TE

2 The atmosphere

The atmosphere surrounding the Earth is made up of air, which

Chapter preview is a mixture of gases.

2.1 Planet Earth as a source of chemicals

2.2 Classification of matter
2.3 Physical properties and chemical properties of substances
2.4 Physical changes and chemical changes
2.5 The atmosphere and composition of air
2.6 Separation of oxygen and nitrogen from air
2.7 Test for oxygen

Prior knowledge & Quick review

(For Chapter 2)
 All answers
The Northern lights

We may have heard about the Northern lights (or Aurora borealis), but do you know how they form?

The Northern lights in the night sky of Alaska of the United States

The Northern lights form when a stream of fast-moving charged particles from the Sun enters the
Earth’s atmosphere. The fast-moving charged particles will collide with the gaseous particles in the
atmosphere, which is made up of mainly atoms of nitrogen and oxygen. Depending on the atoms that
the charged particles collide with, the atmosphere will glow in green, red, blue or purple colour.

Think about...
1 Apart from nitrogen and oxygen, what are the other gases that make up the Earth’s

atmosphere?

2 What is the percentage composition of the various gases (by volume) in air?

3 How can we separate air into its components?

After studying this chapter, you should be able to answer the above questions.

atom 原子
 The atmosphere 2
TE
2.1 Planet Earth as a source of chemicals
We all live on the Earth, the most beautiful planet in the solar system
(Figure 2.1).

Useful web link

Structure of the
Earth (a web page)

Figure 2.1 Our planet Earth

In Chapter 1, we have seen that many chemicals are important to our

everyday life. Where do we get them? In fact, the atmosphere, the ocean
and the Earth’s crust of our planet Earth are a major source of the
chemicals that we need. See Figure 2.2.

Nitrogen, oxygen and noble gases can

be obtained from the atmosphere.

• Sodium chloride and magnesium chloride

can be obtained from sea water.
• Electrolysis of sea water can produce
chlorine, hydrogen and sodium hydroxide.

Metals, coal, petroleum and

natural gas can be obtained
from the Earth’s crust.

Figure 2.2 Our planet Earth is the source of many chemicals we need.

In Chapters 2–4, we will discuss methods for obtaining chemicals from

the atmosphere, the ocean and the Earth’s crust respectively.

atmosphere 大氣 Earth’s crust 地殼

Earth 地球 ocean 海洋
25
 I Planet Earth TE

2.2 Classification of matter

Pure substances and mixtures

The world around us is made up of matter. Matter is anything that
Learning tip occupies space and has mass. Air, sea water and rocks are all matter.
A pure substance is a Matter can be classified into pure substances and mixtures.
single substance that has
no other substances
Air is not a pure substance. It is a mixture of gases including nitrogen,
mixed with it.
oxygen and carbon dioxide. They are pure substances on their own. Sea
water and rocks are also examples of mixtures. Figure 2.3 shows other
mixtures.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 2.3 (a) Town gas, (b) red wine and (c) stainless steel are mixtures.

Key point
A mixture consists of two or more pure substances which have not
chemically combined together.

Learning tip Elements and compounds

• Heat or electricity is
often used in breaking An impure substance is always a mixture. A pure substance is either an
down a compound into element or a compound.
constituent elements
and/or simpler
compounds. Elements
• Chemical methods
refer to processes that
There are millions of pure substances in the world. Some pure substances
involve chemical cannot be broken down chemically. They are called elements.
reactions.

Key point
An element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into
simpler substances by chemical methods.

compound 化合物 mixture 混合物 constituent 組成的

26 element 元素 pure substance 純物質 stainless steel 不銹鋼
matter 物質
 The atmosphere 2
TE
Water (H2O) can be broken down into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2)
by passing electricity through it. Therefore, water is not an element. See
Figure 2.4.

oxygen
hydrogen

Learning tip
A little sulphuric acid is
added to the water to water with some
increase its electrical sulphuric acid
conductivity.

electric wires that

connected to
power supply

Figure 2.4 Experimental set-up used to break down

water into hydrogen and oxygen by electricity

electricity
water hydrogen + oxygen

Learning tip Since hydrogen and oxygen cannot be further broken down into
By definition, we can
never break down an
simpler substances by chemical methods, they are elements.
element by chemical
methods. Up to January 2016, scientists have discovered or reported 118
elements, in which only 92 occur naturally. Scientists have made the rest
in laboratories. The percentage abundance by mass of elements in the
Earth’s crust is shown in Figure 2.5. Oxygen (46.6%) is the most abundant
element in the Earth’s crust, followed by silicon (27.7%).

silicon
Learning tip oxygen
27.7%

Refer to Book 1B, Chapter 46.6%

5, p.3–5 for more details
about elements. aluminium
8.1%
iron
5.0%

all other elements

1.5%
magnesium
2.1% sodium calcium
potassium 2.8% 3.6%
2.6%

Figure 2.5 Percentage abundance by mass of elements in the Earth’s crust

abundance 藴藏量
27
 I Planet Earth
TE
Compounds
We have actually encountered many compounds in daily life. They include
water, carbon dioxide, common salt and sugar. Water is a compound of
hydrogen and oxygen. Carbon dioxide is a compound of carbon and oxygen.

Key point
A compound is a pure substance made up of two or more elements
chemically combined together.

Sodium chloride (or common salt) is a compound made up of the

elements sodium and chlorine chemically combined together. Sodium
chloride can be produced by burning a piece of sodium metal in chlorine
gas. See Figure 2.6.

sodium chloride

Figure 2.6 Sodium and chlorine sodium burns in chlorine

react to form sodium chloride.

sodium + chlorine sodium chloride

elements compound

Compounds can have very different properties from their constituent

elements. Table 2.1 lists some compounds and their constituent elements.

Compound Constituent elements

Water (H2O) hydrogen and oxygen

Carbon dioxide (CO2) carbon and oxygen

Sodium chloride (NaCl) sodium and chlorine

Glucose (C6H12O6) carbon, hydrogen and oxygen

Ammonia (NH3) nitrogen and hydrogen

Sulphuric acid (H2SO4) hydrogen, sulphur and oxygen

Table 2.1 Some compounds and their constituent elements

glucose 葡萄糖
28 sulphuric acid 硫酸
 The atmosphere 2
TE All answers
Class practice 2.1
Classify the following substances into elements and compounds:
(a) Copper
(b) Calcium oxide
(c) Helium
(d) Silver chloride

Mixtures and compounds

Experiment 2.1 We can study the differences between a mixture and a compound by
comparing a mixture of iron and sulphur and the compound formed from
Preparing a compound
by direct combination of iron and sulphur.
elements

If we mix black iron filings and yellow sulphur powder together, we

Experiment video
Preparing a get a yellowish grey mixture of the two elements. No sign of heat change
compound by direct is observed. The iron and sulphur retain their original properties in the
combination of
mixture. See Figure 2.7.
elements

Figure 2.7 Iron is attracted by the magnet but sulphur is not.

When we strongly heat the mixture of iron filings and sulphur

powder, the elements combine together chemically. A new substance, the
compound iron(II) sulphide, forms. A lot of heat is also given out during
the process. The iron(II) sulphide formed has many properties that are
different from those of iron and sulphur.

iron filings 鐵粉 retain 保留

iron(II) sulphide 硫化鐵(II)
29
 I Planet Earth

The properties of iron, sulphur, iron/sulphur mixture and iron(II)

sulphide are summarized in Table 2.2.

