Lesson 15B.3

15B.3 Transition metals as catalysts Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Chemistry, Unit 15

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 15B.3, Transition metals as catalysts: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Chemistry (9CH0), Unit 15: Transition Metals, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What phrase describes the phase of a heterogeneous catalyst relative to reactants?

    • Different phase
    • Liquid phase only
    • Gas phase only
    • Same phase

  2. What phrase describes the phase of a homogeneous catalyst relative to reactants?

    • Solid phase only
    • Different phase
    • Aqueous phase only
    • Same phase

  3. How does a catalyst affect the activation energy of a chemical reaction?

    • Increases it
    • Doubles it
    • Has no effect
    • Lowers it

  4. Which catalyst is used in the contact process to convert sulfur dioxide to sulfur trioxide?

    • Platinum
    • Nickel
    • Vanadium(V) oxide
    • Iron

  5. What is the first step in the mechanism of a heterogeneous catalyst?

    • Diffusion
    • Absorption
    • Adsorption
    • Desorption

  6. What role does Mn2+ play in the reaction between manganate(VII) and ethanedioate ions?

    • Sacrificial reductant
    • Heterogeneous catalyst
    • Homogeneous inhibitor
    • Autocatalyst

  7. What type of catalyst is Fe2+ in the reaction between iodide and peroxodisulfate ions?

    • Homogeneous catalyst
    • Biocatalyst
    • Heterogeneous catalyst
    • Autocatalyst

  8. Which catalyst is used in the Haber process for ammonia synthesis?

    • Nickel metal
    • Vanadium(V) oxide
    • Platinum-rhodium gauze
    • Iron, with promoters

  9. Which catalyst is used in the industrial oxidation of ammonia in the Ostwald process?

    • Iron mesh
    • Platinum-rhodium gauze
    • Nickel oxide
    • Vanadium(V) oxide

  10. What type of catalysis occurs on the metal surface of a catalytic converter?

    • Enzymatic catalysis
    • Heterogeneous catalysis
    • Homogeneous catalysis
    • Autocatalysis

  11. Between which two oxidation states does vanadium cycle during the contact process?

    • +5 and +3
    • +4 and +3
    • +6 and +5
    • +5 and +4

  12. In the contact process, which gas reduces vanadium(V) oxide to vanadium(IV) oxide?

    • Sulfur dioxide
    • Oxygen
    • Sulfur trioxide
    • Carbon monoxide

  13. Which feature of transition metals makes them effective catalysts in redox reactions?

    • High atomic masses
    • Low electrical resistance
    • Variable oxidation states
    • High melting points

  14. Why is the uncatalysed reaction between iodide ions and peroxodisulfate ions slow?

    • Low activation energy
    • Low solubility
    • Electrostatic repulsion
    • Steric hindrance

  15. Which gas is produced when carbon monoxide is oxidised in a catalytic converter?

    • Dinitrogen monoxide
    • Sulfur dioxide
    • Carbon dioxide
    • Nitrogen dioxide

  16. How does a catalyst affect the forward and reverse rates of a reversible reaction?

    • Increases reverse only
    • Decreases both equally
    • Increases forward only
    • Increases both equally

  17. Why is the reaction between manganate(VII) and ethanedioate ions slow initially?

    • High Mn2+ concentration
    • Low activation energy
    • Few Mn2+ ions
    • Excess catalyst present

  18. Why are heterogeneous catalysts prepared with a large surface area?

    • Lower heat transfer
    • More active sites
    • Slower gas flow
    • Higher activation energy

  19. What is the main economic benefit of using catalysts in industrial processes?

    • Eliminated waste products
    • Greater product mass
    • Reduced energy costs
    • Higher chemical purity

  20. What effect does adding a catalyst have on the enthalpy change of a reaction?

    • Remains unchanged
    • Becomes zero
    • Decreases
    • Increases

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