Acids, bases and salts II

Let us examine a few questions on the topic.

Question 1

1. (A) Sulphur (IV) oxide, a primary pollutant, can dissolve in water droplets in the atmosphere.

(i) Write the formula for sulphur (IV) oxide. (1 mark)

(ii) Write an equation for the reaction of sulphur (IV) oxide with water. (1 mark)

(iii) What happens to the pH of water when sulphur (IV) oxide dissolves in it? (2 marks)

(B) It has been suggested that the amount of polluting gases, like the oxides of sulphur and nitrogen,
could be reduced by passing exhaust air from factories, through beds of powdered reagents.

(i) Name ONE reagent that could be used for this purpose. (1 mark)

(ii) Explain why the reagent should be used in a powdered form. (1 mark)

(iii) Explain how the reagent could work to reduce the quantity of polluting gases in the atmosphere. (1
mark)

(C) Zinc is one of the metals that forms an amphoteric oxide.

(i) What is meant by the term 'amphoteric oxide'? (2 marks)

ANSWERS

Question 1

1. (A) Sulphur (IV) oxide has the formula SO2.

Comment: The number IV represents the oxidation state of sulphur. Since oxygen generally has an
oxidation number of -2, then 2 oxygen atoms contribute -2*2 = 4 and sulphur is + 4.

4 + 4 = 0.

(ii) SO2 (g) + H2O (l) = H2SO3 (aq). SO2 is an acidic oxide and dissolves in water to form acids.

(iii) The pH of water decreases, that is, becomes more acidic. On the pH scale, acids are from 0-6 and
bases are from 8-14; thus, an acidic substance would lower the pH.

B. (i) Calcium carbonate or calcium oxide could be used.

Comment: The acidic oxides of sulphur and nitrogen can be neutralised by reacting with a basic oxide or
a carbonate.
(ii) The reagent should be used in powdered form to increase the surface area in contact with the gas. A
larger surface area means an increase in reaction rate.

(iii) By reacting with the gases to form a neutral product, the quantity of polluting gases in the atmosphere
could be reduced. SO2 (g) + CaO (s) = CaSO3 (s) CaCO3 (s) + SO2 (g) = CO2 (g) + CaSO3 (s)

C. (i) An amphoteric oxide is one that shows both basic and acidic properties. It can react with both acids
and bases.

Question 2

1. Describe, in detail, how you would prepare a sample of copper (II) nitrate (Cu(NO3) 2. 3H2O) crystals
from copper (II) carbonate and nitric acid. (5marks)

Answer

Copper (II) nitrate (Cu(NO3)2. 3H2O) are hydrated crystals of a soluble salt. (All nitrates are soluble). To
prepare this salt, copper (II) carbonate and nitric acid would be reacted together in a reaction flask, where
nitric acid would be added gradually from a funnel, on to the copper carbonate crystals. The copper
nitrate formed is in solution as it is soluble.

The solution would need to be filtered to remove any excess solid, then evaporated to get the salt. The
copper nitrate must contain water of crystallisation, hence it will not be evaporated to dryness but,
instead, to a small bulk and then left to crystallise out of solution. The crystals can then be collected.