Iron/sulphur
Property or test Iron Sulphur Iron(II) sulphide
mixture

Appearance

black solid yellow solid yellowish grey solid black or dark

brown solid

attracted by not attracted by only iron is not attracted by

Action of
magnet magnet attracted by magnet
magnet
magnet (Figure 2.7)

sinks most sulphur sinks, all iron and most sinks

Floating/sinking while a little floats sulphur sink, while
in water a little sulphur
floats
liberates hydrogen no reaction only iron reacts to gives toxic
Action of dilute
gas liberate hydrogen hydrogen sulphide
hydrochloric
gas gas (with smell of
acid
bad eggs)

Table 2.2 Properties of iron, sulphur, iron/sulphur mixture and iron(II) sulphide

Table 2.3 summarizes the main differences between mixtures and

compounds.

Mixture Compound

1. Composition by variable (the substances in the fixed

mass mixture can be mixed together in any (e.g. in water, the ratio of hydrogen to
proportion) oxygen by mass is always 1 : 8)

2. Changes in no chemical reaction takes place; a chemical reaction takes place;

formation usually no heat change in making a heat is usually given out or absorbed
mixture when a compound forms

3. Melting point melts or boils over a range of melts or boils at a sharp temperature
(m.p.) and boiling temperatures (i.e. does not have a (i.e. has a sharp m.p. and b.p.)
point (b.p.) sharp m.p. or b.p.)

4. General properties each constituent substance retains its many properties are different from
own properties those of its constituent elements

5. Separation of constituent substances can be constituent elements can only be

constituents separated by physical methods, based separated by chemical methods, not
on differences in physical properties by physical methods

Table 2.3 Main differences between mixtures and compounds

hydrogen sulphide 硫化氫 constituent 成分

30 liberate 釋出
 The atmosphere 2
TE All answers
Based on what we have discussed in this chapter, we can classify
matter as shown in Figure 2.8.

Matter

separation by physical methods

Pure
Mixtures
substances
direct mixing

separation by chemical methods

Compounds Elements
chemical combination

Figure 2.8 Classification of matter

What’s wrong Class practice 2.2

What is wrong with the
following sentence? 1. Complete the following paragraph to explain whether sodium chloride is
‘When two or more a mixture or a compound.
elements are mixed and Sodium chloride is made up of sodium and chlorine. It is a
heated, a compound (a) (mixture/compound) and its properties are
always forms because a
(b) (the same/different) from those of sodium and
compound is a pure
chlorine. For example,
substance made up of
two or more elements • sodium chloride is a (c) solid, while sodium is a shiny
chemically combined silvery solid and chlorine is a (d) .
together.’
• sodium reacts rapidly with water and produces a lot of heat. But
sodium chloride has (e) (reaction/no reaction)
with water.
• sodium chloride is (f) (toxic/non-toxic) while chlorine
is (g) (toxic/non-toxic).
2. Refer to the following diagrams which show the arrangement of particles
in four substances.

I II III IV
Which diagram represents the arrangement of particles in
(a) a pure element?
(b) a pure compound?
(c) a mixture of elements?
(d) a mixture of compounds?
31
 I Planet Earth TE

2.3 Physical properties and chemical

properties of substances
The properties of any substance can be classified into its physical
properties and chemical properties.

Physical properties
The following are some physical properties of substances.

• Appearance
It means what a substance looks, such as its physical state (solid, liquid
or gas) under some particular conditions, its colour, whether it is shiny
or dull, etc.. See Figure 2.9.

• Odour
It refers to the smell of a substance.
Learning tip • Taste
The taste of an unknown
It refers to the flavour of a substance.
substance is not tested
generally because the • Hardness
substance may be toxic.
It refers to the ability of a substance to resist scratching. A substance
will scratch any other substance which is softer than itself. See Figure
2.10.

• Density
It refers to how much substance can take up a specific volume of space.
The density of a substance is defined as the mass (in gram) of the
3
substance per unit volume (in cm ) (Figure 2.11).

• Solubility
It refers to how well a substance (the solute) dissolves in another
substance (the solvent). The solubility of a substance in water at a
particular temperature is defined as the mass (in gram) of the substance
3
that dissolves in 100 cm of water at that particular temperature.

• Melting point
It refers to the temperature at which a substance melts (i.e. changes
from the solid state to the liquid state).

• Boiling point
It refers to the temperature at which a substance boils (i.e. changes
from the liquid state to the gas state) (Figure 2.12).

• Malleability
It refers to how easily a solid can be rolled into sheets (Figure 2.13).
chemical property 化學性質 physical property 物理性質 scratch 刮花
32 malleability 展性
 The atmosphere 2
TE
• Ductility
It refers to how easily a solid can be pulled into wires (Figure 2.14).

• Electrical conductivity
It refers to the ability of a substance to transfer an electric current
(Figure 2.15).

• Thermal conductivity
It refers to the ability of a substance to transfer heat (Figure 2.16).

bit covered by very

small diamonds

Figure 2.9 Chlorine is a Figure 2.10 Diamond is Figure 2.11 Ice has a Figure 2.12 The boiling
yellowish green gas with very hard and used in making lower density than water, point of water is 100°C at 1
a pungent smell. the bit of dental drill. so it floats on water. atm.

Figure 2.13 Aluminium is Figure 2.14 Iron is ductile. Figure 2.15 Copper has a Figure 2.16 Stainless steel
malleable. It can be rolled It can be drawn into wires. good electrical conductivity. has a good thermal
into sheets. It is used in making electrical conductivity. It is used in
wires. making cooking pots.

Key point
Physical properties of a substance are those properties that can be
determined without the substance changing into other substances.

Chemical properties
Magnesium burns in oxygen vigorously to form magnesium oxide. This is
a chemical property of magnesium (Figure 2.17).

Key point
Figure 2.17 Magnesium Chemical properties of a substance are those properties that describe
burns in oxygen vigorously the ability of that substance to react with other substance(s).
to form magnesium oxide.

ductility 延性 thermal conductivity 導熱性 bit 鑽頭

electrical conductivity 導電性 dental drill 牙鑽
33
 I Planet Earth
All answers
Example 2.1

Understanding the physical properties and chemical properties of water

(a) Why is ‘boiling point’ regarded as a physical property? Illustrate your answer by referring to water.
(b) What is the boiling point of water at 1 atm?
(c) State THREE other physical properties of water.
(d) State one chemical property of water.

Solution
(a) Determine the boiling point of water by heating water to boiling and then measuring the
temperature of the steam formed. When water boils, liquid water changes to steam and no new
substances form.
Learning tip
(b) 100°C • Steam is just water in the gaseous
(c) Water is a colourless liquid under room conditions. state. It has the same chemical
Melting point of water is 0°C at 1 atm. composition as liquid water.
–3
Density of water is 1 g cm under room conditions. • Room conditions: 25°C and 1 atm

(d) Water reacts with iron and air to form rust under room conditions.

Class practice 2.3

Classify each of the following descriptions of the property of a substance as
physical property or chemical property.
(a) Ice melts at 0°C.
(b) Iron effervesces in dilute acid.
(c) Silver conducts electricity when it is connected to a circuit.
(d) Magnesium chloride, a compound formed from magnesium and chlorine,
is soluble in water.

2.4 Physical changes and chemical changes

Physical changes
When a substance undergoes a physical change, some of its properties
(e.g. appearance) change. However, the substance does not change to
another substance.

Key point
A physical change is a change in which no new substances are
produced.

chemical constituent 化學成分 room conditions 常温常壓

34 physical change 物理變化 rust 鐵銹
 The atmosphere 2
TE
For example, the melting of ice is a physical change. Although ice
and liquid water look different (Figure 2.18), they both are made up of
identical particles, i.e. water molecules. Change of state is a physical
change, in which no new substances are produced. See Figure 2.19.

sublimation

Figure 2.18 Melting of ice is a gas

solid
physical change. deposition

n
tio
fre

sa
ez

en
in g

nd

g
me

i lin
co
ltin

bo
heat absorbed

g
heat given out

liquid

Figure 2.19 Changes of state are physical changes.

