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GCSEAQA
Chemistry
Exam Questions
What an element is, and why elements are listed in the periodic tableNewHow compounds form from elementsNewMixtures, pure substances, and why separation worksNewConservation of mass in chemical reactionsNewWhy chemical equations must be balancedNewWriting state symbols: (s), (l), (g), (aq)NewUsing scientific vocabulary precisely in exam answersNewUsing units correctly in chemistry calculationsNewSignificant figures and standard form in chemistry contextsNewIdentifying independent, dependent, and control variablesNewWriting a testable hypothesisNewAccuracy, precision, and repeatability in measurementsNewReducing uncertainty: repeats, ranges, and anomaliesNewRisk assessment: hazards, risks, and control measuresNewInterpreting graphs and spotting proportionalityNew
Elements, compounds, and mixtures: spotting the differenceNewSimple model of the atom: nucleus and electronsNewProtons, neutrons, and electrons: charges and relative massesNewAtomic number and mass numberNewWorking out numbers of subatomic particles from isotope notationNewIsotopes: what changes and what stays the sameNewRelative atomic mass: why it’s not a whole numberNewElectron shells and electron arrangement for the first 20 elementsNewWhy atoms form ions: gaining and losing electronsNewDevelopment of the atom: changing models with evidenceNewPeriodic table layout: periods and groupsNewMetals vs non-metals: key physical propertiesNewGroup 0: why noble gases are unreactiveNewGroup 1: reactions with water and trends down the groupNewGroup 7: halogens, displacement, and trends down the groupNewTransition metals: key differences from Group 1 (including catalysts)NewWhat a “displacement reaction” means in terms of reactivityNew
Chemical bonds as electrostatic attractionsNewIonic bonding: metal + non-metal electron transferNewDrawing dot-and-cross diagrams for ions and ionic compoundsNewIonic lattices and why ionic compounds have high melting pointsNewWhy ionic compounds conduct when molten/in solution but not solidNewCovalent bonding: sharing electronsNewDot-and-cross diagrams for simple covalent moleculesNewComparing simple molecular substances and giant structuresNewMetallic bonding: positive ions and delocalised electronsNewExplaining conductivity and malleability in metalsNewGiant covalent structures: diamond and graphiteNewGraphene: structure and propertiesNewSilicon dioxide as a giant covalent structureNewPolymers: long chains and low melting pointsNewIntermolecular forces and boiling point trends (Higher)NewStates of matter: particle model and energy changesNewInternal energy and what changes during heating/cooling (Higher)NewDensity: how to calculate and interpretNewChanges of state and what a heating curve showsNewNanoparticles: what “nano” means and why properties changeNewUses and risks of nanoparticlesNew
Relative formula mass: calculating from the periodic tableNewThe mole as “amount of substance”NewConverting between mass, moles, and MrNewBalancing equations to calculate reacting massesNewLimiting reactants (Higher)NewConserving atoms when predicting productsNewTheoretical yield: meaning and calculation (Higher)NewPercentage yield: calculation and why it’s less than 100%NewAtom economy: calculation and linking to sustainabilityNewConcentration in g/dm³ and converting unitsNewConcentration in mol/dm³ (Higher)NewUsing concentration to calculate moles in solutionNewGas volumes and moles at room temperature (Higher)NewTitration calculations: building a clear method (Higher)NewUsing ratios in balanced equations confidentlyNew
Acids, alkalis, and the pH scaleNewIndicators: colour changes and what they showNewNeutralisation: making salts and waterNewNaming salts from the acid usedNewReactions of acids with metals: salt + hydrogenNewReactions of acids with carbonates: salt + water + carbon dioxideNewMaking a soluble salt from an insoluble base (method + reasoning)NewCrystallisation: producing a pure dry sampleNewStrong vs weak acids: what “weak” means (Higher)NewElectrolytes and why ions are needed for conductionNewElectrolysis of molten ionic compoundsNewElectrolysis of aqueous solutions: competing ions (Higher)NewHalf equations for electrolysis at each electrode (Higher)NewMetal extraction basics: reduction and oxidationNewOxidation and reduction using electron transfer (Higher)NewRedox in terms of oxygen loss/gain (foundation-friendly)New
Exothermic vs endothermic reactions: energy transfer ideaNewReaction profiles: what axes and shapes meanNewActivation energy on a reaction profileNewBond breaking vs bond making: where energy goesNewCalculating energy change using bond energies (Higher)NewTemperature changes and how to measure them safelyNewNeutralisation temperature change: what affects the resultNewFuels and energy transfer in combustionNewComparing fuels using energy per mass (Higher)NewEvaluating errors in temperature-change practicalsNew
