DP Chemistry (last assessment 2024)

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Question 20N.2.hl.TZ0.6b

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Date November 2020 Marks available [Maximum mark: 3] Reference code 20N.2.hl.TZ0.6b
Level hl Paper 2 Time zone TZ0
Command term Explain Question number b Adapted from N/A
b.
[Maximum mark: 3]
20N.2.hl.TZ0.6b
(b)

The electron configuration of copper makes it a useful metal.

Explain why a copper(II) solution is blue, using section 17 of the data booklet.

[3]

Markscheme

orange light is absorbed «and the complementary colour is observed» ✔

Any TWO from:
partially filled d-orbitals ✔
«ligands/water cause» d-orbitals «to» split ✔
light is absorbed as electrons move to a higher energy orbital «in d–d transitions»
OR
light is absorbed as electrons are promoted ✔
energy gap corresponds to «orange» light in the visible region of the spectrum ✔

Examiners report

Many students were able to fully explain why solutions containing Cu2+ appear blue, however the misconception between absorption and emission spectra is still quite evident.

Syllabus sections