Some substances, such as dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) and iodine,
Learning tip change directly from the solid state to the gaseous state on heating. Such
A vapour is the gaseous physical change is called sublimation. When the vapour is cooled, it
form of a substance changes to solid directly. See Figure 2.20.
which is a liquid or a solid
under room conditions.
Thus, we speak of alcohol
vapour (not alcohol gas) evaporating
and oxygen gas (not dish
oxygen vapour). water

iodine
solid

iodine iodine solid

vapour

Bunsen
flame

Figure 2.20 Iodine solid sublimes to form vapour on heating. When in

contact with a cool surface, the iodine vapour changes to iodine solid.
Note that iodine solid and iodine vapour are made up of iodine particles.

deposition 凝華/澱積 vapour 蒸氣 condensation 凝結

sublimation 昇華 freezing 凝固
35
 I Planet Earth
All answers TE
Chemical changes
When a substance undergoes a chemical change, it changes to one or
more new substances.

The reaction between magnesium and oxygen mentioned in Figure

2.17 on p.33 is a chemical change. The elements magnesium and oxygen
are chemically combined to form the compound, called magnesium oxide.

This reaction can be represented by a word equation.

‘reacts with’ ‘to produce’

magnesium + oxygen magnesium oxide

reactants product

Key point
A chemical change is a change in which one or more new
substances are produced.

The main difference between physical and chemical changes is

whether new substances are produced.

Example 2.2

Classifying changes as physical changes or chemical changes

Classify each of the following changes as a physical change or chemical change.
(a) Dissolving sugar cubes in water (b) A freshly cut apple turns brown after exposure to air
(c) Evaporation of alcohol (d) Burning of carbon in air

Solution
(a) Physical change (b) Chemical change
(c) Physical change (d) Chemical change

Class practice 2.4

Classify each of the following changes as a physical change or chemical
change.
(a) Condensation of steam on a cold surface
(b) Grinding a vitamin C tablet into powder
(c) Burning of petrol in car engine
(d) Newspaper turns yellow after exposure to air for a long time

chemical change 化學變化 grind 把……磨成粉

36 word equation 文字方程式
 The atmosphere 2
TE
2.5 The atmosphere and composition of air

The atmosphere and air

The atmosphere is a gaseous layer (about 80 km thick) surrounding the
Earth. The gases in the atmosphere are held around the Earth by gravity.
We breathe in air every moment. Air makes up the atmosphere, and is
essential for life on the Earth.

Composition of air
Learning tip Air is a mixture of gases. It has the following approximate composition:
Argon is a noble gas and 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon and 0.1% other gases (including
other noble gases include carbon dioxide, water vapour and other noble gases) (Figure 2.21).
helium, neon, krypton,
xenon and radon. Carbon dioxide is important to life on Earth even though it makes up
about 0.03%–0.04% of the air.

In fact, the composition of air may vary slightly from time to time
and from place to place.

other gases (including carbon

dioxide, water vapour and
other noble gases) 0.1% argon 0.9%

oxygen
21%

nitrogen
78%

Figure 2.21 Approximate percentage composition of gases (by volume) in air

Activity 2.1
Causes and effects of air pollution
Air pollution occurs when harmful substances are released into the Earth’s
atmosphere. These harmful substances are known as air pollutants. Carbon
monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides are common air pollutants.

Search the Internet (or other sources) for the major causes and effects of
air pollution. After the search, present your findings in a set of computer
presentation slides.

argon 氬 noble gas 貴氣體

atmosphere 大氣 oxygen 氧
37
nitrogen 氮
 I Planet Earth
All answers
Example 2.3

Determining the percentage of oxygen (by volume) in air

An experiment was carried out to determine the percentage of oxygen (by volume) in air. In the
experiment, two test tubes, one with some wet iron wool inside and the other without, were inverted
and put into water as shown in the diagram on the left below. The set-up was allowed to stand for a
week and the water level was found to rise by 2.4 cm as shown in the diagram on the right.

wet iron wet iron

wool wool

inverted inverted 12.0 cm

test tube test tube

2.4 cm
water water

At the start After a week

(a) Why was there a rise in water level in the test tube with the wet iron wool?
(b) Why was the test tube without wet iron wool used in the experiment?
(c) From the experimental results, calculate the percentage of oxygen (by volume) in air.
(d) Suggest a reason why the value calculated in (c) was different from the expected value (i.e. 21%).

Solution
(a) The wet iron wool reacted with oxygen in the air. As the oxygen inside the test tube was
removed, the pressure inside the test tube was reduced. The atmospheric pressure forced the
water in the trough into the test tube.
(b) This was to show that the rise in water level must be due to the presence of wet iron wool. (Note:
it was the control of the experiment.)
(c) Percentage of oxygen (by volume) in air
volume of oxygen used
= × 100%
volume of air in the test tube at the start
decrease in height of air in the test tube
 × 100%
height of air in the test tube at the start
2.4
 × 100%
12.0
 20%
(d) Insufficient amount of iron wool was used for the reaction with oxygen in air in this experiment.

Class practice 2.5

Air contains nitrogen, oxygen, water vapour, carbon dioxide, argon, helium,
neon, krypton and xenon.
Classify the components of air into elements and compounds.

iron wool 鐵絲
38
 The atmosphere 2
TE All answers
2.6 Separation of oxygen and nitrogen from air

Uses of oxygen and nitrogen

Most of the gases in air, especially oxygen
and nitrogen, are useful. For example,
• oxygen is used in hospitals to help
patients with breathing difficulties.
Think about it • nitrogen is unreactive and it is used
If air instead of nitrogen to provide an inert atmosphere for Figure 2.22 Nitrogen is the gas
is used to fill a packet of
potato chips, what will food packaging. See Figure 2.22. commonly used for food packaging.
happen?
These gases need to be separated from air and purified before they can
be used.

Fractional distillation of liquid air

The components of air can be separated by fractional distillation based
on the difference in their boiling points. Fractional distillation of liquid
air is carried out in an air separation plant (Figure 2.23).

There are three main stages in the separation. See Figure 2.24 on p.40.

Stage 1: Purification
The air is first filtered to remove dust particles. It is then cooled to
–80°C. At this temperature, carbon dioxide and water vapour become
solid and are removed from the filtered air.

Figure 2.23 An air separation Stage 2: Liquefaction

plant
The purified air is then cooled and compressed. The cold compressed air
is allowed to expand into a larger space. When it expands, the air cools
further. This process is repeated several times until the temperature of the
air reaches –200°C and liquid air is obtained.

Stage 3: Fractional distillation

Learning tip The liquid air is passed into the bottom of a fractionating column. The
Refer to ‘Extended
learning 2.1: Underlying column is then warmed up very slowly. Different gases in the air boil at
principle for the different temperatures. Nitrogen has the lowest boiling point (–196°C) and
separation of nitrogen, boils off first. It is collected at the top of the fractionating column. Liquid
oxygen and argon from
air ’ on p.43 to learn more oxygen and liquid argon are collected at the bottom of the fractionating
how fractional distillation column. Since the boiling points of oxygen and argon are very close
can be used to do the
(–183°C and –186°C respectively), they have to be further separated by
separation.
fractional distillation.
fractional distillation 分餾<法> liquefaction 液化 compressed 壓縮
fractional distillation of liquid air 液態空氣的分餾 purification 淨化 inert atmosphere 惰性環境
39
fractionating column 分餾柱
 I Planet Earth
All answers TE
Stage 1: Purification Stage 2: Liquefaction Stage 3: Fractional distillation

nitrogen gas out

–190°C
air in

dust particles are

filtered

carbon dioxide and

water vapour are
removed as solids
at –80°C
air is cooled and
compressed −187°C

air is allowed to expand

— it becomes very cold
liquid oxygen
(–200°C) and liquid air liquid air is warmed
and liquid argon
is obtained up very slowly
out

liquefaction unit fractionating column

Figure 2.24 A schematic diagram for fractional distillation of liquid air

Key point
The gases in air are separated by fractional distillation of liquid air.

