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 is one required practical activity in the 'Chemical analysis' section:
- Investigate the variables that affect temperature changes in reacting solutions such as acid plus metals, acid plus carbonates, neutralisations, displacement of metals.
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.
Learn about practicals with Dr Alex Lathbridge
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Dr Alex Lathbridge answers questions about practicals.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
A student used paper chromatography to investigate the colours in different inks. The diagram shows the apparatus the student used.
The student made two mistakes in setting up the apparatus. Identify the two mistakes. Describe the problem each mistake would cause. [4 marks]
This question is AQA material which is reproduced by permission of AQA.
- start line drawn in ink [1]
- so the line would run up the paper [1]
- start line below solvent level [1]
- so the samples would dissolve into solvent [1]
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
The student then set up the apparatus without making any mistakes. The chromatogram obtained is shown below.
Which of the inks is the most soluble in the solvent and why? [2 marks]
This question has been written by a Bitesize consultant as a suggestion to the type of question that may appear in an exam paper.
- yellow [1]
- it travels the furthest up the paper [1]
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
A student used paper chromatography to investigate a food colouring, which is labelled X in the diagram below.
Write down two mistakes the student made in setting up the experiment and explain what problems one of the mistakes would cause. [2 marks]
This question has been written by a Bitesize consultant as a suggestion to the type of question that may appear in an exam paper.
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.
- water level above the start line and start line drawn in ink [1]
- food colours would dissolve into water/ink would run on the paper [1]
Sample question 4 - Higher
Question
A colourless solution was investigated by two students. Here are their observations after doing a number of tests on the solution.
| Test number | What the students did | Observation |
| 1 | Add dilute sodium hydroxide solution | White precipitate |
| 2 | Flame test | Orange-red flame |
| 3 | Add barium hydroxide solution | No reaction |
| 4 | Add silver nitrate solution | White precipitate |
| Test number | 1 |
|---|---|
| What the students did | Add dilute sodium hydroxide solution |
| Observation | White precipitate |
| Test number | 2 |
|---|---|
| What the students did | Flame test |
| Observation | Orange-red flame |
| Test number | 3 |
|---|---|
| What the students did | Add barium hydroxide solution |
| Observation | No reaction |
| Test number | 4 |
|---|---|
| What the students did | Add silver nitrate solution |
| Observation | White precipitate |
For each of the tests, state the conclusion about which ion the compound contains or does not contain. [4 marks]
This question has been written by a Bitesize consultant as a suggestion to the type of question that may appear in an exam paper.
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.
- test 1 shows that the solution either contains calcium, magnesium or aluminium ions [1]
- test 2 shows that the solution contains calcium ions [1]
- test 3 shows that the solution does not contain sulfate ions [1]
- test 4 shows that the solution contains chloride ions [1]
