STAGE 2 CHEMISTRY

Elemental & Environmental Chemistry

ASSIGNMENT 1.1b

NAME:

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SMALL MOLECULES

1. Silicon forms a number of molecular silicon hydrides, the simplest of which has the formula
SiH4.
(a) State the shape of the SiH4 molecule.
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(1)

(b) State and explain whether the SiH4 molecule is polar or non-polar.
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(2)

(c) SiH4 burns spontaneously in air, producing silicon dioxide and water. Write an equation for
this reaction.
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(2)

2. Australias first large-scale works for the production of magnesia (magnesium oxide) are to be
built in Queensland. Magnesia is to be produced from the ore magnesite, a naturally occurring
form of magnesium carbonate.
(a) Write the electron configuration of magnesium ions that occur in these compounds.
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(1)

(b) Magnesia has a melting point of about 3000OC and bricks of magnesia, called clinkers, are
used to line furnaces in the steel- making industry. In terms of bonding, account for the high
melting point of magnesia.
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(3)

(c) Molten magnesia is a good electrical conductor but solid magnesia is used as an electrical
insulator in the heating elements of domestic and industrial appliances. Explain why molten
magnesia is a good electrical conductor but solid magnesia is an electrical insulator.
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3.

(a) Draw the structural formula of CS2.

(1)
(b) (i) 80% of air is Nitrogen. Draw the structural formula of the Nitrogen molecule.
(1)
(ii) State whether the Nitrogen molecule is polar or non-polar.
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4. (a) What do the low boiling points of molecular compounds indicate about the magnitude of the
intermolecular forces?
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(1)

(b) The boiling points of the Group VI hydrides are shown below:

(i)

H2O

100OC

H2S

-62OC

H2Se

-41OC

H2Te

-2OC

Of these compounds, water has an anomalously high boiling point. Explain why this
is so?
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(ii)

Draw the shape of a water molecule showing non-bonded electron pairs.

(4)

(2)

(iii)

Would you expect an H2Se molecule to have a similar shape to that of water? Give a
reason for your answer.
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(2)

5. The melting points of each of three crystalline solids are given in brackets below:
Solid A (776OC)

solid B (1619OC)

solid C (25.5OC)

Only solid A conducts electricity in the molten state. State the type of structure and the bonding
expected for each of the solids.
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(6)

TOTAL MARKS 30