Class practice 2.6

The table below shows the boiling points of four components in air.

Component Boiling point / °C

Argon –186

Nitrogen –196

Oxygen –183

Xenon –109

(a) What is the process used to separate the above components in a sample of liquid air?
(b) A sample of liquid air is separated using the process that you have stated in (a). Arrange the components
in their order of being collected, i.e. from the firstly collected one to the lastly collected one.
(c) Suggest why the components in the sample of liquid air can be separated by the process you stated in
(a).

40
 The atmosphere 2
TE
Chemistry in daily life

Other uses of oxygen and nitrogen

• For breathing by divers and firefighters
Under certain conditions or environments, we have to take our own supply
of oxygen for breathing. For example, divers and firefighters carry an
oxygen cylinder with them. See Figures 2.25 and 2.26.

Figure 2.25 The diver cannot breathe Figure 2.26 Firefighters cannot
if he/she does not carry an oxygen breathe the air in the fire scenes as
cylinder. the air temperature is too high.

• For cutting and welding metals

Learning tip Workers use oxy-acetylene torch to cut and weld metals. Oxy-acetylene
Ethyne (C2H2), also known torch contains oxygen and ethyne. When the two gases are mixed
as acetylene, is a simple together and ignited by a spark, they burn at a very high temperature. This
compound formed from
very high temperature is needed in cutting and welding metals. See Figure
two elements – carbon
2.27.
and hydrogen.

(a) (b)
Figure 2.27 Oxy-acetylene torch is used to (a) cut and (b) weld metals.

• As a refrigerant
Liquid nitrogen is used for storing living cells and tissues at a very low
temperature. See Figure 2.28.

Figure 2.28 Nitrogen has a very low

boiling point of –196°C. Liquid nitrogen is
used to store living cells and tissues.

ethyne 乙炔 condition 情況 refrigerant 冷凍劑

ignite 點燃 weld 焊接
41
oxy-acetylene torch 氧乙炔焊炬
 I Planet Earth
All answers TE
2.7 Test for oxygen
We have learnt how to separate oxygen and other gases from air in Section
2.6. But how can we tell whether an unknown gas is oxygen?

Test for oxygen using glowing splint

Experiment 2.2 Oxygen gas is colourless, odourless and reactive. It supports burning.

Tests for oxygen and

carbon dioxide Put a glowing splint into a test tube containing the gas to be tested. If
the gas is oxygen, the glowing splint relights. See Figure 2.29.
Experiment video
Tests for oxygen
and carbon dioxide

glowing splint
Think about it
Do you know how to test
for hydrogen?

glowing splint
relighted
gas to be
tested

Figure 2.29 Test for oxygen with a glowing splint. Oxygen relights the glowing splint.

Key point
Oxygen relights a glowing splint. This property of oxygen is used
as a test for oxygen.

Class practice 2.7

1. Can we identify oxygen from its colour? Explain briefly.
2. You are provided with two unlabelled jars of colourless gases. One is
oxygen while another is nitrogen. Suggest a simple test to identify the jar
containing oxygen. State the expected result of the test.

glowing splint 有餘燼的木條

42
 The atmosphere 2
Extended learning 2.1
Underlying principle for the separation of nitrogen, oxygen and argon from
air
Figure 2.30 shows the physical states of nitrogen, argon and oxygen at different
temperatures.

gas
gas

gas

liquid
liquid
liquid

nitrogen argon oxygen

Figure 2.30 Physical states of nitrogen, argon and oxygen at different temperatures

When air is cooled to –200°C, it liquefies. When the mixture is warmed up to

–195°C, nitrogen boils while argon and oxygen remain as liquid. See Figure
2.31.

temperature nitrogen gas

a mixture of liquid
increases
nitrogen, liquid a mixture of liquid
argon and liquid argon and liquid
at –200°C at –195°C
oxygen oxygen

Figure 2.31 Nitrogen changes from liquid to gas when the temperature is increased
to –195°C.

After all the nitrogen boils, the mixture is warmed up to –185°C. At this
temperature, argon boils while oxygen remains as liquid. See Figure 2.32.

temperature
argon gas
increases
a mixture of liquid liquid oxygen
argon and liquid at –195°C at –185°C
oxygen

Figure 2.32 Argon changes from liquid to gas when the temperature is increased to
–185°C.

43
 I Planet Earth
TE
Chapter review
Progress check
Chapter review

After studying this chapter, you should be able to:

appreciate that the Earth is the source of a variety of chemicals useful to human beings
define elements and compounds and state the differences between them
define mixtures and state the differences between mixtures and compounds
know that the properties of a compound are different from those of its constituent elements
distinguish between physical and chemical properties of substances
distinguish between physical and chemical changes of substances
describe the processes involved in fractional distillation of liquid air, and understand the concepts
and procedure involved
demonstrate how to test for oxygen

e-Dictionary
Key terms (For Chapter 2)
Page Page
1. atmosphere 大氣 37 8. glowing splint 有餘燼的木條 42
2. chemical change 化學變化 36 9. matter 物質 26
3. chemical property 化學性質 32 10. mixture 混合物 26
4. compound 化合物 26 11. physical change 物理變化 34
5. Earth 地球 25 12. physical property 物理性質 32
6. element 元素 26 13. pure substance 純物質 26
7. fractional distillation of liquid air 39 14. word equation 文字方程式 36
液態空氣的分餾

Key concepts
2.1 Planet Earth as a source of chemicals

1. The atmosphere, the ocean and the Earth’s crust are a major source of useful chemicals.

2.2 Classification of matter

2. Matter is anything that occupies space and has mass.

3. A mixture consists of two or more pure substances which have not chemically combined
together.

4. An element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by
chemical methods.

5. A compound is a pure substance made up of two or more elements chemically combined

together.
44
 The atmosphere 2
2.3 Physical properties and chemical properties of substances

6. Physical properties of a substance are those properties that can be determined without the
substance changing into other substances.

Chapter review
Examples: appearance (colour and physical state), odour, taste, hardness, density, solubility,
melting point, boiling point, malleability, ductility, electrical conductivity and thermal
conductivity

7. Chemical properties of a substance are those properties that describe the ability of that
substance to react with other substance(s).
For example, magnesium burns in oxygen vigorously to form magnesium oxide. This is a
chemical property of magnesium.

2.4 Physical changes and chemical changes

8. A physical change is a change in which no new substances are produced.

Example: change of states of a substance

9. A chemical change is a change in which one or more new substances are produced.
For example: magnesium reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide. This is a chemical change
of magnesium.

2.5 The atmosphere and composition of air

10. The atmosphere is a gaseous layer surrounding the Earth.

11. Air contains 78% by volume of nitrogen, 21% of oxygen, 0.9% of argon and 0.1% of other gases
(including carbon dioxide, water vapour and other noble gases).

2.6 Separation of oxygen and nitrogen from air

12. The gases in air are separated by fractional distillation of liquid air.

2.7 Test for oxygen

13. Oxygen supports combustion (burning). It relights a glowing splint. This property of oxygen
can be used as a test for oxygen.

