AQA Chemistry GCSE - Reversible Reactions & Dynamic Equilibrium PhysicsAndMathsTutor.

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Mark schemes

Q1.
(a) (equation contains the symbol) ⇌
allow description of arrow / symbol
1

(b) the mass of each substance does not change

1

the rates of the forward reaction and reverse reaction are equal
1

(c) the mixture will have become a paler purple

1

(d) increases
must be in this order
1

decreases
1

increases
1

(e) change the temperature

or

add a catalyst
ignore references to pressure
1
[8]

Q2.
(a) (the reaction is) reversible
allow description of a reversible reaction
1

(b) iron
1

(c) activation energy with a catalyst

1

(d) bar to 22 (%) labelled phosphorus / P

allow a tolerance of ± ½ a small square
1

bar to 25 (%) labelled potassium / K

if no other mark is awarded, allow 1
mark for two bars drawn to 22% and

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25%
1

(e) there are other elements in the fertiliser (besides phosphorus and
potassium)

or

there is nitrogen in the fertiliser

allow there are other substances in the
fertiliser (besides phosphorus and
potassium)
1

(f) B
1

(g) B
1
[8]

Q3.
(a) water
allow H2O
1

(b) becomes (more) red

1

(because the position of) equilibrium moves to the right

allow (because) the concentration of
FeSCN2+ (ions) increases
allow (because) the forward reaction is
favoured
1

(so that) the (increase in the) concentration of thiocyanate (ions) is

reduced
allow (so that) the increase in the
concentration of thiocyanate (ions) is
counteracted
1

(c) (the position of) equilibrium moves to the left

allow the concentration of Fe3+ (ions)
increases
allow the reverse reaction is favoured
1

(so that) the (increase in the) temperature is reduced

allow (so that) the increase in the
temperature is counteracted
1

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(therefore) the forward reaction is exothermic

allow (therefore) the forward reaction
releases energy (to the surroundings)
1

(d) no change in equilibrium position

1

(because) no gases are present

allow (because) only aqueous solutions
are present
1

(e) Co2+
1
[10]

Q4.
(a) (equation contains a) ⇌ (symbol)
allow description of arrow / symbol
1

(b) exothermic
1

(c) to reduce costs

1

to use less energy

1

(d) (the world production of ammonia) increased

1

(the increase was) not steady / linear

do not accept decreases
ignore levels off
1

(e) the demand for food changed

1

the world population changed

1

(f) C and D
1

(g) D
1
[10]

Q5.
(a)

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AQA Chemistry GCSE - Reversible Reactions & Dynamic Equilibrium PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

an answer of 17.6470588 (%) correctly

rounded to at least 2 significant figures
scores 2 marks

= 17.6 (%)
allow 17.6470588 (%) correctly rounded
to at least 2 significant figures
1

(b)
allow converse arguments in terms of
higher pressure
ignore references to rate

higher yield (of hydrogen or carbon monoxide or product)

allow more hydrogen or more carbon
monoxide or more product
allow equilibrium moves to the right
allow equilibrium moves in the forward
direction
1

(because) fewer moles / molecules / particles on left hand side

or
(because) more moles / molecules / particles on right hand side
allow (because) the reverse reaction
produces fewer moles / molecules /
particles
or
allow (because) the forward reaction
produces more moles / molecules /
particles
do not accept fewer / more atoms
1

(c) no effect (on yield of hydrogen)

allow position of equilibrium unaffected
by pressure
ignore references to rate of reaction
1

(d)
an answer of 2.25 scores 3 marks

350 (°C) and 285 (atmospheres) = 63 (%)

and
450 (°C) and 200 (atmospheres) = 28 (%)
allow a value between 62 (%) and 64
(%) inclusive
1

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allow a correct expression using

incorrectly determined value(s) for
percentage yield
1

= 2.25 (times greater)

allow a correct calculation using
incorrectly determined value(s) for
percentage yield correctly evaluated
and rounded to at least 2 significant
figures
1

