iGCSE Chemistry Theory (Extended) :9.5 Corrosion of metals: Exam Style Questions Paper 4

Question

 This question is about iron.
(a) Iron is extracted from its main ore in a blast furnace.

(i) Name the main ore of iron used in the blast furnace.
(ii) Name the substance that enters the blast furnace at A.
(iii) Name the substance that leaves the blast furnace at B.
(iv) Give two reasons for using coke in the blast furnace.
1 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(b) Another ore of iron is iron pyrites, \(FeS_2\). Iron pyrites contains the positive ion, \(Fe^{2+}\).
Deduce the formula of the negative ion in \(FeS_2\).
(c) Iron is a transition element.
A list of properties of iron is shown.
● Iron is a good conductor of electricity.
● Iron forms soluble salts.
● Iron forms coloured compounds.
● Iron has variable oxidation states.
● Iron acts as a catalyst.
● Iron forms a basic oxide.
(i) Give two properties from the list in which iron differs from Group I elements.
1 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(ii) Give two properties from the list in which iron is similar to Group I elements.
1 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(d) Steel consists mainly of iron.
Iron forms rust when it reacts with water and oxygen.
Magnesium blocks can be attached to the bottom of steel boats. The magnesium does not
completely cover the steel.

(i) Explain how the magnesium blocks prevent iron from rusting.
(ii) Explain why replacing the magnesium blocks with copper blocks will not prevent the
bottom of the boat from rusting.

Answer/Explanation

Answer:

(a) (i) hematite
(ii) air
(iii) slag / calcium silicate
(iv) any two from:
• (coke)
releases heat (when it reacts with oxygen or reacts in air)
OR (acts as a) fuel
OR increases temperature (in the furnace) / heats (the furnace)
OR source of energy
• (coke or carbon monoxide)
reduces iron oxide
OR is a reducing agent
OR converts iron oxide to iron /
removes oxygen from iron oxide
• (coke)
reacts with oxygen to form carbon monoxide
OR reacts with carbon dioxide to form carbon monoxide

(b) \(S_2^{2-}\) or S-

(c) (i) any two from:

• (iron forms) coloured compounds
• (iron has) variable oxidation states
• (iron acts as a) catalyst
(ii) any two from:

• (iron is) good conductor of electricity
• (iron) forms a basic oxide
• (iron salts are) soluble (in water)

(d) (i) magnesium is more reactive than iron / steel ORA (1)

iron is not oxidised
OR
iron does not lose electrons
OR
magnesium loses electrons more easily than or in preference (to iron) ORA
OR
magnesium is oxidised more easily or reacts with oxygen more easily or corrodes more easily or in preference (to iron)
ORA (1)
(ii) copper is less reactive than iron / copper is lower in the reactivity series than iron ORA

Question

This question is about transition elements.

   (a) Transition elements are harder and stronger than Group I elements.

Describe two other differences in physical properties between transition elements and Group I elements.[2]

2

   (b) State one physical property of transition elements that is similar to Group I elements.[1]

   (c) State two chemical properties of transition elements.[2]

2

   (d) Cobalt is a transition element. Anhydrous cobalt(II) chloride is used to test for water.

State the colour change that occurs when water is added to anhydrous cobalt(II) chloride. from ________ to ________ [2]

   (e) Iron is a transition element.

(i) Which two substances react with iron to form rust?[2]

2

(ii) Which metal is used to galvanize iron?[1]

   (f) The hull of a ship is made from steel (mainly iron). Metal blocks are placed on the ship’s hull to prevent rusting.

Use your knowledge of the reactivity series to explain why:

    • magnesium is suitable to use as the metal blocks
    • copper is not suitable to use as the metal blocks.[2]

   (g) Rust contains iron(III) oxide.

Phosphoric acid, H3PO4, can be used to remove rust from an iron object and prevent further rusting.

(i) Write a chemical equation for the reaction between iron(III) oxide and phosphoric acid to form iron(III) phosphate and water.[2]

(ii) Iron(III) phosphate is an insoluble salt.

Suggest how the formation of iron(III) phosphate prevents further rusting.[1] [Total: 15]

Answer/Explanation

Ans:

6(a) M1 Transition element has higher melting point / high boiling point ORA(1)
         M2 Transition element has higher density ORA(1)

6(b) good conduction of heat or electricity OR malleability OR ductility 

6(c) 1 mark each for any two of:

    • catalyst
    • more than one or different or variable oxidation state / oxidation number / valency
    • coloured compounds / coloured ions

6(d) from blue(1) to pink(1) 

6(e)(i) M1 oxygen(1)
              M2 water(1)

6(e)(ii) zinc / Zn 1

6(f) M1 magnesium above iron / steel in the reactivity series ORA / magnesium more reactive than iron / steel ORA(1)
         M2 copper below iron / steel in the reactivity series ORA / copper less reactive than iron ORA(1)

6(g)(i) Fe2O3 + 2H3PO4 → 2FePO4 + 3H2O
               M1 FePO4 anywhere(1) M2 The whole equation correct(1)

6(g)(ii) iron(III) phosphate acts as a barrier which prevents contact between iron and water or air / oxygen

Question

A student wants to compare the energy released when different fuels are burned.

He measures the increase in temperature of the water in a metal can when the fuels are burned.

   (a) What piece of apparatus is missing from the diagram above?[1]

   (b) State two things the student should keep the same when burning each fuel. [2]

   (c) Suggest why the water in the can should be stirred.[1]

   (d) What happens to the reading on the top-pan balance as the fuel burns?

Give a reason for your answer.[2]

   (e) The results of burning four fuels, D, E, F and G, are shown in the table below.

Which fuel produced the greatest temperature rise in the water?[1]

   (f) The metal can is made of mild steel coated with tin.

(i) Steel is an alloy.

What is meant by the term alloy?[1]

(ii) Why does the tin prevent the steel can from rusting?[2]

   (g) Glass is made from silicon(IV) oxide.

Part of the structure of silicon dioxide is shown below.

Which one of the following best describes the structure of silicon dioxide?
Tick one box.[1]

              [Total: 11]

Answer/Explanation

Ans:

 (a) thermometer 

    (b) Any two from: 

    • same volume of water in can
    • same height of burner (from can)
    • wick same height
    • same rate / amount of stirring of water
    • allow: same temperature of water at start
    • allow: same amount of fuels burnt / same temperature rise
    • allow: same type of can

    (c) so same temperature throughout the water / to stop differences in temperature in the different parts of the water / otherwise the temperature will be higher at the bottom (of the water) / so not hotter in one place 

ignore: to mix the water / so there are no convection currents

    (d) decreases / goes down

idea of liquid or fuel turning to vapour / gas; 
allow: gases formed
ignore: fuels evaporate
note: 2nd mark dependent on first

    (e)

    (f) (i) mixture of metals / mixture of metal(s) + non-metals

      do not allow: compound

(ii) covers surface / idea of protective layer 

prevents contact with air / prevents contact with water / so air (or water) does no react with steel 
do not allow: reference to tin being more reactive / sacrificial protection (for second marking point)

    (g) 1st box down ticked (giant covalent)

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