45
 Chapter review

46
I
Concept map
Complete the concept map by filling in the items listed below:

atmosphere, chemical properties, compounds, fractional distillation, glowing splint, mixtures, nitrogen, oxygen, physical changes
Planet Earth
All answers

Earth

surrounded by a
gaseous layer called
TE

(a)
Matter Physical
properties can be properties
can be classified into classified into
made up of
(h)

example (f)
AIR Pure
substances
(b) (i)

can be further changes can be

of liquid air classified into classified into

78% 21% 0.9% 0.1% Chemical

(c) (d) (g) changes
Argon Other Elements
gases

result of simple test

Relights a
(e)
 The atmosphere 2
TE All answers
Chapter exercise
A. Fill in the blanks
Section 2.1 Section 2.5
1. The , the and the 10. The is a gaseous layer surrounding
atmosphere are a major source of a variety of the Earth.
chemicals that we need. 11. Two major components of air are
and .

Chapter exercise
Section 2.2
2. A consists of two or more pure Section 2.6
substances which have not chemically combined 12. The components of air can be separated by
together. fractional distillation of liquid air, which consists
3. A pure substance can either be an of three main stages.
or a . An impure substance is (a) Stage 1: Purification
always a . Air is to remove dust
4. A compound is a pure substance made up of two or particles. Then
more elements combined together. and are removed
Water is a compound formed from from filtered air.
and . (b) Stage 2: Liquefaction
5. Compounds can be broken down into their Purified air is then and
constituent elements by methods. repeatedly until the air is
6. When a mixture of iron and is liquefied.
heated, a called iron(II) sulphide (c) Stage 3: Fractional distillation
forms. The liquid air is warmed up very slowly.
7. In a mixture, each constituent substance Different gases in the liquid air boil at
its own properties. Many temperatures.
properties of a compound are is collected at the top of the fractionating
from those of its constituent elements. column. A mixture of and
is collected at the bottom of
Section 2.3
the column.
8. Those properties that can be determined without
the substance changing into other substances
are called .
of a substance are
those properties that describe the ability of that
substance to react with other substance(s).

Section 2.4
9. A is a change in
which no new substances are produced.

47
 I Planet Earth
All answers
B. Multiple-choice questions
Section 2.2 Section 2.5
13. Which of the following substances are mixtures? 17. Which of the following combinations correctly
(1) Milk tea shows the composition of three of the gases (by
(2) Petroleum volume) in the atmosphere?
(3) Stainless steel Oxygen Nitrogen Carbon dioxide
A. (1) and (2) only A. 21 78 0.9
B. (1) and (3) only B. 21 78 0.03
C. (2) and (3) only C. 78 21 0.9
Chapter exercise

D. (1), (2) and (3) D. 78 21 0.03

14. Which of the following substances are compounds?

(1) Calcium fluoride Section 2.6
(2) Ethanol 18. Why nitrogen, but not air, is used to fill the packet of
(3) Chlorine biscuits below?
A. (1) and (2) only
B. (1) and (3) only
C. (2) and (3) only
D. (1), (2) and (3)

15. Which of the following statements concerning a

mixture or a compound is INCORRECT?
A. The composition by mass of the constituents in
a mixture can vary.
B. There is no heat change when a compound
forms.
C. The constituents in a mixture retain their own A. Nitrogen is cheaper than air.
properties. B. Nitrogen has a lower density than air.
D. A compound melts at a sharp temperature. C. Oxygen in air will make the biscuits go bad but
nitrogen will not.
Section 2.3 D. Carbon dioxide in air is toxic.
16. Which of the following is the correct description of
19. Which of the following gases is NOT obtained by
the chemical property of oxygen?
fractional distillation of liquid air?
A. Oxygen is colourless.
A. Argon
B. Oxygen reacts with hydrogen to give water.
B. Carbon dioxide
C. The boiling point of oxygen is –183°C.
C. Nitrogen
D. Oxygen does not conduct electricity.
D. Oxygen

C. Structured questions
Sections 2.6–2.7
20. For each of the following sentences, decide whether or not it is right. If it is wrong, you are required to correct it.
(a) During the fractional distillation of liquid air, nitrogen rather than oxygen is firstly collected because air
contains a greater amount of nitrogen than oxygen. (1 mark)
(b) Oxygen is tested by a glowing splint and it relights the splint. (1 mark)

48
 The atmosphere 2
Section 2.2
21. The following shows ten pure substances.
Ammonia Oxygen Chlorine Sodium Hydrogen
Sodium chloride Iron Sulphur Mercury Water
(a) State the meaning of the term ‘element’. (1 mark)
(b) Which of the above substances are elements? (1 mark)
(c) State the meaning of the term ‘compound’. (1 mark)
(d) Which of the above substances are compounds? (1 mark)
(e) If we mix iron and sulphur together, we get a mixture. State the meaning of the term ‘mixture’. (1 mark)

Chapter exercise
(f) Sodium chloride solution forms when sodium chloride dissolves in water. Do you think sodium chloride
solution is an element, a compound or a mixture? (1 mark)

Learn more: Building a better answer (see p.113)

49
 I Planet Earth
All answers TE
Exam practice
A. Multiple-choice questions
Section 2.2 Section 2.3
1. Which of the following statements concerning 3. Which of the following statements is NOT a
compounds is correct? description of physical property?
A. Compounds are impure. A. Gold can be hammered into different shapes.
B. Air is a compound. B. Milk turns sour when it is left open in air for a
C. A compound formed from two or more few days.
elements chemically combined together. C. Carbon powder is black.
D. When an element is broken down chemically, D. Iron is harder than aluminium.
compounds form.
Section 2.4
2. Which of the following statements about the boxes 4. Which of the following processes is chemical
W, X and Y is/are correct? change?
A. Heating water into steam
Exam practice

B. Adding salt to water

C. Electrolysing water
D. Separating argon from liquid air

Section 2.7
5. Which of the following statements concerning
oxygen is INCORRECT?
W X A. It is the second major component of air.
B. It relights a glowing splint.
C. It is a flammable gas.
D. It is an element.

(1) Each box contains a mixture.

(2) Box W contains two elements.
(3) Box X contains two compounds.
A. (1) only
B. (2) only
C. (1) and (3) only
D. (2) and (3) only

50
 The atmosphere 2
B. Structured questions
Section 2.3
6. A piece of burning magnesium is lowered into a jar of oxygen as shown in the diagram below. Magnesium oxide,
which is a white solid, forms.

burning magnesium

oxygen

Exam practice
(a) State the appearances of magnesium and oxygen respectively. (2 marks)
(b) Is magnesium oxide a mixture or a compound? Explain your answer. (1 mark)
(c) State one chemical property of magnesium. (1 mark)

Section 2.5
7. Peter performed an experiment to determine the percentage of oxygen (by volume) in air. Below shows the set-up
he used for the experiment.

excess copper powder

gas syringe A gas syringe B

heat

3
At the start of the experiment, gas syringe A contained 100 cm of air and gas syringe B did not contain air.
Peter passed the air over the hot copper powder by moving the plungers of the two syringes to and fro. He kept
moving the plungers until there was no further change in the volume of gas in the set-up. Then he allowed the
3
set-up to cool to room temperature, and then pushed all gases remained into gas syringe B. He found that 79 cm
of gas was collected in B.
(a) The reddish brown copper powder became black during the experiment. Suggest why. (1 mark)
(b) Suggest why the volume of gas trapped in the syringe decreased during the experiment. (1 mark)
(c) Calculate the percentage of oxygen (by volume) in air. (2 marks)

51
 I Planet Earth

Section 2.6
8. The diagram below shows the process of separation of nitrogen and oxygen from air.

