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THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

Department of Chemistry
Chemistry 123 Midterm Examination
Sample Midterm B Time Limit: 60 minutes

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Check that this examination paper consists of 10 pages total, 7. When handing in your exam, please place all loose
printed on both sides. pages inside the examination paper. This examination
2. Answer all questions on the separate bubble sheet provided. paper will NOT be returned.
Any answers written on this examination 8. Do NOT fold the bubble sheet.

paper will NOT be graded. 9. For bubble responses, completely fill in the bubble in
dark pencil or ink and leave the rest blank:
3. The last page of this examination paper is a sheet of
supplementary information and the Periodic Table. You may
detach this page.
Selecting option “D”
4. The only calculators permitted are the Sharp EL510 series.
All other calculators will be confiscated by the invigilators. 10. If you’ve written in pen and want to change your
response, then draw a neat “X” over the response you
5. Molecular model kits are allowed and may be pre-assembled. do NOT want marked and fill in your new response.
Models cannot have writing/marks on them. Instruction
sheets are NOT permitted.
6. No electronic communication devices are permitted on
writing desks. Your electronics must be powered off and out Pen: Changing an answer from “A” to “C”
of reach.

RULES GOVERNING FORMAL EXAMINATIONS

1. Each examination candidate must be prepared to produce, ii. purposely exposing written papers to the view of other
upon the request of the invigilator or examiner, his or her examination candidates or imaging devices;
UBCcard for identification. iii. purposely viewing the written papers of other
2. Examination candidates are not permitted to ask questions of
examination candidates;
the examiners or invigilators, except in cases of supposed iv. using or having visible at the place of writing any
errors or ambiguities in examination questions, illegible or books, papers or other memory aid devices other than
missing material, or the like. those authorized by the examiner(s); and,
v. using or operating electronic devices including but not
3. No examination candidate shall be permitted to enter the
limited to telephones, calculators, computers, or similar
examination room after the expiration of one-half hour from
devices other than those authorized by the
the scheduled starting time, or to leave during the first half
examiner(s)—(electronic devices other than those
hour of the examination. Should the examination run forty-
authorized by the examiner(s) must be completely
five (45) minutes or less, no examination candidate shall be
powered down if present at the place of writing).
permitted to enter the examination room once the
examination has begun. 6. Examination candidates must not destroy or damage any
examination material, must hand in all examination papers,
4. Examination candidates must conduct themselves honestly
and must not take any examination material from the
and in accordance with established rules for a given
examination room without permission of the examiner or
examination, which will be articulated by the examiner or
invigilator.
invigilator prior to the examination commencing. Should
dishonest behaviour be observed by the examiner(s) or 7. Notwithstanding the above, for any mode of examination
invigilator(s), pleas of accident or forgetfulness shall not be that does not fall into the traditional, paper-based method,
received. examination candidates shall adhere to any special rules for
conduct as established and articulated by the examiner.
5. Examination candidates suspected of any of the following,
or any other similar practices, may be immediately 8. Examination candidates must follow any additional
dismissed from the examination by the examiner/invigilator, examination rules or directions communicated by the
and may be subject to disciplinary action: examiner(s) or invigilator(s).

i. speaking or communicating with other examination

candidates, unless otherwise authorized;

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This page is intentionally blank.

You may use it for rough work.

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PART I. Multiple Choice [26 marks]
For each numbered statement below, identify the letter that corresponds to the best answer. There is only
one correct answer per question. Record your responses on the separate bubble sheet. Only responses
given on the bubble sheet will be marked.

1. [2 marks] A closed system, which contains 2 moles of a diatomic gas, is at equilibrium. Which of the
following is an extensive state variable (state function) of the system?

A. Pressure of the gas

B. Molar mass of the gas
C. Volume of the gas
D. Temperature of the gas
E. None of the above

2. [2 marks] When a piece of dry ice, CO2(s), is placed on a bench at room temperature, it sublimes as
CO2(g). What are the signs of heat and work for this sublimation if CO2(s) is the system?

A. 𝑤 > 0 and 𝑞 > 0

B. 𝑤 > 0 and 𝑞 < 0
C. 𝑤 < 0 and 𝑞 > 0
D. 𝑤 < 0 and 𝑞 < 0
E. 𝑤 = 0 and 𝑞 = 0

3. [2 marks] A system absorbs 28.4 kJ of heat while it does 19.3 kJ of work on the surroundings. What
is the change in internal energy for the system (Esys)?

A. Esys = +47.7 kJ
B. Esys = +9.1 kJ
C. Esys = 0 kJ
D. Esys = 9.1 kJ
E. Esys = 47.7 kJ

4. [2 marks] A 0.0150 mole sample of cyclopropane (C3H6(g), molecular weight = 42.08 g/mol) is
ignited inside a bomb calorimeter which increases the temperature of 2.00 kg of water by 3.86 °C.
The specific heat capacity of water is 4.184 J g-1 °C-1.
What is TRUE for the combustion of this sample of cyclopropane?

