Chemistry Paper 1

Topics in the Paper:

Chemistry C3
Structure and
Bonding
Paper 1 C4
Chemical
Calculations
C5 Chemical Changes

Model Exam C6 Electrolysis

Question C7 Energy Changes

Booklet RP8 Preparing a Salt

RP9 Electrolysis
Essential Content for Temperature
RP10
the 2022 Higher Trilogy Changes

Science Exam
This booklet is split into 3 parts:
Part 1
The first part is a selection of short response questions and answers that are likely
to come in your Chemistry exams this summer. Spend time learning the answers to
these questions, for example you could produce flash cards. You should self quiz
yourself on these questions regularly!

Part 2
Selection of extended response questions (4 to 6 marks) that are likely to be on
your paper this year, either because they have not been assessed in the last couple
of years, or because they come up most years in exams. Prepare and practice your
responses to these questions.

Part 3
Required practical section. In this section you will find step by step guidance for
each practical. This is followed by a page of short response questions and answers
to learn for each of the practicals. There are also some extended response
questions (4 to 6 marks) that are very likely to be on the exam paper this year.
 C3: Structure and Bonding Fold page here

1. What are the three types of chemical bonds? 1. Ionic, covalent and metallic bonds.
2. What is an ionic bond? 2. A bond between a metal and non-metal in which
electrons have been exchanged.
3. What is a covalent bond? 3. A bond between two non-metals in which
electrons are shared.
4. What is a metallic bond? 4. A bond between metal atoms in which electrons
are delocalised.
5. How does an ionic compound form? 5. The metal loses electrons to get a full outer shell
becoming a positively charged ion while the
non-metal gains electrons becoming a
negatively charged ion. The oppositely charged
ions are electrostatically attracted to each other.
6. What is the charge of an ion from group 1? 6. +1
7. What is the charge of an ion from group 2? 7. +2
8. What is the charge of an ion from group 6? 8. -2
9. What is the charge of an ion from group 7? 9. -1
10. What is an ionic compound? 10. A giant structure of ions which are held together
by strong electrostatic forces of attraction
between oppositely charged ions.
11. What are simple molecules? 11. Small molecules such as oxygen and water that
contain atoms joined together by covalent
12. What is the state symbol for a solid? bonds.
13. What is the state symbol for a liquid? 12. (s)
14. What is the state symbol for a gas? 13. (l)
15. What is the state symbol for a solution? 14. (g)
16. What are the properties of ionic compounds? 15. (aq)
16. High melting and boiling point. Don’t conduct
electricity when solid but do when molten or
17. Why do ionic compounds have high melting dissolved.
and boiling points? 17. Strong bonds between molecules which takes
18. Why can’t ionic compounds conduct electricity lots of energy to overcome.
when solid? 18. Ions are unable to move freely.
19. Why can ionic compounds conduct electricity
when molten or dissolved? 19. Ions are free and so are able to move.
20. What are the properties of simple molecules?
21. Why do simple molecules have low melting and 20. Low melting and boiling point. Poor conductors.
boiling points?
 C4: Chemical Calculations Fold page here

1. What are chemical amounts measured in? 1. Moles

2. What is the mass in grams of one mole equal 2. Its RFM

to?
3. Mol
3. What are the units for moles?
4. The number of atoms in a mole of a given
4. What is the Avogadro constant? substance.

5. 6.02x10 23
5. What is the value of the Avogadro constant?
6. The masses of reactants and products in grams
6. How can the balancing numbers in a symbol is converted into moles which is then converted
equation be calculated using reacting masses? into a simple whole number ratio.