gas Q

lower
temperature

liquid air
liquefaction
air filter
unit
higher
temperature

liquid mixture R
Exam practice

(a) (i) What is the method used to separate the gases in air? (1 mark)
(ii) Explain why the gases can be separated by the above method. (2 marks)
(b) What is the use of the filter? (1 mark)
(c) How is the purified air liquefied in the liquefaction unit? (1 mark)
(d) What is name of the structure P shown in the diagram? (1 mark)
(e) (i) What are Q and R respectively?
(ii) Suggest one use of nitrogen and oxygen in everyday life respectively.
(3 marks)

* 9. Air is a mixture consisting mainly of oxygen and nitrogen. The boiling points of oxygen and nitrogen are –183°C
and –196°C respectively. Describe briefly how oxygen and nitrogen can be separated from air.
(5 marks)

Section 2.7
10. Oxygen is often used in studying chemical changes of many substances in the laboratory.
(a) State any one physical property and any one chemical property of oxygen. (2 marks)
(b) Oxygen reacts vigorously with many substances liberating a large amount of heat. Suggest a hazard warning
label that should be displayed on a container of oxygen. (1 mark)
(c) Suggest a test for oxygen. (1 mark)

52
 3
Answers to Chapter exercise Add about 5 cm of methanol to a test
tube/boiling tube. 1
Chapter 1 Heat the test tube/boiling tube of methanol
in the beaker of hot water. 1
A. Fill in the blanks (p.20)
14. (a) A: Beaker 1
1. substances; compositions; structures; properties;
B: Test tube/boiling tube 1
interactions
C: Bunsen burner 1
2. experiments; Observations
D: Wire gauze 1
3. Touching; Smelling; Hearing
E: Tripod 1
4. hazard warning label(s)
F: Heat-resistant mat 1
B. Multiple-choice questions (p.20) G: Test tube holder 1
5. D H: Spatula 1
6. C (b) (i) H 1
7. A (ii) B 1
Statement (2): some chemicals are toxic or (iii) B, C, F, G 4
corrosive. We cannot touch them with bare hands. (iv) A, C, D, E, F 5
Statement (3): some gases may be irritant, harmful 15. (a) Corrosive 1
or even toxic. We cannot smell them directly. (b) Wear safety spectacles and/or protective
8. A gloves. 1
Broken glass pieces should be cleaned with a OR
broom and the glass pieces should be disposed of Handle dilute hydrochloric acid with
in a waste bin which is used for collecting broken care. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. (1)
glass. (c) solution mixture
watch glass
9. D beaker
10. C boiling water
11. B wire gauze

C. Structured questions (p.21) tripod

12. Any FIVE of the following: Bunsen burner
• She did not wear safety spectacles. 1
• She did not tie up her long hair. 1 heat-resistant
• She did not stopper the reagent bottles after mat
2
taking the chemicals out from them. 1
OR
• She should not have heated the ethanol
directly as ethanol is flammable. 1 solution mixture
watch glass
• She should not have pointed the test tube to beaker
herself. 1 boiling water
• She should not have placed the bottle of wire gauze
ethanol near the Bunsen flame as ethanol is tripod
flammable. (1) heat
13. (a) Toxic and flammable 2
(b) Wear safety spectacles and/or protective heat-resistant
gloves. 1 mat
Handle methanol in the fume cupboard. 1 (2)
OR (1 mark for correct drawing; 1 mark for correct
Keep bottles containing methanol labelling)
away from heat source and flames. (1) (d) Some white powder/solid 1
3
(c) Boil about 200 cm of water in a beaker.
When the water boils, turn off the Bunsen
burner. 1

T1
Chapter 2 (c) A compound is a pure substance made up
A. Fill in the blanks (p.47) of two or more elements chemically
1. ocean; Earth’s crust combined together. 1
2. mixture (d) Ammonia, sodium chloride, water 1
3. element; compound; mixture (e) A mixture consists of two or more pure
4. chemically; hydrogen; oxygen substances which have not chemically
5. chemical combined together. 1
6. sulphur; compound (f) A mixture 1
7. retains; different
8. physical properties; Chemical properties Chapter 3
9. physical change A. Fill in the blanks (p.77)
10. atmosphere 1. solute(s); solvent
11. nitrogen; oxygen 2. saturated solution
12. (a) filtered; carbon dioxide; water vapour 3. decantation; filtration; crystallization
(b) cooled; compressed 4. filtrate; residue
(c) different; Nitrogen (gas); (liquid) argon; oxygen 5. boiling; condensation
6. distillate
B. Multiple-choice questions (p.48) 7. golden yellow; lilac; brick-red; bluish green
13. D 8. white precipitate
Statement (1): milk tea is a mixture of milk, tea,
water, sugar, etc. B. Multiple-choice questions (p.77)
Statement (2): petroleum is a mixture of different 9. C
hydrocarbons. 10. B
Statement (3): stainless steel is a mixture of iron, Option (C): as the particles of dissolved salts can
chromium, nickel and carbon. pass through the tiny holes in the filter paper, the
14. A filtrate is a salt solution.
Statement (1): the constituent elements of calcium Option (D): crystals can be obtained only by
fluoride are calcium and fluorine. crystallization of the filtrate.
Statement (2): the constituent elements of ethanol 11. A
are carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. 12. D
15. B A condenser is not used if the distillation of sea
Heat is always released or absorbed when a water is carried out using a simple set-up as shown
compound forms. in Figure 3.12 on p.62. In that case, B could also be
16. B the correct answer.
17. B 13. D
18. C 14. C
19. B 15. A
16. D
C. Structured questions (p.48)
20. (a) False C. Structured questions (p.78)
Nitrogen is firstly collected because it has 17. (a) False
a lower boiling point than oxygen. 1 Solid salt can be obtained by evaporation
(b) True 1 or crystallization of salt solution. 1
21. (a) An element is a pure substance that cannot (b) False
be broken down into simpler substances by Chlorides in a sea water sample can be
chemical methods. 1 tested by adding acidified silver nitrate
(b) Oxygen, chlorine, sodium, hydrogen, iron, solution. 1
sulphur, mercury 1 OR
Chlorides in a sea water sample can be
tested by adding excess dilute nitric acid,
followed by silver nitrate solution. (1)
T2
 18. The direction of water flow in the condenser is (e) No. This is because the colourless liquid
wrong. 1 could be just a solution of sodium chloride,
The water should enter the condenser from without any other salts naturally present in
the lower opening and leave from the upper sea water. 1
opening. 1 21. (a) Filtration 1
The thermometer should not be dipped into (b)
filter paper
the sea water. 1 mud
It should be placed near the side-arm of the filter funnel
still head. 1
There are no anti-bumping granules in the
round-bottomed flask. 1
A few anti-bumping granules should be added sodium chloride
to the flask to prevent bumping due to solution 2
overheating of the sea water. 1 (1 mark for correct drawing; 1 mark for correct
19. (a) Some metals and metallic compounds, labelling)
when burnt or heated strongly, produce (c) Distillation 1
a characteristic coloured flame. 1 (d) thermometer
(b) Moisten a clean platinum (or nichrome)
wire with concentrated hydrochloric acid. 1
delivery
Dip the wire into a sample of the substance
tube
to be tested. 1
Heat the end of the wire in a non-luminous anti-bumping sodium test tube
Bunsen flame. 1 granule chloride
heat
(c) Potassium-containing compounds: lilac 1 solution
Calcium-containing compounds: brick-red 1 water
Copper-containing compounds: bluish pure
green 1 water
20. (a) The sample may be unclean, harmful or 2
even poisonous. 1 OR
(b) Flame test 1
(c) Add excess dilute nitric acid, followed by thermometer
silver nitrate solution to the sample of water
colourless liquid. 1 out
If a white precipitate forms, the sample condenser
contains chloride. 1
(d) Add a few drops of the sample of
colourless liquid to anhydrous copper(II) sodium chloride water in
sulphate. 1 solution anti-bumping
If the anhydrous copper(II) sulphate
heat granule
changes from white to blue, the sample
pure water
contains water. 1
2
OR
(1 mark for correct drawing; 1 mark for correct
Add a few drops of the sample of
labelling)
colourless liquid to a piece of dry
(e) The presence of sodium in the sodium
cobalt(II) chloride paper. (1)
chloride obtained can be shown by a flame
If the paper changes from blue to pink,
test. 1
the sample contains water. (1)
If a golden yellow flame is seen, the sodium
chloride obtained contains sodium. 1

