Chemistry
Define these key words: ion, electrolysis, reactivity
Give the symbol and electron configuration of the lithium atom and lithium ion. (4)
Calculate the formula mass of lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) (1)
Calculate the mass of Lithium metal needed to make 420 000 tonnes of lithium carbonate. (2)
Calculate the mass of lithium carbonate which is made from 5 million tonnes of lithium metal (2)
Explain what the term ‘lithium ore’ means (1)
Explain why solid lithium chloride cannot be used for electrolysis. (2)
Give the formula of the chloride ion. (1)
Name the electrolyte used when lithium metal is extracted by electrolysis. (1)
Write ionic equations with state symbols for the reactions which occur at the anode and cathode during the
electrolysis of molten lithium chloride. (5)
Name two polluting gases produced from petrol/diesel powered car exhausts. (2)
Give the harmful effects of the two gases you have named in (a) (2)
Explain why a lithium powered car is not considered to be a true zero -emission vehicle (3).
How are the metals Lithium, Sodium and Potassium stored to prevent reaction with oxygen ?(1)
Give two safety precautions needed when handling the alkali metals in a laboratory (2).
Describe what you would see when you react lithium, sodium and potassium with water. (2)
Compare the reactivity’s of the three metals (1)
Write a word equation for one of the reactions, underline the alkali formed. (3)
Write a balanced symbol equation with state symbols for one of the reactions. (3).
Draw a lithium atom, labelling its protons, neutrons and electrons.
Write the electron configuration of a lithium atom and a lithium ion.
Write the symbol for a lithium ion and explain why it forms this ion and not another.
Write a word equation and a balanced symbol equation with state symbols for the reaction of lithium with
oxygen.
Describe how lithium should be stored safely.
Draw arrows showing how the reactivity, density, melting point and hardness of the alkali metals varies going
down the group:
Li
Na
K
Rb
Cs
What are the formulae of lithium chloride and lithium carbonate?
Describe the bonding in solid lithium chloride.
Explain why, when extracting the lithium chloride, it is preferable to allow the water to evaporate naturally
rather than by heating it, even though the process is slower.
Calculate how much lithium metal could be obtained from 1 tonne of the extracted solid salt.
Explain why the lithium chloride must be molten before electrolysis can take place.
Electrolysis would also work with the concentrated solution, but this is not done. Explain why.
Draw a fully-labeled diagram showing the electrolysis of lithium chloride. Draw ions being attracted to the
correct electrodes.
Write equations showing what happens at each electrode.
Explain this statement: “Battery-powered cars are pointless. The air pollution petrol cars produce will still be
made, only it will be produced elsewhere”.
Draw a life cycle for a lithium-ion battery, from “cradle to grave”, assuming it is not recycled.
Add an arrow to your cycle, showing the point where recycling would occur.
List all the pollution problems lithium mining could cause then suggest a solution for each.
Why must lithium metal be extracted by electrolysis and not heating it with carbon? (2)
Why is lithium extracted from molten lithium chloride? (1)
What is an electrolyte? (1)
Explain why molten lithium collects at the cathode. Write an ionic equation to represent this (3)
Explain why chlorine collects at the anode. Write an ionic equation to represent this (3)
Why will generating electricity to recharge the cars cause pollution? (3)
What is meant by ‘zero-emission’? (1)
State the problems that the mining of lithium ore may cause residents(3)
Why does the reactivity of the group 1 metals increase as their atomic number increases (relate your answer to
your knowledge of electron configuration)(3)
Write an equation to show what is made when lithium reacts with water(2)