WAEC SSCE - Chemistry - 1997

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The mass number of an element is the sum of its protons and neutrons. This is because protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus of an atom, and together they contribute most of the mass of an atom. Electrons, on the other hand, are found in the electron shells outside of the nucleus and have negligible mass. Therefore, the mass number is determined by the number of protons and neutrons in an atom, and it helps to identify different isotopes of the same element.

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The best method to separate a mixture of NaCl and CaCO₃ is dissolution followed by filtration. This is because NaCl is soluble in water, while CaCO₃ is not. By dissolving the mixture in water, NaCl will dissolve, while CaCO₃ remains undissolved. Filtration can then be used to separate the insoluble CaCO₃ from the solution containing the dissolved NaCl. The other options are not suitable because sublimation is not effective for separating NaCl and CaCO₃, and dissolution followed by crystallization and evaporation will only work for the soluble component (NaCl) and not the insoluble component (CaCO₃).

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The rate of diffusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its molar mass. This means that the heavier the gas, the slower it diffuses. The molar mass of methane (CH4) is 16, while the molar mass of sulphur (IV) oxide (SO2) is 64. Therefore, the ratio of the square root of the molar masses of methane to sulphur (IV) oxide is: √(64/16) = √4 = 2 This means that sulphur (IV) oxide diffuses at a rate that is 2 times slower than methane under the same conditions. Since it takes methane 20 seconds to diffuse, it will take sulphur (IV) oxide 2 times longer, which is: 20 x 2 = 40 seconds Therefore, the answer is 40 seconds.

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The balanced chemical equation is C(s) + O_2(g) → CO_2(g). From the equation, we can see that 1 mole of carbon reacts with 1 mole of oxygen to produce 1 mole of carbon dioxide. The molar mass of CO₂ is 12 + 2(16) = 44 g/mol. Given that 4.40 g of CO₂ is formed, the number of moles of CO₂ can be calculated as: number of moles = mass / molar mass = 4.40 g / 44 g/mol = 0.1 mol Since 1 mole of oxygen reacts with 1 mole of carbon to produce 1 mole of CO₂, the number of moles of oxygen required is also 0.1 mol. Using the ideal gas equation PV = nRT, we can find the volume of oxygen required at standard temperature and pressure (s.t.p), where P = 1 atm, V = ?, n = 0.1 mol, R = 0.0821 L.atm/K.mol, and T = 273 K: V = nRT / P = 0.1 mol x 0.0821 L.atm/K.mol x 273 K / 1 atm = 2.24 L 1 mole of any gas occupies 22.4 L at s.t.p, so the volume of oxygen required is 2.24 L, which is.

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Maelezo ya Majibu

Physical methods of separation involve the use of physical properties to separate mixtures of substances. Some physical properties that can be used for separation include melting point, solubility, particle size, molar mass, and magnetic property. However, molar mass is not typically used as a basis for separation of mixtures of solids by physical methods, as it is a property that relates to the composition of individual substances, rather than the mixture as a whole. Therefore, the answer is "molar mass."

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An acid is a substance which in the presence of water produces hydroxonium ions. When an acid is dissolved in water, it dissociates into positively charged hydrogen ions (H+) and negatively charged ions. However, since the hydrogen ions are highly reactive, they immediately bond with water molecules to form hydroxonium ions (H3O+). This is why the presence of water is essential for acids to exhibit their acidic properties. The concentration of hydroxonium ions determines the acidity of a solution, and the more hydroxonium ions present, the stronger the acid. Salts, oxygen, effervescence, and hydrogen gas are not typically produced by the reaction between an acid and water.

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Alkanoates are widely used in the manufacture of flavours and perfumes. These are organic compounds that contain the functional group -COO- and are also known as esters. They are often used in the food industry to create fruity or sweet flavours and in the perfume industry to create floral or fruity scents. Alkanones, alkanes, complex sugars, and aliphatic compounds are not commonly used in the manufacture of flavours and perfumes.

