Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

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From Models to Materials (SL IB Chemistry)

Exam Questions

51 mins15 questions
1a1 mark

Suggest why elements are found at the bottom of a triangular bonding diagram.

1b2 marks

Suggest the position of ionic and covalent materials within a triangular bonding diagram. Explain your answer. 

1c2 marks

Name the x-axis and y-axis on a standard triangular bonding diagram.

x-axis: ..................................................

y-axis: ..................................................

1d1 mark

Using Sections 9 and 17 of the Data Booklet, plot nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) on the triangular bonding diagram.

scaled-triangular-bonding-diagram

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2a2 marks

Repeating monomer units can be manipulated in various ways to give polymers with different properties.

i)
Draw the structural formula of 2-chloropropene.
[1]
ii)
Deduce the repeating unit of poly(2-chloropropene).
[1]
2b1 mark

Poly(2-chloropropene) is formed by the addition polymerisation of 2-chloropene. Deduce the percentage atom economy for this polymerisation reaction.

2c4 marks

Suggest why poly(2-chloropropene) is:

i)
Unreactive.
[2]
ii)
Strong.
[1]
iii)
Water-resistant.
[1]

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1a3 marks

The type of bonding and percentage ionic / covalent character of binary compounds can be deduced using triangular bonding diagrams.

Complete the table by calculating Σχ and Δχ for the given compounds.

Use section 9 of the data booklet.

Compound Σχ Δχ
Ammonia    
Graphite    
Silica    
1b3 marks

Use data from sections 9 and 17 of the data booklet to percentage covalent character and bonding type in the following compounds:

i)
BBr3 
[1]
ii)
BeH2 
[1]
iii)
SrMg
[1]
1c1 mark

Deduce the chemical that is found in the bottom left of a triangular bonding diagram by using sections 9 and 17 of the data booklet.

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2a4 marks

Poly(phenylethene) is widely used as a polymer for many purposes such as packaging. The structure of poly(phenylethene) is shown below. 

1-8

i)
State the type of polymerisation required to form poly(phenylethene).
[1]
ii)
Draw the monomer used to form poly(phenylethene). 
[1]
iii)
Suggest why the monomer is liquid at room temperature but the polymer poly(phenylethene) is in the solid state at room temperature.
[2]
2b6 marks

Explain why poly(phenylethene) drawn in part (a) is less reactive than Terylene described in part (b).

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34 marks
i)
Draw a second strand of Kevlar underneath to show how the strands are attached to one another. 
[2]

Kevlar strand

ii)
Use your diagram to explain why Kevlar can be used for making items that require high strength.
[2]

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1a3 marks

Substances AB and C are located in the bonding triangle as shown.

a-b-c-bonding-triangle-diagram

Suggest, giving a reason, a physical property that substances A and would have in common.

Use the bonding triangle and section 17 of the data booklet.

1b2 marks

Substance A is an alloy containing a Group 1 metal and a Group 2 metal.

Identify the constituent metals in substance A, giving a reason.

Use the bonding triangle in (a) and section 9 of the data booklet.

1c1 mark

Silicon tetrachloride is used to produce high purity silicon and silica for commercial applications. 

Explain whether silicon tetrachloride has a higher boiling point than substance C.

Use the bonding triangle in (a) and sections 9 and 17 of the data booklet.

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23 marks

The structure shows a section of a polymer found in some plastics.

1-14

i)
State the type of polymerisation involved in forming this polymer.
[1]
ii)
Draw the repeating unit for this polymer.
[1]
iii)
Name the monomer used to form this polymer.
[1]

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