1.

The initial products of the fractional distillation of oil often undergo cracking. This can be
carried out in a number of ways. State the major reason for choosing each of the following
techniques.
Catalytic cracking:
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
Thermal cracking:
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
Steam cracking:
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
(Total 3 marks)

2.

Steel is a vital structural material in modern society. Some of it is obtained from recycled iron
and steel, but much of it is produced from iron ore using a blast furnace.
(a)

Outline the process by which iron, produced in a blast furnace, is converted to steel.
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(3)

IB Questionbank Chemistry

(b)

Describe one heat treatment of steel and the way in which it alters the physical properties
of steel.
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(2)

(c)

State one negative impact that the production of iron and steel has on the environment.
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 6 marks)

3.

Liquid-crystal displays are used in digital watches, calculators and laptops.

Describe the liquid-crystal state, in terms of molecular arrangement, and explain what happens
as temperature increases.
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
(Total 3 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry

4.

Use high-density poly(ethene) and low-density poly(ethene) as examples to explain the

difference that branching can make to the properties of a polymer.
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
(Total 3 marks)

5.

During the formation of poly(styrene), a volatile hydrocarbon such as pentane is often added.
Describe how this affects the properties of the polymer and give one use for this product.
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
(Total 2 marks)

6.

The blast furnace is used extensively for the production of iron.

(a)

State the formula and name of one main ore used as a source of iron.
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Chemistry

(b)

Write an equation that would describe the following processes in the blast furnace.
(i)

Reduction of the iron ore to produce the iron:

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

A reaction used to remove impurities from the iron:

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 3 marks)

7.

(a)

Explain why iron is obtained from its ores using chemical reducing agents but aluminium
is obtained from its ores using electrolysis.
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

Both carbon monoxide and hydrogen can be used to reduce iron ores. State the equations
for the reduction of magnetite, Fe3O4, with
(i)

carbon monoxide.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Chemistry

(ii)

hydrogen.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(c)

Explain why much of the iron produced in a blast furnace is converted into steel.
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

8.

Addition polymers are extensively used in society. The properties of addition polymers may be
modified by the introduction of certain substances.
(a)

For two different addition polymers, describe and explain one way in which the
properties of addition polymers may be modified.
Polymer one:
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
Polymer two:
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(4)

IB Questionbank Chemistry

(b)

Describe and explain how the extent of branching affects the properties of poly(ethene).
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(3)

(c)

Discuss two advantages and two disadvantages of using poly(ethene).

......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 9 marks)

9.

Detergents are one example of lyotropic liquid crystals.

State one other example of a lyotropic liquid crystal and describe the difference between
lyotropic and thermotropic liquid crystals.
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
(Total 3 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry

10.

Exciting developments have taken place in recent years in the area of nanotechnology.
(a)

Define the term nanotechnology, and state why it is of interest to chemists.

......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

Carbon nanotubes can be used to make designer catalysts.

(i)

Describe the structure of carbon nanotubes.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

State one physical property of carbon nanotubes.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Chemistry

(c)

Suggest two concerns about the use of nanotechnology.

......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

11.

(a)

Name a thermotropic liquid crystal.

......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

Explain the liquid-crystal behaviour of the thermotropic liquid crystal named in part (a),
on the molecular level.
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 5 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry

12.

Nanotechnology could provide new solutions for developing countries where basic services
such as good health care, education, safe drinking water and reliable energy are often lacking.
Discuss some of the potential risks associated with developing nanotechnology.
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
(Total 4 marks)

13.

(a)

Define the term nanotechnology.

.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(3)

IB Questionbank Chemistry

(b)

Discuss three implications of the use of nanotechnology.

.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry

10