Nanyang Junior College

H2/H1 Chemistry

JC1 2014

Chemical Bonding Tutorial

Section A: Review Questions
"#$%&'()%!')!*$+&'()!,!-.$!%/'01&!2-.'-&'()%!(3!41-&!4-%!+(2$.$5!')!&1$!/$+&#.$%6!7.8!)(&!&(!.$3$.!&(!8(#.!/$+&#.$!
)(&$%!41'/$!-&&$9:&')0!&1$%$!;#$%&'()%<!=#&!:/$-%$!$)%#.$!8(#!>)(4!41'+1!%$+&'()!(3!&1$!)(&$%!&(!.$3$.!&(!'3!8(#!
A
0$&! %&#+>6! ,/%(! /((>! (#&! 3(.! :.(=/$9! %(/2')0! %>'//! %$&! ?@* B! =(C$%! -/()0! &1$! 4-8<! &1$8! 4'//! 0#'5$! 8(#! &(! %(/2$!
&.'+>'$.!;#$%&'()%6!
!
*:$)5!)(!9(.$!&1-)!D6E!9')!()!$-+1!FG"6!

Which of the following statements explains why copper conducts electricity when a
potential difference is applied?
A
B
C
D

Copper(II) ions move to the cathode

The crystal lattice breaks down
Electrons combine with copper(II) ions
Bonding electrons in the crystal lattice move

Which bonding type does not correspond to its description of physical properties?

Bonding type
Giant covalent

B
C

Simple covalent
Metallic

Ionic

Physical properties
High melting point, conducts electricity when in solution but not
when solid
Low melting point, does not conduct electricity in any state
Variety of melting points, conducts electricity when solid and
when molten
High melting point, conducts electricity when molten but not
when solid

The C2H2 molecule is linear.

What can be deduced from this about the numbers of and bonds present in the
molecule?
A

A
B
C
D

2
2
3
3

@* H! I1-&! '%! &1$! %&.#+&#.$! (3!

GJKJL!I'//!G!(.!K!=$!&1$!&$.9')-/!
-&(9L!

2
3
1
2

Page 1 of 18

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4

Why is the molecule of BCl3 planar, whereas the molecule of PH3 is pyramidal?
A The boron atom has no d-orbitals available for bonding.
B The boron atom in BCl3 has 6 electrons in its valence shell, while the phosphorous
atom in PH3 has 8.
C The repulsion between chlorine atoms is greater than that between hydrogen atoms.
D The covalent radius of phosphorus is greater than that of boron.

MBTE is a constituent of petrol.

@* H!M(!)(&!=$!3((/$5!=8!&1$!
5'-0.-9N!O%!F7PQ!JML!I1'+1!
&1$(.8! %1(#/5! 8(#! #%$! &(!
5$&$.9')$!&1$!-)0/$%L!

What are the values of angle P and angle Q in a molecule of MTBE?

A
B
C
D

Angle Q
105
180
105
180

AlCl3 reacts with LiAlH4 and (CH3)3N to give (CH3)3NAlH3.

Which statement about (CH3)3NAlH3 is correct?
A
B
C
D

Angle P
90
90
109
109

It contains hydrogen bonding

It is dimeric
The Al atom is electron deficient
The shape about the Al atom is tetrahedral

@* H! I18! 5(! &1$%$! J!

%#=%&-)+$%! .$-+&L! I1-&! &8:$!
(3!=()5!'%!3(.9$5L!

Why is the boiling point of methane greater than that of neon? [Ar: H, 1; C, 12; Ne, 20]
A
B
C
D

A molecule of methane has a greater mass than a molecule of neon.

A molecule of methane has more electrons than a molecule of neon.
Molecules of methane have stronger intermolecular forces than those of neon.
Molecules of methane form hydrogen bonds, but those of neon do not.

