Practical questions
You will complete eight required practical activities if you are studying GCSE Chemistry, and 21 if you are studying GCSE combined science: Trilogy.
There will be a number of different types of practical based questions. Some will be on the set required practicals, some will cover the working scientifically terms and some will be on other science practicals which you might have done in class. Use all the information given in the question particularly any diagrams to help you understand what the question is about.
There are no practical activities in the athe bonding, structure and properties of matter section.
These questions have been written by Bitesize consultants as suggestions to the types of questions that may appear in an exam paper.
Learn about practicals with Dr Alex Lathbridge
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Dr Alex Lathbridge answers questions about practicals.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
Name one piece of apparatus suitable for measuring the boiling point of a liquid.
[1 mark]
A thermometer / temperature probe. [1]
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Give two reasons why hazard symbols are used on containers in the laboratory.
[2 marks]
To indicate the dangers associated with the contents. [1]
To inform people about precautions to take when using these substances in the laboratory. [1]
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
A student tests solutions to find out which conduct electricity.
She uses the apparatus below:
- electrical power pack
- leads and crocodile clips
- graphite electrodes
- solutions of copper sulfate, sodium chloride and sugar
Figure 1 shows the hazard symbol on the container of copper sulfate solution.
Figure 1
Complete the table below.
[3 marks]
| Hazard | Possible harm | Possible precaution |
| Electricity supply | ||
| Copper sulfate solution | Causes skin irritation |
| Hazard | Electricity supply |
|---|---|
| Possible harm | |
| Possible precaution |
| Hazard | Copper sulfate solution |
|---|---|
| Possible harm | Causes skin irritation |
| Possible precaution |
| Hazard | Possible harm | Possible precaution |
| Electricity supply | Electric shock | Switch off before handling apparatus |
| Copper sulfate solution | Causes skin irritation | Avoid getting on skin/wear gloves |
| Hazard | Electricity supply |
|---|---|
| Possible harm | Electric shock |
| Possible precaution | Switch off before handling apparatus |
| Hazard | Copper sulfate solution |
|---|---|
| Possible harm | Causes skin irritation |
| Possible precaution | Avoid getting on skin/wear gloves |
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
A student uses a temperature probe to measure the melting points of three substances.
His results are in table 1.
Table 1
| Substance | Melting point |
| X | 31.2°C |
| Y | 16.9°C |
| Z | 88.1°C |
| Substance | X |
|---|---|
| Melting point | 31.2°C |
| Substance | Y |
|---|---|
| Melting point | 16.9°C |
| Substance | Z |
|---|---|
| Melting point | 88.1°C |
What is the resolution of the temperature probe?
[1 mark]
0.1°C (number and unit required for the mark) [1]
