Experimental design: past paper questions

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• Question 16May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Zinc is reacted with dilute sulfuric acid to produce hydrogen gas. The acid is poured through a funnel into a conical flask containing zinc. Which apparatus could be used to measure the total volume of gas produced?

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• Question 16Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which items of apparatus are essential when measuring the effect of temperature on the rate of any reaction?

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• Question 16Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which two pieces of apparatus are most useful to measure the rate of a reaction in which a gas is given off?

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• Question 36Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The apparatus used to investigate the rate at which hydrogen gas is given off when a piece of magnesium reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid is shown. Which additional piece of apparatus is needed to determine the rate of reaction?

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• Question 39May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which piece of apparatus is used to measure accurately the volume of a liquid in an acid–base titration?

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• Question 37Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The graph shows the volume of hydrogen produced over time in a chemical reaction.

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which piece of apparatus is used to measure exactly $21.50{\text{ cm}}^3$ of dilute sulfuric acid?

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  An acid–base titration is described. ● $25.0{\text{ cm}}^3$ of dilute aqueous alkali is put into a conical flask. ● Indicator is added to the flask.

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• Question 38May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Which piece of apparatus is used to measure exactly $25.00{\text{ cm}}^3$ of dilute hydrochloric acid?

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• Question 39Oct/Nov 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Which item of apparatus is used to measure $13.7{\text{ cm}}^3$ of dilute hydrochloric acid?

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• Question 39Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row shows an advantage and a disadvantage for the stated apparatus used in a titration?

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Magnesium reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas. Which pieces of apparatus are needed to determine the rate of this reaction?

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2025, paper 61Structured5 marksHas a diagram

  Hot concentrated hydrochloric acid reacts with solid manganese(IV) oxide to make chlorine gas. Chlorine gas is toxic and more dense than air. Concentrated hydrochloric acid is corrosive.

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• Question 39Oct/Nov 2023, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  An acid–base titration is described. $\bullet$ $25.0{\text{ cm}}^3$ of dilute aqueous alkali is put into a conical flask. $\bullet$ Indicator is added to the flask.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2025, paper 61Essay6 marks

  When a solid metal is added to an aqueous salt of a less reactive metal, a reaction takes place. The reaction is exothermic, and the temperature of the reaction mixture increases. The larger the difference in reactivity of the two metals, the more exothermic the reaction.

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  Which piece of apparatus can only measure a single fixed volume?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 61Structured20 marksHas a diagram

  Copper(II) carbonate reacts with dilute acids to make carbon dioxide gas. Malachite is a mineral that contains copper(II) carbonate. A student investigates the rate of reaction between powdered malachite and dilute ethanoic acid at different temperatures.

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• Question 3May/June 2026, paper 31Structured12 marksHas a diagram

  The equation for the reaction of magnesium with dilute hydrochloric acid is shown. $$\mathrm{M}\mathrm{g}(\mathrm{s})+2\mathrm{H}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{l}(\mathrm{a}\mathrm{q})\to {\mathrm{M}\mathrm{g}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{l}}_2(\mathrm{a}\mathrm{q})+{\mathrm{H}}_2(\mathrm{g})$$ State the meaning of the symbol (aq) in this equation.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2025, paper 62Structured9 marksHas a diagram

  Eggshells are made from a mixture of calcium carbonate and other insoluble substances. Calcium carbonate reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid. The equation for the reaction is shown.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2024, paper 61Structured19 marksHas a diagram

  A student investigates the reaction between aqueous magnesium sulfate and aqueous barium nitrate. A precipitate of barium sulfate forms in the reaction. The student does eight experiments.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2023, paper 61Essay6 marks

  Greaseaway and Kitchenclean are two solutions used as household cleaners that contain aqueous ammonia. Plan an investigation to find which of the two household cleaners contains aqueous ammonia with the highest concentration.

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• Question 3May/June 2026, paper 32Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  The equation for the reaction of magnesium carbonate with dilute sulfuric acid is shown. $$\mathrm{M}\mathrm{g}\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{O}}_3(\mathrm{s})+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{O}}_4(\mathrm{a}\mathrm{q})\to \mathrm{M}\mathrm{g}\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{O}}_4(\mathrm{a}\mathrm{q})+\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{O}}_2(\mathrm{g})+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}(\mathrm{l})$$ State the meaning of the symbol (s) in this equation.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2025, paper 62Essay6 marksHas a diagram

  Liquid alcohols can be burned as fuels in spirit burners. The energy given out can be used to heat water in a boiling tube as shown in Fig. 4.1.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2024, paper 61Essay6 marks

  Beetroot is a coloured vegetable. The colour is caused by a mixture of water-soluble coloured compounds. Plan an experiment to find how many water-soluble coloured compounds there are in a beetroot.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 62Structured18 marksHas a diagram

  A student investigates the temperature change when aqueous sodium hydroxide neutralises dilute hydrochloric acid. The equation for the reaction is shown. $$\mathrm{N}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}+\mathrm{H}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{l}\to \mathrm{N}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{l}+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$$ The student does six experiments.

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• Question 2May/June 2026, paper 61Structured18 marksHas a diagram

  A student investigates the temperature change when citric acid reacts with sodium carbonate. The student does five experiments. Experiment 1 • Use a $10{\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^3$ measuring cylinder to pour $1.0{\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^3$ of distilled water into a boiling tube.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2025, paper 63Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A student uses the apparatus in Fig. 1.1 to show that water is formed as one of the products when a fuel is burned.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2024, paper 62Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  A teacher uses the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.1 to pass an electric current through molten mercury(II) bromide at a temperature of 300°C. During the process shown in Fig. 1.1, the molten mercury(II) bromide breaks down and forms bromine and mercury.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2023, paper 62Essay6 marks

  The solubility of solid sodium sulfate in water changes as the temperature of the water changes. Plan an experiment to find out how the solubility of sodium sulfate in water changes with temperature.

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• Question 4May/June 2026, paper 61Essay6 marks

  Iron nails rust slowly in the presence of water and air. When an iron nail rusts, insoluble solid hydrated iron(III) oxide forms. The solid hydrated iron(III) oxide falls off the iron nail.

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