Page 2 of 18

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H2/H1 Chemistry

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8

Which of the following solids consists of atoms or molecules held together only by van der
Waals forces?
A
B
C
D

CO2
Cu
H 2O
MgO

Which of the following molecules will not form a hydrogen bond with another of its own
molecules?
A

A
B
C
D

@* H! I1-&! -.$! &1$! %&.#+&#.$%!

(3! &1$%$! 9(/$+#/$%L! I1-&! '%!
&1$! +.'&$.'-! 3(.! KR=()5!
3(.9-&'()L!

CH3CHO
CH3NH2
CH3OH
NH3

10 When heated, solid iodine readily forms iodine vapour.

What does this information suggest about the nature of the particles in these 2 physical
states of iodine?

A
B
C
D

Solid
ionic
ionic
molecular
molecular

Vapour
atomic
molecular
atomic
molecular

11 Which set of properties could apply to a non-ionic compound which has a giant lattice?

A
B
C
D

Physical state
temperature
liquid
liquid
solid
solid

at

room

Electrical conductivity
molten state
Does not conduct
Does not conduct
Conducts well
Does not conduct

Page 3 of 18

in Melting point / C
-114
Melts over a range
808
1610

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The responses A to D should be selected on the basis of
A
1, 2 and 3
are
correct

B
1 and 2
only are
correct

C
2 and 3
only are
correct

D
1 only
is
correct

No other combination of statements is used as a correct response.

12 Which of the following are features of the structure in metallic copper?

1
2
3

Ionic bonds
Delocalised electrons
Lattice of ions

13 In microwave ovens, the wave energy produced is absorbed by certain polar molecules.
Which of the following would absorb microwave energy?
1
2
3

C2H5OH
NaCl
SiO2

14 The boiling points of pentane and 2,2-dimethylpropane are 36 C and 9 C respectively.

Which of the following suggested factors help to account for this difference in boiling
points?

Pentane
1
2
3

2,2-dimethylpropane

The molecule of 2,2-dimethylpropane is more compact than that of pentane.

The covalent bonds in pentane are stronger than those in 2,2-dimethylpropane.
There is more effective hydrogen bonding in pentane than in 2,2-dimethylpropane.

15 Many ceramic materials based on silicon(IV) oxide have recently been developed. Which
properties apply to these materials?
1
2
3

They are heated during manufacture and form solids.

They are heat-resistant solids.
They are good conductors of electricity due to delocalised electrons.

Page 4 of 18

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16 a) Explain what is meant by sigma () and pi () bonds. Illustrate your answers with
suitable diagrams.
Refer to lecture notes Page 13 and 14.

b) How many sigma () and pi () bonds are present in the propene (C3H6) molecule?
A

@* H! I1-&! '%! &1$! %&.#+&#.$! (3!

:.(:$)$L! S$+-//! 3.(9! T.0-)'+!
G1$9! ')! *$+! *+16! M.-4! '&%!
%&.#+&#.$!(#&!3'.%&6!

8, 1

17 For the following particles,

draw their dot-and-cross diagrams
count the total number of lone pairs and bond pairs
state their shapes according to VSEPR theory
draw their shapes
give the bond angles about the central atom
state whether they are polar or non polar (only applicable for molecules)

Particle

Dot-and-cross diagram / Structure

NF3

Bond pairs
/ Lone
pairs

Shape, Bond
Angle, Polarity

3 bp
1 lp

Trigonal
pyramidal 107

4 bp
0 lp

tetrahedral
109

SiF4

Page 5 of 18

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Particle

Dot-and-cross diagram / Structure

CH2Cl2

Bond pairs
/ Lone
pairs

Shape, Bond
Angle, Polarity

4 bp
0 lp

tetrahedral
109

3 bp
2lp

T shape
90

ICl3

@* H! U(.! &1$! :(/8-&(9'+! '()%<!

1(4! 5(! 8(#! 5$+'5$! 41'+1! -&(9!
&(! 0'2$! &1$! $C&.-! $/$+&.()%! &(! (.!
&->$!$/$+&.()%!-4-8!3.(9L!
!

