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800 most-asked Class 11 & 12 (+1 / +2) questions across Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Biology — each with a model answer and the exact marking-scheme points examiners reward. Revise smart, walk in calm.
ChemistryClass 113 marksmedium
Thermodynamics
When 1 kJ of heat is supplied to a gas, it does 200 J of work by expanding. Calculate the change in internal energy of the gas.
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Heat supplied to the system q = +1 kJ = +1000 J. Work is done BY the gas, so work done on the system w = -200 J. By the first law, delta U = q + w = 1000 + (-200) = 800 J. The internal energy increases by 800 J.
delta U = q + w
Marking-scheme points
- ✓q = +1000 J (heat absorbed)
- ✓Work done by gas -> w = -200 J
- ✓delta U = q + w = 1000 - 200 = 800 J
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Thermodynamics
Given: C(s) + O2(g) -> CO2(g), delta H = -393.5 kJ and CO(g) + 1/2 O2(g) -> CO2(g), delta H = -283.0 kJ. Calculate the enthalpy of formation of CO(g).
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We want C(s) + 1/2 O2(g) -> CO(g). By Hess's law, subtract the second equation from the first: delta H(reqd) = delta H1 - delta H2 = (-393.5) - (-283.0) = -110.5 kJ. So the enthalpy of formation of CO is -110.5 kJ/mol.
delta H(reqd) = delta H1 - delta H2
Marking-scheme points
- ✓Target: C + 1/2 O2 -> CO
- ✓Subtract equation 2 from equation 1
- ✓delta H = -393.5 - (-283.0) = -110.5 kJ/mol
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Thermodynamics
Write the Gibbs-Helmholtz equation and state the criteria of spontaneity in terms of delta G.
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The Gibbs energy change is given by delta G = delta H - T delta S. Criteria of spontaneity: if delta G < 0 (negative), the process is spontaneous; if delta G = 0, the system is at equilibrium; if delta G > 0 (positive), the process is non-spontaneous (the reverse is spontaneous). A reaction is always spontaneous when delta H is negative and delta S is positive.
delta G = delta H - T delta S
Marking-scheme points
- ✓delta G = delta H - T delta S
- ✓delta G < 0: spontaneous; = 0: equilibrium; > 0: non-spontaneous
- ✓delta H negative and delta S positive -> always spontaneous
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Thermodynamics
For a reaction, delta H = -92.4 kJ and delta S = -198 J/K at 298 K. Calculate delta G and predict whether the reaction is spontaneous.
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Convert delta S to kJ: -198 J/K = -0.198 kJ/K. delta G = delta H - T delta S = -92.4 - (298 x -0.198) = -92.4 - (-59.0) = -92.4 + 59.0 = -33.4 kJ. Since delta G is negative, the reaction is spontaneous at 298 K.
delta G = delta H - T delta S
Marking-scheme points
- ✓delta G = delta H - T delta S
- ✓T delta S = 298 x (-0.198) = -59.0 kJ
- ✓delta G = -33.4 kJ -> spontaneous
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Equilibrium
For the reaction N2(g) + 3H2(g) <=> 2NH3(g), write the expression for Kc and state the relation between Kp and Kc.
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Kc = [NH3]^2 / ([N2][H2]^3). The relation between Kp and Kc is Kp = Kc (RT)^(delta ng), where delta ng = (moles of gaseous products) - (moles of gaseous reactants). Here delta ng = 2 - (1 + 3) = -2, so Kp = Kc (RT)^-2.
Kp = Kc (RT)^(delta ng)
Marking-scheme points
- ✓Kc = [NH3]^2 / ([N2][H2]^3)
- ✓Kp = Kc (RT)^(delta ng)
- ✓delta ng = 2 - 4 = -2, so Kp = Kc (RT)^-2
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Equilibrium
For the equilibrium N2O4(g) <=> 2NO2(g), the equilibrium concentrations are [N2O4] = 0.02 mol/L and [NO2] = 0.04 mol/L. Calculate Kc.