T3
 The presence of chloride in the sodium 3. B
chloride obtained can be shown by a silver Oxygen in air reacts with milk and forms a new
nitrate test. 1 substance which has a sour taste. This is a
If a white precipitate forms, the sodium chemical change and is a description of the
chloride obtained contains chloride. 1 chemical property of milk.
4. C
Chapter 4 Electrolysis of water gives hydrogen and oxygen,
A. Fill in the blanks (p.101) so new substances are produced in the process.
1. Rock 5. C
2. Minerals; element Oxygen supports burning, but it itself does not
3. ore burn, i.e. oxygen is non-flammable.
4. heating
B. Structured questions (p.51)
5. carbon
6. (a) Magnesium is a silvery/silvery white solid. 1
6. electrolysis
Oxygen is a colourless gas. 1
7. chalk; marble
(b) Magnesium is a compound. It is produced
8. milky; milky; colourless
by the reaction between magnesium and
9. brick-red
oxygen. Magnesium oxide has properties
10. dilute hydrochloric acid; a colourless gas/carbon
that are different from those of magnesium
dioxide; limewater
and oxygen. 1
B. Multiple-choice questions (p.101) (c) Magnesium reacts with oxygen to give
11. C magnesium oxide. 1
Option (A): gold is extracted by panning. 7. (a) Copper reacted with oxygen in air to form
Option (B): iron is extracted by heating the ore with copper(II) oxide, which is a black solid. 1
carbon. (b) Some oxygen in air had been used for the
Option (D): mercury is extracted by heating the ore reaction. 1
strongly in air. (c) Percentage of oxygen (by volume) in air
12. A volume of oxygen used
= × 100%
13. C volume of air in the set-up at the start
3
(100 – 79) cm
C. Structured question (p.102) = 3 × 100% 1
100 cm
14. (a) Calcium carbonate dissolves. 1 = 21% 1
Colourless gas bubbles evolve/ 8. (a) (i) Fractional distillation of liquid air 1
effervescence occurs. 1 (ii) The gases in air have different boiling
(b) calcium carbonate + dilute hydrochloric acid points. 1
calcium chloride + carbon dioxide + The one with a lower boiling point
water 1 would boil off first. 1
(c) Carbon dioxide 1 (b) To remove dust particles in air 1
(d) The candle flame is extinguished. 1 (c) By repeated cooling and compression of
(e) Making fire extinguishers 1 the purified air in the liquefaction unit 1
(d) Fractionating column 1
(e) (i) Q: nitrogen
1
Answers to Exam practice R: oxygen and argon
(ii) Any one of the following uses for
Chapter 2 nitrogen (accept other correct uses of
A. Multiple-choice questions (p.50) nitrogen):
1. C Nitrogen is used to provide an inert
2. B atmosphere for food packaging. 1
Nitrogen is used as a refrigerant. (1)

T4
 (ii) Any one of the following uses for B. Structured questions (p.81)
oxygen (accept other correct uses of 6. As sand is insoluble in water, it can be
oxygen): separated from the mixture by filtration. The
Oxygen is used in hospitals to help filtrate collected is magnesium chloride solution. 1
patients with breathing difficulties. 1 As the boiling point of magnesium chloride is
Oxygen is used to support breathing much higher than that of water, water can be
for divers, firefighters, etc. in places isolated from the magnesium chloride solution
where there are insufficient air. (1) by distillation. The distillate collected is pure
Oxygen is used to support burning water. 1
of fuels. (1) The residue left in the distillation flask is
9. The air is first filtered to remove dust particles. magnesium chloride. 1
The filtered air is then cooled to –80°C. At this 7. (a) A white precipitate forms. 1
temperature, carbon dioxide and water vapour (b) To wash away the sodium nitrate solution
become solid and are removed from the filtered left/adhered on the surface of silver
air. 1 chloride precipitate. 1
Next, the purified air is cooled and compressed (c) Crystallization 1
repeatedly until it is liquefied/becomes liquid. 1 Filtration 1
After that, the liquid air is warmed up very (Cambridge Assessment International Education
slowly. Different gases in the air boil at different bears no responsibility for the example answers to
temperatures and they can be collected one by questions taken from its past question papers
one. 1 which are contained in this publication. In
Nitrogen (with a lower boiling point) will boil off examinations, the way marks are awarded may be
and being collected first. Oxygen (with a higher different.)
boiling point) will be the final one. 1 8. (a) The presence of chloride in Yukisio salt can
Communication mark 1 be shown by a silver nitrate test. 1
10. (a) Oxygen is colourless/odourless/boils at If a white precipitate forms, Yukisio salt
–183°C at 1 atm. 1 contains chloride. 1
Oxygen reacts with hydrogen to form (b) Disagree. Only a golden yellow flame will be
water/reacts with carbon to form carbon seen in the flame test. 1
dioxide. 1 This is because the golden yellow flame
(b) Oxidizing 1 produced by the sodium chloride will mask
(c) Oxygen relights a glowing splint. 1 the lilac flame and brick-red flame produced
by the compounds of potassium and
Chapter 3 calcium respectively. 1
A. Multiple-choice questions (p.80)
1. A Chapter 4
3
If 100 cm of water can dissolve a maximum of A. Multiple-choice questions (p.103)
3
30 g of salt Y, in other words, 50 cm of water can 1. B
3
dissolve a maximum of 15 g of salt Y and 200 cm Some substances in limestone do not react with
of water can dissolve a maximum of 60 g of salt Y. dilute hydrochloric acid. Hence, the resultant
2. B solution may not be clear.
As T is insoluble in water, it can be separated from 2. A
the mixture directly by filtration. Limestone is insoluble in water and has no reaction
3. A (56%) with water.
Crystals obtained by rapid cooling of hot saturated 3. C
solution are smaller in size. 4. B
4. C
B. Structured questions (p.103)
5. C
5. (a) calcium carbonate calcium oxide +
Alcohol does not contain water, so it cannot turn
carbon dioxide 1
anhydrous copper(II) sulphate from white to blue.
T5
 (b) The carbon dioxide produced can be used (iii) Colourless gas bubbles evolved/
to put out the fire. 1 effervescence occurred. 1
Heat is absorbed when limestone (iv) No observable change 1
decomposes. 1 (b) Add water to the two samples separately. 1
6. (a) Calcite 1 Only the table salt sample dissolves in
(b) Calcium carbonate 1 water. 1
(c) 9. (a) Rainwater is slightly acidic because
carbon dioxide in air dissolves slightly in it,
forming carbonic acid. 1
carbon dioxide + water carbonic acid 1
The carbonic acid formed reacts with the
limestone limewater
calcium carbonate in limestone, forming
calcium hydrogencarbonate. 1
heat
2 calcium carbonate + carbonic acid
(1 mark for correct drawing; 1 mark for correct calcium hydrogencarbonate 1
labelling) The calcium hydrogencarbonate is soluble
(d) When the gas is bubbled into the in water and thus the rock is slowly worn
limewater for a few seconds, the limewater away. 1
turns milky. 1 (b) (i) Calcium oxide 1
(e) Any one of the following (accept other (ii) Calcium hydroxide 1
correct daily applications of limestone): calcium oxide + water
• Making glass/cement 1 calcium hydroxide 1
• Building statues/sculptures (1) (c) The presence of carbonate in the limestone
• Neutralizing acidic soil/acidic flue gas sample can be tested by adding dilute
generated in power plants (1) hydrochloric acid to the sample and test
• Removing the impurities in haematite any gas evolved with limewater. 1
(an iron ore) when iron is extracted If effervescence occurs and the limewater
from its ore in a blast furnace (1) turns milky, carbonate is present in the
7. (a) The limewater turned milky. The milky sample. 1
solution became colourless when excess
carbon dioxide was bubbled into it. 1
(b) The limewater turned milky because Answers to Part exercise
carbon dioxide reacted with limewater (i.e.
calcium hydroxide), forming a white Chapter 4
precipitate of calcium carbonate. 1 A. Multiple-choice questions (p.105)
calcium hydroxide + carbon dioxide 1. D
calcium carbonate + water 1 Tap water is not a pure substance as it contains
When excess carbon dioxide was bubbled various minerals, chlorine, air, impurities that vary
into the milky limewater, the insoluble from place to place, etc.
calcium carbonate reacted with excess 2. A
carbon dioxide and water to form soluble Ice-cream is a mixture as it contains milk, water,
calcium hydrogencarbonate. 1 sugar, flavourings, food colourings, preservatives,
calcium carbonate + carbon dioxide + water etc.
calcium hydrogencarbonate 1 3. D
(c) Limewater may absorb carbon dioxide When dry ice sublimes, solid carbon dioxide
readily from air and turn milky when it is changes directly to carbon dioxide gas. Nothing
left exposed to air. 1 has reacted with dry ice in the process.
8. (a) (i) A brick-red flame was seen. 1 4. A
(ii) A golden yellow flame was seen. 1 5. B (56%)

