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Chemical bonding, structure and properties

The document provides worked solutions for NSAA past papers focusing on chemical bonding, structure, and properties. It includes detailed explanations of specific questions from the 2016, 2017, and 2018 NSAA exams, highlighting the correct answers and the reasoning behind them. Key concepts discussed include covalent and ionic bonds, electron arrangements, and the nature of intermolecular forces during boiling.

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15 views

Chemical bonding, structure and properties

The document provides worked solutions for NSAA past papers focusing on chemical bonding, structure, and properties. It includes detailed explanations of specific questions from the 2016, 2017, and 2018 NSAA exams, highlighting the correct answers and the reasoning behind them. Key concepts discussed include covalent and ionic bonds, electron arrangements, and the nature of intermolecular forces during boiling.

Uploaded by

tgkt7bjhjd
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Worked Solutions for NSAA Past Papers

NSAA Topic – Chemical bonding, structure and


properties (Old Spec)
Provided by - www.oxbridgemind.co.uk

Information on Natural Sciences and NSAA 1-1 Programmes -


https://oxbridgemind.co.uk/our-programmes/nat-sci/
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NSAA Section 1 2016 - Question 39

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NSAA 2016 Section 1 - Question 39 - Worked Solution
The correct answer is C.

The best way to answer this is to write the equations for each reaction, and see where covalent bonds are
being both broken AND formed (as this is what the question asks).

1. Sodium + Oxygen --> Sodium Oxide

On the side of reactants, the only covalent bond breaking is the double bond in oyxgen. However, since
Na2O is an ionic compound, there is no covalent bond forming on the product side. So the first reaction is
incorrect.

2. H2O --> H+ + OH-


4H+ + 4e- ---> 2H2 (g)
4OH- (aq) --> 2H2O (l) + O2 (g) + 4e-
2 Cl- --> Cl2 + 2e-

The electrolysis of NaCl(aq) involves multiple half equations. Firstly, bonds are broken when water
breakds down into H+ and OH-, as H2O is a covalent compound.

At the cathode, hydrogen is discharged over Sodium. Therefore, covalent bonds are formed when when
H2 forms.

The products at anode depend on whether we have a conc. or dilute solution of NaCl, producing either
oxygen or chloride. Regardless, either the production of O2 or Cl2 will lead to the formation of covalent
bonds.

So the 2nd reaction has both covalent bonds being broken and formed.

3. Iron oxide + Aluminium --> Iron + Aluminium Oxide

Iron oxide is an ionic compound. Therefore, no covalent bonds are broken - even though covalent bonds
are formed when aluminium oxide is formed. So reaction 3 cannot be answer.

So the correct answer is C, i.e. reaction 2 only.

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NSAA Section 1 2017 - Question 42

3
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NSAA 2017 Section 1 - Question 42 - Worked Solution
The correct answer is C.

X contains 20 electrons. The electron arrangement of X will thus be 2,8,8,2. This means X has 2 electrons
in it's outermost shell.

Therefore, the oxide of X will have the formula of XO, as X will lose it's 2 valence electrons. This will be
an ionic bond as there is transfer of electrons between X and O.

XO will be a basic compound as it is a Group II metal, and all Group II oxides are basic (ex. MgO or
CaO).

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NSAA Section 1 2018 - Question 46

5
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NSAA 2018 Section 1 - Question 46 - Worked Solution
The correct answer is C.

When a liquid boils, you do not break down the intramolecular bonds within the molecule (i.e. covalent
bonds) but rather the intermolecular bonds (i.e. van der Waals' forces).

Statement 1: This is incorrect. Boiling does not break the P-Cl bonds.
Statement 2: This is correct. PCl5 is a larger molecule and thus has stronger intermolecular / van der
Waal's forces, and so has a higher boiling point.
Statement 3: This is incorrect. Boiling does not break the P-Cl bonds. Mr

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