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A-LevelChemistryStates of matter9701/51 · Oct/Nov 2025 · Q214 Marks

Effusion is the process in which a gas escapes through a small hole. A student investigates the relationship between rate of effusion and relative molar mass of a gas using the apparatus shown in Fig. 2.1. [Figure 2.1] The following method is used: step 1 Turn the tap and remove any gas from the syringe through the side-arm tube, by pushing in the plunger. step 2 Add 50 cm³ of the gas being tested to the syringe through the side-arm tube. step 3 Remove the gas from the syringe, through the side-arm tube, by pushing in the plunger. step 4 Add 70 cm³ of the gas being tested to the syringe through the side-arm tube. step 5 Turn the tap to connect the syringe to the tube with the aluminium foil and small hole. step 6 Allow the syringe plunger to fall and start a timer when the volume of gas in the syringe reaches 60 cm³. step 7 Stop the timer when the volume of gas in the syringe reaches 10cm³. Record the time taken. step 8 Repeat steps 1 to 7 with different gases.

  1. (a)Suggest why the student adds 50 cm³ of the gas being tested to the syringe in step 2 and then removes this gas in step 3.[1]
  2. (b)The student's results are shown in Table 2.1. Table 2.1 | gas | hydrogen, H₂ | helium, He | neon, Ne | argon, Ar | krypton, Kr | | :------------------- | :---------- | :---------- | :-------- | :--------- | :----------- | | relative molar mass, M | 2.0 | 4.0 | 20.2 | 39.9 | 83.8 | | 1/√M | | | | | | | time taken /s | 10.8 | 15.3 | 34.5 | 39.7 | 70.4 | | rate of effusion /cm³s⁻¹ | | | | | | rate of effusion = volume of gas / time taken
  3. (b)(i)Complete Table 2.1. Give the values for 1/√M to three significant figures. Give the values for rate of effusion to two decimal places.[2]
  4. (b)(ii)Identify the dependent variable in this experiment.[1]
  5. (b)(iii)Identify a variable, other than temperature, that is controlled when carrying out this experiment.[1]
  6. (c)Plot a graph on the grid in Fig. 2.2 to show the relationship between rate of effusion and 1/√M. Use a cross (x) to plot each data point. Draw a suitable line of best fit. [Figure 2.2][2]
  7. (d)Circle one point on the graph in Fig. 2.2 which you consider to be most anomalous. Suggest one reason for this anomaly. Assume there is no error in 1/√M.[1]
  8. (e)Graham's law of effusion can be expressed as: the rate of effusion of a gas is proportional to 1/√M. State whether or not the student's results support Graham's law of effusion. Explain your answer, using the graph in Fig. 2.2.[1]
  9. (f)Suggest how the position of the plotted points relative to the line of best fit in Fig. 2.2 is related to the reliability of the results.[1]
  10. (g)The student then repeats this method to determine the value of M of a sample of natural gas. The time recorded in step 7 is 31.6 s.
  11. (g)(i)Use the graph in Fig. 2.2 and the student's result to calculate the value of M for this sample.[2]
  12. (g)(ii)Natural gas is a mixture of mainly methane, CH4, with small amounts of other gases. Suggest what your calculated value of the M of natural gas in (g)(i) tells you about the other gases in the mixture.[1]
  13. (h)The experiment described in (g) is repeated at a higher temperature. Suggest how the rate of effusion for this sample of natural gas would change, if at all. Explain your answer. effect on the rate of effusion explanation[1]

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Mark scheme

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

  1. [1] To ensure no air / other gas remains in the syringe
  2. [2] 1/√Mr: 0.707 0.500 0.222 0.158 0.109
  3. Rate of effusion /cm³s⁻¹: 4.63 3.27 1.45 1.26 0.71
  4. [1] Time (taken).
  5. [1] size of hole
  6. [2] M1 all 5 points plotted correctly.
  7. M2 Straight line of best fit drawn
  8. [1] Point most anomalous to the plotted line of best fit circled. AND If point above LOBF (Measured rate of effusion is higher than the true rate predicted by LOBF.) for this point ... measured / recorded (effusion) time < true / actual time OR If point below LOBF (Measured rate of effusion is lower than the true rate predicted by LOBF.) for this point ... measured / recorded (effusion) time > true / actual time
  9. [1] Yes AND The graph / LOBF... is a straight-line AND it goes through the origin.
  10. [1] The results are not reliable as there is an anomalous result.
  11. [2] M1 Effusion rate = 50/31.6 = (1.58)
  12. Correct value for 1/√Mr read from x-axis
  13. M2 Value correctly converted to M.
  14. [1] If calculated M > 16 (The average) M (of the other components) is greater than 16 / calculated value for g(i).
  15. [1] (Rate of effusion) increases AND (At higher temperature) gas particles move more quickly.

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About this question

Topic
States of matter, A-Level Chemistry (syllabus 9701). Structured question, 14 marks.
Source
A-Level Chemistry, Oct/Nov 2025 Paper 5 Variant 1, question 2.

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