PROBLEM OF THE DAY 1

A student intends to standardize a 100 cm 3 sample solution of hydrochloric acid given for analysis.
To do this, the student first dilutes the solution by adding 400 cm 3 of deionized water. The student
then titrates 20.0 cm3 of the resulting solution with sodium trioxocarbonate (IV) using
phenolphthalein as indicator and obtains a titre value of 10.0 cm3.
Given that the sodium trioxocarbonate (IV) was prepared by dissolving 21.2 g in 250 cm 3 of
solution in a volumetric flask, determine the concentration of the given solution.
Take the molecular mass of sodium trioxocarbonate (IV) to be 106 g/mol.

Solution:
 Calculate the concentration of Na2CO3 used to standardize the acid (HCl)
 Determine the concentration of HCl involved in the reaction based on equation of reaction
 Find the original concentration of HCl in the sample given from the dilution factor

Calculation of concentration of Na2CO3

Moles of Na2CO3 = mass/molecular mass = 21.2/106 = 0.200 mol 1 mark
Concentration = moles/volume in dm3 = 0.200 mol/0.25 dm3 = 0.80 moldm-3 1 mark

Determine the concentration of HCl

Equation of reaction: HCl + Na2CO3 → NaHCO3 + NaCl 2 marks

Moles of Na2CO3 = calculated concentration × titre value (in dm3)
= 0.800 × 0.010 = 8.0 × 10-3 mol 1 mark
From equation of reaction: mole ratio is 1:1
Hence moles of HCl = moles of Na2CO3 = 8.0 × 10-3 mol 1 mark
Since a volume of 20 cm3 of HCl was used during the titration reaction,
Molar concentration of HCl = 1000/20 × 8.0 × 10-3 = 0.40 moldm-3 1 mark

Calculation of original concentration of HCl

Using C1V1 = C2V2,

Original concentration of HCl = calculated concentration × diluted volume 1 mark

Original volume of HC1 sample
= 0.40 × 500
100
Hence original concentration of HCl = 2.0 moldm-3 2 marks
 PROBLEM OF THE DAY 2
Each tablet of an antacid contains 500 mg of calcium trioxocarbonate (IV) as the active ingredient.
A student places six (6) tablets of the antacid in a beaker and reacts with excess hydrochloric acid
solution of volume 50 cm3 and concentration of 2.0 moldm3. Given that the reaction takes place at
27 °C and 830 kPa, estimate the volume in cm 3 of carbon (IV) oxide gas produced assuming ideal
behavior. Take the atomic mass of calcium as 40 g/mol; oxygen as 16 g/mol; carbon as 12 g/mol
and molar gas constant to be 8.3 J K-1 mol-1.

Solution:
 Calculate the amount of substance from calcium trioxocarbonate (IV) as hydrochloric acid is
in excess
 Calculate the moles of carbon (IV) oxide produced based on the equation of reaction
 Calculate the volume of carbon (IV) oxide produced using the ideal gas equation

Mass of calcium trioxocarbonate (IV) = 6 × 500 mg = 3,000 mg = 3.0 g 1 mark

Molar mass of calcium trioxocarbonate (IV) = 40 + 12 + (16 × 3) = 100 g/mol 1 mark

Moles of calcium trioxocarbonate (IV) = mass/molar mass = 3.0/100 = 0.030 mol 1 mark

Equation of reaction: 2HCl + CaCO3 → CaCl2 + H2O + CO2 2 mark

From equation of reaction mole ratio of CaCO3 to CO2 = 1:1

Hence moles of CO2 = mol of CaCO3 = 0.030 mol 1 mark

Using the ideal gas equation; PV = nRT, V = nRT/P 1 mark

Volume of CO2 = 0.030 × 8.3 × 300 1 mark

830,000

= 9.0 × 10-5 m3 = 0.090 dm3 = 90 cm3 2 marks

 PROBLEM OF THE DAY 3
An organic compound is found to contain the elements, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Upon
combustion, a 0.0390 g sample of the compound produced 0.0110 g of CO2 and 0.0500 g of H2O.

a) Given that the mass of this compound obtained using a mass spectrometer is 156 g/mol,
determine the molecular formula of the compound.
b) Based on the molecular formula, name any two functional groups expected in the compound.