7. It is the reactant that is completely used up that

7. What is a limiting reagent? limits the amount of product made.

8. To make sure that the other reactant is

8. In a reaction why should one reactant be added completely used up.
in excess?
9. Mass per given volume.
9. What are the units for concentration?
10. The reaction may not go to completion because
10. Why is it not always possible to obtain the its reversible, some of the product may be lost
calculate amount of product? when it is separated from the reaction mixture
or some of the reactants may react in ways
different to the expected reaction.
 C5: Chemical Changes Fold page here

1. How do metal oxides form? 1. Metals react with oxygen in an oxidation

reaction.
2. What is reduction? 2. Loss of oxygen / gain of electrons.
3. What is oxidation? 3. Gain of oxygen / loss of electrons.
4. What happens to metals when they react with 4. Metal atoms form positive ions.
other substances?
5. What is the reactivity of a metal determined 5. Their tendency to make positive ions.
by? 6. Potassium Sodium, Lithium, Calcium,
6. List metals in order of reactivity. Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Copper
7. Hydrogen and carbon.
7. Which two non-metals are often included in
the reactivity series? 8. Reduction with carbon.
8. How can metals less reactive than carbon be
extracted from their oxides? 9. Salts and Hydrogen.
9. What is typically made when an acid reacts
with some metals? 10. Adding it to an alkali.
10. How can acids be neutralised? 11. Metal + Acid Salt + Hydrogen
11. What is the general word equation for a metal
reacting with an acid? 12. Soluble metal hydroxides.
12. What is an example of an alkali? 13. Insoluble metal hydroxides and metal oxides.
13. What is an example of a base? 14. Metal Hydroxide + Acid Salt + Water
14. What is the general word equation for a metal
hydroxide reacting with an acid? 15. Metal Oxide + Acid Salt + Water
15. What is the general word equation for a metal
oxide reacting with an acid? 16. Metal Carbonate + Acid Salt + Water + Carbon
16. What is the general word equation for a metal Dioxide
carbonate reacting with an acid? 17. Chloride
17. What type of salt does hydrochloric acid
produce? 18. Sulphate
18. What type of salt does sulphuric acid produce? 19. Nitrate
19. What type of salt does nitric acid produce? 20. Add acid in excess to a solid insoluble substance
20. How can a soluble salt be made? such as metal, metal oxide, carbonate or
hydroxide and filter off the excess. Crystallise
the salt solution made.
21. H+
21. What type of ions do acids produce in solution? 22. OH-
22. What type of ions do alkalis produce in 23. A scale from 0 to 14 that is a measure of acidity
solution? or alkalinity of a solution.
23. What is the pH scale? 24. Universal indicator or pH probe.
25. Neutral solution
24. What can be used to measure pH? 26. Acidic solution
25. What is a pH of 7? 27. Alkali solution
26. What is a pH value less than 7? 28. Hydrogen ions react with hydroxide ions to
27. What is a pH value more than 7? make water.
28. What happens during a neutralisation reaction? 29. H+ (aq) + OH - (aq) H 2O(l)

