Question 110 marks
Question
Some metal carbonates occur in a basic form which means that the metal hydroxide is also present. The formula of one form of basic zinc carbonate is ZnCO3•2Zn(OH)2•xH2O, where x is an integer. In this experiment you will carry out a thermal decomposition to find the relative formula mass, Mr, and the value of x for a sample of basic zinc carbonate. FA 1 is basic zinc carbonate, ZnCO3•2Zn(OH)2•xH2O. (a) Method ● Weigh the empty crucible with its lid. Record the mass. ● Transfer all the FA 1 from the container into the crucible. ● Weigh the crucible, lid and FA 1. Record the mass. ● Place the crucible and contents on a pipe-clay triangle. ● Heat the crucible gently, with the lid on, for approximately 1 minute. ● Heat strongly, with the lid off, for a further 4 minutes. ● Replace the lid and leave the crucible to cool for at least 5 minutes. While the crucible is cooling you may wish to begin work on Question 2 or 3. ● When the crucible is cool, weigh the crucible with its lid and contents. Record the mass. ● Place the crucible and contents on the pipe-clay triangle. Remove the lid. ● Heat the crucible strongly for a further 2 minutes. ● Replace the lid and leave the crucible to cool for at least 5 minutes. ● When the crucible is cool, reweigh the crucible with its lid and contents. Record the mass. ● Calculate and record the mass of FA 1 used. ● Calculate and record the mass of residue obtained. Results I II III IV V [5] (b) Calculations The equation for the thermal decomposition is shown. ZnCO3•2Zn(OH)2•xH2O(s) 3ZnO(s) + CO2(g) + (x + 2)H2O(g) (i) Calculate the amount, in mol, of zinc oxide, ZnO, formed after heating. amount of ZnO = …… mol Hence, calculate the amount, in mol, of basic zinc carbonate in your sample of FA 1. amount of ZnCO3•2Zn(OH)2•xH2O = …… mol [1] (ii) Use your answer to (b)(i) and your results in (a) to calculate the relative formula mass, Mr, of basic zinc carbonate, FA 1. Mr of ZnCO3•2Zn(OH)2•xH2O = …… [1] (iii) Use the Periodic Table to calculate the relative formula mass, Mr, of ZnCO3•2Zn(OH)2. Mr of ZnCO3•2Zn(OH)2 = …… [1] (iv) Use your answers to (b)(ii) and (b)(iii) to determine the value of x in ZnCO3•2Zn(OH)2•xH2O. Show your working. x = …… [2] [Total: 10]
Mark scheme
1(a) I Table or list of correct headings for 4 balance readings: 1 • (mass of) crucible (and lid) • (mass of) crucible (and lid) and FA 1 / contents before heating • (mass of) crucible (and lid) and residue / contents after heating (not FA 1) • (mass of) crucible (and lid) and residue / contents after re-heating (not FA 1) II Recording of readings – all 3 bullets required: 1 • Unambiguous unit for all data is recorded • All weighings recorded to same number of decimal places (2 or more) • 4th weighing is ⩽ 0.05 g less than 3rd and is not more than 0.03 g greater than 3rd III Correct subtractions of masses 1 Masses of FA 1 and residue are correct. IV, V Accuracy (Q) marks • Examiner must check and correct (if necessary) the masses of FA 1 used and of residue obtained by supervisor and by candidate • Calculate (mass of FA 1) / (mass of residue) for the supervisor to 2 dp • Write this ratio, in a ring, on the candidate script • Calculate (mass of FA 1) / (mass of residue) for the candidate to 2 dp • Calculate δ, the difference between these two ratios Award IV if δ ⩽ 0.25 1 Award V if ⩽ 0.10 1 1(b)(i) Correctly calculates of moles of zinc oxide: 1 n(ZnO) = mass of residue / 81.4 and Correctly uses n(ZnO) to calculate moles of ZnCO3•2Zn(OH)2•xH2O: n(ZnO) / 3 and both answers given to 2–4 sf 1(b)(ii) Correctly uses (b)(i) to calculate Mr of ZnCO3•2Zn(OH)2•xH2O: 1 mass of FA 1 / final answer (b)(i) and answer given to 2–4 sf 1(b)(iii) Correctly calculates Mr as 324.2 1 1(b)(iv) M1 shows use of: 1 (b)(ii) – (b)(iii) / 18 M2 answer given correctly rounded to the nearest integer value 1