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Kc = [NO2]^2 / [N2O4] = (0.04)^2 / 0.02 = 0.0016 / 0.02 = 0.08 mol/L. The units are mol/L because delta ng = 1 for this reaction.
Kc = [products]^coeff / [reactants]^coeff
Marking-scheme points
- ✓Kc = [NO2]^2 / [N2O4]
- ✓= (0.04)^2 / 0.02 = 0.0016/0.02
- ✓Kc = 0.08 mol/L
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Equilibrium
What is the effect of temperature and of a catalyst on a system at equilibrium?
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Temperature: increasing temperature favours the endothermic direction and decreasing temperature favours the exothermic direction (as per Le Chatelier's principle); temperature also changes the value of the equilibrium constant K. Catalyst: a catalyst speeds up both the forward and backward reactions equally, so it helps the system reach equilibrium faster but does not shift the position of equilibrium or change the value of K.
Marking-scheme points
- ✓Higher temperature favours endothermic direction; changes K
- ✓Catalyst speeds up forward and backward reactions equally
- ✓Catalyst does not shift equilibrium or change K
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Equilibrium
Calculate the pH of a 0.01 M NaOH solution at 298 K.
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NaOH is a strong base and dissociates completely, so [OH-] = 0.01 M = 10^-2 M. pOH = -log[OH-] = -log(10^-2) = 2. Since pH + pOH = 14, pH = 14 - 2 = 12. The solution is basic (pH > 7).
pH + pOH = 14
Marking-scheme points
- ✓Strong base: [OH-] = 10^-2 M -> pOH = 2
- ✓pH + pOH = 14 at 298 K
- ✓pH = 14 - 2 = 12 (basic)
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Equilibrium
What is a buffer solution? Give one example of an acidic buffer and write the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation.
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A buffer solution is one that resists a change in its pH on the addition of a small amount of acid or base. An acidic buffer is made from a weak acid and its salt with a strong base, e.g. acetic acid + sodium acetate (CH3COOH + CH3COONa). The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation is pH = pKa + log([salt]/[acid]).
pH = pKa + log([salt]/[acid])
Marking-scheme points
- ✓Buffer resists change in pH on adding small acid/base
- ✓Acidic buffer: weak acid + its salt (e.g. CH3COOH + CH3COONa)
- ✓pH = pKa + log([salt]/[acid])
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Equilibrium
The solubility product (Ksp) of AgCl is 1.8 x 10^-10 at 298 K. Calculate its solubility in mol/L.
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AgCl dissociates as AgCl <=> Ag+ + Cl-. If solubility = s mol/L, then [Ag+] = [Cl-] = s. Ksp = [Ag+][Cl-] = s x s = s^2. So s = sqrt(Ksp) = sqrt(1.8 x 10^-10) = 1.34 x 10^-5 mol/L.
Ksp = s^2 (for AB type salt)
Marking-scheme points
- ✓Ksp = [Ag+][Cl-] = s^2 for a 1:1 salt
- ✓s = sqrt(Ksp)
- ✓s = sqrt(1.8e-10) = 1.34 x 10^-5 mol/L
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Redox Reactions
Balance the following redox reaction in acidic medium by the ion-electron (half-reaction) method: MnO4- + Fe2+ -> Mn2+ + Fe3+.
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Reduction half: MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- -> Mn2+ + 4H2O. Oxidation half: Fe2+ -> Fe3+ + e-. To balance electrons, multiply the oxidation half by 5: 5Fe2+ -> 5Fe3+ + 5e-. Add the two halves: MnO4- + 8H+ + 5Fe2+ -> Mn2+ + 4H2O + 5Fe3+. This is the balanced equation.
