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KCSE 2025 Chemistry Paper 1 Exam

This document is a Chemistry examination paper for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) scheduled for June 2025. It contains instructions for candidates, a series of questions covering various chemistry topics, and spaces for candidates to provide their answers. The paper consists of 28 questions, with a total maximum score of 80 points.

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459 views12 pages

KCSE 2025 Chemistry Paper 1 Exam

This document is a Chemistry examination paper for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) scheduled for June 2025. It contains instructions for candidates, a series of questions covering various chemistry topics, and spaces for candidates to provide their answers. The paper consists of 28 questions, with a total maximum score of 80 points.

Uploaded by

kelvinonto
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Name.…………………………………..………..…….. Adm. No……………………….……….

School ………………………………………………… Stream………………………………......

Student’s Signature…………………………......

233/1
CHEMISTRY
PAPER 1
(Theory)
June 2025

TIME: 2 Hours

CONSORTIUM JOINT EXAMINATIONS


Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)
CHEMISTRY PAPER 1
(Theory)
Instructions to Candidates

a) Write your name and Admission number in the spaces provided above.
b) Sign and write the date of examination in the spaces provided above
c) Answer ALL the questions in the spaces provided below each question.
d) Mathematical tables and silent electronic calculators may be used.
e) All working MUST be clearly shown where necessary.
f) This paper consists of 11 printed pages

For Examiner’s Use Only

Questions Max. Score Candidate’s Score

1 – 28 80

Candidates should check the question paper to ascertain that all the pages are printed as
indicated and that no questions are missing.

The Consortium Joint Examinations 2025 – Chemistry Pp1 Page 1 of 12


1. A school laboratory technician left a sample of concentrated sulphuric (VI) acid in an
open boiling tube for 12 hours and she found out that the volume had increased slightly.

a) What property of concentrated sulphuric (VI) acid was shown by the above
observation. (1mk)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
b) Give one use of concentrated sulphuric (VI) acid based on the property named in
(a) above. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. The combustion of a hydrocarbon compound gave 4.4g carbon (IV) oxide and 2.25g
water.
i) Calculate the mass of carbon and hydrogen in the hydrocarbon sample. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
ii) Calculate the empirical formula and hence determine the molecular formula of
the hydrocarbon given that it has a molecular mass of 58. (C=12.0, H=1.0)
(2mks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. a) What is meant by allotropy? (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
b) Name the allotrope of Sulphur that is stable below 96oC. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

The Consortium Joint Examinations 2025 – Chemistry Pp1 Page 2 of 12


c) Temperature of 96oC is the transition temperature of Sulphur allotropes. Define the
term transitional temperature? (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. A student electroplated a spoon with copper metal.

i) Write an equation for the reaction at the cathode. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
ii) Calculate the time in minutes required to deposit 1.184 grams of Copper if a
current of 2A was used. (1 Faraday = 96500C, Cu = 63.5) (2mks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. The graph below represents the solubility curve of a substance in water.

a) State the physical state of the substance whose solubility curve is described
above. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
b) State and explain the conclusion that can be drawn from this curve about the
solubility of the substance. (2mks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………

The Consortium Joint Examinations 2025 – Chemistry Pp1 Page 3 of 12


6. Sulphur (IV) oxide reacts with potassium dichromate (VI) according to the equation
below.

3SO2(g) + Cr2O72-(aq) + 2H+ (aq) → 3SO42-(aq) + 2Cr3+ (aq) + H2O(I)

(i) What is the oxidation number of chromium ion in Cr2O72-? (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
(ii) State and explain the observation made in the above reaction (2mks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
7. The scheme below was used to prepare a cleansing agent. Study it and answer the
questions that follow.

Step I
Fat Solution of cleansing
agent + alcohol

Step II

Solid cleansing
agent

i) What name is given to the type of cleansing agent prepared by the method shown
in the scheme? (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
ii) Name one chemical substance added in step II (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
iii) State the purpose of adding the chemical substance named in (ii) above. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………

The Consortium Joint Examinations 2025 – Chemistry Pp1 Page 4 of 12


8. Draw a well labeled diagram of a set up that can be used to prepare and collect dry
sample of chlorine gas using manganese (IV) oxide and concentrated hydrochloric acid.
(3mks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
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9. The graphs below were drawn when 15g of marble chips in different physical states
were reacted with 50cm3 of 2M Hydrochloric acid. They are drawn by measuring the
volume of carbon (IV) oxide produced with time.

