HALF-YEARLY EXAMINATION, SEPT/OCT 2025

CHEMISTRY
Name: ___ Maximum Marks: 70
Class: XII Duration: 3 hrs
Sec: _

General Instructions:
1. There are 33 questions in this question paper with internal choice.
2. SECTION A consists of 16 multiple-choice questions carrying 1 mark each.
3. SECTION B consists of 5 very short answer questions carrying 2 marks each.
4. SECTION C consists of 7 short answer questions carrying 3 marks each.
5. SECTION D consists of 2 case-based questions carrying 4 marks each.
6. SECTION E consists of 3 long answer questions carrying 5 marks each.
7. All questions are compulsory.
8. Use of log tables and calculators is not allowed.

SECTION A

Question numbers 1 to 16 are multiple-choice questions. Only one of the choices is correct.
Select and write the correct choice (a, b, c, or d) and the corresponding answer to each question.

1. Which of the following aqueous solutions will have the lowest freezing point?
a) $0.1\ \text{m}$ urea (non-electrolyte)
b) $0.1\ \text{m}$ potassium chloride ($KCl$)
c) $0.1\ \text{m}$ barium chloride ($BaCl_2$)
d) $0.1\ \text{m}$ glucose (non-electrolyte)

1. Which pair of liquids is most likely to show a positive deviation from Raoult’s law?
a) Chloroform ($CHCl_3$) and acetone $(CH_3COCH_3)$
b) Water $(H_2O)$ and nitric acid $(HNO_3)$
c) Ethanol $(C_2H_5OH)$ and water $(H_2O)$
d) Benzene $(C_6H_6)$ and toluene $(C_6H_5CH_3)$

1. For a certain electrochemical cell at 298 K, $\Delta_r G^\circ > 0$. Which of the following must be
true?
a) $E^\circ_{\text{cell}} > 0$ and $K_{\text{eq}} > 1$
b) $E^\circ_{\text{cell}} < 0$ and $K_{\text{eq}} < 1$
c) $E^\circ_{\text{cell}} > 0$ and $K_{\text{eq}} < 1$
d) $E^\circ_{\text{cell}} = 0$ and $K_{\text{eq}} = 1$

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1

1. A current is passed through a solution of copper(II) sulfate. If 0.2 F (Faraday) of charge is applied, the
mass of copper deposited (atomic mass of Cu = 63.5 u) will be:
a) 0.635 g
b) 6.35 g
c) 1.27 g
d) 12.7 g

1. Which reagent would show different results when added to chlorobenzene ($C_6H_5Cl$) versus
benzyl chloride ($C_6H_5CH_2Cl$)?
a) Aqueous KOH
b) Ethanolic AgNO$_3$
c) Na metal in dry ether
d) Br$_2$/FeBr$_3$

1. Which one of the following compounds will undergo nucleophilic substitution most readily?
a) Chlorobenzene ($C_6H_5Cl$)
b) Vinyl chloride ($CH_2=CHCl$)
c) Benzyl chloride ($C_6H_5CH_2Cl$)
d) Chloroethane ($CH_3CH_2Cl$)

1. Which of the following is an optically active compound?

a) 2–Propanol ($CH_3CH(OH)CH_3$)
b) 2–Butanol ($CH_3CH(OH)CH_2CH_3$)
c) Propanone ($CH_3COCH_3$)
d) 1–Chlorobutane ($CH_3CH_2CH_2CH_2Cl$)

1. In the compounds below, which is the most acidic?

(Note: o– = ortho, p– = para)
a) Phenol ($C_6H_5OH$)
b) o–Nitrophenol ($o$–$NO_2C_6H_4OH$)
c) p–Nitrophenol ($p$–$NO_2C_6H_4OH$)
d) p–Cresol ($p$–$CH_3C_6H_4OH$)