Marking-scheme points
- ✓Reduction: MnO4- + 8H+ + 5e- -> Mn2+ + 4H2O
- ✓Oxidation: Fe2+ -> Fe3+ + e- (x5 to balance electrons)
- ✓Overall: MnO4- + 8H+ + 5Fe2+ -> Mn2+ + 5Fe3+ + 4H2O
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Hydrogen
What is hard water? Distinguish between temporary and permanent hardness and give one method to remove each.
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Hard water is water that does not give lather easily with soap because it contains dissolved calcium and magnesium salts. Temporary hardness is due to bicarbonates of Ca and Mg (Ca(HCO3)2, Mg(HCO3)2) and can be removed by boiling or by Clark's method (adding calculated slaked lime). Permanent hardness is due to chlorides and sulphates of Ca and Mg and is removed by adding washing soda (Na2CO3) or by the ion-exchange (permutit/resin) method.
Marking-scheme points
- ✓Hard water: contains Ca2+ and Mg2+ salts, no lather with soap
- ✓Temporary: bicarbonates -> removed by boiling / Clark's method
- ✓Permanent: chlorides and sulphates -> removed by washing soda / ion exchange
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The s-Block Elements
Describe the trend in solubility of the hydroxides and sulphates of alkaline earth metals down the group. Give the flame colours of Ca, Sr and Ba.
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Solubility of hydroxides increases down the group (Mg(OH)2 is sparingly soluble while Ba(OH)2 is fairly soluble) because lattice energy decreases faster than hydration energy. Solubility of sulphates decreases down the group (MgSO4 is soluble but BaSO4 is almost insoluble) because hydration energy decreases faster for the larger ions. Flame colours: calcium gives brick-red, strontium gives crimson-red and barium gives apple-green.
Marking-scheme points
- ✓Hydroxide solubility increases down group (lattice energy falls faster)
- ✓Sulphate solubility decreases down group (hydration energy falls faster)
- ✓Flame: Ca brick-red, Sr crimson, Ba apple-green
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The p-Block Elements
Describe the structure and bonding in diborane (B2H6).
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Diborane (B2H6) has two boron atoms and six hydrogen atoms. Four hydrogen atoms (two on each boron) are terminal and are bonded by normal two-centre two-electron (2c-2e) B-H bonds. The remaining two hydrogen atoms are bridging: each forms a three-centre two-electron (3c-2e) B-H-B bond, often called a banana bond. Each boron is sp3 hybridised. The molecule is electron-deficient because it does not have enough valence electrons for normal two-electron bonds throughout.
B2H6 (2 bridging + 4 terminal H)
Marking-scheme points
- ✓4 terminal B-H bonds (normal 2c-2e bonds)
- ✓2 bridging B-H-B bonds are 3c-2e (banana) bonds
- ✓Boron is sp3; molecule is electron-deficient
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Organic Chemistry: Some Basic Principles and Techniques
What is structural isomerism? Name and briefly explain any three types.
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Structural (constitutional) isomerism occurs when compounds have the same molecular formula but different arrangements of atoms. Three types: (1) Chain isomerism - different carbon skeletons, e.g. n-butane and isobutane (C4H10). (2) Position isomerism - same skeleton but a substituent or functional group in different positions, e.g. 1-propanol and 2-propanol. (3) Functional isomerism - same molecular formula but different functional groups, e.g. ethanol (alcohol) and dimethyl ether (C2H6O).
Marking-scheme points
- ✓Same molecular formula, different arrangement of atoms
- ✓Chain: different carbon skeleton (n-butane/isobutane)
- ✓Position and functional isomerism with examples
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Organic Chemistry: Some Basic Principles and Techniques
What is hyperconjugation? How does it explain the stability of carbocations?
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Hyperconjugation is the delocalisation of the sigma electrons of a C-H bond (adjacent to a positively charged carbon or a double bond) into the empty p-orbital or pi-system; it is also called no-bond resonance. In carbocations, the more alkyl groups attached to the positive carbon, the more C-H bonds are available for hyperconjugation, so more delocalisation of charge occurs. Hence stability order is tertiary > secondary > primary > methyl carbocation.