(e)
allow converse arguments in terms of
low(er) pressure
any one from:
• the energy costs would be high(er)
ignore energy / cost unqualified
• the equipment would need to be strong(er)
allow the equipment would be (more)
expensive (to build / maintain)
• high(er) pressures are (more) dangerous
allow (more) dangerous because
(greater) risk of explosion
1

(f) higher temperatures produce a lower (percentage) yield (of

ammonia)
allow converse
allow correct reference to shift in
equilibrium
ignore references to pressure
1

(g) world population has increased

1

any one from:

• demand for fertiliser has increased
allow more food needed
• increased demand for other specified
ammonia-based products e.g. nitric acid,
drugs, dyes, explosives
1
[12]

Q6.
(a) in a closed system
1

the rate of the forward and backward reactions are equal

1

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AQA Chemistry GCSE - Reversible Reactions & Dynamic Equilibrium PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

(b) concentration increases

1

(because) reaction / equilibrium moves to the left / reactant side

1

(since the) reverse reaction is exothermic

allow (so that) temperature increases
1

(c) becomes blue

1

(because) reaction / equilibrium moves to the right / product side

1

(so) concentration of blue cobalt compound increases

allow (so that) concentration of hydrochloric acid
decreases
1

(d) (cobalt has) ions with different charges

allow (cobalt is a) transition metal
1

(e) Co3+
1

(f) they allow reactions to reach equilibrium more quickly

1

they provide a different reaction pathway

1

(g) 13H2 + 6CO → C6H14 + 6H2O

allow multiples
1

(h) C8H18
1

(i) curve below printed curve

do not accept different reactant or product levels
1

vertical arrow from reactant level to peak of printed curve

1

an answer of:

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AQA Chemistry GCSE - Reversible Reactions & Dynamic Equilibrium PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

scores 2 marks
[16]

Q7.
(a) reversible
allow equilibrium
1

(b) The colour changed from blue to pink

1

(c) 8.3 (°C)

1

(d) endothermic
allow dehydration
ignore reversible
1
[4]

Q8.
(a) both water vapour and ethanol will condense
allow steam for water vapour
allow they both become liquids
allow ethane condenses at a lower temperature
allow some of the steam hasn’t reacted
allow it is a reversible reaction / equilibrium
1

(b) amount will decrease

1

because the equilibrium will move to the left

1

(c) more ethanol will be produced

1

because system moves to least / fewer molecules

1
[5]

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AQA Chemistry GCSE - Reversible Reactions & Dynamic Equilibrium PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q9.
(a) enzyme
1

(b) 2.0 × 103 moles

1

(c) smaller yield

allow less methanol is produced
1

(because) favours endothermic reaction

allow (because) favours reverse
reaction
allow equilibrium / reaction shifts to the
left
allow equilibrium / reaction shifts to
reduce the temperature
ignore reference to forward reaction is
exothermic
ignore references to rate
1

(d) (yield)
equilibrium position moves to the product side
allow equilibrium / reaction moves to the
right
allow equilibrium / reaction shifts to
reduce the pressure
1

(because) fewer molecules / moles / particles on product side

allow (because) fewer molecules /
moles / particles on the right
allow (because) smaller volume on
product side
1

(rate)
more collisions per unit time
allow increases collision frequency /
rate
ignore more collisions alone
ignore faster collisions
do not accept any indication of more
energetic / forceful collisions
1

(because) more molecules / particles per unit volume

allow (gas) molecules / particles closer
together
ignore more molecules / particles alone
1
allow converse arguments

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AQA Chemistry GCSE - Reversible Reactions & Dynamic Equilibrium PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

(e) provides different reaction pathway

allow provides a different mechanism /
route
1

(which has a) lower activation energy

1
ignore references to collisions

(f) less energy is needed

allow reduces the temperature required
allow reduces costs
ignore references to pressure
ignore references to rate or time
1

(g) no effect / change

1
[12]

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