29. Write an equation to represent a neutralisation

reaction.
 C6: Electrolysis Fold page here

1. When can an ionic compound conduct 1. When it is melted or dissolved.

electricity?
2. What is an electrolyte? 2. A liquid or solution that is able to conduct
electricity.
3. What happens when an electric current is 3. The ions move to the electrodes.
passed through an electrolyte?
4. What is the cathode? 4. Negative electrode.
5. What is the anode? 5. Positive electrode.
6. Which electrode are positive ions attracted to? 6. Negative electrode.
7. Which electrode are negative ions attracted to? 7. Positive electrode.
8. What happens at the electrode? 8. The ions are discharged at the electrodes
producing elements.
9. What happens when a simple ionic compound 9. The metal forms at the cathode and the
is electrolysed? non-metal is produced at the anode.
10. When is electrolysis used to extract metals? 10. When the metal is too reactive to be extracted
by reduction with carbon, or if the metal reacts
with carbon.
11. What are the problems of extracting metals 11. Large amounts of energy are needed to melt the
using electrolysis? compound and produce the electrical current.
12. How is aluminium extracted using electrolysis? 12. The aluminium oxide is melted and mixed with
cryolite. The aluminium ions move to the
negative electrode to make aluminium and the
oxygen ions move to the positive electrode to
react with the carbon electrode and make
carbon dioxide.
13. Why is a mixture used as the electrolyte for the 13. The cryolite lowers the melting point of
extraction of aluminium? aluminium oxide.
14. Why must the positive electrode be replaced 14. The oxygen reacts with the carbon in the
during the electrolysis of aluminium? electrode burning it away.
15. During the electrolysis of an aqueous solution 15. The reactivity of the elements involved.
what does the ion discharged at the electrode
depend on?
16. What is formed on the negative electrode if the 16. Hydrogen
metal is more reactive than hydrogen?
17. When is oxygen made at the positive 17. When the solution does not contain halide ions.
electrode? 18. Positive ions gain electrons and are reduced.
18. What happens at the cathode? (HT Only) 19. Negative ions lose electrons and are oxidised.
19. What happens at the anode? (HT Only)
 C7: Energy Changes Fold page here

1. What happens to energy in a chemical 1. It is conserved. The amount of energy at the

reaction? end of the reaction is the same as the amount of
energy at the start.

2. A reaction in which energy is transferred to the

2. What is an exothermic reaction? surroundings so the temperature of the
surroundings increases.

3. Combustion, oxidation reactions and

3. What are examples of exothermic reactions? neutralisation.

4. Self heating cans and neutralisation.

4. What are everyday uses of exothermic
reactions?
5. A reaction in which energy is transferred from
5. What is an endothermic reaction? the surroundings to that the temperature of the
surroundings decreases.

6. Thermal decomposition and reaction of citric

6. What are examples of endothermic reactions? acid and sodium hydrogencarbonate.

7. Sports injury packs.

7. What are everyday uses of endothermic
reactions?
8. The minimum amount of energy that particles
8. What is activation energy? must have to react when the reacting particles
collide with each other.

9. A diagram that can be used to show the relative

9. What are reaction profiles? energies of reactants and products. It shows the
activation energy and the overall energy change
of a reaction.

10. When reacting particles collide with enough

10. In terms of particles when do chemical energy.
reactions occur?
11. The energy in the products is lower than the
11. How could you identify an exothermic reaction energy in the reactants.
using its reaction profile?
12. The energy in the products is higher than the
12. How could you identify an endothermic energy in the reactants.
reaction using its reaction profile?
13. Draw a ”humped line” connecting the reactant
13. How could you change a reaction profile to and product line that is lower than the
show the use of a catalyst. activation energy line.
14. Energy is supplied to break bonds in the
14. What happens to bonds during a chemical reactants and energy is released when bonds in
reaction? (HT Only) the products are formed.
15. Calculate the difference between the sum of the
15. How can the overall energy change be energy needed to break the bonds in the
calculated? (HT Only) reactants and the sum of the energy released
when bonds in the products are formed.
 Topic C3 Structure and Bonding

Qu Explain the properties of _______________

You could be asked to explain the properties of different materials.

Examples of materials include:
• Any named salt
• Any named metal
• Any simple molecule
Info
To answer this question, you will need to do the following:
1. Identify the type of bond involved.
2. Describe the structure of the material.
3. Identify a property of the material
4. Explain why it has this property linking back to its structure.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have no more properties.

Went explaining why a material does or does not conduct electricity by

careful. When talking about materials with covalent or metallic bonds you
Top Tip need to use the key term “electron”, when you are discussing a material with
ionic bonds you need to use the key term “ion”.

Explain the properties of calcium fluoride.

Calcium fluoride is an ionic compound. There are strong electrostatic bonds

Model between the ions which are arranged in a regular lattice. Calcium fluoride
Answer has a high melting and boiling point this is because the bonds are strong.
When solid calcium fluoride is unable to conduct electricity as the ions are
unable to move freely. When dissolved or molten calcium fluoride can
conduct because the ions are now able to move freely.

