A student does an experiment to determine the percentage of copper in an alloy - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 6 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 6
A student does an experiment to determine the percentage of copper in an alloy. The student
- reacts 985 mg of the alloy with concentrated nitric acid to form a solu... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A student does an experiment to determine the percentage of copper in an alloy - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 6 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
Calculate the percentage of copper by mass in the alloy.
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Answer
To calculate the percentage of copper, we need to determine the amount of copper in the 25.0 cm³ portion of the solution.
Calculate moles of sodium thiosulfate used:
M=C⋅V
where C=0.0800moldm−3 and V=90.0cm3=0.0900dm3.
M=0.0800moldm−3×0.0900dm3=7.20×10−3mol
Calculate moles of iodine reacted:
Since 2 moles of sodium thiosulfate react with 1 mole of iodine:
extMolesofI2=27.20×10−3=3.60×10−3mol
Calculate moles of copper:
From the reaction, we know that 1 mole of iodine reacts with 2 moles of copper:
Thus, the percentage of copper by mass in the alloy is approximately 46.4%.
Step 2
State the role of iodine in the reaction with sodium thiosulfate.
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Answer
Iodine acts as an oxidizing agent in the reaction with sodium thiosulfate, which means it accepts electrons during the reaction.
Step 3
Give the full electron configuration of a copper(II) ion.
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The full electron configuration for a copper(II) ion (Cu²⁺) is:
[Ar]3d9,
indicating that it has lost two electrons from its outer shell.
Step 4
Explain why copper(I) iodide is white.
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Copper(I) iodide is white because it reflects visible light without absorbing specific wavelengths. Its electronic structure does not allow it to absorb light in the visible spectrum.
Step 5
Calculate the volume, in cm³, that 5.00 g of iodine vapour occupies at 185 °C and 100 kPa.
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To find the volume occupied by iodine vapour:
Using the Ideal Gas Law:
PV=nRT
where:
P=100kPa=100,000Pa
R=8.31JK−1mol−1
T=185°C=185+273.15K=458.15K
Calculate moles of iodine (I₂):
The molar mass of iodine (I₂) is approximately 253.81 g/mol:
n=253.81g/mol5.00g≈0.0197mol
Calculate volume (V):
Rearranging the Ideal Gas Law:
V=PnRT=100000Pa0.0197mol×8.31JK−1mol−1×458.15K≈0.750m3=750cm3.
Thus, the volume occupied by 5.00 g of iodine vapour at 185 °C and 100 kPa is approximately 750 cm³.