Principles of Transition Metal Chemistry (Edexcel A Level Chemistry)

Exam Questions

57 mins8 questions
1a1 mark

Which equation shows the third ionisation energy of aluminium?

  A Al (g) → Al3+ (g) + 3e
  B Al2+ (g) → Al3+ (g) + e
  C Al3+ (g) + 3e → Al (g)
  D Al3+ (g) + e → Al2+ (g)

1b1 mark

Which element in this table is in Group 2?

  Ionisation energy / kJ mol−1
Element First Second Third Fourth
W 1086 2353 4621 6223
X 653 1592 2987 4740
Y 590 1145 4912 6474
Z 496 4563 6913 9544

  A W
  B X
  C Y
  D Z
1c1 mark

The graph shows the first ionisation energies (IE) of eight successive elements from the first 20 elements in the Periodic Table.

Which letter represents the first ionisation energy of oxygen?

q1c-9cho-al-1-nov-2020-qp-edexcel-a-level-chem

  A (a)
  B (b)
  C (c)
  D (h)
1d1 mark

Give the formula of a stable ion that is isoelectronic with the magnesium ion, Mg2+.

1e4 marks

A student stated that ‘the elements scandium and zinc are d-block elements but are not transition metals’.

Discuss this statement, using appropriate electronic configurations to support your answer.

Did this page help you?

2a1 mark

This question is about how catalysts work.

Gaseous reactants attach to the catalytic surface by the process of

  A absorption
  B activation
  C adsorption
  D desorption
2b2 marks

Catalytic converters of car exhaust systems have internal honeycomb structures as shown.

q2b-9cho-al-2-june-2018-qp-edexcel-a-level-chem

Explain why the honeycomb structure is used in a car exhaust system.

Did this page help you?

1a2 marks

This question is about catalytic converters.

Catalytic converters contain metals such as platinum.

Describe the bonding in platinum.
You may include a diagram in your answer.

1b3 marks

A catalytic converter decreases the emissions of gases, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxide, from an internal combustion engine.

Describe the stages in a catalytic converter that result in this decrease.
No equations are required.

Did this page help you?

2a1 mark

This question is about transition metals.

Which of these ions has the electronic configuration [Ar]3d5?

  A Cr3+
  B Fe2+
  C Mn2+
  D Mn3+

2b1 mark

In which of these complex ions does the transition metal have the oxidation number +3?

  A [Ag(CN)2]
  B [CuCl4]2−
  C [Fe(CN)6]3−
  D [Ni(EDTA)]2−

2c1 mark

Which type or types of bonding exist within the complex ion [Cr(H2O)6]3+?

  A dative covalent only
  B dative covalent and covalent only
  C dative covalent and ionic only
  D dative covalent, covalent and ionic

2d1 mark

Which best explains why [Cu(NH3)2]+ ions are colourless?

  A all complex ions having a metal ion with a +1 charge are colourless
  B no electronic transitions can take place between d-orbitals
  C the d-orbitals cannot split in energy
  D there are no electrons in the d-subshell

2e2 marks

Glycinate ions are bidentate ligands and can be represented by the structure

q4e-9cho-al-1-june-2018-qp-edexcel-a-level-chem

Complete the diagram below to show the structure of the [Cu(NH2CH2COO)2] complex, which is square planar.

q4e-1-9cho-al-1-june-2018-qp-edexcel-a-level-chem

   

2f3 marks

Manganate(VII) ions, Mnstraight O subscript 4 superscript minus, react with ethanedioate ions in acid solution.

2Mnstraight O subscript 4 superscript minus + 5C2begin mathsize 16px style O subscript 4 to the power of 2 minus sign end style+ 16H+ → 2Mn2+ + 10CO2 + 8H2O

The reaction starts slowly, the rate of reaction then increases, before it decreases again.
Explain this sequence.

Did this page help you?

3a4 marks

This is a question about catalysis.

The reaction between iodide ions and peroxodisulfate ions is catalysed by iron(II) ions.

2I + S2O82–rightwards arrow with Fe to the power of 2 plus end exponent on top I2 + 2SO42–

i)
Give a reason why the reaction between iodide ions and peroxodisulfate ions has a high activation energy and is therefore very slow without a catalyst.
(1)
ii)
Explain, with the aid of two equations, how the iron(II) ions catalyse this reaction. State symbols are not required.
(3)
3b2 marks

The oxidation of sulfate(IV) ions to sulfate(VI) ions is catalysed by cobalt(II) ions in acidic solution. The role of cobalt(II) ions is similar to that of iron(II) ions in (a).

SO32– + ½O2 rightwards arrow with Co to the power of 2 plus end exponent on top SO42–


Deduce two ionic equations to show how cobalt(II) ions catalyse the reaction in acidic solution. State symbols are not required.

3c1 mark

The rate of oxidation of ethanedioate ions by manganate(VII) ions starts slowly and then rapidly increases.

2 MnO subscript 4 superscript minus space plus space 16 straight H to the power of plus space space end exponent plus space 5 straight C subscript 2 straight O subscript 4 superscript 2 minus end superscript rightwards arrow 2 Mn to the power of 2 plus end exponent space plus space 8 straight H subscript 2 straight O space plus space 10 CO subscript 2

What is the catalyst in this reaction?

  A CO subscript 2
  B straight H to the power of plus
  C Mn to the power of 2 plus end exponent
  D begin mathsize 14px style MnO subscript 4 superscript minus end style

3d1 mark

The trend in the strength of gaseous adsorption by three transition elements is

tungsten  >  platinum  >  silver

Silver is not suitable as a replacement for platinum in a catalytic converter because the adsorption of gases is too weak to allow significant chemical reaction.

Give a possible reason why tungsten would also not be a suitable replacement for platinum in a catalytic converter. Refer to the mechanism of heterogenous catalysis in your answer.

Did this page help you?

46 marks

“Cobalt(II) ions combine with substances in solution to form complex ions with different coordination numbers.”

Discuss this statement by referring to two complex ions containing cobalt(II).

Include

  • reference to any difference in colour
  • a definition of any terms used
  • an explanation of the different shapes

Did this page help you?

56 marks

Colour is often used in chemistry to identify substances.

Compare and contrast the origin of the colour of a copper(II) complex with the origin of the colour of the copper(II) ion in a flame test.

You do not need to state any specific colours.

Did this page help you?

1a5 marks

Transition metals form complex ions.

Complex ions have a central metal ion surrounded by ligands.

i)
Give a reason why the ammonium ion cannot act as a ligand.

(1)

ii)
Explain why the complex ions [Co(NH3)6]2+ and [Co(H2O)6]2+ are coloured and have different colours.

(4)

1b1 mark

Which of these complexes is used in the treatment of cancer?

q8b-9cho-al-1-oct-2021-edexcel-a-level-chem

1c4 marks

Compare and contrast the complex ions formed by cobalt(III) ions with the ligand ethane-1,2-diamine and with the ligand EDTA4–.

Ignore any difference in colour.

q8c-9cho-al-1-oct-2021-edexcel-a-level-chem
1d2 marks

Hydrated chromium(III) chloride, CrCl3.6H2O, dissolves in water to form a number of different complex ions containing both chloride and water ligands.

The general formula of these complex ions is [Cr(H2O)x(Cl)y](3–y)+

In an experiment, 0.10 mol of a complex reacted with excess silver nitrate solution to produce 0.20 mol of silver chloride.

Chloride ions which are ligands within the complex do not react with silver nitrate.

Deduce the formula of this chromium(III) complex ion. Justify your answer.

Did this page help you?