The hydrolysis of urea, (NH₂)₂CO, Mr = 60, is shown by the equation. The reaction is catalysed by the enzyme urease, when present in low concentrations.
(NH₂)₂CO + 2H₂O → 2NH₄⁺ + CO₃²⁻
The formation of the NH₄⁺ and CO₃²⁻ ions increases the conductivity of the solution. The increase in conductivity over time can be measured and the rate of hydrolysis can be determined from this.
A student plans to carry out this reaction using a 50 cm³ sample of 5.00 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ urea solution.

Q: What topic does this question test?

This question tests Reaction kinetics in A-Level Chemistry (syllabus code 9701). It is worth 18 marks.

Q: Which exam paper is this question from?

This question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Chemistry Oct/Nov 2018 examination, Paper 5 Variant 2 (9701_w18_qp_52.pdf).

Question

The hydrolysis of urea, (NH₂)₂CO, Mr = 60, is shown by the equation. The reaction is catalysed by the enzyme urease, when present in low concentrations.
(NH₂)₂CO + 2H₂O → 2NH₄⁺ + CO₃²⁻
The formation of the NH₄⁺ and CO₃²⁻ ions increases the conductivity of the solution. The increase in conductivity over time can be measured and the rate of hydrolysis can be determined from this.
A student plans to carry out this reaction using a 50 cm³ sample of 5.00 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ urea solution.

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