1. tert-Butyl methyl ether (also known as MTBE) can be prepared by the Williamson ether synthesis.
Which combination of reactants will effectively produce tert-butyl methyl ether?
a) $(CH_3)_3C–Br$ (tert-butyl bromide) + $NaOCH_3$ (sodium methoxide)
b) $(CH_3)_3CO^–Na^+$ (sodium tert-butoxide) + $CH_3Br$ (methyl bromide)

2
 c) tert-Butanol + methyl bromide (direct mixture)
d) Methanol + tert-butyl bromide (direct mixture)

1. Which one of the following does not give Fehling’s test (no red precipitate with Fehling’s solution)?
a) Formaldehyde ($HCHO$)
b) Acetaldehyde ($CH_3CHO$)
c) Glucose (CHO(CHOH)$_4$CH$_2$OH)
d) Benzaldehyde ($C_6H_5CHO$)

2. Which of these carbonyl compounds can undergo aldol condensation?

a) Formaldehyde ($HCHO$)
b) Benzaldehyde ($C_6H_5CHO$)
c) Trichloroacetaldehyde ($CCl_3CHO$)
d) Acetaldehyde ($CH_3CHO$)

3. Which of the following is a secondary cell (rechargeable battery)?

a) Leclanché dry cell
b) Mercury button cell
c) Lead–acid accumulator
d) Fuel cell

4. Which alcohol will produce a cloudy layer fastest when treated with Lucas reagent (conc. HCl +
anhydrous ZnCl$_2$ at room temp)?
a) 1–Butanol ($CH_3CH_2CH_2CH_2OH$)
b) 2–Butanol ($CH_3CH(OH)CH_2CH_3$)
c) 2–Methyl–2–propanol ($(CH_3)_3COH$)
d) Ethanol ($CH_3CH_2OH$)

5. The molar conductivity ($\Lambda_m$) of an electrolyte generally:

a) Increases as the solution is diluted (concentration decreases)
b) Decreases as the solution is diluted
c) Remains the same at all concentrations
d) First increases then decreases on dilution

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 6. Assertion (A): The boiling point of water increases when NaCl is dissolved in it.
Reason (R): Addition of NaCl to water raises the vapor pressure of the solution above that of pure
water.

a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.

7. Assertion (A): o-Nitrophenol is less soluble in water than p-nitrophenol.

Reason (R): o-Nitrophenol engages in intramolecular hydrogen bonding, whereas p-nitrophenol can
form intermolecular hydrogen bonds with water.

a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true but R is false.
d) A is false but R is true.

SECTION B

Question numbers 17 to 21 are very short answer type, carrying 2 marks each.

1. 2.00 g of a non-volatile, non-electrolyte solute (X) is dissolved in 100.0 g of water. The freezing point
of the solution is found to be $-0.372^\circ$C. Calculate the molar mass of solute X. (Given: $K_f$ for
water = $1.86\ \text{K kg mol}^{-1}$)

2. Attempt either option (I) or option (II): (Electrochemistry)

(I) Answer the following:

a) The equilibrium constant ($K_c$) for a certain cell reaction at 298 K is $1.0 \times 10^4$. The
reaction involves transfer of 2 electrons. Calculate $E^\circ_{\text{cell}}$ for the reaction.
b) Define limiting molar conductivity ($\Lambda_m^0$). What is its significance for weak
electrolytes?

OR

(II) Answer the following:

a) Given: $E^\circ(\text{A}^{2+}/\text{A}) = -0.25$ V and $E^\circ(\text{B}^{2+}/\text{B}) = +0.34$ V.
Which metal, A or B, will liberate $H_2$ gas from dilute acid? Justify your choice.
b) What is the role of a salt bridge in a galvanic cell?

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 2

3. a) Ethyl bromide ($CH_3CH_2Br$) reacts with alcoholic KCN to form compound X, which on
hydrolysis yields compound Y. Identify X and Y (name or formula).
b) Alcohols generally have higher boiling points than ethers of comparable molecular mass. Give
one reason.

