"Explain" questions — IB DP Chemistry Standard Level (2023 syllabus)

97 questions · chemistry · View as Markdown

How to answer

WHAT + WHY. Every point paired with a because. Structure: X happens because Y. This causes Z because … Assessment Objective: AO2. Every "explain" answer on this spec is marked against exactly this pattern.

Sample questions

  1. Explain what is meant by the term 'molar mass' and outline how the molar mass of a substance can be determined from the …
  2. Explain why fullerene C₆₀ has a much lower melting point than diamond, despite both being composed entirely of carbon at…
  3. Explain why the mass of carbon dioxide produced when excess hydrochloric acid reacts with calcium carbonate can be used …
  4. Explain why metals have high thermal conductivity and why this property decreases when the metal forms an alloy.
  5. Explain why the experimental value of the enthalpy change of neutralisation measured using a polystyrene cup calorimeter…
  6. Explain why magnesium oxide (MgO) has a higher melting point than sodium chloride (NaCl).
  7. Explain what happens at each electrode when a voltaic cell is constructed using a magnesium half-cell (Mg²⁺/Mg, E° = −2.…
  8. Explain why the value of the equilibrium constant, K, for a given reversible reaction changes when the temperature is in…

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