ClO

NH2

H 3O

NO3

Page 6 of 18

2 bp
2 lp

Bent
105

3 bp
1 lp

Trigonal
pyramidal
107

3 bp
0 lp

Trigonal planar
120

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Bond pairs
/ Lone
pairs

Shape, Bond
Angle, Polarity

AlH4

4 bp
0 lp

tetrahedral
109

BrCl2

2 bp
3 lp

Linear
180

I 3

2 bp
3 lp

Linear
180

SO42

4 bp
0 lp

tetrahedral
109

Particle

Dot-and-cross diagram / Structure

18 a) Describe the bonding present in

@* H!
*&.#+&#.$L!
@-.&'+/$%L!

P()5')0L!

(i) solid krypton, 36Kr,

Solid krypton exists as a lattice of atoms with weak van der Waals forces between Kr
atoms.
(ii) solid rubidium, 37Rb.
Rubidium has a giant metallic lattice with strong metallic bonds between the cations
and the sea of delocalised electrons.

Page 7 of 18

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b) Use your descriptions of their bonding to explain why the boiling point of krypton is
152C whereas that of rubidium is 686C, despite their having nearly the same
relative atomic mass, Ar.
A

More energy is required to overcome the stronger

metallic bonds in Rb than the weak van der Waals
forces in Kr. Hence Rb has a higher b.p. than Kr.

@* H! G(9:-.$! &1$! %&.$)0&1! (3!

&1$! 3(.+$%! =$&4$$)! :-.&'+/$%6!
V%$! 8(#.! -)%4$.%! ')! -B! &(! 1$/:6!
I1-&! %1(#/5! 4$! -/4-8%! /')>! =:!
&(L!

19 The table below gives the boiling points of four organic compounds:

A
B
C
D

formula
CH3CH2CH2CH2CH3
(CH3)4C
CH3CH2CH2CH2OH
CH3CH2OCH2CH3

relative molecular mass

72
72
74
74

boiling point /oC

36
10
117
35

By comparing i) A with B, ii) A with C and iii) C with D, suggest explanations for the
differences in the boiling points within each of the three pairs.
i)

A with B
Both A and B have simple molecular structure with weak
van der Waals forces between molecules.
A has a straight chain structure while B has a more
spherical shape due to its highly branched structure.

@* H!
*&.#+&#.$<!
=()5')0<!
:-.&'+/$%L!S$-%()%!3(.!5'33$.$)+$%!
')! %&.$)0&1! (3! 3(.+$%L! M()W&!
3(.0$&! &(! -/4-8%! /')>! 9:X=:! &(!
$)$.08!.$;#'.$5N!
!

The vdW forces between A molecules are stronger than that of B due to the large
surface area of contact. More energy is required to overcome the stronger vdW forces,
higher bp.

ii) A with C
Both A and C have simple molecular structure. There are weak van der Waals forces
between A molecules, and H-bonds between C molecules.
More energy is required to overcome the stronger H-bonds than vdW forces, so C has
a higher bp.

iii) C with D
Both C and D have simple molecular structure. There are H-bonds between C
molecules and pd-pd interactions between D molecules.
More energy is required to overcome the stronger H-bonds than pd-pd interactions, so
C has a higher bp.

Page 8 of 18

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H2/H1 Chemistry

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20 Explain the following observations in terms of the structure and bonding present.
a) 4-hydroxybenzoic acid is more soluble in water than 2-hydroxybenzoic acid.
O

OH
O

OH
OH

OH

4-hydroxybenzoic acid

!
!

2-hydroxybenzoic acid
A

In 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, COOH and OH

groups are close to each other.
They can form intramolecular H-bonds
This reduces the chance of forming H-bonds
with water molecules.
Hence it is less soluble in water

@* H! 71$.$! '%! -!2$.8! %'9'/-.! $C-9:/$!()!

