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Product title: GCSE Chemistry Exam Practice Questions

Contents: Atomic structure and the periodic table 3–9

Bonding, structure and the properties of
10–17
matter
Quantitative chemistry 18–27
Chemical changes 28–35
Energy changes 36–44
The rate and extent of chemical change 45–53
Organic chemistry 54–62
Chemical analysis 63–72
Chemistry of the atmosphere 73–79
Using resources 80–89
Periodic table of elements 90

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About the exam practice questions

 The questions reflect those found on Higher Tier papers for

GCSE Chemistry and GCSE Combined Science.
 They are organised by topic to provide focused practice.
 You will need a pen, ruler, calculator and a copy of the periodic table
(see final page).
 The bar at the start of each question shows which exam board(s) it is
relevant to.
 The marks for each question are shown in brackets.
 You are expected to use a calculator where appropriate. However, for
all calculations, you should clearly show how you work out your final
answer.
 You should use good English and a clear presentation.
 When answering 6-mark questions, you need to make sure that:
o your answer is clear, logical and sensibly structured
o your answer fully meets the requirements of the question
o each separate point or step supports the overall answer.
 The answers to all questions are given in a separate document.
 www.exampapersplus.co.uk  GCSE Chemistry, Exam Practice Questions, Page 5

Question 2

AQA  Edexcel  OCR A  OCR B

In 1904, J. J. Thomson described the structure of the atom.

He used the plum pudding model shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

In 1909, an alpha particle scattering experiment was carried out by Hans Geiger and
Ernest Marsden.

The experiment led to the conclusion that the plum pudding model of the atom
was incorrect.

Describe the alpha particle scattering experiment.

Explain how the results of the experiment led to the conclusion that the plum pudding
model was incorrect.
[5 marks]
 www.exampapersplus.co.uk  GCSE Chemistry, Exam Practice Questions, Page 15

Question 4

AQA  Edexcel  OCR A  OCR B  Eduqas

The element carbon forms many different types of structure.

Scientists have known about the structures of diamond and graphite for years.

Recently, new forms of carbon have been discovered, such as fullerenes

and nanotubes.

Research is currently being carried out to learn about the properties and potential
applications of these new materials.

Figure 1 shows a model of the structure of diamond.

Figure 1

4.1 What type of bonds hold the carbon atoms together in diamond?
[1 mark]

4.2 State one use of diamond other than in jewellery.

Explain how the structure of diamond makes it suitable for this use.
[2 marks]
 www.exampapersplus.co.uk  GCSE Chemistry, Exam Practice Questions, Page 29

Question 2

AQA  Edexcel  OCR A  OCR B  Eduqas

A student carried out an investigation into displacement reactions.

Figure 1 shows how the experiment was set up.

Figure 1

Each well in the spotting tray in Figure 1 contains:

 10 drops of the named solution
 a small piece of the named metal.

The student waited 15 minutes before looking for any evidence of a reaction.
 www.exampapersplus.co.uk  GCSE Chemistry, Exam Practice Questions, Page 46

Table 1

Time in s Volume of gas

collected in cm3
10 14

20 27

30 39

40 49

50 57

60 62

70 63

80 64

90 65

100 65

1.1 Name the gas produced in this experiment.

[1 mark]

1.2 Which reactant was in excess?

Explain your answer.

[2 marks]

1.3 On Figure 2 on the next page:

 Plot the results from Table 1 on the grid.

 Draw a curve of best fit.

[3 marks]
 www.exampapersplus.co.uk  GCSE Chemistry, Exam Practice Questions, Page 56

Question 3

AQA  Edexcel  OCR A  OCR B  Eduqas

Figure 1 shows the displayed formulae of four molecules.

Figure 1

3.1 Name the functional group present in molecule X.

Give the test and expected result for this functional group.
[3 marks]
 www.exampapersplus.co.uk  GCSE Chemistry, Exam Practice Questions, Page 63

Chemical analysis

Question 1

AQA  Edexcel  OCR A  OCR B  Eduqas

A food company analysed the dyes in a new food colouring, brand X.

They compared brand X to known food dyes, A, B and C.

Figure 1 shows the paper chromatogram produced.

Figure 1

Based on the results shown in Figure 1, the food company decided that brand X was
not safe to use in its products.

1.1 What is the stationary phase in this type of chromatography?

[1 mark]
 www.exampapersplus.co.uk  GCSE Chemistry, Exam Practice Questions, Page 71

Question 7

AQA  Edexcel  OCR A  OCR B  Eduqas

A student examined the emission spectrum in Figure 2.

The spectrum is of a mineral sample known to contain at least one Group 1 element.

