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A-LevelChemistryAtomic structure9701/21 · May/June 2020 · Q18 Marks

Gallium is a metal in Group 13 of the Periodic Table.

  1. (a)(i)State, with reference to subatomic particles, how the isotopes ⁶⁹Ga and ⁷¹Ga differ from each other.[1]
  2. (a)(ii)State what further information is needed to calculate the relative atomic mass of gallium.[1]
  3. (b)(i)At 500°C, gallium trichloride is a gas. Suggest the type of attraction that exists at 500 °C • between atoms within a gallium trichloride molecule • between gallium trichloride molecules.[2]
  4. (b)(ii)When gallium trichloride is cooled a solid, Ga₂Cl₆, forms. Suggest the name of the attraction formed between two gallium trichloride molecules to form Ga₂Cl₆.[1]
  5. (c)(i)Suggest an equation to describe the reaction occurring when gallium metal is exposed to air.[2]
  6. (c)(ii)The table gives the formula of each gallium-containing product formed when gallium oxide reacts separately with hot aqueous hydrochloric acid and hot aqueous sodium hydroxide. formula of gallium-containing product hot aqueous hydrochloric acid GaCl₃ hot aqueous sodium hydroxide NaGa(OH)₄ Give the name of the type of behaviour shown by gallium oxide in these reactions.[1]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [1] (different) number of neutrons.
  2. [1] the relative abundance / % abundance of (each) the isotopes.
  3. [M1] attractions between atoms within a gallium trichloride molecule covalent (bonds)
  4. [M2] attractions between gallium trichloride molecules temporary induced dipoles
  5. [1] coordinate / dative (covalent)
  6. [M1] correct formula of Ga₂O₃
  7. [M2] correctly balanced equation based on Ga + O₂ and formula of gallium oxide in M1
  8. [1] amphoteric

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About this question

Topic
Atomic structure, A-Level Chemistry (syllabus 9701). Structured question, 8 marks.
Source
A-Level Chemistry, May/June 2020 Paper 2 Variant 1, question 1.

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