@-0$!AY!(3!&1$!/$+&#.$!)(&$%6!K(4$2$.<!
&1-&! $C-9:/$! 3(+#%$%! ()! =:<! )(&!
%(/#='/'&86! K(4! +-)! 4$! &4$->! (#.!
$C:/-)-&'()! -++(.5')0/8L! I1-&! -.$! &1$!
3-+&(.%!-33$+&')0!%(/#='/'&8!')!4-&$.L!

b) In benzene solution, the measured relative molecular mass of methanoic acid is

approximately 92.0. Explain the observation and include a relevant diagram in your
answer.
A

In benzene solution, methanoic acid dimerises through

hydrogen bonds.

Page 9 of 18

@* H! I1-&!'%!&1$!$C:$+&$5! F.!(3!
9$&1-)('+! -+'5L! I1-&! %1(#/5!
4$! =$! /((>')0! (#&! 3(.! 41$)!
5.-4')0!&1$!5'-0.-9L!

Nanyang Junior College

H2/H1 Chemistry

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Section B: Discussion Questions
"#$%&'()%!')!*$+&'()!P!-.$!%/'01&/8!9(.$!+1-//$)0')0!-%!&1$8!')+(.:(.-&$!9#/&':/$!+()+$:&%6!M(!)(&!:-)'+!'3!8(#!
-.$!#)+$.&-')!-=(#&!+$.&-')!;#$%&'()%!-%!8(#.!&#&(.!4'//!=$!5'%+#%%')0!&1$9!')!+/-%%6!

In which of the following pairs does the first substance have a higher melting point than the
second?

A
B
C

First
CH3CH2OCH3
(CH3)3CH
RbCl

Second
CH3CH2NHCH3
CH3CH2CH2CH3
KCl

OH

OH
D

HO

OH

The concepts of bond energy, bond length and bond polarity are useful when comparing
the behaviour of similar molecules.
Compared with the HCl molecule, the bond __X__ of the HI molecule is __Y__.
Which pairs of words correctly complete the above sentence?

1
2
3

X
energy
length
polarity

Y
greater
greater
less

In which of the following reactions is the bond angle in the product greater than that in the
reactant?
1
2
3

H2O (l) + H+ (aq) ! H3O+ (aq)

C2H4 (g) + H2 (g) ! C2H6 (g)
CO2 (g) + OH- (aq) ! HCO3- (aq)

Page 10 of 18

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4

Carbon forms double bonds with each of the Group VI elements oxygen, sulfur and
selenium. In each case, the double bond is polar.
In the molecules CO2, COS and COSe, the polarities of these double bonds do not
necessarily cancel.
Overall polarity of molecule
CO2

COS

0.71

COSe

0.73

Which factors could account for these observations?

1
2
3

The C=S bond is more polar than the C=Se bond.

The C=O bond is more polar than the C=S bond.
The C=Se bond is more polar than the C=O bond.

@* H! I1-&! '%! &1$! &.$)5! ')!

$/$+&.()$0-&'2'&'$%! -%! 4$! 0(!
5(4)! &1$! 0.(#:L! K(4! 4'//! &1'%!
-33$+&!&1$!(2$.-//!:(/-.'&8!(3!&1$!
9(/$+#/$L!

In 1985, a molecular form of carbon, C60, called buckerministerfullerene, was discovered in

the products formed when graphite was vapourised. The structure proposed for the
molecule is a roughly spherical collection of atoms in the shape of hexagons and
pentagons, very much like a soccer ball.

Which of the following properties is expected of buckerministerfullerene?

1
2
3

It dissolves in various organic solvents.

It has a high melting and boiling point.
It can conduct electricity.

Page 11 of 18

@* H! M(! )(&! =$! %+-.$5! (33! =8! -!

)(2$/! 9(/$+#/$6! *&#58! &1$!
%&.#+&#.$! +-.$3#//86! K(4! 9-)8!
=()5%! 5($%! $-+1! G! -&(9! 3(.9L!
I1-&! -.$! &1$! +()5'&'()%! 3(.!
%(/#='/'&8<! 1'01! 9:X=:! (.!
$/$+&.'+-/!+()5#+&'2'&8L!!!

