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

> 97 questions · chemistry

## 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 …](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-what-is-meant-by-the-00ec0cd1)
2. [Explain why fullerene C₆₀ has a much lower melting point than diamond, despite both being composed entirely of carbon at…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-fullerene-c-has-a-04960c92)
3. [Explain why the mass of carbon dioxide produced when excess hydrochloric acid reacts with calcium carbonate can be used …](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-the-mass-of-carbon-09b0dde5)
4. [Explain why metals have high thermal conductivity and why this property decreases when the metal forms an alloy.](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-metals-have-high-thermal-0a6d8f15)
5. [Explain why the experimental value of the enthalpy change of neutralisation measured using a polystyrene cup calorimeter…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-the-experimental-value-of-0ef31d71)
6. [Explain why magnesium oxide (MgO) has a higher melting point than sodium chloride (NaCl).](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-magnesium-oxide-mgo-has-11560c1e)
7. [Explain what happens at each electrode when a voltaic cell is constructed using a magnesium half-cell (Mg²⁺/Mg, E° = −2.…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-what-happens-at-each-electrode-15de0a92)
8. [Explain why the value of the equilibrium constant, K, for a given reversible reaction changes when the temperature is in…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-the-value-of-the-15e00063)

## Related

- [IB DP Chemistry Standard Level (2023 syllabus) revision notes](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn/ib-dp-chemistry-standard-level-2023-syllabus)
- [IB DP Chemistry Standard Level (2023 syllabus) past papers](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/past-papers/ib-dp-chemistry-standard-level-2023-syllabus)
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