1. Learn and practice the model answer above.

2. Explain the properties of chlorine, sodium chloride, copper, magnesium
Practice
and magnesium carbonate.
 Topic C4 Chemical Calculations

Qu Calculate the number of moles of ________ in _______

You could be given a mass of any compound or element and be asked to

calculate the number of moles that it contains.

To answer this question, you will need to do the following:

Info 1. Identify the formula of the substance. This may well be in the question.
2. Calculate the RFM of the substance.
3. Check that the mass you have been given is in grams. If not convert the
units.
4. Divide the mass in grams by the RFM
5. Round your answer to the correct number of significant figures.

Read the question carefully. Make sure you have checked how many
significant figures you have been asked to give your answer to! If you
Top Tip
haven’t been given atomic masses remember to use your periodic table.

Calculate the number of moles of calcium carbonate in 64mg. Give your

answer to 3 sf

1. Formula of magnesium carbonate: MgCO3

2. RFM: = 24 + 12 + (16 x 3) = 84
3. Mass in grams 64/1000 = 0.064g
Model 4. Divide mass by RFM: 0.064/84 = 0.0007619047619
Answer 5. Round to correct sig fig 0.000762

1. Learn and practice the model answer above.

2. Calculate the number of moles in 150mg of: Carbon Dioxide, Water,
Practice Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Oxide, Lithium Fluoride, Copper Sulfate
and Copper Carbonate.
 Topic C4 Chemical Calculations

Qu Calculate the concentration of a solution.

You could be given a volume of a solution and the mass of a substance that it
contains and be asked to use this to calculate a concentration.

To answer this question, you will need to do the following:

1. Check the volume you have been given in the question is in the same
Info units as the units you have been asked to give in your answer. If not
convert!
2. Check the mass you have been given is in the same units as the units
you have been asked to give in your answer. If not convert!
3. Divide the known mass by the volume you have been given.
4. Check your answer is to the correct number of significant figures.
5. Add units

To convert from cm3 into dm3 divide by 1000.

Top Tip

Calculate concentration of hydrochloric acid when it contains 3.2g of

hydrogen chloride in 50cm3 of solution. Give your answer to 2 s.f in g/dm3

1. Check volume units: 50/1000 = 0.05dm3

2. Check mass units: 3.2g
Model 3. Divide mass by volume: 3.2/0.05 = 64
Answer 4. Round to correct sig fig 64
5. Add units 64g/dm3

1. Learn and practice the model answer above.

2. Calculate the concentrations of hydrochloric acid in g/dm 3 when: 6.8g is
Practice dissolved in 100cm3, when 12.2g is dissolved in 250cm3, when 0.1kg is
dissolved in 750cm3 and when 0.25kg is dissolved in 1.5dm3.
 Topic C5 Chemical Changes

Explain what you would observe when a metal is added to an acid.

Qu Explain what happens when any acid reacts with any alkali.
Describe how you could determine the pH of a substance.
At least one of these questions is likely to come up. The examiner is going to
Info
be looking for a clear answer written in a logical sequence.
Be careful that you use key words/phrases accurately (these are in bold in
Top Tip
your model answers below).

Explain what you would observe when a metal is added to an acid.

When a metal is added to an acid, I would predict that I would observe

bubbles. This is because when a metal is added to an acid hydrogen is
Model
produced. I would also expect the container to feel warm, this is because a
Answer
metal reacting with an acid is an exothermic reaction. Finally, I would expect
the metal to disappear over time. This is because it is reacting and making
the salt which would dissolve.

Explain what happens when any acid reacts with any alkali.

Model When an acid and alkali react the H+ ions from the acid react with the alkalis
Answer OH- ions to make water.

Describe how you could determine the pH of a solution.

