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A-LevelChemistryChemical periodicity9701/22 · May/June 2025 · Q116 Marks

Diamond and graphite are both crystalline solids made from carbon atoms. Graphite conducts electricity. Diamond does not conduct electricity.

  1. (a)(i)Name the type of lattice structure present in the crystalline solids diamond and graphite.[1]
  2. (a)(ii)Explain how graphite conducts electricity.[1]
  3. (a)(iii)Explain why diamond does not conduct electricity.[1]
  4. (b)(i)Separate samples of phosphorus(V) chloride and silicon(IV) chloride are each added to an excess of cold water. Write an equation for each reaction.[2]
  5. (b)(ii)Describe the appearance of phosphorus(V) chloride and silicon(IV) chloride at room temperature. phosphorus(V) chloride silicon(IV) chloride[2]
  6. (b)(iii)Compare the appearance of the mixtures produced when each reaction is complete.[2]
  7. (c)(i)Some oxides are amphoteric. Describe what is meant by amphoteric.[1]
  8. (c)(ii)Identify the formula of a Period 3 oxide that is amphoteric.[1]
  9. (d)(i)The melting points of different oxides are shown in Table 1.1. Table 1.1 oxide | melting point/°C | force of attraction broken during melting SO2 | -73 | H2O | 0 | SiO2 | 1610 | Na2O | 1132 | MgO | 2852 | Complete Table 1.1 by identifying the strongest force of attraction in each oxide that is broken during melting. Use the abbreviations below. i.d. = instantaneous dipole-induced dipole p.d. = permanent dipole-permanent dipole H = hydrogen bond C = covalent bond I = ionic bond[3]
  10. (d)(ii)A student suggests the following hypothesis. The stronger the covalent bond between atoms in non-metal oxides, the higher the melting point. Use Table 1.1 to deduce if this hypothesis is true or false or if there is not enough information to make a conclusion. Explain your answer.[2]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. 1(a)(i) (both) giant molecular
  2. 1(a)(ii) delocalised electrons move through the structure OR delocalised electrons move through / between the layers
  3. 1(a)(iii) no delocalised electrons (to carry charge through the structure) OR all (4) outer electrons are used in bonding
  4. 1(b)(i) PC15 +4H2O → H3PO4 + 5HCl
  5. 1(b)(i) SiCl4 + 2H2O → SiO2 + 4HCl
  6. 1(b)(ii) M1 phosphorus(V) chloride white / yellow solid
  7. 1(b)(ii) M2 silicon(IV) chloride colourless liquid
  8. 1(b)(iii) M1 (phosphorus(V) chloride) produces colourless solution
  9. 1(b)(iii) M2 silicon(IV) chloride produces white suspension / white precipitate (in a colorless liquid / mixture / solution)
  10. 1(c)(i) species behaves as acid and base OR species reacts with (both) acid and base
  11. 1(c)(ii) Al2O3
  12. 1(d)(i) SO2 -73 pd
  13. 1(d)(i) H2O 0 H
  14. 1(d)(i) SiO2 1600 C
  15. 1(d)(i) Na2O 1132 I
  16. 1(d)(i) MgO 2852 I
  17. 1(d)(ii) M1 not enough information
  18. 1(d)(ii) M2 SO2 and / or H2O break intermolecular forces OR SO2 and / or H2O does not break covalent bonds OR only SiO2 breaks covalent bonds

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About this question

Topic
Chemical periodicity, A-Level Chemistry (syllabus 9701). Structured question, 16 marks.
Source
A-Level Chemistry, May/June 2025 Paper 2 Variant 2, question 1.

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