DSE CHEM MASTERY

Topic Challenge
2. Microscopic World I
Part 2

Marking Scheme

ATTENTION

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INSTRUCTIONS TO MARKERS
1. In order to maintain a uniform standard in marking, markers should adhere to the marking scheme agreed at

the markers meeting.

2. The marking scheme may not exhaust all possible answers for each question. Markers should exercise their

professional discretion and judgment in accepting alternative answers that are not in the marking scheme but

are correct and well-reasoned.

3. The following symbols are used:

/ A single slash indicates an acceptable alternative within an answer.

* Step-mark (for questions involving calculations)
Correct spelling required

4. In questions asking for a specified number of reasons or examples etc. and a candidate gives more than the

required number, the extra answers should not be marked. For instance, in a question asking candidates to

provide two examples, and if a candidate gives three answers, only the first two should be marked.

5. In cases where a candidate answers more questions than required, the answers to all questions should be

marked. However, the excess answer(s) receiving the lowest score(s) will be disregarded in the calculation of

the final mark.

6. Award zero marks for answers which are contradictory.

7. Chemical equations should be balanced except those in reaction schemes for organic synthesis. For energetics,

the chemical equations given should include the correct state symbols of the chemical species involved.

8. In the question paper, questions which assess candidates communication skills are marked with an asterisk

(*). For these questions, the mark for effective communication (1 mark per question) will be awarded if

candidates can produce answers which are easily understandable. No marks for effective communication will

be awarded if the answers produced by candidates contain a lot of irrelevant materials and/or wrong concepts

in chemistry.

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MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Question 1

An atom of X gains 3 electrons to form and anion X3- with an electronic arrangement 2,8. Hence the electronic
arrangement of an atom of X is 2,5. Element X is nitrogen.

A. False. X belongs to Group V of the periodic table.

B. False. X is a gas at room temperature and pressure.

C. True. X exists as diatomic molecules, F2.

D. False. X and fluorine are non-metals. They combine to form a covalent compound.

X 3 X3- 2 8 X 2 5 X

A. X V

B. X 順 順

C. X

D. X

Question 2

Element X is fluorine and element Y is aluminium.

The chemical formula of the compound formed between aluminium and fluorine is AlF3

Formula mass of AlF3: 27.0 × 19.0 × 3 = 84.0

X Y

AlF3

AlF3 27.0 × 19.0 × 3 = 84.0

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Question 3

Chlorine and bromine are Group VII elements.

(1) True. Each chlorine/bromine atom has 7 outermost shell electrons. It gains 1 electron to obtain a stable electronic
arrangement (octet structure). An ion carrying 1 negative charge is formed.

(2) True. Each chlorine/bromine atom can obtain a stable electronic arrangement by sharing one of its outermost
shell electrons with another chlorine/bromine atom. Hence chlorine/bromine exists as diatomic molecules, Cl2
and Br2.

(3) Incorrect. They have simple molecular structure.

VII

(1) / 7 1 1

(2) / / /

(3)

Question 4

Quartz has a giant covalent structure. To melt quartz, a lot of heat is needed to overcome the strong covalent bonds
between the atoms. Therefore quartz has a high melting point.

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Question 5

A. True. For a substance with a simple molecular structure. The attractive forces between the molecules are weak.
Little heat is needed to separate the molecules. Hence the substance has low melting and boiling points.

B. False. A substance with a simple molecular structure is generally quite soluble in non-aqueous solvents (e.g.
acetone).

C. False. The substance melts at −10℃ and boils at 58℃. Hence it is a liquid at room temperature and pressure.

D. False. Substances with simple molecular structures do not conduct electricity.

A.

B. 順 順

C. −10℃ 58℃ 順 順

D.

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Question 6

Element Atomic number Name of element Electronic arrangement of atom

X 8 Oxygen 2,6
Y 9 Fluorine 2,7
X and Y are non-metals. They combine to form a covalent compound Z.

A. True. They chemical formula of Z is XY2 (OF2).

B. True. Z is formed by electron sharing as the bonding formed between atoms are covalent bonds.

C. True. van der Waals forces exist between molecules of Z.

D. False. Z is a gas at room temperature and pressure.

X Y Z

A. Z XY2 (OF2)

B. Z ,

C. Z

D. Z順 順

Question 7

Option Substance Bonding type

(1) Copper, Mercury, iron Metallic bonding
(2) Dry ice, Nitrogen dioxide, Water Covalent bonding
(3) Copper(II) chloride Ionic bonding
Hydrogen chloride Covalent bonding
Zinc chloride Ionic bonding

(1)
(2)
(3) II

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Question 8

(1) False. It is because of the weak van der Waals forces exist between layers of carbon in it. Hence the layers can
easily slide over each other.