Model To determine the pH of a solution you could add universal indicator. You
Answer would observe the colour that the indicator turned and use a chart to
identify the pH. You could alternatively use a pH probe by dipping this into
the solution and recording the value on the digital display.

Practice 1. Learn and practice the model answers above.

 Topic C6 Electrolysis

Identify what forms at the __________ electrode and explain how this
Qu
happens.

You will usually be given a diagram of the electrolysis and the name of the
solution that is undergoing electrolysis. You will then be asked what forms
at one or both electrodes and be asked to explain how this happens.

To answer this question:

1. Identify what forms at the electrode. You can use the tips below to help
Info
you with this.
2. Identify the charge of the ion.
3. Identify that they are attracted to the oppositely charged electrode.
4. Identify if the ion loses or gains electrons.
5. Identify if they are reduced or oxidised
6. Identify (again) what is formed

Anode: At the positive electrode negative ions lose their electrons and are
oxidised. If the solution doesn’t contain halides oxygen is made. This oxygen
then reacts with the carbon in the electrode to make carbon dioxide.
Top Tip Cathode: At the negative electrode positive ions gain electrons and are
reduced. If the metal is more reactive than hydrogen, then hydrogen forms
at the electrode instead.
Explain what forms at the cathode during the electrolysis of copper sulfate.
1. Copper forms at the negative electrode.
2. Copper ions have a positive charge...
3. ...and so are are attracted to the oppositely charged negative electrode.
4. The copper ions gain electrons...
5. ...and are reduced...
6. To form copper
Model Explain what forms at the anode during the electrolysis of copper sulfate.
Answer 1. Oxygen forms at the negative electrode.
2. Oxygen ions have a negative charge...
3. ...and so are are attracted to the oppositely charged positive electrode.
4. The oxygen ions lose electrons...
5. ...and are oxidised...
6. To form oxygen. The oxygen then goes on to react with carbon in the
electrode to make carbon dioxide gas.
1. Explain what forms at the electrodes during electrolysis of iron sulfate
2. Explain what forms at the electrodes during electrolysis of copper
chloride
Practice 3. Explain what forms at the electrodes during electrolysis of sodium
chloride
 Topic C6 Electrolysis

Explain why the electrodes are replaced when O2 is formed at electrolysis.

Qu Explain when hydrogen gas forms at the negative electrode.
Explain how halogen gases can be formed at the positive electrode.
At least one of these questions is likely to come up. The examiner is going to
Info
be looking for a clear answer written in a logical sequence.
Be careful that you use key words/phrases accurately (these are in bold in
Top Tip
your model answers below).

Explain why the electrodes are replaced when O2 is formed at electrolysis.

During electrolysis the negative oxygen ions will be attracted to the positive
Model
electrode that is made of carbon. The oxygen will then react with the carbon
Answer
electrode forming carbon dioxide due to the high temperatures. This means
that over time the electrode will wear away.

Explain when hydrogen gas forms at the negative electrode.

Model During electrolysis water breaks down to form hydrogen H+ ions. If the metal
Answer ions produced during electrolysis are less reactive than hydrogen, then it is
the hydrogen ions that are discharged at the negative electrode. Here they
gain electrons to form hydrogen molecules.

Explain how halogen gases can be formed at the positive electrode.

Model Halide ions are negatively charged and so will be attracted to the positive
Answer electrode. Here the halide will lose electrons and form molecules. For
example, chloride ions will form chlorine gas.

Practice 1. Learn and practice the model answers above.

 Topic C7 Energy Changes

When an acid is added to an alkali the energy changes. Explain this change.
Qu Define exothermic reaction.
Define activation energy.
At least one of these questions is likely to come up. The examiner is going to
Info
be looking for a clear answer written in a logical sequence.
Be careful that you use key words/phrases accurately (these are in bold in
Top Tip
your model answers below).

When an acid is added to an alkali the energy changes. Explain this change.
Model
An acid reacting with an alkali is an exothermic reaction. This means that
Answer
heat is released to the environment and so the energy within the products
will be less than the energy in the reactants.

