Separation and purification: past paper questions

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• 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?

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

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

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

  Which statement is correct?

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• 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.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2025, paper 41Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  A student separates petroleum. Fig. 1.1 shows how the student assembles the apparatus. State the name of the piece of apparatus labelled A in Fig. 1.1.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2024, paper 41Essay6 marks

  Argentan is an alloy containing only zinc, nickel and copper. Zinc and nickel both react with dilute hydrochloric acid. Copper does not react with dilute hydrochloric acid.

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• 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?

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• Question 39May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  An impure sample of compound X has a melting point of $120{}^{\circ }\mathrm{C}$. X is purified and its melting point is measured again. Which row is correct?

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2024, paper 42Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  A student does an experiment to make pure hydrated copper(II) sulfate crystals, ${\mathrm{C}\mathrm{u}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{O}}_4\cdot 5{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$. The student makes aqueous copper(II) sulfate by reacting a dilute acid with excess copper(II) oxide. Name the acid.

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2023, paper 42Essay6 marks

  Copper(II) sulfate is a salt used to kill pests on plant leaves. Copper(II) sulfate is prepared by neutralising dilute sulfuric acid with solid copper(II) oxide. Plan an experiment to prepare pure dry crystals of copper(II) sulfate.

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• Question 1May/June 2026, paper 42Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Figure 1.1 shows the apparatus a student uses to separate a mixture of three different alkanes. State the name of apparatus A.

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• Question 40May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  What is used to separate a solid mixture of copper powder and sodium chloride to obtain pure, solid samples of each compound?

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• Question 4May/June 2025, paper 41Essay6 marks

  $\text{Q}$ is a mixture of solid magnesium oxide and solid barium sulfate. Magnesium oxide is insoluble in water. It reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid to make a solution of magnesium chloride.

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• Question 3May/June 2023, paper 21Structured8 marks

  This question is about the preparation of salts. Zinc chloride is a soluble salt. It is prepared by the reaction of an insoluble base with a dilute acid.

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• Question 4May/June 2025, paper 42Essay6 marks

  $\mathbf{Q}$ is a mixture of solid copper(II) carbonate and solid lead sulfate. Lead sulfate is insoluble in water and does not react with dilute sulfuric acid. Copper(II) carbonate is insoluble in water.

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