TECHNIQUE

OF ANSWERING SPM CHEMISTRY

1/5/2013

normally made by students

MISTAKES

I.Writing equations II Describing colours III Mistakes in drawing diagrams IV Calculations V Chemical Tests VI Mistakes in experiment-based questions VII Incomplete/Inaccurate statements or phrases.
1/5/2013 2

(I)Writing Equations
1. Equation not balanced Eg: Na + O2 Na2O 2. Cannot differentiate between Ionic equations : Zn + 2H+ Zn2+ + H2 Half equations : 2H+ + 2e H2 Zn Zn2+ + 2e Chemical equations (complete equations) 2HCl + Zn ZnCl2 + H2
1/5/2013 3

Writing Equations
3. Do not write WORD EQUATIONS

4. Do not use symbol or formulae in answering structured and essay questions.

(except for ions or in diagrams) 5. Wrong half -equation. Eg: 4OH- - 4e O2 + 2H2O

1/5/2013

(II)Describing Colours 1. Not able to state the colour of of chemical/reagent accurately or correctly
2. Describing water or solution which is colourless ,as clear

1/5/2013

Describing Colours
3. Fail to mention the initial colour when there is a colour change Eg: A pink coloured solution is produced 4. Change in colour of bromine water Eg(1): bromine water is bleached

Correct: The colourless solution turns pink. Correct: Brown bromine water is decolourised eg(2): Copper is formed at the cathode Correct: A brown deposit is formed at the cathode
6

1/5/2013

(III)Mistakes in drawing diagrams

1. Drawing the stopper below the mouth level of the test tube. Eg
WRONG CORRECT

Diagram A
1/5/2013

Diagram B
7

2. No Heat beside the arrow

WRONG
No Heat label
Crucible
Crucible

CORRECT

Heat

1/5/2013

3. Gas passed through and excess gas must be allowed to escape

WRONG
No gas outlet

CORRECT

Heat

Heat

1/5/2013

4. To represent solution drawing dash lines

WRONG
No indication of solution

CORRECT

1/5/2013

10

5. Drawing a battery in the circuit of a chemical cell

WRONG
Symbol for battery given in the diagram

CORRECT

Copper(II) sulphate solution

1/5/2013

Copper(II) sulphate solution

11

6. Certain apparatus not supported.Eg Burettes not attached to clamp/retort or test/combustion tubes floating while being heated
WRONG
Boiling Tube

CORRECT
Boiling Tube

Lead(II) Carbonate

Lead(II) Carbonate

Heat

Heat

Lime water

Lime water

1/5/2013

12

WRONG

CORRECT
Excess copper(II) oxide

7. Diagram not labelled

Filter Paper

Filter funnel

Filterate (Copper(II) sulphate solution)

1/5/2013 13

WRONG

CORRECT

8.Wire gauge
should not be used

Clay pipe triangle

Wire gauge

1/5/2013

Heat

Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007

Heat

14

WRONG
9.Delivery tube not
inserted inside lime water

CORRECT

Heat
1/5/2013

Lime water

Heat

Lime water
15

WRONG
Direction of water flow is not correct

CORRECT

1/5/2013

16

WRONG

CORRECT

e e

Copper(II) sulphate solution

Copper(II) sulphate solution

Direction of electron flow shown is not right

1/5/2013 17

WRONG
Thistle funnel

CORRECT
Thistle funnel

Dilute hydrocloric acid

Dilute Hydrocloric acid

1/5/2013

Thistle funnel must be immersed in solution

18

WRONG

CORRECT

All electron shells must be shown

1/5/2013

19

(IV)Calculations
1. Steps not shown 6.62 g of lead(II) nitrate is dissolved in 500 cm3 of distilled water. Calculate the concentration of the solution formed.
Incorrect: Concentration = 0.04 mol dm-3 Correct : Relative formula mass of lead(II) nitrate,Pb(NO3)2 = 207 + 2(14 + 48) = 331 Number of mole of lead(II) nitrate = 6.62/331 =0.02 Concentration = 0.02/0.5 = 0.04 mol dm-3
1/5/2013 20

(IV)Calculations
2. 1/Time (Rate of reaction) should be given to 3 decimal place. 3. Units not shown or wrong unit given
Contoh:

wrong H = a kJ mol -1
1/5/2013

correct H = +/- a kJ mol -1

21

(V)Chemical Tests
1. Add sodium hydroxide into a test tube to test for Fe2+ ions. 2. Correct : Add sodium hydroxide solution into a test tube until excess. Green precipitate which cannot dissolve in excess is formed.

