Formulae: past paper questions

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• Question 8May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which definition of the empirical formula of a compound is correct?

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Aluminium ions, ${\mathrm{A}\mathrm{l}}^{3+}$, react with sulfate ions, ${\mathrm{S}\mathrm{O}}_4^{2-}$, to form aluminium sulfate. Which row shows the correct empirical formula and ionic formula of aluminium sulfate?

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  X and Y are both elements, one of which is a non-metal. 1 mole of X is added to 1 mole of Y and they are heated together. X and Y react completely to form substance Z. Substance Z cannot be easily separated to form X and Y. Three statements are given.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row is correct?

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which ion has a positive charge?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Chrome alum is a salt that contains two different cations and one anion. The ions present in chrome alum are ${\text{K}}^{+}$, ${\text{Cr}}^{3+}$ and ${\text{SO}}_4^{2-}$. What is the formula of the salt?

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Compound Y is the only substance formed when $500{\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^3$ of ammonia reacts with $250{\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^3$ of carbon dioxide. All measurements are at r.t.p. What is the formula of Y?

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• Question 6May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The displayed formula of a compound is shown. What is the empirical formula of the compound?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Powdered calcium carbonate reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to produce calcium chloride, water and carbon dioxide. What is the correct ionic equation, including state symbols, for this reaction?

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• Question 10Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Compound X contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen only. It has an $M_r$ of 90. $100\text{ g}$ of compound X contains $40.0\text{ g}$ of carbon and $6.7\text{ g}$ of hydrogen.

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• Question 37Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Glycerol is an alcohol with three $-\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}$ groups per molecule. What is the equation for the combustion of glycerol?

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• 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?

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• Question 21Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The atomic number of element X is 12. What is the formula of the chloride of X?

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• Question 23Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which formula represents the oxide of element Z in Group II of the Periodic Table?

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• Question 38Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Compound X decolourises acidified aqueous potassium manganate(VII). Compound X has the empirical formula ${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{O}$. Some possible structures of X are shown.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Structured10 marks

  Nickel is a transition element. Nickel has good electrical conductivity and good thermal conductivity. Nickel is also ductile and malleable.

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• Question 10Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Compound Z contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen only. Compound Z contains 48.65% carbon and 8.11% hydrogen by mass. What is the empirical formula of Z?

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  When dilute hydrochloric acid is added to aqueous lead(II) nitrate, a white precipitate of lead(II) chloride is formed. What is the ionic equation for this reaction?

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• Question 11Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which fertiliser contains the highest percentage by mass of nitrogen?

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  One volume of a gaseous element, ${\text{X}}_2$, combines with an equal volume of gaseous hydrogen to form two volumes of a gaseous hydride. What is the formula for the hydride of X?

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• Question 10May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Magnesium reacts with aqueous copper(II) sulfate to form copper and aqueous magnesium sulfate. What is the correct equation for this reaction?

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• Question 6May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Statements about empirical and molecular formulae are given. Which statement is correct?

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2023, paper 22Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  A student investigates the reaction of large pieces of calcium carbonate with dilute hydrochloric acid at 25 °C. The hydrochloric acid is in excess. Complete the equation for this reaction by adding state symbols.

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• Question 7May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  What is the relative formula mass, $M_{\mathrm{r}}$, of aluminium oxide?

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• Question 6May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  When a strip of copper is placed in aqueous silver nitrate, a displacement reaction takes place. What is the ionic equation for the reaction which takes place?

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• Question 7May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  What is the formula of zinc oxide?

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• Question 9May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Samples of two hydrated compounds are weighed and then dehydrated by heating. The anhydrous compounds are weighed and the results are shown. $3.97\text{ g }{\text{FeSO}}_4\cdot x{\text{H}}_2\text{O}$ gives $2.17\text{ g}$ anhydrous ${\text{FeSO}}_4$.

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• Question 9May/June 2024, paper 21Structured8 marks

  Polymers are made by either an addition reaction or a condensation reaction. Describe the differences between addition and condensation polymerisation.

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• Question 37May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Hexan-3-ol is an alcohol.

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• Question 1May/June 2024, paper 22Structured5 marks

  Choose from the following substances to answer the questions.

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