DP Chemistry (first assessment 2025)

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Question 23M.2.SL.TZ2.4

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Date May 2023 Marks available [Maximum mark: 8] Reference code 23M.2.SL.TZ2.4
Level SL Paper 2 Time zone TZ2
Command term Calculate, Deduce, Identify, Outline, State Question number 4 Adapted from N/A
4.
[Maximum mark: 8]
23M.2.SL.TZ2.4

The periodic table provides information about electron configuration, and physical and chemical properties of elements.

(a)

Bismuth has atomic number 83. Deduce two pieces of information about the electron configuration of bismuth from its position on the periodic table.

[2]

Markscheme

Any two of the following:
«group 15 so Bi has» 5 valence electrons ✓
«period 6 so Bi has» 6 «occupied» electron shells/energy levels ✓
«in p-block so» p orbitals are highest occupied ✓
occupied d/f orbitals ✓
has unpaired electrons ✓
has incomplete shell(s)/subshell(s) ✓

Award [1] for full or condensed electron configuration, [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p3.

Accept other valid statements about the electron configuration.

(b)

Outline why aluminium is malleable.

[1]

Markscheme

«layers of» cations slide over each other without disrupting bonding
OR
attraction between metal ions and delocalized electrons/metallic bonding is not disrupted by changing position of metal ions
OR
metallic bonds are non-directional
OR
changing the shape does not disrupt the bonding ✓

(c)

An 11.98 g block of pure aluminium was heated. Calculate the heat energy absorbed, in J, to increase its temperature from 18.0 °C to 40.0 °C. The specific heat capacity of aluminium is 0.902 J g−1 K−1.

[1]

Markscheme

«heat energy = 11.98 g × 0.902 J g−1 K−1 × 22.0 K =» 238 «J» ✓

(d)

Argon has three naturally occurring isotopes, 36Ar, 38Ar and 40Ar.

(d.i)

Identify the technique used to determine the relative proportions of the isotopes of argon.

[1]

Markscheme

mass spectrometry
OR
mass spectroscopy
OR
mass spectrum
OR
MS ✓

The isotopic composition of a sample of argon is 0.34 % of 36Ar, 0.06 % of 38Ar and 99.6 % of 40Ar.

(d.ii)

Calculate the relative atomic mass of this sample, giving your answer to two decimal places.

[2]

Markscheme

(0.0034 × 36) + (0.0006 × 38) + (0.996 × 40) ✓
39.99 ✓

Do not accept 39.96 which is the data booklet value.

M2 can only be awarded for answer with 2 decimal places.

Award [2] for correct final answer.

(e)

State the full electron configuration of the cobalt (II) ion, Co2+.

[1]

Markscheme

1s2 2s22p6 3s23p63d7 ✓