You are given the atomic mass in g/mol of carbon as 12, oxygen as 16 and hydrogen as 1.0

Solution:
 Calculate the mass, amount of substance and ratio of each of the elements present
 Determine the empirical formula and then the molecular formula using the molecular mass

C H O
Mass of Mass of oxygen = mass of compound –
elements 12 2 (mass of carbon + mass of hydrogen)
× 0.110 × 0.045
44 18
= 0.0390 – (0.0300 + 0.0050)
= 0.0300 g = 0.0050 g = 0.0040 g

Amount of 0.030 0.0050 0.0040

substance 12 1 16
present in
each element = 0.0025 mol = 0.0050 mol = 0.00025 mol

Mole ratio 10 20 1

Hence empirical formula = C10H20O

Mass of C10H20O × n = molecular mass

Empirical formula mass = (12 × 10) + (1 × 20) + (16 × 1) = 156 g
But molecular mass of compound = 156 g
Hence molecular formula is same as empirical formula = C10H20O

Possible functional groups: Alkanol (Alcohol); Ether (Alkyl alkoxy); Alkanone (ketone); Alkanal
(aldehyde); alkene
 PROBLEM OF THE DAY 4

A rock sample is to be assayed for its zinc content by an oxidation-reduction titration with
potassium trioxobromate (v) solution. In an analysis, 13.0 g of the rock sample was crushed,
dissolved in dilute tetraoxosulphate (vi) acid and passed over a reducing agent to reduce all the
zinc from Zn2+ to Zn. The Zn was completely oxidized to Zn 2+ using 50.0 cm3 of a 0.80 moldm-3
solution of the potassium trioxobromate (v) according to the equation: BrO3- + Zn → Br2 + Zn2+
Calculate the percentage by mass of zinc in the rock sample given atomic mass of zinc to be 65
g/mol.

Solution:
The solution to this problem is in two main parts:
1. Balancing of the redox equation
2. Determining the percentage zinc in sample from the redox equation

Complete balancing of redox reaction (5 points)

Completely balanced reduction half reaction: 2BrO3- + 12H+ + 10 e→ Br2 + 6H2O …………….(1)

Completely balanced oxidizing half reaction: Zn → Zn2+ + 2e ………………………………….(2)

We then multiply equation 2 by 5 (to cancel out electrons): 5Zn → 5Zn2+ + 10e ……………….(3)

We then add equation 1 and 3 to obtain the completely balanced redox equation:

2BrO3- + 5Zn + 12H+ → Br2 + 5Zn2+ + 6H2O ……………………………………………..(4)

Successful determination of percentage zinc in sample (5 points)

From values given moles of bromate ions, BrO3- = 0.050 × 0.80 = 0.040 mole

From equation (4), mole ratio of zinc: BrO3- = 5: 2

Hence moles of zinc = moles of BrO3- × 5 = = 0.10 mol

2
Mass of zinc = 0.10 × 65 = 6.5 g

Percentage of zinc in rock sample = mass of zinc × 100%

mass of sample
= 6.5 ×100 = 50%
13.0
 PROBLEM OF THE DAY 5
A radioisotope needed for diagnosing a form of cancer is known to decay to one-eighth of its
original amount in 18 hours. A medical doctor requires 10 milligrams (mg) of the radionuclide to
treat a patient at the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital in Accra.
a) Determine the half-life on the radionuclide
b) Given that, it takes 24 hours for delivery of the radionuclide to the hospital, what is the
minimum amount of radionuclide that must be purchased?
c) After being given the dosage of 10 mg, a patient is only allowed to leave the facility with a
maximum of 1.25 mg of administered radionuclide. Estimate the minimum number of hours a
patient must spent at the hospital after being administered with the radionuclide.
d) What will be the effect on the rate of decay if the radionuclide is transported in a container at a
temperature of - 4°C?

Solution
a) A decay of one-eighth occurs in 18 hours
1
But is equivalent to 3 half-lives
8
Hence half-life of nuclide = 18/3 = 6 hours 2 marks

b) 24 hours is equivalent to 4 half-lives (i.e 24/6 = 4 half-lives)

1
But 5 half-lives = OR (½)4
16
Assuming x is the amount to be purchased
1
× x = 10 mg
16
Solving for x gives 160 mg
Thus, a minimum of 160 mg of the radionuclide must be purchased 4 marks

1.25 1
c) = which is equivalent to 3 half-lives
10 8
Hence time taken for 3 half-lives = 6 × 3 = 18 hours
Thus, a patient must spend a minimum of 18 hours in the hospital 2 marks
after administration

d) There will be no effect on the rate of decay 2 marks

 PROBLEM OF THE DAY 9
Three containers A, B and C are connected to each other via rubber tubing. The valves of each
container are completely sealed, and the tubing evacuated. Container A has a volume of 60 cm 3
and contains hydrogen gas at a pressure of 100 kPa. Container B has a volume of 130 cm3 and
contains helium gas at a pressure of 150 kPa. Container C has a volume of 45 cm3 and contains
argon gas at a pressure of 80 kPa.
a) Given that, the valves separating the containers are opened, determine the final pressure of the
system assuming the volume occupied by the rubber tubing is 65 cm3 and the system is kept at
a temperature of 18 °C.
b) What will be the new pressure of the system if the temperature is increased to 57 °C?