4. Give reasons for the following:

a) Chlorobenzene ($C_6H_5Cl$) is far less reactive toward hydrolysis (–OH substitution) than benzyl
chloride ($C_6H_5CH_2Cl$).
b) Bromoethane ($CH_3CH_2Br$) is insoluble in water, whereas ethanol ($CH_3CH_2OH$) is soluble.

5. How will you bring about the following conversions? (Write the reagents/conditions and the main
product formed in each case):
a) Chlorobenzene to Phenol
b) Acetaldehyde ($CH_3CHO$) to But-2-enal ($CH_3CH=CHCHO$)

SECTION C

Question numbers 22 to 28 are short answer questions, carrying 3 marks each.

1. a) A person suffering from high blood pressure is often advised to use minimum sodium salt in diet.
Explain with reference to osmotic pressure of blood why high salt intake is cautioned against.
b) A $1.0\ \text{molal}$ aqueous solution of acetic acid (a weak acid) is found to have a boiling point
elevation $\Delta T_b = 0.20$ K. Calculate the van’t Hoff factor ($i$) for this acetic acid solution.
(Given $K_b$ for water = $0.512\ \text{K kg mol}^{-1}$)
c) At 300 K, a 36 g sample of glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$) present in 1.0 L of solution has an osmotic
pressure of 4.98 bar. What would be the osmotic pressure of the solution if it is diluted to 3.0 L total
volume (at the same temperature)?

2. a) A zinc rod is placed in 0.10 M $ZnSO_4$ solution. The salt is 95% dissociated at this dilution.
Calculate the electrode potential $E_{\text{Zn}^{2+}/\text{Zn}}$ at 298 K.
(Given $E^\circ_{\text{Zn}^{2+}/\text{Zn}} = -0.76$ V; $\log(0.095) = -1.022$)
b) Why is a salt bridge necessary in a galvanic cell? What purpose does it serve?

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 3. What happens when (write the major product formed in each case): (Attempt any three of the
following reactions.)
i. 2–Bromopropane is heated with alcoholic KOH.
ii. Phenol is treated with bromine water.
iii. Ethanol is heated with conc. H$_2$SO$_4$ at 443 K.
iv. Ethanoic acid is warmed with ethanol in the presence of conc. H$_2$SO$_4$.
Write balanced chemical equations in support of your answers. (Attempt any three parts.)

4. Describe the mechanism of the acid-catalyzed dehydration of ethanol to ethene. (Write the
stepwise mechanism showing formation of carbocation and elimination steps.)

5. a) Arrange the following compounds in increasing order of their boiling points:

1-butanol (butan-1-ol), 2-butanol (butan-2-ol), 2-methyl-2-propanol (tert-butyl alcohol), and diethyl
ether.
b) Benzaldehyde (C$_6$H$_5$CHO) is less reactive than acetaldehyde (CH$_3$CHO) towards
nucleophilic addition reactions. Give one reason.
c) What is Clemmensen reduction? Illustrate with a balanced chemical equation. (Give the general
reagent and the conversion achieved for aldehydes/ketones.)

6. a) Which will hydrolyze more readily when boiled with NaOH: bromobenzene ($C_6H_5Br$) or n-
propyl bromide ($CH_3CH_2CH_2Br$)? Explain your choice.
b) Between allyl bromide ($CH_2=CHCH_2Br$) and 2-bromopropane ($CH_3CHBrCH_3$), which is
expected to undergo an SN1 reaction faster? Justify your answer.

7. a) Illustrate the Kolbe’s reaction (Kolbe–Schmitt reaction) by giving the reaction of sodium
phenoxide with $CO_2$ (followed by acidification). What important product is formed?
b) Complete the following reactions:
i. $2\ CH_3CH_2Cl + 2Na \xrightarrow{\text{dry ether}}$ _ + $2NaCl$
ii. $CH_3COCH_3 + HCN \rightarrow$ _

SECTION D

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The following questions (29 and 30) are case-based questions. Each question has an internal choice and carries 4
marks (sub-parts of 1, 1, and 2 marks). Read the passages carefully and answer the questions that follow.