What “rate of reaction” means in practical termsNewMeasuring rate by gas volume, mass loss, or colour changeNewCalculating mean rate from dataNewDrawing and interpreting rate graphsNewTangents and instantaneous rate (Higher)NewCollision theory: why particles must collideNewActivation energy in collision theory termsNewTemperature and rate: frequency and energy of collisionsNewConcentration/pressure and rate: collision frequencyNewSurface area and rate: surface area to volume ratioNewCatalysts and how they work (lower activation energy)NewEnzymes as biological catalystsNewReversible reactions and the reversible reaction symbolNewDynamic equilibrium: forward rate equals reverse rateNewShifting equilibrium by concentration (Higher)NewShifting equilibrium by temperature (Higher)NewShifting equilibrium by pressure (Higher)NewLe Chatelier’s principle for predictions (Higher)NewChoosing conditions for yield, rate, cost, and safety (Haber-style)New
Crude oil as a finite resource and why we process itNewHydrocarbons and what “saturated” meansNewAlkanes: general formula and bondingNewFractional distillation: separating crude oil by boiling pointNewProperties of fractions: patterns with chain lengthNewCracking: why we do it and what we makeNewAlkenes: double bonds and general formulaNewTesting for alkenes using bromine waterNewAddition reactions of alkenes (concept + examples)NewAddition polymerisation: making polymers from alkenesNewComparing properties of small alkenes vs polymersNewEthanol production by fermentation: conditions and equationNewEthanol production by hydration of ethene (Higher)NewComparing fermentation vs hydration (yield, rate, purity)NewCarboxylic acids: acids in organic chemistry (Higher)NewEsters: making esters and recognising the smell (Higher)NewCondensation polymerisation basics (Higher)New
Pure substances and why melting/boiling points matterNewChromatography basics: stationary vs mobile phaseNewInterpreting chromatograms: spots, colours, and separationNewCalculating Rf values (Higher)NewFlame tests for common metal ionsNewPrecipitation tests for halide ions (chloride, bromide, iodide)NewSulfate test and the precipitate colourNewCarbon dioxide test using limewaterNewHydrogen test using a lit splintNewOxygen test using a glowing splintNewChlorine test using damp litmus paperNewInstrumental analysis: speed, accuracy, sensitivityNewGas chromatography basics (Higher)NewMass spectrometry basics (Higher)NewIdentifying elements from spectra (Higher)NewMaking a reasoned identification from multiple testsNew
Proportions of gases in the atmosphereNewHow Earth’s early atmosphere formed (volcanoes, oceans, oxygen rise)NewThe greenhouse effect: what it is and why it happensNewHuman causes of climate change: greenhouse gasesNewEffects of climate change: environmental and societal impactsNewCarbon footprint and reducing emissionsNewAtmospheric pollutants: CO, SO₂, NOₓ, particulatesNewAcid rain: formation and effectsNewControlling sulfur dioxide emissions from fuelsNewPhotochemical smog: formation and impact (Higher)NewCorrosion and rusting: oxygen and water neededNewPreventing rust: barrier methods, galvanising, sacrificial protectionNewWater as a resource: potable water and why it mattersNewTreating water: filtration, sterilisation, and distillationNewDesalination: benefits and energy costs (Higher)New
Using finite resources sustainablyNewLife cycle assessments: what’s included and what’s missedNewReducing, reusing, and recycling: where each fits bestNewExtracting metals: mining vs recycling (energy and pollution)NewCorrosion as a waste of resources and how prevention helpsNewAlloys: why mixing metals changes propertiesNewCeramics: properties, uses, and limitationsNewPolymers: thermosoftening vs thermosetting (Higher)NewComposites: why combining materials improves performanceNewHaber process: making ammonia and why it mattersNewConditions in Haber process: equilibrium vs rate vs costNewNPK fertilisers and why plants need nitrates/phosphates/potassiumNewProducing fertilisers: making ammonia as a starting pointNewUsing fertilisers responsibly: eutrophication and environmental issuesNew
Making a soluble salt and producing crystals (chemistry-only)NewTitration: finding the reacting volumes accurately (chemistry-only)NewElectrolysis: products at electrodes and half equationsNewTemperature change: comparing exothermic and endothermic reactionsNewRates of reaction: investigating concentration effects (gas/colour methods)NewChromatography: separating dyes and calculating Rf valuesNewIdentifying ions: using flame tests and precipitation testsNewWater purification: analysing and producing potable water (AQA)New
