / free / mobile / sea of electrons or all electrons 

          ionic
          in ionic solid ions cannot move
          liquid ionic compound ions can move

          metallic
          (both solid and liquid) metals have delocalized (or alternative term) electrons

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