a) Which curves corresponds to the reactions involving powdered calcium carbonate


and large sized marble chips with the dilute acid?
i) Powdered calcium carbonate (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
ii) Large sized calcium carbonate (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

The Consortium Joint Examinations 2025 – Chemistry Pp1 Page 5 of 12


b) All the graphs eventually flatten out at the same level but at different time. Why do
the graphs flatten out at the same level? (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
10. Radioactive polonium (Po)mass number 212 and atomic number 84 was detected in a
sample of water. The water had an activity of 1000 counts per second.

a) If the water is boiled, explain whether the activity would be affected or not. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) Given that polonium resulted from Bismuth (Bi) following emission of a beta ( )
particle, write a nuclear equation for the decay. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
c) State one application of radioactivity in the paper industry. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
11. The diagram below shows an incomplete set-up of the laboratory and collection of
propane.

Solid X + sodium
hydroxide solid +
calcium oxide

i) Complete the set-up to show how the gas is collected. (2mks)

ii) Identify solid X. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
iii) What is the role of calcium oxide in the mixture? (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

The Consortium Joint Examinations 2025 – Chemistry Pp1 Page 6 of 12


12. Aluminium chloride is dissolved in small quantities of water in a boiling tube. White
fumes were observed.
a) Explain the observation described above. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
b) Write a balanced equation to show the reaction taking place in the boiling tube.
(1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
c) State the observation which can be made if little sodium carbonate powder is added
to the resultant solution. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
13. Name a suitable method that can be used to extract potassium from its ore. Explain
(1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
14. Below are pH values of some solutions.

Solution A B C D
PH 6.5 13.5 2.2 7.2

Which solution is likely to be


I Rain water (½mk)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
II Potassium hydroxide (½mk)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
15. In the manufacture of sodium carbonate by Solvay process, ammoniated brine trickles
down the carbonator while carbon (IV) oxide rise up.

(a) What is ammoniated brine. (1mk)


………………………………………………………………………………………………
(b) What is the main source of carbon (IV) oxide in the above process? (1mk)
………………………………………………………………………………………………

The Consortium Joint Examinations 2025 – Chemistry Pp1 Page 7 of 12


(c) State one use of carbon (IV) oxide and state the property of the gas which the use
depends on. (1mk)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
16. Cotton is a natural polymer. State one advantage and one disadvantage of this polymer

Advantage (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Disadvantage (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

17. A beaker contained 75.0cm3 of aqueous copper (II) sulphate at 23.7oC. When scrap ion
metal was added to the solution, the temperature rose to 29.3oC
i) Write an ionic equation for the reaction that took place. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

ii) State the observation that was made in the experiment apart from rise in
temperature. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

iii) Name the type of reaction that took place in the above experiment (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

iv) Given that the mass of copper deposited was 5.83g, calculate the molar enthalpy
change in kJmol-1
(specific heat capacity = 4.2Jg-1k-1, density of solution = 1gcm-3) (2mks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

The Consortium Joint Examinations 2025 – Chemistry Pp1 Page 8 of 12


18. Study the set-up below and use it to answer the questions that follow:

a) Write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction that takes place in the flask.
(1mk)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
b) Give a reason why the magnesium ribbon was coiled. (1mk)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
c) State and explain the precaution that should be taken at the end of the experiment.
(1mk)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
19. a) Name the process that takes place when:
i) Crystals of zin nitrate change into solution when exposed to air. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

ii) An alcohol reacts with an organic acid in the presence of a catalyst to form a
sweet smelling compound. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) Propane can be changed into methane ad ethane as shown below:

High temperature

CH3CH2CH3 CH4 + C2H4

Name the process undergone by propane. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

The Consortium Joint Examinations 2025 – Chemistry Pp1 Page 9 of 12


20. Study the set – up below which was used to dissolve gas Y in water and use it to answer
the questions that follow.

Gas Y Suction pump

Blue litmus paper

Gas Y is prepared by the action of concentrated hydrochloric acid on Potassium


manganate (VII).

a) State the role of the suction pump. (1mk)


………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
b) State and explain the observations made on the blue litmus paper. (2mks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
21. Describe an experiment that can be used to determine whether a given sample of a liquid
is pure (2mks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
22. During the extraction process of lead from galena, scrap iron is added.

