1.

Which electron transitions are responsible for the colours of transition metal compounds?
A.

Between d orbitals and s orbitals

B.

Among the attached ligands

C.

From the metal ion to the attached ligands

D.

Between d orbitals
(Total 1 mark)

2.

Ligands can form dative covalent bonds with metal ions to form complex ions. Which of the
following can act as a ligand?

I.

Cl

II.

NH3

III.

H2O

A.

I and II only

B.

I and III only

C.

II and III only

D.

I, II and III
(Total 1 mark)

3.

Which metal nitrate solution is coloured?

A.

Zn (NO3)2(aq)

B.

Ni (NO3)2(aq)

C.

Mg (NO3)2(aq)

D.

Sc (NO3)3(aq)
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Chemistry

4.

Which statements are correct for the reactions of Cl 2, MgCl2 and SiCl4 with water?
Cl2

MgCl2

SiCl4

A.

forms a neutral solution

forms a neutral solution

no reaction

B.

forms an acidic solution

forms an acidic solution

forms an acidic solution

C.

forms an acidic solution

forms an acidic solution

no reaction

D.

forms a neutral solution

forms a neutral solution

forms an acidic solution

(Total 1 mark)

5.

Which transition element, or compound of a transition element, is used as a catalyst in the

Contact process?
A.

Fe

B.

MnO2

C.

V2O5

D.

Ni
(Total 1 mark)

6.

What are the products of the reaction between chlorine and water?
A.

O2, H2 and HCl

B.

H2 and OCl2

C.

HCl and HOCl

D.

HOCl, H2 and Cl2

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Chemistry

7.

Which process is responsible for the colour of a transition metal complex?

A.

The absorption of light when electrons move between s orbitals and d orbitals

B.

The emission of light when electrons move between s orbitals and d orbitals

C.

The absorption of light when electrons move between different d orbitals

D.

The emission of light when electrons move between different d orbitals

(Total 1 mark)

8.

Which statements are correct for the complex ion [CuCl 4] ?

I.

The oxidation number of Cu in the complex ion is +2.

II.

The coordination number of the copper ion is 4.

III.

Chloride ions are behaving as ligands.

A.

I and II only

B.

I and III only

C.

II and III only

D.

I, II and III
(Total 1 mark)

9.

What is the ligand in the complex K3[Fe(CN)6]?

A.

CN

B.

Fe

C.

D.

[Fe(CN)6]

3+

+
3

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Chemistry

10.

In which complexes does iron have an oxidation number of +3?

I.
II.
III.

[Fe(H2O)6]

3+

[Fe(H2O)5(CN)]
[Fe(CN)6]

A.

I and II only

B.

I and III only

C.

II and III only

D.

I, II and III

2+

(Total 1 mark)

11.

When concentrated hydrochloric acid is added to a solution containing hydrated copper(II) ions,
the colour of the solution changes from light blue to green. The equation for the reaction is:
2+

[Cu(H2O)6] (aq) + 4Cl (aq) [CuCl4] (aq) + 6H2O(l)

(i)

Explain what the square brackets around the copper containing species represent.
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Chemistry

(ii)

Explain why the [Cu(H2O)6]

colour.

2+

ion is coloured and why the [CuCl4] ion has a different

......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 3 marks)

12.

Deduce the oxidation number of cobalt in the following species.

(i)

[Co(H2O)6]

2+

(1)

(ii)

Co2(SO4)3
(1)

(iii)

[CoCl4]

(1)
(Total 3 marks)

13.

(i)

State the full electronic configurations of copper, Cu, and the copper(I) ion, Cu .
(2)

(ii)

Explain why copper(II) compounds in aqueous solution are coloured whereas

scandium(III) compounds in aqueous solution are colourless.
(2)
(Total 4 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry

14.

Transition elements form complexes such as [Fe(CN) 6] and [FeCl4] . Deduce the oxidation
number of iron in each of these complex ions.
4

[Fe(CN)6] ............................................................................................................................

[FeCl4] ..................................................................................................................................
(Total 2 marks)

15.

(i)

Compare the structure and bonding in AlCl3 and Al2O3.

(2)

(ii)

Describe the acid-base behaviour of AlCl3, Na2O and P4O10. Include suitable equations in
your answer.
(4)

(iii)

Explain whether AlCl3 and Al2O3 will conduct in the solid or molten state.
(3)
(Total 9 marks)

IB Questionbank Chemistry