Scribd
Upload
9 views3 pages

JUNE2010ER5

Uploaded by

ngwenyatobyn7
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
9 views3 pages

JUNE2010ER5

Uploaded by

ngwenyatobyn7
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

CHEMISTRY

SUBJECT 9189

PAPER 5

GENERAL COMMENTS

Generally candidates did well in this paper showing that they may have been adequate
preparation of candidates by their centres though a few centres did not do well. It was
encouraging to note that almost all the candidates were ale to complete the paper as
previously some candidates failed to do so.

QUESTION 1

(a) Most candidates were able to create a titration table of results, an obvious area
where candidates were always provided in the past. Very weak candidates,
however, were unable to produce a correct tabulation of results with units,
correct order, etc. Careless candidates did not record their burette readings to
two decimal and did not show at least two FA2 volumes within 0,1 cm3 range as
expected by the question. It is important for teachers and tutors to emphasise
the need for a calculated average titre of at least two FA2 values which are
within 0,1 cm3. Accuracy marks were awarded by comparing the supervisor’s
average titre to that of the candidate, since this was a direct titration. The marks
ranged from 12 marks for a difference of up to 0,08 falling to zero for a
difference of greater than 0,96. For candidates to be awarded mars fairly and
accurately, it is important for supervisors to perform the titration experiment at
the same time and conditions as the candidates not before or after the
examination session.

(b) Almost all the candidates got this calculation correct.

QUESTION 1 (c)

(i) Candidates did not have any difficulty in writing a balanced equation of reaction.
Only a few candidates wrote the following incorrect equation.

Na2CO3 + 2HCl NaHCO3 + NaCl

The correct equation was: Na2CO3 + 2HCl NaCl + CO2 + H2O or


CO32-(aq) + 2H+ (aq) H2O(l) + CO2(g)

1
(ii) Quite a number of candidates were able to divide the number of moles of (b) by
half to get the number of moles of FA1 but did not proceed to find the number of
moles of FA1 in 1dm3 as required by the question.

(d) This was a giveaway question for all candidates serve for a very few careless
ones.

(e) Most candidates performed very badly on this Assessment of Planning Skills
question. A majority of those who attempted it thought that it was an Energetic
question where they were supposed to calculate the enthalpy change of the
reaction by mixing the two reagents and noting the temperature change just
one. The question was actually a titration question where the ‘indicator’ was a
thermometer. Hydrochloric acid was supposed to be added into a plastic cup.

A series of known volumes of Na2CO3 added until the temperature was constant
with temperature being recorded after each addition. A plot of temperature
against volume of Na2CO3 would be done and the volume of Na2CO3 at maximum
temperature taken, this was then used to calculate the concentration of Na2CO3
since the amount of hydrochloric acid would have been calculated using the
given concentration and the known volume of hydrochloric acid added into the
plastic cup.

QUESTION 2

(a) Some candidates were unable o give the correct colour observations on mixing
the reagents. The correct descriptions for the colours for the resulting solutions
were blood red or brick red not ‘brown’

(b) Most candidates did very well on this part but only a few careless candidates
stated that the solution(s) became ‘whole’ or clear instead of colourless. It is
important for teachers to emphasise that the word ‘colourless’ and clear are nto
synonymous.

QUESTION 2 (c)

(i) This was a classical example of an application of the theory on equilibrium.


Quite a number of candidates got this correct and went on to explain the effects
of increasing reactants on the equilibrium.

2
(ii) Poor candidates stated that NaF was a catalyst yet it was evident from the
experimental results that it changed the solution to colourless. The correct
answer was that NaF was removing Fe3+ from the solution or one of the ions the
solution and the effect was that the equilibrium would shift to the left or
[FeSCN-]3+ dissociated hence it became colourless.

You might also like