(i) Give the chemical formula of the ore named above. (1mk)
………………………………………………………………………………………………

(ii) What is the role of scrap iron in the extraction? (1mk)


………………………………………………………………………………………………

(iii) State the method used to purify the ore. (1mk)


………………………………………………………………………………………………

The Consortium Joint Examinations 2025 – Chemistry Pp1 Page 10 of 12


(iv) Other than manufacture of lead acid accumulators, state any other one
use of lead metal. (1mk)
….…………………………………………………………………………………………...
23. The diagram below shows an electrochemical cell.

Magnesium
Lead

Salt bridge
Solution L

MgSO4(aq)

i) Give the formula of the possible salt L (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

ii) On the diagram show the direction of movement of electrons (1mk)

iii) Write the equation for the cell reaction. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
24. Give the names of the following processes described below.
a) Removing steam from air. (1mk)
………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) Hydrated copper (II) sulphate turns to a white powder when concentrated


suphuric (VI) acid is added to it. (1mk)
………………………………………………………………………………………………

25. Two elements represented by letters Q and R have electron configuration of [Link] and
2.8.2 respectively.

(i) Identify the chemical family to which elements Q and R belong. (1mk)
………………………………………………………………………………………………

The Consortium Joint Examinations 2025 – Chemistry Pp1 Page 11 of 12


(ii) How do the ionisation energies of the elements above compare? Explain.
(2mks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
26. Chlorine gas was bubbled through potassium iodide solution.

i) Write the ionic equation for the reaction that took place. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

ii) Identify the oxidizing agent in the ionic equation (a) above. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

27. Starting with copper (II) oxide, describe how crystals of copper (II) sulphate can be
prepared in the laboratory. (2mks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
28. A small piece of sodium metal was placed in a beaker containing pure water.
a) State two observations made during the reaction. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
b) State and explain another observation made when a drop of phenolphthalein is
added to the mixture in the beaker. (1mk)

………………………………………………………………………………………………
c) Explain why it is not advisable to carry-out this experiment using potassium
metal. (1mk)
………………………………………………………………………………………………
*THIS IS THE LAST PRINTED PAGE*

The Consortium Joint Examinations 2025 – Chemistry Pp1 Page 12 of 12

Common questions

Powered by AI

Transition temperature, in the context of sulfur allotropes, refers to the specific temperature, 96°C, at which one allotrope of sulfur transitions into another. Below this temperature, the stable allotrope is rhombic sulfur, while above it is monoclinic sulfur.

Calcium oxide acts as a drying agent in the propane production setup to remove moisture from the gas before collection, preventing product contamination and ensuring purity.

To determine the empirical formula, calculate the moles of carbon from the mass of CO2 (4.4g CO2 gives 4.4g/44g/mol = 0.1 mol C) and the moles of hydrogen from the mass of water (2.25g of H2O gives 2.25g/18g/mol * 2 = 0.25 mol H). Thus, the empirical formula is CH2, leading to the molecular formula C4H8 for a given molecular mass of 58.

Copper(II) sulphate is prepared by reacting copper(II) oxide with dilute sulfuric acid, forming an aqueous blue copper(II) sulphate solution: CuO + H₂SO₄ → CuSO₄ + H₂O. The solution is then evaporated to crystallize copper(II) sulphate.

To determine if a liquid is pure, measure its boiling point using a simple distillation apparatus. A pure liquid will have a constant boiling point at a given pressure, whereas impurities typically cause variations. Comparing the boiling point to literature values helps confirm purity.

During the electroplating process, copper is reduced at the cathode by the reaction Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Cu, depositing a layer of copper metal onto the spoon.

The curve for powdered calcium carbonate rises faster and reaches its plateau quicker than the large-sized marble chips due to the increased surface area of the powder, leading to a faster reaction rate. They flatten at the same level as both consume the same stoichiometric amounts of reactants.

White fumes appear when aluminium chloride reacts with water due to the formation of hydrogen chloride gas. The chemical reaction AlCl₃ + H₂O → Al(OH)₃ + HCl(g) releases HCl gas, which condenses in the air as white fumes.

Boiling water does not affect the activity of radioactive polonium because radioactivity depends on the rate of nuclear decay, independent of physical state or temperature. Boiling only affects physical properties, not radioactive decay rates.

The ability of concentrated sulphuric(VI) acid to absorb moisture from the air is demonstrated by the volume increase when left in an open boiling tube, showcasing its hygroscopic nature.

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