Nanyang Junior College

H2/H1 Chemistry

JC1 2014

!
6

When magnesium is burnt in air, a mixture of the ionic solids magnesium oxide, MgO,
and magnesium nitride, Mg3N2, is formed.
a)

Explain why magnesium metal is deformed by an applied force, whereas magnesium

oxide is shattered.
A

@* H!*&.#+&#.$<!=()5')0<!:-.&'+/$%L!
Mg has a giant metallic lattice with strong metallic
bonds between cations and the sea of delocalised electrons. MgO has a giant ionic
lattice of cations and anions with strong ionic bonds between ions.

When a force is applied to Mg, the cation layers slide past one another, but the sea
of delocalised electrons move to prevent repulsion between the cations. Hence, the
metal is deformed.
When a force is applied to MgO, the lattice is displaced slightly and the ions with
similar charge come together and repel. Hence, the lattice breaks apart and shatters.

b)

Use a dot-and-cross diagram to describe the bonding in Mg3N2.

c)

State the factors that affect the magnitude of the lattice energy of an ionic
compound.

Lattice energy |

q+ q
|!
r+ + r

(proportional to product of the ionic charge and inversely proportional to the sum of
the ionic radii)!
q+ and q- represent the charges on the cation and anion, and r+ and r- the ionic
radius of the cation and anion.

d)

How would you expect the magnitudes of the lattice energies of the oxides of the
Group!II elements to vary down the group?
Down group II, the ionic radius of the group II cations increases due to increasing
number of filled electron shells.
The sum of the ionic radii increases and the magnitude of the lattice energy
decreases.

Page 12 of 18

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e)

Suggest how the magnitude of the lattice energy of Mg3N2 might compare to that of
MgO. Explain your answer.
The magnitude of the lattice energy will increase as N3- is triply charged and the
product of the ionic charge will increase. (Charge is a more important factor than
ionic radius.)

Antimony, Sb, is in Group V of the Periodic Table. It forms a series of salts which contain
the SbF5n anion, the structure of which is a square-based pyramid.
Deduce the total number of electrons around the antimony atom, the value of n and the
oxidation number of Sb in this ion. [2]
A

@* H! 7(! (=&-')! -! %;#-.$!

:8.-9'5-/!%&.#+&#.$!?8(#!9'01&!
4-)&! &(! 5.-4! '&! (#&B<! 1(4!
9-)8! $/$+&.()%! 9#%&! &1$.$! =$!
-.(#)5! &1$! +$)&.-/! -&(9L!
U.(9!&1$.$<!1(4!+-)!8(#!4(.>!
(#&! &1$! )#9=$.! (3! 5-&'2$!
=()5%!:.$%$)&L

Total number of electrons around Sb = 12.

(1 lone pair and 5 bond pairs ard Sb since the shape is square pyramidal.)
n = 2, Oxidation number of Sb = +3

Hydrogen cyanide, HCN, is a weak acid that is extremely poisonous and volatile. A
hydrogen cyanide concentration of 300 mg/m3 in air will kill a human within 1060 minutes.
a) Draw the dot and cross diagram for HCN and predict its shape.
A

@* H!I'//!&1$!+$)&.-/!-&(9!=$!K<!G<!
(.!ZL!I18L!

linear about C

b) Draw the structural formula of the cyanide anion formed upon dissociation of HCN in
water. Do you notice anything unusual about it?
A

The negative charge is on the less electronegative C.

(Explain that the cyanide ion is a special case.)

Page 13 of 18

@* H! I1-&! -.$! &1$! :-.&'+/$%!

3(.9$5!()!5'%%(+'-&'()!(3!-!4$->!
-+'5L!