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The valence electrons of element 12 (Mg) are in the 3s orbital. Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost energy level (or shell) of an atom. In the case of magnesium, which has an atomic number of 12, the electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s². This means that magnesium has 2 electrons in its 3s orbital, which is its outermost energy level. The 3s orbital is located in the third energy level (or shell) of the magnesium atom. The 1s and 2s orbitals are located in the first and second energy levels, respectively, and the 2p_x and 2p_y orbitals are also located in the second energy level. Valence electrons are important because they are involved in chemical bonding and reactions. In the case of magnesium, having 2 valence electrons in its 3s orbital allows it to form chemical bonds with other atoms by either losing or sharing those electrons. Therefore, the valence electrons of element 12 (Mg) are in the 3s orbital, which is located in the outermost energy level of the atom.

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The substance that would be left on the filter paper if the reaction mixture were filtered is V. The letter "s" in the formula V_(s) means that it is a solid. During filtration, solids are separated from liquids. The other substances, P, Q, R, and T, are either in aqueous or gaseous form, and they would pass through the filter paper. Therefore, V is the only substance that would be left on the filter paper.

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The by-product of the fermentation of sugar to ethanol is carbon dioxide (CO2). During fermentation, sugar is converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide gas. The carbon dioxide gas is a by-product of the reaction and is responsible for the bubbling seen in the fermentation process.

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If the value of ∆H for a reaction is negative, it means that the reaction is exothermic. An exothermic reaction releases heat to the surroundings. ∆H is the change in enthalpy during a reaction, and when ∆H is negative, it means that the products have lower enthalpy than the reactants. This implies that energy is released during the reaction, which results in the increase in temperature of the surroundings. Exothermic reactions are spontaneous, and they occur on their own without any external energy input.

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Lead and tin are the components of "soft solder". Soft solder is a metal alloy that is used to join two metal pieces together, typically in electronics or plumbing applications. The most common composition of soft solder is 60% tin and 40% lead, although there are other compositions that can be used as well. The lead in soft solder helps to reduce the melting point of the alloy, making it easier to work with, while the tin provides strength and durability to the joint. Soft solder is called "soft" because it has a low melting point, usually around 180-190°C, which means it can be melted and applied with a soldering iron or torch. This makes it a useful material for a variety of applications where a strong, durable joint is needed, such as in electrical wiring or plumbing systems.

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Radon is used as a tracer in medical research because it is radioactive. Radon is a noble gas and has a complete valence shell, but its radioactivity makes it useful as a tracer. Radioactive substances can be traced and monitored through the body, which can be useful in medical research to study biological processes or diagnose certain medical conditions. Radon is also advantageous because it is a gas and can easily flow through small spaces, allowing it to be easily inhaled or ingested by the patient being studied.

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An increase in the pressure of a gas results in a decrease in its volume. This is known as Boyle's law, which states that at a constant temperature, the volume of a fixed amount of gas is inversely proportional to its pressure. In other words, as the pressure increases, the volume of the gas decreases and vice versa. This can be explained by the fact that increasing the pressure of a gas means that the gas particles are compressed closer together, resulting in less space between the particles and a smaller volume. Conversely, decreasing the pressure of a gas means that the gas particles are allowed to expand and take up more space, resulting in a larger volume.

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The phenomenon observed when dust particles collide randomly in a beam of sunlight is known as the Tyndall effect. When a beam of light passes through a transparent medium, such as air, the path of the light appears straight and unobstructed. However, when the light passes through a medium containing particles, such as dust or smoke, the path of the light becomes visible and appears as a beam. This phenomenon is known as the Tyndall effect. The Tyndall effect occurs because the particles in the medium scatter the light in all directions, making the beam of light visible. When the scattered light enters the eye, it creates a visible path that appears as a beam of light. In the case of dust particles in a beam of sunlight, the dust particles act as the scattering medium, causing the light to scatter in all directions and making the beam of light visible. This can be observed in everyday situations, such as when dust particles are present in a room and sunlight enters through a window. Therefore, the phenomenon observed when dust particles collide randomly in a beam of sunlight is known as the Tyndall effect, which is caused by the scattering of light by particles in a medium.