T6
 6. B (b) As the sample of white powder gave a
7. A brick-red flame in the flame test, it
8. A contained calcium. 1
As the sample of white powder evolved
B. Structured questions (p.106)
carbon dioxide upon addition of dilute
9. (a) (i) Air/atmosphere 1
hydrochloric acid, it contained carbonate. 1
(ii) Fractional distillation of liquid air 1
As the sample of white solid gave a positive
(iii) Sea water 1
result in the silver nitrate test, it contained
(iv) Electrolysis of sea water 1
chloride. 1
(v) Bauxite 1
Thus, the sample of white solid might be a
(vi) Electrolysis of molten aluminium oxide/
mixture of calcium chloride and calcium
aluminium ore 1
carbonate.
(b) One daily use of chlorine:
(c) Add deionized water to the sample of white
Sterilizing swimming pool water/making
solid to dissolve calcium chloride.
plastic (PVC)/making chlorine bleach 1
Filter the resultant mixture. The residue left
One daily use of aluminium:
on the filter paper is calcium carbonate.
Making soft drink cans/making kitchen foil/
making body of airplanes 1 filter paper
10. Heat the magnesium chloride solution until it calcium carbonate
becomes saturated. Leave the hot saturated filter funnel
solution to cool slowly to room temperature. 1
Leave the saturated solution in air for a few
days to evaporate off some of the water.
Crystals of magnesium chloride will form and calcium chloride solution
they slowly grow in size. 1
(1 mark for correct drawing; 1 mark for
Filter the residual solution. Collect the crystals
correct labelling) 2
of magnesium chloride left on the filter paper. 1
Heat the filtrate to evaporate off all of the
Effective communication 1
water. The residue left on the evaporating
11. (a) X: hydrogen 1
dish is calcium chloride.
Y: chlorine 1
Z: sodium chloride 1 evaporating dish
calcium chloride
(b) This conversion is a chemical change
solution
because new substances are produced. 1 wire gauze
(c) sea water hydrogen + chlorine + tripod heat
sodium hydroxide 1
(d) X: flammable 1
Y: toxic 1
(1 mark for correct drawing; 1 mark for
Z: corrosive 1
correct labelling) 2
12. (a) (i) Calcium carbonate 1
14. Any THREE of the following methods and the
(ii) Calcium oxide 1
corresponding expected observations:
(b) calcium carbonate calcium oxide +
• Perform flame tests on the two samples
carbon dioxide 1
respectively. 1
(c) Carbon dioxide 1
The one which gives a lilac flame is
(d) Neutralizing acidic soil 1
potassium chloride. The one which gives a
13. (a) (i) Test carbon dioxide by using limewater. 1
brick-red flame is calcium carbonate. 1
It turns limewater milky. 1
• Add the two samples to water respectively. 1
(ii) calcium hydroxide + carbon dioxide
The one which dissolves in water is
calcium carbonate + water 1
potassium chloride. The one which does not
dissolve in water is calcium carbonate. 1

T7
 • Add dilute hydrochloric acid to the two (ii) No. This is because a compound has
samples respectively. 1 very different properties from its
The one which evolves colourless gas constituent elements generally. 1
bubbles is calcium carbonate. The one which (b) Fractional distillation of liquid air 1
has no observable change is potassium (c) Nitrogen and hydrogen have different
chloride. 1 densities/masses/boiling points. 1
• Add acidified silver nitrate solution to the Nitrogen is non-flammable whereas
two samples respectively. (1) hydrogen is flammable. 1
The one which forms a white precipitate is (d) Water 1
potassium chloride. The one which has no A compound 1
observable change is calcium carbonate. (1) 12. (a) The particles of dissolved salts are much
smaller than the particles of mud. 1
Particles of dissolved salts can pass
Answers to Revision test through the tiny holes in filter paper, but
the mud particles cannot. 1
Chapter 4 (b) (i) P: thermometer 1
A. Multiple-choice questions (p.108) Q: Bunsen burner 1
1. A R: (Liebig/water) condenser 1
Some compounds form naturally on Earth. (ii) It provides a cold surface for steam to
2. C cool and condense to water. 1
The constituent substances in a mixture can be (iii) The condenser could not be
separated by physical methods, based on the completely filled with water. Its cooling
difference in their physical properties. effect will be reduced. 1
3. D Less steam will be condensed to water
4. B and hence, the volume of pure water
Magnesium carbonate decomposes to magnesium collected will be smaller. 1
oxide and carbon dioxide when heated strongly. 13. (a) An ore is the type of rock that contains
5. C useful minerals, from which a metal can be
6. C extracted. 1
Option (A): no residue is left when a mixture of (b) Calcium carbonate 1
water and alcohol is allowed to evaporate in air. (c) calcium carbonate calcium oxide +
Option (B): any sample containing water can turn carbon dioxide 1
white anhydrous copper(II) sulphate blue. (d) No observable change 1
Option (C): the freezing point of water is 0°C. (e) It is a chemical change. This is because a
7. D new substance (carbonic acid) forms when
A burning splint glows more brightly in oxygen. On carbon dioxide dissolves in water. 1
the contrary, carbon dioxide puts out the flame of a (f) The distilled water will be sucked back into
burning splint. the hot boiling tube. 1
8. C This may cause the cracking/breaking of
9. D the hot boiling tube. 1
10. D
Mineral water is a mixture of water and minerals. It
boils in a range of temperatures.

B. Structured questions (p.109)

11. (a) (i) Nitrogen monoxide is produced from
the chemical reaction between
nitrogen and oxygen. 1

T8