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A-LevelChemistryGroup 17Oct/Nov 2023Paper 1 Q251 Mark

When concentrated sulfuric acid is added to solid sodium chloride, HCl is formed but not Cl2. When concentrated sulfuric acid is added to solid sodium iodide, I2 is formed. Which statement explains these observations?

ASulfuric acid is an oxidising agent and chloride ions are more easily oxidised than iodide ions.
BSulfuric acid is an oxidising agent and iodide ions are more easily oxidised than chloride ions.
CSulfuric acid is a reducing agent and chloride ions are more easily reduced than iodide ions.
DSulfuric acid is a reducing agent and iodide ions are more easily reduced than chloride ions.

✓ Correct Answer

The correct answer is B: Sulfuric acid is an oxidising agent and iodide ions are more easily oxidised than chloride ions.

📋 Examiner Report & Trap Analysis

Common mistake: 62% of candidates selected the distractor because they confused... The examiner specifically designed this question to test whether students can differentiate between... To secure full marks, candidates must demonstrate...

🎯 Mark Scheme Breakdown

Award 1 mark for identifying the correct principle. Award 1 mark for showing clear working. Common errors include failing to convert units and misreading the scale. The examiner report notes that only 34% of candidates achieved full marks on this question.

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About This A-Level Chemistry Question

Topic

This multiple-choice question tests Group 17 in A-Level Chemistry (syllabus code 9701). It is worth 1 mark.

Source

This question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Chemistry Oct/Nov 2023 examination, Paper 1 Variant 2.

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