Year 12 Chemistry Module 8 · Checkpoint 1 ⏱ ~20 min Lessons 1-5

Checkpoint 1 — IQ1 Review

Covering Lessons 1 to 5: titrations, gravimetric analysis, qualitative ion testing, UV-Vis and AAS, and chromatography. Use this checkpoint to see whether you can move between techniques and choose the right evidence for the right analytical problem.

What's Covered

L01
Titrations & Indicators
  • n = cV and c = n/V
  • Back titration
  • Endpoint vs equivalence point
  • Indicator choice
L02
Gravimetric Analysis
  • Dissolve → precipitate → filter → dry → weigh
  • Percentage composition
  • Precipitating agents
  • Error direction
L03
Qualitative Analysis
  • Anion and cation tests
  • Net ionic equations
  • Flame tests
  • Qualitative vs quantitative
L04
UV-Vis & AAS
  • Beer-Lambert law
  • Calibration curves
  • AAS principle
  • Applications and limits
L05
Chromatography
  • TLC and Rf
  • Column chromatography
  • HPLC and retention time
  • Purity interpretation

Section A — Multiple Choice

Question 1

Which statement best distinguishes the endpoint from the equivalence point in a titration?

AThey are always identical because indicators change colour only at stoichiometric completion
BThe endpoint is the observed indicator change, while the equivalence point is the stoichiometric reaction point
CThe endpoint is where equal volumes are mixed, while equivalence depends on colour intensity
DOnly strong acid-strong base titrations have endpoints
Question 2

Which process sequence correctly describes gravimetric analysis?

ADissolve → dry → precipitate → filter → weigh
BPrecipitate → dissolve → filter → weigh → dry
CFilter → precipitate → dry → dissolve → weigh
DDissolve → precipitate → filter → dry → weigh
Question 3

Which reagent is used to test for chloride ion in qualitative analysis?

AAgNO3(aq)
BBaCl2(aq)
CNaOH(aq)
DNa2CO3(aq)
Question 4

Which statement about AAS is correct?

AIt detects ions directly in solution without sample atomisation
BIt only works for coloured solutions
CIt measures absorption by ground-state atoms at characteristic wavelengths
DIt measures all elements at once with no limitations
Question 5

What is the correct formula for Rf in TLC?

Adistance travelled by solvent front / distance travelled by compound
Bdistance travelled by compound / distance travelled by solvent front
Cdistance travelled by compound × distance travelled by solvent front
Ddistance travelled by compound − distance travelled by solvent front
Question 6

Why is phenolphthalein more suitable than methyl orange for a weak acid-strong base titration?

ABecause phenolphthalein is always darker in colour
BBecause methyl orange only works with strong acids and strong bases
CBecause weak acid-strong base titrations do not have an equivalence point
DBecause the equivalence region is above pH 7, matching phenolphthalein’s transition range better
Question 7

If a precipitate is weighed before it is fully dry, what is the most likely effect?

AMeasured mass is too high, so analyte amount is overestimated
BMeasured mass is too low, so analyte amount is underestimated
CNo effect, because balances do not detect water
DThe precipitate dissolves again during weighing
Question 8

A solution gives a pale blue precipitate with NaOH(aq) and a blue-green flame test. Which ion is most strongly supported?

AFe3+
BCa2+
CCu2+
DNH4+
Question 9

What does a smaller extra peak on an HPLC chromatogram most strongly suggest?

AThe detector must be broken
BAn additional component or impurity is present
CRetention time is no longer useful
DThe sample is definitely pure
Question 10

Which statement best distinguishes qualitative from quantitative analysis?

AQualitative analysis is more accurate than quantitative analysis
BQualitative analysis gives numerical concentration, while quantitative analysis gives presence or absence
CQualitative analysis identifies what is present, while quantitative analysis determines how much is present
DOnly instrumental methods can be quantitative

Section B — Short Answer

Question 11

Explain how a back titration can be used to determine the amount of active base in an antacid tablet. 3 marks

Question 12

A chemist obtains a white precipitate with AgNO3(aq) and writes the molecular equation AgNO3(aq) + NaCl(aq) → AgCl(s) + NaNO3(aq). Write the net ionic equation and explain why it is preferred when discussing qualitative tests. 4 marks

Question 13

Evaluate why HPLC is generally more suitable than TLC alone for pharmaceutical purity testing. In your answer, refer to sensitivity, retention time, and impurity detection. 4 marks

✅ Model Answers

Multiple Choice

1. B — endpoint is the observed indicator change; equivalence point is the stoichiometric point.

2. D — gravimetric analysis follows dissolve → precipitate → filter → dry → weigh.

3. A — AgNO3(aq) is used to test for chloride ion.

4. C — AAS measures absorption by ground-state atoms after atomisation.

5. B — Rf is compound distance divided by solvent-front distance.

6. D — phenolphthalein better matches the higher-pH equivalence region.

7. A — incomplete drying leaves water, making measured mass too high.

8. C — pale blue precipitate plus blue-green flame strongly supports Cu2+.

9. B — an additional peak suggests an impurity or extra component.

10. C — qualitative asks what is present; quantitative asks how much is present.

Short Answer Model Answers

Q11 (3 marks): A known excess of acid is added to the crushed antacid tablet so the active base reacts completely. The acid left over is then titrated with a standard base solution. The moles of excess acid are calculated from the second titration and subtracted from the initial moles of acid added. This gives the moles of acid that reacted with the antacid, which can then be converted to the amount of active base using stoichiometry.

Q12 (4 marks): The net ionic equation is Ag+(aq) + Cl-(aq) → AgCl(s). It is preferred because it removes spectator ions such as Na+(aq) and NO3-(aq), leaving only the species that actually undergo chemical change. In qualitative analysis, this makes the test logic clearer by showing exactly which ions are responsible for the observed precipitate.

Q13 (4 marks): HPLC is generally more suitable than TLC alone for pharmaceutical purity testing because it is more sensitive and can detect smaller impurity levels. Retention time provides stronger instrumental evidence for component identity when compared with a standard under the same conditions. HPLC also produces peak patterns that reveal minor impurities more clearly than a simple TLC plate. TLC is useful as a fast screening tool, but HPLC gives more reliable and detailed evidence for high-stakes purity decisions.

Mark checkpoint as complete

Tick when you've finished the review and checked your answers.