Experimental techniques and chemical analysis: past paper questions

Where the questions come from

• Question 28May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A solution of sodium chloride in water is tested with anhydrous copper(II) sulfate and anhydrous cobalt(II) chloride. The boiling point of the solution at 1 atm pressure is also measured. Which row is correct?

  Try this question
• Question 37Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which diagram shows a measuring cylinder?

  Try this question
• Question 37Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which piece of apparatus is used to measure exactly $27.3{\text{ cm}}^3$ of a liquid?

  Try this question
• Question 37May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Solution X is made by adding solid glucose to liquid ethanol in a beaker. This mixture is stirred. After stirring, solid glucose is visible at the bottom of the beaker.

  Try this question
• Question 38May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which piece of apparatus is used to add one reagent to another reagent during a titration?

  Try this question
• Question 39Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Sulfur dioxide is a gas that is prepared by heating sodium sulfite with hydrochloric acid. It is an acidic gas. Sulfur dioxide is more dense than air.

  Try this question
• Question 39Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement is correct?

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

  Chromatography is used to separate and identify dyes in a mixture.

  Try this question
• Question 40Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  An aqueous solution contains cations of metal X.

  Try this question
• Question 40Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A student does two experiments. In experiment 1, ammonium carbonate is reacted with dilute hydrochloric acid. In experiment 2, ammonium carbonate is heated with aqueous sodium hydroxide.

  Try this question
• Question 40May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  J is an aqueous solution. When aqueous sodium hydroxide is added to J, a green precipitate is formed. The resulting mixture is heated, and no gas is formed.

  Try this question
• Question 37Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which piece of apparatus is used to measure the volume of acid required to neutralise $25.0{\text{ cm}}^3$ of alkali in a titration?

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

  In a titration, a $25.0{\text{ cm}}^3$ sample of $0.100{\text{ mol / dm}}^3$ sodium hydroxide is exactly neutralised by $16.2{\text{ cm}}^3$ of dilute sulfuric acid. The equation for the reaction is shown.

  Try this question
• Question 16Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Two methods used by students to measure the rate of a reaction are the 'disappearing cross' method and the 'loss of mass' method. ● For the 'disappearing cross' method, the student measures the time taken for the reaction mixture to go cloudy.

  Try this question
• Question 9May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  During a titration, $25.0{\text{ cm}}^3$ of $0.050\text{ mol}\mathrm{/}{\text{dm}}^3$ aqueous sodium hydroxide, $\text{NaOH}$, reacts exactly with $20.0{\text{ cm}}^3$ of dilute phosphoric acid, ${\text{H}}_3{\text{PO}}_4$.

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

  Three liquids, X, Y and Z, are tested and the results are shown.

  Try this question
• Question 37May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The formula of magnesium oxide can be investigated by using the fact that when magnesium is heated, it reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide. Which apparatus is used for this investigation?

  Try this question
• Question 39Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Solid J contains cations and chloride ions. The aqueous solution of J is colourless. Two separate samples of the solution are tested.

  Try this question
• Question 40Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Compound Q is soluble in water.

  Try this question
• Question 39Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a chromatogram. Which spot has an $R_f$ value of 0.75?

  Try this question
• Question 38May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram represents a chromatogram of the colourless acids in a drink. The chromatogram has been treated with a locating agent.

  Try this question
• Question 40Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Solid Q reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid, producing a gas that turns limewater milky. Warming solid Q with aqueous sodium hydroxide produces a gas that turns damp red litmus paper blue. What is solid Q?

  Try this question
• Question 1Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 1.1 shows the electronic configurations of five atoms, D, E, F, G and H. Answer the questions about these electronic configurations. Each electronic configuration may be used once, more than once or not at all.

  Try this question
• Question 40Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The results of some tests on polluted river water are shown.

  Try this question
• Question 39May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which two pieces of apparatus are essential when separating a mixture of sodium chloride and barium sulfate?

  Try this question
• Question 3Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Sodium hydrogencarbonate decomposes when heated.

  Try this question
• Question 5Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Structured14 marksHas a diagram

  A student adds large pieces of copper(II) carbonate to dilute hydrochloric acid. The copper(II) carbonate is in excess. Complete the equation by adding state symbols for the products.

  Try this question
• Question 1Oct/Nov 2023, paper 21Structured5 marks

  Choose from the list of compounds to answer these questions. calcium oxide carbon dioxide carbon monoxide lead chloride propan-1-ol sodium nitrate sodium sulfate sulfur dioxide water Each compound may be used once, more than once or not at all.

  Try this question
• Question 40May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  An unknown salt, X, contains only one cation and only one anion. Aqueous sodium hydroxide is added to an aqueous solution of X.

  Try this question
• Question 9Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Structured10 marks

  Anhydrous copper(II) sulfate is a white solid. State the meaning of the term anhydrous.

  Try this question