Define exothermic reaction.

Model A reaction in which heat is released to the surroundings.

Answer

Define activation energy.

Model The minimum amount of energy that particles must have to react when
Answer the reacting particles collide with each other.

Practice 1. Learn and practice the model answers above.

 RP8 Making Salts
1 2
Add the insoluble Stir the solution
base in excess to until no more base
warmed acid. will react. 3
Filter the contents
to remove the
excess base.

6
Leave the remaining
solution to crystallise
over time.

4
Pour the filtered solution into
an evaporating basin and
evaporate the water using a
5 water bath.
Stop heating when
crystals start to
appear.

Practical Video
 RP8: Making Salts Practical Fold page here

1. What is neutralisation? 1. A chemical reaction between an acid and a base in

which a salt and water are formed.

2. What is filtration? 2. A separation technique used to remove an insoluble

substance from a solution.

3. What is evaporation? 3. A separation technique used to remove water from a

solution.

4. What is crystallisation? 4. A technique that follows evaporation in which crystals

form.

5. Why is the insoluble base added in excess? 5. To make sure that all of the acid has reacted and is
neutralised.

6. Why is the insoluble base added to warm acid? 6. To increase the rate or reaction.

7. Why is the mixture stirred? 7. To increase the rate of reaction.

8. What type of acid would you need to use if you 8. Sulfuric Acid
wanted to make a sulfate?

9. What type of acid would you need to use if you 9. Hydrochloric Acid
wanted to make a chloride?

10. What type of acid would you need to use if you 10. Nitric Acid
wanted to make a nitrate?

11. How is the remaining insoluble base removed from 11. Filtration
the solution?

12. What is made during neutralisation? 12. Salt and water.

13. How is the water removed from the salt solution? 13. Evaporation

14. What substances can react with an acid to make a 14. Metal, metal hydroxide, metal oxide, metal carbonate,
soluble salt? alkali.

15. How can we make sure that all the substances have 15. Warm the solution and stir.
reacted when making salts?

16. What safety precautions should you use when 16. Wear safety goggles.
making salts?
Practical RP8 Making Salts

Qu Explain how you could make a pure dry sample of ___________.

You could be asked this question for lots of different salts. Some that
have come up in the past include:
• Magnesium Sulfate
• Calcium Chloride
• Potassium Chloride
• Sodium Sulfate
Info
To answer this question you will need to do the following:
1. Identify the base and acid that you would add together.
2. Describe how you would ensure all the base had reacted.
3. Describe how you would remove the unreacted base.
4. Describe how you will make sure all the water is removed from
the salt.

Sometimes you can be asked to write a method, while sometimes they

give you a method and ask you to improve it – watch out here that
Top Tip
they are adding the correct chemicals together.

Explain how you could make a pure dry sample of magnesium sulfate.

I would add magnesium oxide in excess to warmed sulfuric acid. This

would be stirred until no more magnesium oxide will react. To remove
Model
the excess magnesium oxide the solution should be filtered using a
Answer
funnel and filter paper. The solution will then be warmed in an
evaporating dish using a water bath to evaporate the water. As soon a
crystals start to form the solution will be removed from the heat so that
crystallisation can occur.

1. Learn and practice the model answer above.

2. Prepare and learn model answers to explain how you would make
Practice
pure dry samples of calcium chloride, potassium chloride and
sodium sulfate.
 RP9 Electrolysis

1. Set up equipment as shown in the diagram:

2. Add the test solution to the beaker.

3. Dip the electrodes attached to a power supply

into the beaker to complete the circuit.

