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Question 20N.2.hl.TZ0.5f(ii)

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Date November 2020 Marks available [Maximum mark: 2] Reference code 20N.2.hl.TZ0.5f(ii)
Level hl Paper 2 Time zone TZ0
Command term Justify, Predict Question number f(ii) Adapted from N/A
f(ii).
[Maximum mark: 2]
20N.2.hl.TZ0.5f(ii)

A student performs a titration to determine the concentration of ethanoic acid, CH3COOH, in vinegar using potassium hydroxide.

(f(ii))

Potassium hydroxide solutions can react with carbon dioxide from the air. The solution was made one day prior to using it in the titration.

Predict, giving a reason, the effect of this error on the calculated concentration of ethanoic acid in 5(e).

 

[2]

Markscheme

CH3COOH would be higher ✔

actual KOH is lower «than the value in calculation»
OR
larger volume of KOH «solution» needed to neutralize the acid ✔

Accept KOH partially neutralised by CO2 from air.

Examiners report

Most candidates identified that the systematic error would result in the concentration of the alkali being lowered but then failed to propagate this through to the effect on the concentration of the acid.