(2) True. Graphite has a layered structure. Within each layer, each carbon atom is covalently bonded to 3 other carbon
atoms. To melt graphite, the covalent bonds between atoms must be overcome. Graphite has a high melting point;
meaning that a lot of heat is needed to overcome the covalent bonds. The fact that graphite has a high melting
point is an evidence to support that covalent bonds are strong.

(3) False. Graphite can conduct electricity due to the presence of delocalized electrons instead of the strong covalent
bond.

(1)

(2) 3
;

(3)

Question 9

Potassium forms K+, while sulphur forms S2-. K2S will be formed from these 2 ions. Both of them attain the electronic
arrangement of 2, 8, 8 after becoming ions.

(K+) (S2-) K2S, K+ S2- 2, 8, 8

Question 10

Zero electrical conductivity of solution rules out giant ionic structure and giant metallic structure, because both can
conduct electricity in solution form due to mobile ions and delocalized electrons respectively. The low melting point
rules out giant covalent structure. The answer is D. simple molecular structure.

, ,

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LONG QUESTIONS

Question 1

Mark

The O atom in H2O has lone pairs of electrons. 1

H+ does not have electrons in its outermost shell. 1

Dative covalent bond is formed when a lone pair of electrons on O atom in H2O is donated to H+. 1

(Not accept: share)

(Accept: H+ accepts a lone pair of electrons from O atom in H2O)

H2O O 1

H+ 1

H2O O H+ , 1

( : / )

( : H+ H2O O )

Performance
Question 1

Q1) Most students understand the concept of dative covalent bond.

However, about 2/3 of students fail to answer all 3 points comprehensively, leading to minor mark loss.

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Question 2

Mark

(a) SiO! has a giant covalent structure / giant covalent network. 1

The (Si and O) atoms are linked by strong covalent bond. / 1

Si/Silicon and O/oxygen atoms are linked by strong covalent bond.

(Not accept: Si / O ions)

(b) Quartz 1

(Accept: silicon dioxide / SiO! / silica / silicate) (Not accept: sand)

(c) 1

(a) SiO! / 2

Si O

Si / O/

Si / O

(b) 1

/ SiO! /
(c) 1

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Performance
Question 2

Q2a) Most students can state the correct bond and structure of SiO2.

Yet, large number of students cannot precisely mention the location of covalent bond, i.e., between Si and O atoms,
gang whilst part of the students wrote the wrong location, e.g., between ions.

2b) Students can answer correctly.

2c) Some students cannot identify the correct type of electron diagram.

(e.g., drawing electron diagram for ionic compound)

Most students who draw the correct type of electron diagram can draw the number of electrons precisely.

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Question 3

Mark

(a) (i) Layers of graphite are held together by weak van der Waals' forces / weak intermolecular forces 1
only

(ii) Yes, graphene has delocalized electrons. 1

(Accept: electrons in graphene are not localized / mobile electrons / electrons flow.)

(Not accepted: No, electrons / sea of electrons / free electrons)

(iii) 1

(Accept any symbols of electrons. ignore shape)

Not accepted. Showing electrons of the inner shells

(b) No. Graphene layers are made up of a giant covalent structure. 1

There are strong covalent bonds between (carbon/C) atoms. 1

Not accepted Yes.

(a) (i) / 1

(ii) / / 1

/ /

(iii) 1

(b) 1

Performance
Question 3

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Q3a(i) & (ii) Almost all students can answer correctly.

Q3a(iii) Only small number of students can accurately draw the electron diagram. Students tend to either draw incorrect
number of outermost shell electrons or forgot the existence of double bond between C and O.

Q3b) Same as question 2a. Large number of students lost marks due to the absence of precise location of covalent bond.

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Question 4

Mark

Order of boiling point: nitrogen < bromine < aluminium/N2 < Br2 < Al 1

Since Al has giant metallic structure with strong metallic bond between Al3+ ions and delocalized electrons, 1
while both N2 and Br2 have simple molecular structure with weak van der Waals force between molecules.
Al has the highest boiling point.

Since Br2 has a larger molecular size than N2, its van der Waals force between molecules is stronger and it 1
has a higher boiling point than N2.

< < 1

Al Al3+ N2 Br2 1
Al

Br2 N2 N2 Br2 N2 1
N2

Performance
Question 4

Q4) Generally, students can identify the order of boiling point. Yet, of students mis-state the order in descending
manner.

Students mostly don t have the habit of answering 1. bonding 2. structure of chemicals 3. location at the same time.

(e.g., Simple molecular structure with Van Der Waals force between molecules), leading to incomplete answers.

But most students possess the ability to write their answers in paragraph and with organization.

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