Practical Video
4. Observe and record what happens at the
electrodes.
 RP9: Electrolysis Practical Fold page here

1. What is electrolysis? 1. Breakdown of a substance using electricity.

2. What is an electrolyte? 2. A liquid containing free moving ions which is broken
down by electricity during electrolysis.
3. For the electrolysis of an aqueous solution why is it 3. The solution contains ions which are free to move.
able to conduct electricity?
4. What is the positive electrode known as? 4. Anode
5. What is the negative electrode known as? 5. Cathode
6. What are the electrodes made from? 6. Graphite
7. What happens to the positive ions in the solution? 7. They are attracted to the cathode and are reduced
(gain electrons).
8. What happens to the negative ions in the solution? 8. They are attracted to the anode and are oxidised (lose
electrons).
9. When is a metal formed at the cathode during 9. When the metal is less reactive than hydrogen.
electrolysis of an aqueous solution?
10. When is hydrogen formed at the cathode during 10. When the metal is more reactive than hydrogen.
electrolysis of an aqueous solution?
11. Which metals are more reactive than hydrogen? 11. Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium, Aluminium,
Zinc, Iron, Tin, Lead.
12. Which metals are less reactive than hydrogen? 12. Copper, Silver, Gold
13. What would be formed at the cathode if any metal 13. Hydrogen
except copper, silver or gold were in solution?
14. What would be formed at the cathode if the solution 14. Copper
contained copper?
15. Why would a solution containing copper appear to 15. The copper ions which give the solution its colour have
fade in colour during electrolysis? moved to the cathode and formed copper metal.
There are fewer copper ions in the solution and so the
colour will fade.
16. Why would solutions containing any metal apart from 16. The metal ions are more reactive than hydrogen and
copper, silver and gold not appear to fade in colour so are not removed from the solution.
over time?
17. What will form at the anode if the negative ion is 17. Chlorine
chloride?
18. What will form at the anode if the negative ion is a 18. Bromine
bromide?
19. What will form at the anode if the negative ion is a 19. Iodine
iodide?
20. What will form at the anode if the negative ion is a 20. Oxygen
nitrate?
21. What will form at the anode if the negative ion is a 21. Oxygen
sulfate?
22. When does oxygen form at the anode during 22. If the negative ion is not a group 7 halide.
electrolysis of an aqueous solution?
23. If you are asked to collect a gas during electrolysis 23. They don’t have a scale so can't be used to measure
why would you not use a test tube? volume.
24. If you are asked to collect a gas during electrolysis 24. Small measuring cylinder.
what equipment should you use to collect it?
25. If you are investigating a hypothesis for electrolysis 25. The chemicals in the solution, volume of pure water
what are the possible variables, one you could used, the concentration of the solution, the volume of
change, and the others you would need to keep the the solution, the distance between electrodes, the
same? material of the electrodes, same depth of electrodes in
the solution, constant power supply, the amount the
solution is stirred,
Practical Electrolysis Practical

Qu Describe how you would test the hypothesis _________________

You could be asked this question for some different hypothesis. Some
that have come up in the past include:
• When different salt solutions are electrolysed with inert
electrodes, the product at the negative electrode is always a metal.
• When different salt solutions are electrolysed with inert
electrodes, the product at the negative electrode is always
hydrogen.
Info
To answer this question you will need to do the following:
1. Describe how to set up the equipment (drawing a labelled diagram
is even better)
2. Identify what you will be changing
3. Identify what you will record/measure
4. Identify what you will control

Sometimes you may be asked to predict what will be formed at the

electrodes. Remember for the positive electrode chlorides make
chlorine, bromides make bromine and iodides make iodine. For every
Top Tip other negative ion oxygen will be made. At the negative electrode
unless you have copper or silver in the solution you will make hydrogen
gas. If you have copper or silver, you will make these metals at the
electrode.
Describe how you would test the hypothesis ‘when different salt
solutions are electrolysed with inert electrodes, the product at the
negative electrode is always a metal.’
Set up equipment as shown in the diagram. Add
your first test solution to the beaker, dip in the
Model electrodes and turn on the power supply. Record
Answer observations at each electrode into results table.
Repeat for different test solutions containing
different metal ions. If the hypothesis is correct a
metal should form on the cathode for each test
solution. Control the distance the electrodes are
dipped into the solution.