A. qcyclopropane = E = 32.3 kJ
B. qcyclopropane = H = 32.3 kJ
C. qcyclopropane =  = 
D. qcyclopropane =  = +32.3 kJ
E. qcyclopropane = H = +32.3 kJ

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5. [2 marks] The equilibrium melting point of water is T = 273 K at P = 1.00 atm. A tray of ice cubes
(the system) is initially at T = 255 K. The tray is left on the counter (T = 298 K), and the ice cubes
melt. Then, the tray is returned to the freezer so that the water freezes and returns to its initial state.
Which of the following is NOT true of this cycle?

A. Tsys = 0
B. Suniv = 0
C. Euniv = 0
D. Hsys = 0
E. Ssys = 0

6. [2 marks] For the process of freezing water at T = 20 °C and P = 1 atm, which of the following is
TRUE?

A. Ssys > 0 and Hsys > 0

B. Ssys > 0 and Hsys < 0
C. Ssys < 0 and Hsys < 0
D. Ssys < 0 and Hsys > 0
E. Ssys = 0 and Hsys = 0

7. [2 marks] Using the tabulated data shown on the right, calculate the S° at T = 298 K
standard change in entropy, S°, for the decomposition of hydrogen Chemical
(J K-1 mol-1)
peroxide, H2O2(l) at T = 298 K and P = 1 bar: H2O2(l) 109.6
2 H2O2(l) → 2 H2O(l) + O2(g) H2O(l) 69.9
O2(g) 205.0
A. S° = +384.5 J K-1
B. S° = +235.2 J K-1
C. S° = +165.3 J K-1
D. S° = +125.6 J K-1
E. S° = +55.7 J K-1

8. [2 marks] A weak organic base (with Kb = 5.6 x 10-4) reacts with water to form its conjugate acid
and OH⁻. Which of the following is TRUE when the base is first added to water at T = 298 K and
P = 1.0 bar?

A. G = 0 and G° = 18.55 kJ/mol

B. G < 0 and G° = +18.55 kJ/mol
C. G > 0 and G° > 0
D. G = 18.55 kJ/mol and G° = 0
E. G = +18.55 kJ/mol and G° < 0

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9. [2 marks] The reaction N2O4(g) ⇌ 2 NO2(g) has H° = 57.2 kJ and S° = 175.7 J/K at T = 298 K.
Assuming that H° and S° are independent of temperature, at what approximate temperature does
the equilibrium constant equal one (K = 1)?

A. T = 273 K
B. T = 305 K
C. T = 326 K
D. T = 357 K
E. It is impossible to make K = 1 for this reaction.

10. [2 marks] A reaction is carried out at 298 K and 1.0 bar and it is found that ∆𝐻 ° = −526 J and
∆𝑆 ° = 3.47 JK −1. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. At equilibrium, there will only be products in the reaction flask

B. At equilibrium, there will only be reactants in the reaction flask
C. At equilibrium, there will be more products than reactants in the reaction flask
D. At equilibrium, there will be more reactants than products in the reaction flask
E. At equilibrium, there will be equal amounts of products and reactants in the reaction flask

11. [2 marks] Given the following van’t Hoff plot, which of the following is correct?

A. This reaction is endothermic and S° < 0

B. This reaction is exothermic and S° < 0
C. This reaction is exothermic and S° > 0
D. This reaction is endothermic and S° > 0
E. None of the above

12. [2 marks] The solution made by dissolving the salt (CH3)3HNCl in water is

A. acidic.
B. basic.
C. neutral.
D. either acidic or basic depending on the amount of (CH3)2H2NCl.
E. either acidic or basic depending on the temperature of the solution.

13. [2 marks] Which mixture below would create the best 150 mL buffer solution at T = 298 K to study
an enzyme that functions best at pH = 7.80?

A. 0.09 mol AMPD acid (pKa = 8.80) and 0.23 mol AMPD conjugate base
B. 0.20 mol MES acid (pKa = 6.10) and 0.40 mol MES conjugate base
C. 0.10 mol MOPS acid (pKa = 7.20) and 0.020 mol MOPS conjugate base
D. 0.17 mol ADA acid (pKa = 6.59) and 0.27 mol ADA conjugate base
E. 0.20 mol TAPS acid (pKa = 8.40) and 0.05 mol TAPS conjugate base

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PART II. Short Answer Questions [16 marks]

Write all answers in the appropriate box on the separate bubble sheet.
Only answers given on the bubble sheet will be marked. You may use the templates and space provided
here for rough work.

