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 required practical activities in the Organic chemistry 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
Describe how to test for an alkene, including the positive result. [2 marks]
Add bromine water [1] and it changes from orange to colourless. [1]
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Why must oxygen be excluded from the flask when ethanol is being produced by fermentation? [1 mark]
To prevent oxidation/to prevent the ethanol being turned into ethanoic acid. [1]
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
A student is attempting to crack the hydrocarbon molecules in paraffin, to make shorter hydrocarbons such as ethene and octane. The student has short hair and is wearing eye protection. State and explain one of the other safety precautions the student should consider during this experiment. [2 marks]
The following are valid 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.
- the reactant and products are all flammable [1]
- therefore take care when heating (that no air/oxygen is present when the chemicals are heated strongly) [1]
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
Describe the reaction of propene with bromine water, including the name or structure of the product. [2 marks]
The following are valid 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.
- bromine water changes from orange to colourless [1]
- a dibromo product is formed/1,2-dibromopropane [1]