1. Learn and practice the model answer above.

2. Prepare and learn model answers to explain how you would test
Practice
the hypothesis that hydrogen is always made at the negative
electrode
 RP10 Temperature Changes

1. Add the acid into a polystyrene cup.

2. Record the start temperature of the solution.

3. Add the other reactant (test solution) to the polystyrene cup.

4. Add the lid and stir the solution

5. Record the highest/lowest temperature that you observe.

6. Calculate the temperature change.

7. Repeat steps 1-6 2 more times to identify outliers and calculate an average.

8. Repeat sets 1-7 with 4 different test solutions.

Thermometer

Lid with
hole in

Polystyrene
Cup

Practical Video
 RP10: Temperature Changes
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1. If you are investigating the effect of a particular 1. Type of acid, concentration of acid, volume of acid,
factor on the temperature change what are the type of metal, surface area of metal, mass of metal
possible variables, one you could change, and the
others you would need to keep the same?

2. When investigating the effect of a particular factor on 2. Temperature change.

temperature change what will be your dependent
variable?

3. How do you determine temperature change? 3. Measure the start and end temperature. Take the
start temperature away from the end temperature.

4. Why should a polystyrene cup be used when 4. Polystyrene is a good insulator and reduces energy
investigating temperature change? transfers with the surroundings.

5. Why should the polystyrene cup used have a lid? 5. Reduces energy transfers with the surroundings.

6. How can you use temperature change to determine 6. Add the metals to a controlled volume of acid in a
the reactivity of some metals? polystyrene cup and record the temperature change.
The larger the temperature change the more reactive
the metal.

7. What equipment would you use to measure the 7. Measuring cylinder

volume of your solutions?

8. If you were adding a solid to the acid, what 8. Balance

equipment would you use to measure the mass?

9. What equipment would you use to measure the start 9. Thermometer

and end temperature?

10. How would you know if the reaction was 10. The temperature would decrease.
endothermic?

11. What is an endothermic reaction? 11. A reaction that transfers energy from the
surroundings.

12. What is an exothermic reaction? 12. A reaction that transfers energy to the surroundings.

13. How would you know if the reaction was exothermic? 13. The temperature would increase.
Practical RP10: Temperature Change

Explain how you could investigate the effect of ________ on

Qu
temperature change.
You could be asked this question for some different variables. Some
that have come up in the past include:
• The reacting acid and metal
• The reacting acid and metal carbonate
• Neutralisation reactions
• Displacement of metals
Info
To answer this question you will need to do the following:
1. Describe how to set up the equipment (drawing a labelled diagram
is even better)
2. Identify what you will be changing
3. Identify what you will record/measure
4. Identify what you will control
You could be asked to write a method to explain how you would
determine the reactivity of some metals. To do this you need to write
a method for investigating temperature change. The more reactive the
Top Tip metal, the greater the change in temperature. When you have your
results for the different metals you would list them in order of biggest
temperature to smallest temperature change. By doing this you are
listing the metals in order of reactivity.
Explain how you could investigate the effect of the reacting acid and
metal on temperature change.
Set up equipment as shown in the diagram. Add 50cm³
acid into a polystyrene cup and record the start
temperature of the solution. Add a metal to the cup
Model and then add the lid. Stir the solution through the hole
Answer in the lid using the thermometer and record the
highest/lowest temperature change observed.
Calculate the temperature change and repeat twice
more to calculate an average. Repeat the whole
practical with 4 different metals. Control the type,
volume and concentration of acid.
1. Learn and practice the model answer above.
2. Prepare and learn model answers to explain how you could
Practice investigate the effects of reacting acid and metal carbonate,
neutralisation reactions and displacement reactions on
temperature change.