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During electrolysis, positively charged ions (cations) migrate towards the negative electrode (cathode), whereas negatively charged ions (anions) migrate towards the positive electrode (anode). Therefore, the ion that will migrate to the cathode depends on the nature of the electrolyte solution and the electrode potential. Out of the options given, zinc ions (Zn²⁺) and tetraoxosulphate (VI) ions (SO₄²⁻) are both cations, which means they will migrate towards the cathode during electrolysis. Chloride ions (Cl⁻), sulphide ions (S²⁻), and trioxonitrate (V) ions (NO₃⁻) are all anions and will move towards the anode during electrolysis. Therefore, the answer to the question is either Zinc ions (Zn²⁺) or Tetraoxosulphate (VI) ions (SO₄²⁻), depending on the specific electrolyte solution and conditions of the electrolysis.

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If an element R belongs to the same group as sodium, then it is likely to have similar properties as sodium. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is an alkali and a base. When a group 1 metal hydroxide dissolves in water, it forms an alkaline solution. Hence, if an aqueous solution of ROH is similar to NaOH, it will also form an alkaline solution. An alkaline solution has a pH greater than 7 and turns red litmus paper blue. Therefore, the correct option is "have pH greater than 7".

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The reaction between alkanoic acids and alkanols in the presence of a mineral acid is known as esterification. In this reaction, an ester is formed as a product. The process involves the removal of a water molecule from the carboxylic acid and the alcohol, forming an ester linkage. The mineral acid acts as a catalyst and helps to speed up the reaction. This reaction is commonly used in the production of fragrances, flavors, and plastics.

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The oxide that does not react with both acids and bases to form salts is carbon (IV) oxide. Carbon (IV) oxide is a neutral oxide, meaning it does not have acidic or basic properties. It does not ionize in water to form H+ or OH- ions and therefore does not react with acids or bases to form salts. Zinc oxide, lead (II) oxide, aluminium oxide and tin (IV) oxide are all basic oxides, which means they react with acids to form salts and with bases to form complex salts or basic salts.

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The element described is likely to be an alkali metal because it is a soft, silvery white solid and reacts violently with water. Alkali metals are located in Group 1 of the periodic table, so the answer is Group 1. Group 1 elements are known for their low densities, low melting points, and high reactivity, particularly with water.

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Ethene undergoes mainly addition reactions because it is unsaturated. This means that it contains a double bond between two carbon atoms, which is a reactive site for the addition of other molecules. In an addition reaction, the double bond is broken and new atoms or groups are added to the carbon atoms of the ethene molecule. This results in the formation of a new compound that contains all the atoms of the original reactants. Addition reactions are characteristic of unsaturated compounds like ethene, which have reactive double or triple bonds that can be easily broken to form new bonds.

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Alkanes react with halogens mainly by substitution. In this type of reaction, one or more atoms or groups in a molecule are replaced by other atoms or groups. In the case of alkanes and halogens, a halogen atom substitutes a hydrogen atom in the alkane molecule, forming a halogenoalkane. The substitution occurs due to the greater reactivity of halogens compared to the alkane's carbon-hydrogen bonds. The process usually requires energy to initiate, such as heat or light. The reaction mechanism involves a free radical mechanism where the halogen molecule breaks into two halogen radicals, which react with alkane molecules to form alkyl radicals and hydrogen halides. The alkyl radicals react with halogen molecules to form halogenoalkanes and regenerate the halogen radicals, which continue the reaction.

