Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2014

Last exams 2024

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Acid Deposition (DP IB Chemistry: SL)

Exam Questions

2 hours41 questions
1a1 mark

State why chemists use a pH of 5.6 in the classification of acid rain.

1b2 marks

Carbonic acid, H2CO3, is formed when CO2 dissolves in rainwater.

i)
Formulate an equation to show how carbonic acid is formed in rainwater. [1]

ii)
Formulate an equation to show the dissociation of carbonic acid. [1]
1c1 mark

Two samples of rainwater, A and B, are pH 4.8 and pH 3.8, respectively. What is the relative acidity of sample A compared to sample B, in terms of [H+] concentration?

1d1 mark

State two examples of wet acid deposition.

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2a1 mark

State the names of four acids that contribute to the formation of acid deposition.

2b1 mark

Show, by means of balanced equations, the formation of sulfuric acid starting from sulfur.

2c3 marks

Identify the changes in oxidation state for sulfur in part b).

2d1 mark

Write a balanced equation to show the formation of nitric acid, from nitrogen dioxide, oxygen and water.

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3a2 marks

State two man-made sources of the oxides of sulfur and nitrogen.

3b2 marks

State two natural sources of the oxides of sulfur and nitrogen.

3c2 marks
State, giving a suitable equation, the effect of acid deposition, from sulfuric or nitric acids, on an iron bridge.

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4a1 mark

State the two ways by which emissions of sulfur oxides are reduced.

4b1 mark

State a disadvantage of removing all the sulfur found in petroleum.

4c1 mark
Explain the meaning of the term hydrodesulfurisation.
4d2 marks

Compare and contrast two approaches to reducing sulfur oxide emissions.

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1a3 marks

Outline the difference between acid rain and acid deposition, and state the names of the two types of acid deposition.

1b4 marks

Nitric acid is one component of acid rain that mainly comes from the emissions of internal combustion engines.

Describe, using suitable equations, the formation of acid rain from internal combustion engine emissions.

1c2 marks

The removal of sulfur dioxide is an important strategy in the fight to combat acid rain. It can be achieved pre- or post-combustion.
Outline one technique used in the two processes.

1d2 marks

Discuss the impact of acid rain or acid deposition on human health and on plant life.

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2a1 mark

Identify two substances that can be affected by the corrosive effects of acid deposition.

2b2 marks

Sulfuric(VI) acid, H2SO4, and sulfur dioxide, SO2, are known components of acid deposition. Write equations for their reactions with calcium carbonate.

2c2 marks

Calcium nitrate(V) can be detected in the run-off water from limestone buildings that have been impacted by acid rain.

Write an equation to account for its formation and suggest why this is particularly damaging buildings.

2d2 marks

Aluminium has a protective oxide layer on its surface which can be weakened and damaged by the effects of acid rain.

(i)
Write a balanced equation to show the effect of nitric(V) acid on aluminium oxide.

(ii)
The statue of Eros in London is made from aluminium and has stood for more than 100 years, but shows little sign of damage from acid rain. Suggest a reason why.

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3a3 marks

Nitrogen oxides produced by combustion are largely nitrogen monoxide or nitrogen dioxide.

Draw Lewis diagrams for nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide and use the diagrams to explain the meaning of the term free radical.

3b2 marks

Platinum and rhodium are found in catalytic converters and facilitate the conversion of Carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxides to nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

Write an equation for the reaction and state the changes in oxidation state for each carbon and nitrogen.

3c4 marks

Use your answer to part (c) and the bond enthalpy data given in Table 1 to determine the enthalpy change for the reaction between carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxide.

Table 1

C≡O

N=O

N≡N

C=O

1070 kJ mol-1

587 kJ mol-1

945 kJ mol-1

804 kJ mol-1

3d1 mark

Acid deposition can be produced by the reaction of NO2 in the atmosphere. State the equation for the reaction.

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4a1 mark

Natural sources as well as human activities can contribute the formation of acid deposition. Name one natural source of acid deposition.

4b2 marks

Sulfur from volcanic eruptions can produce sulfurous acid, H2SO3, in a two step reaction.

Write equations for the reaction.

4c3 marks

A sample of sulfur is converted to H2SO3 using the reactions in part (b). If the % yield in both reactions is 75% determine the mass of sulfur needed to make 2 dm3 of 0.05 mol dm-3 H2SO3,

4d2 marks

Studies show that sulfurous acid, H2SO3, does not actually exist in solution but is the result of an equilibrium between sulfur dioxide and water:

SO2 (g) +  H2O (l) ⇌  HSO3- (aq) + H+ (aq)

Write an equilibrium expression for this reaction and suggest, with a reason, whether sulphurous is likely to be strong or weak acid.

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1a
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2 marks

Determine the hydrogen and hydroxide ion concentration of naturally occurring rainwater, of pH 5.6.

1b2 marks

Write equations to represent the formation of naturally occurring rain water.

1c
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1 mark

The solubility of carbon dioxide in water at 25 oC is 0.1449 g per 100 mL water. Determine the concentration of the dissolved carbon dioxide in mol dm-3.

1d
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1 mark
Determine the solubility of CO2 in ppm.

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2a4 marks

Acid rain can release nitrates in the soil that wash into waterways and cause eutrophication.
Discuss the meaning of the term eutrophication and its impact on plant life.

2b1 mark

Identify a metal whose toxic ions can be released into waterways from the effects of acid deposition.

2c1 mark

Aluminium hydroxide can be dissolved out of rocks under acidic conditions and release aluminium ions into the environment. Formulate an ionic equation for the reaction.

2d1 mark

Aluminium hydroxide is amphoteric and can react with alkalis to form aluminate salts. Formulate an equation for the reaction between aluminium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide.

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3a4 marks

Two of the four oxoacids found in acid deposition are sulfurous acid, H2SO3 and nitrous acid, HNO2.

Write equations to show the formation of these oxoacids from sulfur and nitrogen.

3b2 marks

State the name and formula of the conjugate base of sulfurous acid, H2SO3.

3c2 marks

Suggest ways of decreasing the impact of sulfurous acid on the environment.

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