14. A cylinder filled with helium (He) gas is initially at T = 25 °C and P = 1.0 atm. It is compressed from
V = 2.0 L to 1.0 L by a constant external pressure of 2.0 atm. The final temperature of the gas (the
system) is 25 °C.

(a) [2 marks] Calculate the work for the system (wsys). Give your answer in joules.

(b) [1 mark] Calculate the heat transfer for the system (qsys). Give your answer in joules.

15. [2 marks] DMF (dimethylformamide, molecular formula C3H7NO, molecular

weight 73.09 g/mol) is a liquid at T = 298 K and commonly used as a polar
aprotic solvent in organic synthesis.

Write the balanced formation reaction for DMF under standard conditions at
T = 298 K in the appropriate box on the separate bubble sheet. Include all
phases and, if necessary, specify allotropes.

Write your final answer in the appropriate box on the bubble sheet. Template for rough work:

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16. [4 marks] Consider the following reaction that produces toluene, C6H5CH3:

7 C(s, graphite) + 4 H2(g) → C6H5CH3(ℓ) Hrxn° = ?

Determine the standard enthalpy of reaction, Hrxn°, for the above reaction at T = 298 K in terms of
the reactions and reaction enthalpies given below (also at T = 298 K).

H 
Reaction
at T = 298 K
1. C6H5CH3(ℓ) + 9 O2(g) → 7 CO2(g) + 4 H2O(ℓ) ∆𝐻1°
2. H2(g) + ½ O2(g) → H2O(g) ∆𝐻2°
3. C(s, graphite) + O2(g) → CO2(g) ∆𝐻3°
4. H2O(ℓ) → H2O(g) ∆𝐻4°

You may use this space for rough work.

Write your final answer in the appropriate box on the bubble sheet. Template for rough work:

∆𝑯°𝒓𝒙𝒏,𝟐𝟗𝟖𝑲 = ______ ∆𝐻1° + ______ ∆𝐻2° + ______ ∆𝐻3° + ______ ∆𝐻4°

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17. Benzoic acid, C6H5COOH, is a weak acid with Ka = 6.4 x 10-5 at T = 298 K. The acid-dissociation
reaction is:
C6H5COOH(aq) + H2O(ℓ) ⇌ H3O+(aq) + C6H5COO¯(aq)

In the appropriate box on the separate bubble sheet, show your work and give your final answer.
You may use this space for rough work.

(a) [2 marks] What is the value of G° for this reaction at T = 298 K? Give your answer in kJ/mol.

(b) [3 marks] While preparing a 0.50 M benzoic acid solution, an instantaneous pH reading
indicated that the pH = 4.3. Calculate the reaction quotient, Q, for the solution at the instant the
pH reading was made.

END OF EXAMINATION
Ensure all answers are on the bubble sheet.
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Supplementary Information/Equation Sheet

Useful Equations

∆𝐸 = 𝑞 + 𝑤 or ∆𝑈 = 𝑞 + 𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 = 𝑘[𝐴]𝑚 [𝐵]𝑛

𝑘𝐵 𝑇 −∆𝐺ǂ
𝐻 = 𝐸 + 𝑃𝑉 or 𝐻 = 𝑈 + 𝑃𝑉 𝑘= 𝑒 𝑅𝑇
ℎ

𝑞𝑟𝑒𝑣 −𝐸𝑎
∆𝑆 = 𝑘 = 𝐴𝑒 𝑅𝑇
𝑇

𝐺 = 𝐻 − 𝑇𝑆 [𝐴]𝑡 − [𝐴]0 = −𝑘𝑡

[𝐴]𝑡
∆𝐺 = ∆𝐺° + 𝑅𝑇 ln 𝑄 = 𝑒 −𝑘𝑡
[𝐴]0

1 1
∆𝐺° = −𝑅𝑇 ln 𝐾 − = 𝑘𝑡
[𝐴]𝑡 [𝐴]0

[𝐻3 𝑂+ ][𝐴− ] [𝐴− ]

𝐾𝑎 = 𝑝𝐻 = 𝑝𝐾𝑎 + log ( )
[𝐻𝐴] [𝐻𝐴]

Useful Constants and Conversion Factors

Kelvins = degrees Celsius + 273.15 R = 8.314 J K1 mol1 = 0.0821 L atm K1 mol1

1 atm = 760 mmHg = 760 torr = 101.3 kPa = 1.01 bar NA = 6.02 x 1023 mol-1

1 L atm = 101.3 J kB = 1.38 x 10-23 J/K

1 cal = 4.184 J h = 6.626 x 10-34 Js

Kw = 1.00  1014 at 25°C (298.15 K)

Specific heat capacity H2O, c = 4.184 J g-1 K-1

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