Figure 2

Mineral sample

The student compared this spectrum against the emission spectra of four Group 1
elements shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3

Lithium

Sodium

Potassium

Rubidium

7.1 Identify the Group 1 elements present in the mineral sample.

[1 mark]
 www.exampapersplus.co.uk  GCSE Chemistry, Exam Practice Questions, Page 73

Chemistry of the atmosphere

Question 1

AQA  Edexcel  OCR A  OCR B  Eduqas

Figure 1 shows the composition of Earth’s atmosphere 4 billion years ago as

suggested by some scientists.

Figure 1

1.1 Suggest why scientists are more likely to agree about the composition of the Earth’s
current atmosphere than its composition 4 billion years ago.
[2 marks]

1.2 What was responsible for producing a majority of the gases present 4 billion years ago?
[1 mark]
 www.exampapersplus.co.uk  GCSE Chemistry, Exam Practice Questions, Page 85

Question 4

AQA  Edexcel  OCR A  OCR B  Eduqas

Figure 3 shows a simplified life cycle of a car.

Figure 3

Mine the iron Extract iron Convert iron

ore from ore to steel

Manufacture
Dispose of car Use car
car

4.1 Describe one potential impact on the environment of mining the iron ore.
[2 marks]

4.2 Manufacturing the car requires energy and involves the production of pollutants.

Explain why numerical values allocated to these two processes might differ
in accuracy.
[2 marks]
 www.exampapersplus.co.uk  GCSE Chemistry, Answers and Mark Scheme, Page 6

Bonding, structure and the properties of matter

Question Answers Mark

1 Sodium chloride 1

2.1 A giant metallic lattice 1

of positive metal / Na+ ions / cations 1

surrounded by (a sea of) delocalised (negative) electrons. 1

Example diagram:

Allow ‘regular arrangement’ instead of ‘lattice’ for the first mark.

Each of the three marks can be awarded if clearly shown on a diagram.

The positive ions can be labelled as + or Na+ on the diagram.

2.2

The diagram should show two pairs of electrons shared between the
two atoms for 1 mark; and each atom having six electrons (eight
including the shared electrons) in the outer shell for 1 mark.
 www.exampapersplus.co.uk  GCSE Chemistry, Answers and Mark Scheme, Page 17

Energy changes

Question Answers Mark

1 CaCO3(s) → CaO(s) + CO2(g) 1

2.1

Activation energy / Ea

Overall energy change / H

1 mark for correct ‘Activation energy’ arrow and label; 1 mark for
correct ‘Overall energy change’ arrow and label.

2.2 The reaction is exothermic 1

because the energy released when (new) bonds are formed in 1

the products

is greater than the energy required to break the bonds in 1

the reactants.

Do not allow ‘more energy is released because more bonds are formed
than broken’.

2.3 Bonds broken = (4  464) + 2x kJ/mol 1

Bonds formed = 1856 + 498 = 2354 kJ/mol 1

1856 + 2x – 2354 = –196 kJ/mol

2x = –196 – 1856 + 2354 = 302 kJ/mol

Bond energy (x) = 151 kJ/mol 1

Allow 1856 + 2x kJ/mol for the first mark.

Accept 151 kJ/mol with no working for 3 marks.

 www.exampapersplus.co.uk  GCSE Chemistry, Answers and Mark Scheme, Page 30

3.2 Br– / bromide ions 1

Hydrochloric acid contains chloride ions 1

which would also give a (white) precipitate with Ag+ / silver ions. 1

Allow ‘bromide’ for the first mark.

4 The gas extinguishes a flame. 1

5 Sodium hydroxide 1

6.1 blue 1

6.2 CuCl2(aq) + 2NaOH(aq) → Cu(OH)2(s) + 2NaCl(aq) 3

1 mark for the correct formulae; 1 mark for a correctly balance

equation; 1 mark for the correct state symbols.

Accept multiples in the correct ratios, e.g.

2CuCl2(aq) + 4NaOH(aq) → 2Cu(OH)2(s) + 4NaCl(aq)

6.3 Cu2+(aq) + 2OH–(aq) → Cu(OH)2(s) 3

1 mark for the correct ions; 1 mark for a correctly balance equation;
1 mark for the correct state symbols.

7.1 lithium AND potassium 1

Both are required for the mark.

Allow symbols for atoms or ions, i.e. Li / Li + and K / K+.

7.2 There are other / additional lines 1

that do not match any of the emission spectra provided. 1

7.3 Not all metals will give a colour in a flame. 1

Any colour produced will be masked 1

due to the presence of the known metals (Li / K), which will also 1
produce colour in a flame test.