Diffusion: past paper questions

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• Question 1May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Two gas jars are arranged as shown. The glass plate is removed and the jars allowed to stand for 3 hours. Which statement explains the change in the gas jars after 3 hours?

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which process describes the movement of a substance very slowly from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration?

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  In which states of matter does diffusion occur readily?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Four experiments, each containing a different acidic gas, are set up as shown. The dividing glass plates are removed at the same time. In which set of apparatus does the litmus turn red first?

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• Question 5May/June 2026, paper 32Structured9 marks

  Three states of matter are solid, liquid and gas. State two general properties of a liquid.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  Which gas has the lowest rate of diffusion at room temperature and pressure?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statements about the rate of diffusion of the gases ammonia, carbon monoxide, nitrogen and oxygen are correct?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Ammonia gas is reacted with hydrogen chloride gas using the apparatus shown. Solid ammonium chloride is produced. Which statement explains why the solid ammonium chloride is formed nearer to the hydrogen chloride?

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• Question 1May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows the result of dropping a purple crystal into water. Which processes take place in this experiment?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  Which gas diffuses most quickly at room temperature and pressure?

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• Question 1May/June 2024, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Which gas has the slowest rate of diffusion?

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• Question 8May/June 2023, paper 31Structured12 marksHas a diagram

  This question is about nitrogen and compounds of nitrogen. Nitrogen is a non-metal. Nitrogen is a poor electrical conductor.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2025, paper 42Structured13 marks

  The three states of matter are solid, liquid and gas. Complete Table 1.1 to describe the structures of solids, liquids and gases in terms of particle separation, particle arrangement and particle motion.

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• Question 2May/June 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Hydrogen chloride gas, $\mathrm{H}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{l}$, reacts with ammonia gas, ${\mathrm{N}\mathrm{H}}_3$, to form solid ammonium chloride. The apparatus is set up as shown. After a few minutes, a white cloud of solid ammonium chloride forms where the two gases meet.

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• Question 8May/June 2023, paper 32Structured13 marksHas a diagram

  This question is about non-metals and compounds of non-metals. Describe two physical properties which are typical of non-metals.

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• Question 3May/June 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Nitrogen dioxide is a red-brown gas which is more dense than air. The diagram shows the arrangement of two gas jars which contain nitrogen dioxide and air separated with a glass plate. The glass plate is removed, and the gas jars are left for 24 hours.

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• Question 6May/June 2024, paper 31Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  Large pieces of solid sulfur burn in excess oxygen to produce sulfur dioxide gas. Complete the equation by adding the missing state symbol.

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• Question 8May/June 2023, paper 33Structured13 marksHas a diagram

  This question is about non-metals. Non-metals are poor thermal conductors. Describe two other physical properties which are typical of non-metals.

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• Question 6May/June 2024, paper 32Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  Solid nitrogen pentoxide, ${\text{N}}_2{\text{O}}_5$, decomposes to produce nitrogen dioxide gas and oxygen gas. Complete the equation by adding the missing state symbols.

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• Question 6May/June 2024, paper 33Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  Dilute hydrochloric acid reacts with small pieces of calcium carbonate. $2\text{HCl}(\text{aq})+{\text{CaCO}}_3(\text{s})\to {\text{CaCl}}_2(\text{aq})+{\text{H}}_2\text{O}(\text{l})+{\text{CO}}_2(\text{g})$ State the meaning of the state symbol (aq).

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