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An atom with the electronic configuration 1s²2s²2p₆ has a completely filled valence shell, which means that all of its electrons are paired. Therefore, the number of unpaired electrons in this atom is zero (0).

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Efflorescence is the loss of water of crystallization to the atmosphere by some crystalline salts. This occurs when the salt is exposed to dry air, causing the water molecules to evaporate and leaving the salt in a dry and powdery form. The process is the opposite of hygroscopy, which is the ability of a substance to absorb moisture from the atmosphere. The word "efflorescence" comes from the Latin word "efflorescere," which means "to flower out."

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Bauxite is an ore of aluminium. It is a reddish-brown rock that is mainly composed of aluminum hydroxide minerals. Bauxite is the primary source of aluminium metal, which is used in a variety of industrial applications due to its strength, lightness, and resistance to corrosion. Therefore, option D (Bauxite) is the correct answer.

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The electronic configuration of an element determines its reactivity and bonding behavior. Element X has two valence electrons in its outermost shell while Element Y has seven valence electrons. To achieve stability, Element X needs to lose its two valence electrons to form a cation with a +2 charge, while Element Y needs to gain one electron to form an anion with a -1 charge. This creates an electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions, resulting in an ionic bond. Therefore, the most likely type of bond that Element X and Y will form is an electrovalent or ionic bond.

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Diamond is used in abrasives due to its hardness. Hardness is the ability of a material to resist scratches and abrasions. Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance, meaning that it is extremely difficult to scratch or wear down. Therefore, it is an excellent abrasive material, and it is used in cutting, grinding, and polishing tools.

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When iron (II) ions (Fe²⁺) are oxidized to iron (III) ions (Fe³⁺), they lose one electron each. So, for one mole of Fe²⁺, there are 6.022 x 10²³ ions, and for each ion, one electron is lost during oxidation. Therefore, one mole of Fe²⁺ ions will lose one mole of electrons during oxidation. Therefore, the answer is 1 mole.

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The common feature of reactions at the anode is that oxidation is involved. This means that the substance being oxidized loses electrons, resulting in an increase in its oxidation state. An anode is the positively charged electrode in an electrochemical cell, where oxidation takes place. During the process, the anode becomes negatively charged as electrons are released, leaving behind positively charged ions. Hence, the correct answer is oxidation is involved.

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When chlorine is added to slaked lime, the product obtained is bleaching powder. Bleaching powder is a pale yellow powder with the chemical formula CaOCl2. It is used as a bleaching agent, disinfectant, and for water treatment. Chlorine gas reacts with slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) to form calcium hypochlorite, which is the main component of bleaching powder. The reaction can be represented as follows: Ca(OH)2 + Cl2 → CaOCl2 + H2O Hence, the correct option is (a) bleaching powder.

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Ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom. The higher the ionization energy, the more difficult it is to remove an electron. As we move down Group 1 of the periodic table, the atomic radius increases, and the outermost electron is farther away from the positively charged nucleus. As a result, the ionization energy decreases. Therefore, the element with the smallest atomic radius in Group 1, which is Li, will have the highest ionization energy. Therefore, the answer is: ₃Li.

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The mass number of an atom is the sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons in the nucleus of the atom. Therefore, the mass number of the atom with 17 protons and 18 neutrons is: Mass number = number of protons + number of neutrons = 17 + 18 = 35 Hence, the correct option is 35.

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In linear molecules, the bond angle is 180^o. Linear molecules are those in which all the atoms attached to the central atom are in a straight line. The bond angle is the angle between the two chemical bonds involving the central atom. Since there is a straight line, the angle between the two bonds is 180^o.

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The general method of preparing acids is the reaction between an anhydride and water. An anhydride is a compound that has had water removed from it, usually by heating. When water is added to an anhydride, it undergoes a reaction called hydration, which results in the formation of an acid. This is a general method for preparing acids because many different types of anhydrides can be used, resulting in a wide variety of acids being produced.

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