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A-LevelChemistryReaction kinetics9701/41 · Oct/Nov 2023 · Q19 Marks

Fluorine reacts with chlorine dioxide, ClO2, as shown. F2(g) + 2ClO2(g) → 2FClO2(g) The rate of the reaction is first order with respect to the concentration of F₂ and first order with respect to the concentration of ClO2. No catalyst is involved.

  1. (a)(i)Suggest a two-step mechanism for this reaction. step 1 step 2[2]
  2. (a)(ii)Identify the rate-determining step in this mechanism. Explain your answer.[1]
  3. (b)When the rate of the reaction is measured in moldm⁻³s⁻¹ the numerical value of the rate constant, k, is 1.22 under certain conditions.
  4. (b)(i)Complete the rate equation for this reaction, stating the overall order of the reaction. rate = overall order of reaction =[1]
  5. (b)(ii)Use your rate equation in (i) to calculate the rate of the reaction when the concentrations of F2 and ClO2 are both 2.00 × 10⁻³moldm⁻³. rate =[1]
  6. (c)Under different conditions, and in the presence of a large excess of ClO2, the rate equation is as shown. rate = k₁[F2] The half-life, t½, of the concentration of F2 is 4.00 s under these conditions.
  7. (c)(i)Calculate the numerical value of k₁, giving its units. Give your answer to three significant figures. k₁ = units[2]
  8. (c)(ii)An experiment is performed under these conditions in which the starting concentration of F2 is 0.00200 mol dm⁻³. Draw a graph on the grid in Fig. 1.1 to show how the concentration of F2 changes over the first 12s of the reaction.[1]
  9. (c)(iii)Use your graph in Fig. 1.1 to find the rate of the reaction when the concentration of F₂ is 0.00100 moldm⁻³. Show your working on the graph. rate[1]

This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [1] M1: F2 + ClO2 → FClO2 + F
  2. [1] M2: ClO2 + F → FClO2
  3. OR
  4. [1] M1: F2 + ClO2 → F2ClO2
  5. [1] M2: F2ClO2 + ClO2 → 2FClO2
  6. two balanced equations MUST add to give the overall equation
  7. [1] first step AND has one mole / molecule of F2 and ClO2 OR same moles of reactants as orders in rate equation
  8. [1] rate = k [F2][ClO2] / rate = 1.22 [F2][ClO2] AND second / 2 BOTH
  9. [1] rate = 1.22 × 2 × 10-3 × 2 × 10-3 = 4.88 x 10-6 min 2sfecf 1(b)(i)
  10. [1] k₁ = (0.693/4) = 0.173 OR 1.73 × 10-1 MUST BE 3SF
  11. [1] s⁻¹
  12. [1] at 4 s = 0.001 at 8 s = 0.0005 at 12 s = 0.00025 smooth curve ALL correct
  13. [1] tangent drawn at 0.00100 mol dm⁻³ AND gradient dependent on their rate = Y / X in the range = 1.5–2.0 ×10⁻⁴ IGNORE sign

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About this question

Topic
Reaction kinetics, A-Level Chemistry (syllabus 9701). Structured question, 9 marks.
Source
A-Level Chemistry, Oct/Nov 2023 Paper 4 Variant 1, question 1.

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