1. Corrosion of Iron (Rusting): Iron objects, when exposed to moist air, get coated with a reddish-
brown layer known as rust, mainly hydrated iron(III) oxide (Fe$_2$O$_3 \cdot xH_2O$). Rusting is an
electrochemical process. At anodic regions on iron, Fe is oxidized to Fe$^{2+}$ (and eventually
Fe$^{3+}$):
$$\text{Fe (s)} \rightarrow \text{Fe}^{2+} + 2e^-.$$
Electrons released travel to cathodic areas, where oxygen is reduced (in presence of water):
$$O_2 + 4H^+ + 4e^- \rightarrow 2H_2O.$$
(In neutral water, $H^+$ comes from $H_2CO_3$ formed by dissolved CO$_2$.) The Fe$^{2+}$ ions
migrate and get further oxidized by oxygen to Fe$^{3+}$, which forms rust (Fe$_2$O$_3 \cdot
xH_2O$). Presence of electrolytes (e.g. salts) accelerates rusting by enhancing ionic conduction.
Preventive methods include coating iron (painting, oiling) to block contact with air/moisture, or
galvanization (coating with a more active metal like Zn which corrodes preferentially, acting as a
sacrificial anode).

a) Name one factor mentioned in the passage that speeds up the rusting of iron.

b) Suggest one method to protect iron from corrosion (rusting) mentioned above or otherwise.

c) When 1 mole of iron is oxidized to Fe$^{3+}$ during rusting, how many moles of electrons are transferred
from iron to oxygen? OR Calculate the number of Faradays of charge required to convert 1 mole of Fe
completely to Fe$^{3+}$. (Atomic no. Fe = 26)

4 (1+1+2)

1. Benzaldehyde and Benzoic Acid – Uses and Reactions: Benzaldehyde ($C_6H_5CHO$) is an

aromatic aldehyde with a characteristic almond odor. It is used in synthetic flavorings and
perfumes. Unlike aliphatic aldehydes, benzaldehyde does not reduce Fehling’s solution, though it
gives a positive Tollens’ test (silver mirror). On vigorous oxidation, benzaldehyde is converted to
benzoic acid ($C_6H_5COOH$). Benzoic acid and its sodium salt are used as food preservatives (to
inhibit growth of molds and bacteria). In presence of concentrated alkali (NaOH), two molecules of
benzaldehyde undergo Cannizzaro reaction – one molecule is reduced to benzyl alcohol
($C_6H_5CH_2OH$) and another is oxidized to the benzoate ion ($C_6H_5COO^-$).

a) How can benzaldehyde be converted to benzoic acid? OR How can benzaldehyde be converted to benzyl
alcohol? (Specify the type of reagent or reaction for each conversion.)

b) Name a reagent or chemical test that can distinguish benzaldehyde from acetaldehyde. (What
observation would it give with one but not the other?)

c) If 10.0 g of benzaldehyde (molar mass 106 g/mol) is completely oxidized to benzoic acid (molar mass 122
g/mol), what mass of benzoic acid should result (theoretical yield)?

4 (1+1+2)

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SECTION E

The following questions (31 to 33) are long-answer type, carrying 5 marks each. Each question has an internal
choice.

1. Attempt either option (I) or option (II):

(I) (Electrochemistry) Answer the following:

a) For the cell: Zn(s) | Zn$^{2+}$ (0.10 M) || Ag$^+$ (0.0010 M) | Ag(s), calculate the cell potential
$E_{\text{cell}}$ at 298 K.
[Given: $E^\circ(\text{Ag}^+/\text{Ag}) = +0.80$ V, $E^\circ(\text{Zn}^{2+}/\text{Zn}) = -0.76$ V]
b) A solution of AgNO$_3$ is electrolyzed using inert electrodes. Explain why the concentration of
Ag$^+$ ions in the solution decreases as electrolysis proceeds.

