Analytical techniques: past paper questions

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• Question 40May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The infrared spectrum of X shows absorptions at $2200{\text{ cm}}^{-1}$ and $1630{\text{ cm}}^{-1}$. The mass spectrum of X shows: • a peak for the molecular ion, ${\text{X}}^{+}$, with a relative abundance of 38 • a peak for the ion, $[\text{X}+1{]}^{+}$, with a relative abundance of 2.9.

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• Question 40Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The purity of a compound can be determined using infrared spectroscopy. The table gives the characteristic infrared absorption frequencies for some selected bonds.

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• Question 40Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows the mass spectrum of a sample of chlorine. Peaks V, W, X, Y and Z are labelled. Which statements about this spectrum are correct?

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• Question 39Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The infrared spectrum of compound L is shown.

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• Question 40May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The mass spectrum of an alloy of copper and gold is shown. Which expression can be used to calculate the relative atomic mass, $A_r$, of copper present in this sample?

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Structured13 marksHas a diagram

  Cycloalkanes show similar chemical properties to alkanes but have the same empirical formula as alkenes.

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• Question 40Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Vitamin C has the structure shown. The mass spectrum of vitamin C has a molecular ion peak with an $m\mathrm{/}e$ value of 176 and a relative abundance of $7.0\mathrm{\%}$. What is the abundance of the $\mathrm{M}+1$ peak?

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• Question 39May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The infrared spectrum of compound X is shown.

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• Question 40Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows the mass spectrum of a sample of chlorine. Peaks V, W, X, Y and Z are labelled. [Diagram: Mass spectrum of chlorine showing peaks V, W, X, Y and Z] Which statements about this spectrum are correct?

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• Question 40Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Oxygen has three stable isotopes, ${}^{16}\text{O}$, ${}^{17}\text{O}$ and ${}^{18}\text{O}$. All three isotopes are present in a sample of oxygen gas, ${\text{O}}_2$, which was analysed using a mass spectrometer. How many peaks associated with the ${\text{O}}_2^{+}$ ion would be expected?

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• Question 40May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The mass spectra of pentane and methylbutane are compared. Which statement is correct?

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• Question 40May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Hydrocarbon X is saturated. Each molecule contains one ring of carbon atoms. The mass spectrum of hydrocarbon X is measured.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  Propanone, ${\text{CH}}_3{\text{COCH}}_3$, is an important organic reagent. Fig. 4.1 shows some reactions of propanone and its derivatives. Reaction 1 is a nucleophilic addition reaction.

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• Question 6May/June 2026, paper 22Structured13 marksHas a diagram

  Figure 6.1 shows the structure of compound P. Draw the structure of the stereoisomer of P.

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• Question 40May/June 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The mass spectrum of $\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_3\mathrm{C}\mathrm{l}$ shows a molecular ion peak, ${\mathrm{M}}^{+}$, at the $m\mathrm{/}e$ value of 50 with a relative abundance of $18.0\mathrm{\%}$. Other peaks are present in the mass spectrum. What is seen in the mass spectrum at the $m\mathrm{/}e$ value of 52?

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Structured17 marksHas a diagram

  Bromoalkanes are used widely in industry, although there is increasing concern about their environmental impact. Fig. 4.1 shows a reaction scheme involving 1,2-dibromoethane. Complete Fig. 4.2 to show the mechanism for the formation of 1,2-dibromoethane in reaction 1.

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• Question 5May/June 2026, paper 23Structured12 marksHas a diagram

  Propane, ${\mathrm{C}\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{C}\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{C}\mathrm{H}}_3$, reacts with ${\mathrm{C}\mathrm{l}}_2(\mathrm{g})$ in the presence of ultraviolet light to produce different organic products, including those shown in Table 5.1.

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• Question 40May/June 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The mass spectrum of an organic compound has the following features. ● The molecular ion peak is at $m\mathrm{/}e=60$. This peak has a relative intensity = 100.

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• Question 4May/June 2025, paper 21Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  The structure of vitamin C is shown in Fig. 4.1. Deduce the empirical formula of vitamin C.

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• Question 40May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Compound X reacts with acidified ${\text{K}}_2{\text{Cr}}_2{\text{O}}_7$ to form compound Y. The infrared spectrum of compound Y is shown.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2023, paper 22Structured19 marksHas a diagram

  Phosphoric(V) acid, ${\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{P}\mathrm{O}}_4$, is used in both inorganic and organic reactions. ${\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{P}\mathrm{O}}_4$ is made in a two-step process from phosphorus. step 1 Phosphorus reacts with an excess of oxygen to form a white solid.

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• Question 5May/June 2025, paper 22Structured5 marksHas a diagram

  The structure of vitamin C is shown in Fig. 5.1. Fig. 5.1 Deduce the empirical formula of vitamin C.

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• Question 5May/June 2025, paper 23Structured14 marksHas a diagram

  W is a colourless liquid. [Fig. 5.1] Deduce the empirical formula of W.

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• Question 6May/June 2024, paper 21Structured14 marksHas a diagram

  $\mathbf{V}$ shows stereoisomerism. Explain what is meant by stereoisomerism.

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• Question 40May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  There are two naturally occuring isotopes of bromine. One isotope has 44 neutrons. The other isotope has 46 neutrons.

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• Question 5May/June 2024, paper 23Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  M reacts to form R by the addition of one reagent, as shown in Fig. 5.1. Fig. 5.1 Identify the reagent and conditions for this reaction.

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• Question 40May/June 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The mass spectrum of compound X has M, M+1 and M+2 peaks. Other peaks are also present. Peak M is the molecular ion peak, ${\mathrm{M}}^{+}$.

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• Question 5May/June 2023, paper 22Structured12 marksHas a diagram

  Describe structural isomerism.

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