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H2/H1 Chemistry

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!
c) Explain why HCN is so volatile.
HCN has a simple molecular structure with pd-pd interactions between molecules.
These interactions are weak and require little energy to overcome, so low bp, high
volatility.

d) HCN, N2 and CO are isoelectronic. The bond energy of the nitrogen-nitrogen bond in
the nitrogen molecule is 944kJ mol 1, whereas the bond energy of the carbon-oxygen
bond in the carbon monoxide molecule is 1074 kJ mol 1. Explain this observation.

The NN bond is non polar but the CO bond is polar.

There is extra attraction due to partial charges in the
bond.

@* H! I1-&! -.$! &1$! 3-+&(.%!

-33$+&')0!=()5!%&.$)0&1L!

a) Draw structures and state the bond angles for the following particles.
(i) NO2+
(ii) NO3
(iii) N2O5

@* H! K(4! 4'//! ZTJ !

R
-)5! ZTA ! +(9=')$! &(!
3(.9!ZJTEL!!

180

120

120 about N and 105 about O

b) NO2 has a bond angle of 134 and NO2 has a bond angle of 115, although VSEPR
theory predicts that both bond angles should be 120.
Explain.
A

@* H! I18! '%! &1$! =()5! -)0/$!

R
%9-//$.! &1-)! $C:$+&$5! 3(.! ZTJ !
=#&! /-.0$.! &1-)! $C:$+&$5! 3(.!
ZTJL! I1-&! 5($%! \*Q@S! &1$(.8!
%&-&$L!

(Both 2 bp, 1 lp.)

When there are have 3 electron pairs around the central atom, the shape should be
trigonal planar, bond angle 1200.
For NO2-, lp lp repulsion is greater than that of bp bp repulsion. The bond pairs are
forced to go closer to each other, causing the angle to be smaller than 120o.
There is only 1 lone electron on N in NO2 (instead of a lp). 1 lone electron will not exert
as large a repulsion on the bond pairs as compared to a bond pair. Hence, the angle is
smaller than 120o.

Page 14 of 18

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10 It is known that AlCl3 and NH3 react readily.
a) Draw the dot-and-cross diagram of the product of this reaction. Predict the likely shape
of the product.
A

@* H!I1-&!'%!&1$!:.(:$.&8!(3!,lGlA!
&1-&!9->$%!'&!.$-+&'2$L

tetrahedral about Al and N

b) Explain why these two molecules form a product when they react in a molar ratio of
1:1.
NH3 has a lone pair available for donation. AlCl3 is electron deficient and has an
empty, energetically accessible orbital to accept electrons.

c) Similar products may be obtained when the following compounds are reacted together.
Suggest the structures and shapes of their products.
A

(i)

@* H! K(4! '%! P$GlJ! 5'33$.$)&! 3.(9!

,lGlAL!

BeC!2 and NH3

tetrahedral about Be and N

(ii)

BF3 and NaF

@* H! I1-&! '%! &1$! %&.#+&#.$! (3!

Z-UL! I1-&! '%! &1$! &8:$! (3!
+(9:(#)5! &1-&! 4'//! =$! 3(.9$5!
-3&$.!.$-+&'()L!

tetrahedral about B

Page 15 of 18

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H2/H1 Chemistry

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!
11 In 1886, Henri Moissan succeeded in obtaining fluorine by the electrolysis of molten
potassium difluoride, KHF2, which is an ionic compound containing one cation and one
anion.
a) Write the formulae of the ions present in KHF2.
K+, HF2

@* H! I1-&! '%! &1$! 9(%&! /'>$/8!

+-&'()L

b) Suggest a structure for the anion and state what types of bonding occur within it.
A

@* H! 71'%! '%! -! 2$.8! %:$+'-/!