1/5/2013

22

2. Incomplete method of testing for a gas. Suggest a test for the gas given off when sodium nitrate is heated Incorrect Answer : Test with a glowing splinter Incorrect Answer: Insert a glowing splinter into the test tube containing the gas Correct Answer : Insert a glowing splinter into the test tube containing the gas.The gas relights/rekindles the glowing splinter.
1/5/2013 23

(VI)Mistakes in experiment-based questions

1. Leaving out the key action words/phrase: Add something to something else Stir evenly Mix together more than two substances Heat gently/warm Heat strongly
1/5/2013 24

2. Not stating the quantities used For solutions a certain volume(based on apparatus used) and molarity(0.1 2.0 mol dm-3) should be mention For change in temperature, a certain range/increase/decrease in temperature should be mentioned For solids a certain mass should be mentioned, or whether it should be used in excess
1/5/2013 25

3. Describing an observation Eg : Hydrogen gas is released Correct : Effervescence or gas bubbles released 4. Drawing graphs: The axes not labelled and/or units not mention
1/5/2013 26

5. Electrochemical Series confused with Reactivity Series

Eg.Zinc can displace copper from copper(II) sulphate solution because zinc is higher than copper in the Reactivity Series(should be Electrochemical Series)

1/5/2013

27

6. Not stating the state/size of substance eg. Not stating aqueus potasium iodide or potassium iodide solution Not stating magnesium powder where size of reactant matters

1/5/2013

28

7.Not knowing the meaning of compare and contrast (differentiate) Compare: find the similarities and differences between 2 or more things Contrast : to find only the differences between 2 things

1/5/2013

29

7(b) Eg : Not knowing the meaning of compare and contrast: Ques: Compare the properties of ionic and covalent compound Students Ans: ionic compounds have high boiling point/melting point, can dissolve in water and conduct electricity in molten or aqueous form. (No mention about covalent compound)
1/5/2013 30

Incomplete/Inaccurrate statement/phrases
1.Sodium donates electron.
Correct :One sodium atom donates one electron Correct: Stable octet arrangement of electrons

2.Stable electron arrangement

3.Rate of reaction described as fast or slow Correct:Fast reaction high rate Slow reaction low rate
1/5/2013 31

4.Rate of reaction getting slower Correct : Rate of reaction decreases 5.The smaller the size of substance the bigger the surface area
Correct :

The smaller the size of the substance the bigger is the total surface area.
32

1/5/2013

6.An ionic compound can conduct electricity Correct: An ionic compound can conduct electricity in the molten state/aqueous solution

1/5/2013

33

7.Relative atomic mass of an element is the number of times an atom of an element is heavier than hydrogen.
the number of times an atom of an element is heavier than one atom of hydrogen.

Correct : Relative atomic mass of an element is

1/5/2013

34

8. A Hydrocarbon is a compound that contains carbon and hydrogen.

Correct : A Hydrocarbon is a
compound that contains carbon and hydrogen only.
35

1/5/2013

9. A base is a substance that contains oxide/hydroxide ions

Correct : A base is a substance that produces hydroxide ions when dissolved in water
1/5/2013 36

10. An acid is a substance that contains hydrogen ions.

Correct : An acid is a substance that produces hydrogen ions when dissolved in water.
1/5/2013 37

11. Calsium is situated in Period IV

Correct : Calsium is situated in Period 4

1/5/2013

38

12. A chloride ion has three electron shells

Correct : A chloride ion has
three shells filled with electrons.
39

1/5/2013

13. When the temperature is increased, the number of collisions also increases
increased, the number of collisions between the named particles also increases
1/5/2013 40

Correct : When the temperature is

14. The oxidation nombor of Fe 2+ ion changes/ increase Correct : The oxidation

nombor of iron in Fe 2+ ion changes/ increase from +2 to +3

1/5/2013

41

15. A polystyrene cup is used to prevent heat loss. Correct : A polystyrene cup is used to reduce heat loss.

1/5/2013

42

16. Attractive forces between molecules are small /lower/higher Correct Ans : Attractive forces between molecules are weak / strong 17. Copper attracted to to the cathode Correct Ans :Copper ions attracted to to the cathode 18. The ions in the electrolyte can move Correct Ans :The ions in the electrolyte can move freely
1/5/2013 43

Thank You

1/5/2013

44