OR

(II) (Electrochemistry) Answer the following:

a) Describe the construction and working of a lead-acid storage battery. Write the electrode
reactions occurring during the discharge of a lead storage cell.
b) The molar conductivity of a $0.020\ M$ solution of acetic acid is found to be $12.0\ S\ cm^2\
mol^{-1}$ at 298 K. Calculate the degree of dissociation ($\alpha$) of acetic acid at this
concentration, and its dissociation constant $K_a$.
[Given: $\lambda^0(H^+) = 349.6\ S\ cm^2\ mol^{-1}, \ \lambda^0(CH_3COO^-) = 40.9\ S\ cm^2\
mol^{-1}$]

2. Attempt either option (I) or option (II):

(I) (Phenols and Ethers) Answer the following:

a) What is Reimer–Tiemann reaction? Write the reaction of phenol ($C_6H_5OH$) with chloroform
(CHCl$_3$) and NaOH, followed by hydrolysis, and name the product formed.
b) Phenol does not react with sodium bicarbonate solution, while benzoic acid does. Explain.
c) Complete the following reactions:
i. Sodium phenoxide ($C_6H_5ONa$) + $CO_2$ (at high pressure, then acidify) $\rightarrow$ __
ii. Anisole ($C_6H_5OCH_3$) + HI (excess) $\rightarrow$ __ + ____

OR

(II) (Alcohols and Halides) Answer the following:

a) Write the chemical equation for the reaction of 2-methyl-2-propanol (tert-butyl alcohol) with
conc. HCl/ZnCl$2$ (Lucas reagent). Name the organic product formed.
b) Explain why 1° (primary) alcohols and 3° (tertiary) alcohols give different results in the Lucas test (at
room temperature).
c) How will you distinguish between the following pairs of compounds by a simple chemical test?
i. Phenol ($C_6H_5OH$) and Cyclohexanol ($C_6HOH$) – (Name the test and expected result.)

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 ii. Chlorobenzene ($C_6H_5Cl$) and n-propyl chloride ($CH_3CH_2CH_2Cl$) – (Name the test and
expected result.)

3. Attempt either option (I) or option (II):

(I) (Aldehydes, Ketones and Acids) Answer the following:

a) Give simple chemical tests to distinguish between the following pairs of compounds (state the
reagent and observation in each case):
i. Propanal ($CH_3CH_2CHO$) and Propanone ($CH_3COCH_3$)
ii. Acetophenone ($C_6H_5COCH_3$) and Benzophenone ($C_6H_5COC_6H_5$)
iii. Benzoic acid ($C_6H_5COOH$) and Phenol ($C_6H_5OH$)
b) Identify the reagents you would use for the following conversions:
i. Ethylbenzene ($C_6H_5CH_2CH_3$) to Benzoic acid ($C_6H_5COOH$)
ii. Benzaldehyde ($C_6H_5CHO$) to 1-Phenylethanol ($C_6H_5CH(OH)CH_3$)

OR

(II) (Organic Analysis) Answer the following:

a) An organic compound A (formula C$_3$H$_6$O) does not give a silver mirror with Tollens’
reagent, but it gives a yellow precipitate on heating with iodine in NaOH. Identify A and write the
reaction involved in the test it gives.
b) Another organic compound B (formula C$_7$H$_6$O) gives a silver mirror with Tollens’ reagent
but does not give Fehling’s test. On treatment with concentrated NaOH, it yields an alcohol and a
salt. Identify B. What is the name of the reaction occurring with NaOH, and what are the products
formed?
c) A compound C has the formula C$_2$H$_4$O$_2$ and has a vinegar-like smell. It turns blue litmus
red. Identify C.