+-%$6! 71')>! -=(#&! &1$!
:-.&'+/$%!&1-&!9->$!#:!&1$!
-)'()6!

c) Explain why KHF2 has a melting point of 239 C, but that of KF and HF are 858 C and
84 C respectively.
KHF2 and KF have giant ionic lattice structure with strong ionic bonds between ions.
HF has a simple molecular structure with hydrogen bonds between molecules.
A lot more energy is required to overcome strong ionic bonds compared to hydrogen
bonds. So HF has the lowest boiling point.
The ionic bond between K+ and F- is stronger than that between K+ and HF2- as the
size of the HF2 ion is larger. More energy is required to overcome, higher boiling
point.

Page 16 of 18

Nanyang Junior College

H2/H1 Chemistry

JC1 2014

!
Z-9$H! ]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]!!
!

G7H!]]]]]]]]]]]!

!!!!!!!M-&$H!]]]]]]]]]]

!
Section C: Assignment (15 marks)
7->$!)(!9(.$!&1-)!JE!9')!&(!+(9:/$&$!&1'%!-%%'0)9$)&6!!

15

Nitrate, NO3-, and phosphate, PO43-, are oxoanions of nitrogen and phosphorus
respectively.
a) Draw dot-and-cross diagrams to show the bonding in NO3- and PO43-. Hence, deduce
the shapes and state the bond angles around the nitrogen and phosphorus atom.
[4]

![1]
Trigonal planar, 120 [1]

[1]
Tetrahedral, 109 [1]

b) Explain why it is not possible for nitrogen to form an oxoanion with a formula of NO43-.
[1]
Nitrogen has no empty and energetically accessible 3d orbitals to expand its octet.

This question is on the properties of halogens and their compounds.

a) Halogens like Cl2 and I2 are soluble in the non-polar solvent CCl4. However, the
interhalogen compound, ICl, is insoluble in CCl4. Explain why.
[2]
Cl2 and I2 are soluble in CCl4 as they can form van der Waals interactions with CCl4.
[1]
ICl is insoluble in CCl4 as the energy released during the formation of vdW interactions
with ICl is not enough to overcome the permanent dipole permanent dipole
interactions between ICl molecules (and vdW forces between CCl4 molecules). [1]

The hydrogen halides undergo thermal decomposition according to the following

equation.
2HX ! H2 + X2 (where X represents the halogen)
b) Why is the rate of thermal decomposition of hydrogen fluoride slower than that of
hydrogen iodide?
[2]
The HF bond is shorter than the HI bond. [1] There is less degree of orbital overlap
and less energy is required to break the bond. [1]

Page 17 of 18

Nanyang Junior College

H2/H1 Chemistry

JC1 2014

!
3

Ethanoic acid, CH3COOH, is the main component of vinegar.

a) Explain, with illustrations, why ethanoic acid is soluble in water.

[2]

@* H! I1-&! -.$! &1$! :(')&%! &(! )(&$!

41$)!5.-4')0!&1$!')&$.-+&'()%L!

Soluble as they can form hydrogen bonds with water [1]

Drawing showing at least 1 H-bond (with +, -, lone pairs, hash lines) [1]

b) Ethanoic acid (Mr = 60.0) is a liquid while magnesium fluoride (Mr = 62) is a solid at
r.t.p. Explain.
[2]
A

@* H!
*&.#+&#.$<!
=()5')0<!
Ethanoic acid has simple molecular structure with
:-.&'+/$%L!G(9:-.$!3(.+$%<!/')>!&(!
hydrogen bonds between molecules.
$)$.08!-)5!=:6!
Magnesium fluoride has giant ionic lattice with Mg2+ and
F ions held together by strong ionic bonds. [1]
More energy is required to overcome the stronger ionic bond so MgF2 has a higher
melting point and is a solid at rtp, while ethanoic acid is a liquid. [1]

c) Ethanoic acid undergoes neutralisation with sodium hydroxide to form sodium

ethanoate.
CH3COOH + NaOH ! CH3COO-Na+ + H2O
Is sodium ethanoate soluble in water? Draw a diagram to explain.

[2]

Soluble. Sodium ethanoate dissociates into its ions in water. These ions can form iondipole interactions with water. [1]

[1]

Page 18 of 18