Solution:
a) Using Boyles law, P1V1 = P2V2 (at constant temperature) 1 mark

Total volume of system = 60 + 130 + 45 + 65 = 300 cm3 1 mark

In container A; new pressure = 100 × 60 = 20 kPa 1 mark

300
In container B; new pressure = 150 × 130 = 65 kPa 1 mark
300
In container C; new pressure = 80 × 45 = 12 kPa 1 mark
300
Final pressure of system
= pressure in container A + pressure in container B + pressure in container C

Final pressure of system = 20 + 65 + 12 = 97 k Pa 1 mark

b) Using Gay-Lussac's law, P1/T1 = P2 /T2 (assuming constant volume) 1 mark

T1 = 18 + 273 = 291 K

T2 = 57 + 273 = 330 K 1 mark

New pressure of system = P1 ×T2 = 97 × 330 = 110 kPa 2 marks

T1 291
 PROBLEM OF THE DAY 8
Methyl butanoate is an ester that has a fruity smell and is present in fruits such as pineapple and
apples. A student needs to prepare this ester from butane and methanol as starting material in the
laboratory.
Outline the steps involved in this conversion, stating the reagents and conditions needed at each
stage of preparation. Ignore any side products.

Solution:

The most important point is to recognize that, alkanes are unreactive and the only meaningful
reaction they undergo is free radical substitution reaction with halogens under light.
From the haloalkane, its then easier to form the ester of interest.
So, the steps involved will be:
1. Bromination or Chlorination of alkane under light
2. Substitution of the halogen with a hydroxyl group using a base (e.g. KOH or NaOH)
3. Oxidation of alcohol to carboxylic acid using KMnO4/H+ or K2Cr2O7 /H+
4. Esterification reaction of the butanoic acid (formed) with methanol under reflux using an acid
catalyst (e.g. H2SO4)

Equation 1 and 4 fetches 3 marks each; Equation 2 and 3 fetches 2 marks each
Marks allocated to reagents and products at each stage (except in reaction 4, 1 mark for
methanol)
 PROBLEM OF THE DAY 6
At 25 °C, the solubility of Strontium fluoride (SrF2) in water is found to be 6.30 × 10-3 g/100 cm3.
a)Calculate its solubility product, Ksp at this temperature assuming there are no other reactions
taking place. Take the atomic mass of strontium to be 88.0 g/mol and that of fluorine to be
19.0 g/mol.

b)What would be the change in the value of solubility product, if any, given that strontium fluoride
was dissolved in a solution of dilute sodium fluoride instead of water. Briefly explain.

Solution:
a) Molecular mass of SrF2 = 88 + (2 ×19) = 126 g/mol
Since solubility is given per 100 cm3,
Mass concentration = solubility in 1000cm3 = 6.30 × 10-3 × 100 = 0.063 g/dm3
100
Molar concentration = mass concentration/ molar mass = 0.063/126 = 5.00 × 10-4 mol/dm3

Equation of solubility: SrF2 (s) ⇌ Sr2+(aq) + 2F-(aq) (states may be ignored)

Ksp expression: Ksp = [Sr2+][ F-]2

Concentration of strontium ion, [Sr2+] = 5.00 × 10-4 mol/dm3

Concentration of fluoride ion, [F-] = 2 × 5.00 × 10-4 = 1.00 × 10-3 mol/dm3

Hence Ksp = [Sr2+][ F-]2 = [5.00 × 10-4][ 1.00 × 10-3]2 = 5.00 × 10-10

b) Solubility product will decrease.

This is due to common ion effect (which suppresses the solubility of SrF2)
 PROBLEM OF THE DAY 7
Under standard temperature and pressure conditions, chlorine gas undergoes an addition reaction
with 2-butene. Calculate the enthalpy change for this reaction given the following values of bond
energies in kJ/mol: C–C = 345; C=C = 615; C–H = 415; Cl–Cl = 240; C–Cl = 340

Solution:
Equation of reaction: C4H8 (g) + Cl2 (g) → C4H8 Cl2 (g)

Bond breaking
1 mol of C=C = 615
2 mol of C–C = 2 × 345 = 690
8 mol of C–H = 8 × 415 = 3320
1 mol Cl–Cl = 240
Total energy = 4865

Bond formation
3 mol C–C = 3 × 345 = 1035
8 mol C–H = 8 × 415 = 3320
2 mol C–Cl = 2 × 340 = 680
Total energy = 5035

Enthalpy change, ∆H = total energy used in bond breaking – energy given out in bond formation
= 4865 – 5035
= –170 kJ mol–1