Question detail
What is the role of hydroxide ions in the nucleophilic substitution mechanism?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Halogenoalkanes
Question
- A. They act as a nucleophile.
- B. They act as a leaving group.
- C. They act as a catalyst.
- D. They act as a solvent.
Answer
They act as a nucleophile.
Explanation
The correct option is They act as a nucleophile.. They act as a nucleophile. is the best answer because it directly supports the AQA A-Level Chemistry objective to use test-tube hydrolysis evidence to compare reaction rates. This reasoning is anchored to Nucleophilic substitution in Halogenoalkanes, and it separates test-tube from similar A-Level ideas rather than relying on a vague recall statement. Other options are weaker if they use the wrong evidence, calculation, mechanism, observation, unit, or conclusion for this subtopic.
Common mistake
Comparing Reaction Rates of Halogenoalkanes
Students often confuse the hydrolysis rates of different halogenoalkanes, thinking that all halogenoalkanes react at the same rate regardless of their structure.
To fix this, students should understand that the reaction rate in hydrolysis depends on the strength of the carbon-halogen bond. For example, primary halogenoalkanes react slower than tertiary ones due to bond enthalpy differences. Recognizing that stronger bonds require more energy to break will help in comparing reaction rates accurately.
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