Marking-scheme points
- ✓Delocalisation of adjacent C-H sigma electrons (no-bond resonance)
- ✓More alpha C-H bonds -> more hyperconjugation -> more stable
- ✓Carbocation stability: 3 deg > 2 deg > 1 deg > methyl
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Organic Chemistry: Some Basic Principles and Techniques
Briefly describe crystallisation, simple distillation and steam distillation as methods of purifying organic compounds.
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Crystallisation: used to purify solids; the impure solid is dissolved in a suitable hot solvent, filtered, and cooled so that the pure compound crystallises out while soluble impurities remain in solution. Simple distillation: used to separate a volatile liquid from a non-volatile impurity or two liquids with a large difference in boiling points; the liquid is boiled and the vapour is condensed and collected. Steam distillation: used to purify liquids that are steam-volatile and immiscible with water; steam is passed through the mixture so the compound distils over below its normal boiling point (e.g. aniline).
Marking-scheme points
- ✓Crystallisation: dissolve in hot solvent, cool -> pure crystals
- ✓Simple distillation: separate liquids differing widely in boiling point
- ✓Steam distillation: for steam-volatile, water-immiscible liquids (e.g. aniline)
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Hydrocarbons
How is ethene prepared by dehydration of ethanol? How can you test for unsaturation in an alkene?
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Ethene is prepared by heating ethanol with concentrated sulphuric acid at about 443 K (170 deg C), which removes a molecule of water (dehydration): CH3CH2OH -> CH2=CH2 + H2O. Test for unsaturation: (1) alkenes decolourise reddish-brown bromine water (Br2/H2O). (2) alkenes decolourise cold dilute alkaline KMnO4 (Baeyer's reagent), turning the purple colour colourless and forming a diol. These tests confirm a carbon-carbon double bond.
CH3CH2OH -> CH2=CH2 + H2O
Marking-scheme points
- ✓Ethanol + conc. H2SO4 at 443 K -> CH2=CH2 + H2O
- ✓Bromine water test: alkene decolourises reddish-brown Br2 water
- ✓Baeyer's test: alkene decolourises cold dilute alkaline KMnO4
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Hydrocarbons
State Huckel's rule of aromaticity. Why is benzene aromatic?
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Huckel's rule states that a planar, cyclic, fully conjugated ring is aromatic if it contains (4n + 2) pi electrons, where n = 0, 1, 2, 3... Benzene is aromatic because it is planar and cyclic, every carbon is sp2 hybridised with continuous conjugation (a delocalised pi system), and it has 6 pi electrons, which fits (4n + 2) with n = 1. This delocalisation gives benzene extra stability (resonance/aromatic stabilisation).
(4n + 2) pi electrons
Marking-scheme points
- ✓Aromatic: planar, cyclic, conjugated with (4n + 2) pi electrons
- ✓Benzene: planar, sp2, fully conjugated ring
- ✓6 pi electrons (n = 1) -> aromatic and extra stable
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Hydrocarbons
How would you chemically distinguish between ethane, ethene and ethyne?
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Ethane (alkane) does not react with bromine water or Baeyer's reagent (no decolourisation) as it is saturated. Ethene (alkene) decolourises both bromine water and cold dilute alkaline KMnO4 (Baeyer's reagent) but gives no precipitate with ammoniacal silver nitrate. Ethyne (terminal alkyne) also decolourises bromine water and Baeyer's reagent, and in addition forms a white precipitate of silver acetylide with ammoniacal silver nitrate (and a red precipitate with ammoniacal cuprous chloride), because of its acidic terminal hydrogen.
Marking-scheme points
- ✓Ethane: no reaction with bromine water / Baeyer's (saturated)
- ✓Ethene: decolourises bromine water and Baeyer's reagent
- ✓Ethyne: also gives white precipitate with ammoniacal AgNO3 (terminal C-H)
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