Practical questions
You will complete eight Practical Activity Groups (PAGs) if you are studying GCSE Chemistry. If you are studying GCSE Combined Science you will complete 16, of which five are in Chemistry.
You could be asked questions about the apparatus, methods, safety precautions, results, analysis and evaluation of these experiments.
There are no PAGs in the Interpreting and interacting with Earth systems section.
These questions have been written by a Bitesize consultant as a suggestion to the type of questions that may appear in an exam paper.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
Some impurities in hydrocarbon fuels result in the production of sulfur dioxide gas, SO2.
A teacher demonstrates the combustion of sulfur. A small amount of sulfur powder is burned in a gas jar of oxygen. Water is then added to the gas jar, which is then shaken to mix and dissolve the sulfur dioxide.
(a) Write a balanced symbol equation to show the reaction between sulfur and oxygen, O2. [2 marks]
(b) State what is observed when some universal indicator solution is added to the mixture in the gas jar. Explain your answer. [2 marks]
It is important that you do not bullet point your answer but write your sentences in full.
(a) S + O2 鈫 SO2 [1]
(b) Observation [1] with reason [1], eg
- indicator turns red/orange/yellow [1]
- sulfur dioxide dissolves to form an acidic solution/an acid forms [1]
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Oxygen is released by plants during photosynthesis.
Describe the chemical test for oxygen.
[2 marks]
The following are vaild points that could be included in your answer. It is important that you do not bullet point your answer but write your sentences in full.
- glowing splint [1]
- relights [1]
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
Pure water can be produced from seawater by simple distillation. Describe how this is carried out in the laboratory, and explain how it works.
[4 marks]
The following are vaild points that could be included in your answer. It is important that you do not bullet point your answer but write your sentences in full.
- heat seawater in a flask [1]
- allow water vapour to enter a condenser [1]
- cool and condense water vapour [1]
- this works because water has a much lower boiling point than salt [1]
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
Vehicles are fitted with catalytic converters. One of the reactions that happens involves the reduction of oxides of nitrogen to nitrogen, and the oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.
Construct a balanced symbol equation for this reaction between nitrogen dioxide, NO2, and carbon monoxide, CO.
[2 marks]
The following are vaild points that could be included in your answer. It is important that you do not bullet point your answer but write your sentences in full.
- 2NO2 + 4CO 鈫 N2 + 4CO2or NO2 + 2CO 鈫 陆N2 + 2CO2
- correct formulae [1]
- (correct formulae) correctly balanced [1]