GCSE BITESIZE Examinations
General Certificate of Secondary Education
AQA SCIENCE A
CHY1A
Unit Chemistry C1a (Products from Rocks)
AQA Chemistry
Unit Chemistry C1a (Products from Rocks)
HIGHER TIER
Specimen Paper
Time allowed: 30 minutes
Maximum marks: 36
Instructions
• Answer all of the questions for the Tier you are attempting.
• Record your answers on a separate answer sheet only.
• Do all rough work in this book - not on your answer sheet.
Advice
• Do not choose more responses than you are asked to. You will lose marks if you
do.
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HIGHER TIER
SECTION ONE
Questions ONE to FIVE
In these questions, match the letters A, B, C and D with the numbers 1- 4.
Use each answer only once.
Mark your choice on the answer sheet.
QUESTION ONE
This question is about alkanes. The diagrams below show the chemical structures
of four different alkanes.
H H
I I
H-C-C-H
I I
H H
H H H H H
I I I I I
H - C - C - C - C - C -H
I I I I I
H H H H H
H H H H H H
I I I I I I
H-C-C-C-C-C-C-H
I I I I I I
H H H H H H
H
I
H-C-H
H
I
I
I
H – C ––- C ––
I
I
H
A
B
C
H
H
I
C – H
I
H
D
Match alkanes A, B, C, and D to numbers 1- 4 in the sentences.
The alkane with eight atoms in a molecule is …1…
The alkane with the highest boiling point is …2…
The alkane with the formula C5H12 is …3…
The branched alkane shown above is …4….
Turn over ►
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QUESTION TWO
Balanced equations show amounts of substances involved in chemical reactions.
Match the formulae A, B, C and D with the numbers 1- 4 in the equations.
A
CO2
B
2CO2
C
2O2
D
O2
Na2CO3
CH4 + …2…
2C + 2O2
2MgO
Na2O + …1…
CO2 + 2H2O
…3…
2Mg +…4…
Turn over ►
3
QUESTION THREE
Below is a diagram of a fractional distillation column used to separate hydrocarbon
molecules in crude oil.
3A
Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons. A hydrocarbon is…
1
a long chain of one element.
2
a compound of carbon and hydrogen only.
3
a compound of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen only.
4
a mixture of carbon and hydrogen only.
Turn over ►
4
3B
3C
3D
Where in the fractionating column will the shortest chain hydrocarbon
molecules be drawn off?
1
150oC
2
200oC
3
370oC
4
400oC
Which of the below statements about the properties of hydrocarbons is
correct?
1
The most viscous hydrocarbons are drawn off at the bottom of the
tower.
2
The least viscous hydrocarbons are drawn off at the bottom of the
tower.
3
The most viscous hydrocarbons have the shortest chain length.
4
The longer the molecule, the more flammable the hydrocarbon is.
The fractions of crude oil provide us with important fuels, but burning these
fuels releases gases and particles. Which of the following is not a possible
waste product of burning fossil fuels?
1
Carbon dioxide
2
Methane
3
Water vapour
4
Sulfur dioxide
Turn over ►
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QUESTION FOUR
Limestone is used to reduce air pollution.
A student tests four samples of sulfuric acid by adding powdered limestone to
them. The sulfuric acid is 5cm3 in volume and 1M in concentration. The limestone
powder is added inincreasing amounts up to 5 grams, stirred until the limestone
has dissolved, and the pH then measured using a digital probe. A pH scale shows
how acid or alkaline a solution is. A neutral solution has a pH of 7.
The results are shown in the graph:
4A
The dependent variable in this experiment is…
1
the concentration of the solution.
2
the pH of the solution.
3
the mass of limestone added.
4
the volume of solution.
Turn over ►
6
4B
4C
4D
From the graph, what would you expect the final pH to be if 1.5g of
limestone was added to the sulfuric acid??
1
3.0
2
3.5
3
4.0
4
4.5
The student’s teacher suggested that they use a two-decimal-place digital
balance instead of the one-decimal-place balance used previously. This
would improve the results because they would be more…
1
valid.
2
precise.
3
reliable.
4
accurate.
After looking at the graph they drew, the student noticed they had an
anomalous result, so they needed to repeat a test. At which mass of
limestone is the anomalous result?
1
1g
2
2g
3
3g
4
4g
Turn over ►
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QUESTION FIVE
This question is about metals and metal extraction.
5A
5B
5C
5D
One disadvantage of extracting metals from metal ores is that …
1
metal ores contain very small amounts of metal.
2
the metals obtained have a low density.
3
the metals obtained corrode easily.
4
metal ores are a limited resource.
It is better to recycle metal than extract it from an ore because …
1
digging up ores destroys the local environment.
2
recycling produces ‘smart’ alloys.
3
ores contain few impurities.
4
ores produce low-grade metals.
Which of the following is not a method of metal extraction?
1
Electrolysis
2
Roasting using carbon
3
Bacterial extraction
4
Recycling
Iron from the blast furnace is limited in its uses because…
1
it is too reactive.
2
it is too soft.
3
it is too brittle.
4
it has too low a density.
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SECTION TWO
Questions SIX to NINE
Each of these questions has four parts.
In each part, choose only one answer.
Mark your choices on the answer sheet.
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QUESTION SIX
Piezoceramic materials have two unique properties. When a piezoceramic
material is deformed, it gives off a small but measurable electrical discharge.
Alternatively, when an electrical current is passed through a piezoceramic
material, it experiences a significant increase in size (up to a 4 per cent change in
volume).
An example of a piezoelectric material in everyday use is the airbag sensor in a
car. The material senses the force of an impact deforming the car, and produces
an electric current which deploys the airbag.
6A
Piezoceramic can be classified as a smart material because…
1
it is made of a mixture of materials.
2
it returns to its original shape once the current is stopped.
3
it is not flexible.
4
it has more than one use.
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6B
6C
6D
In an airbag sensor, the piezoceramic material will produce an electrical
current when it is deformed by…
1
heat generated in a crash.
2
pressure generated in the crash.
3
the deployment of an airbag.
5
voltage produced during a crash.
Smart materials are being researched for medical applications, such as
implants. Which of the following is not an important consideration when
planning medical applications of smart materials in surgery on internal
organs?
1
Non-toxic
2
Corrosion resistant
3
High strength
4
Appearance
Another type of smart material is a shape memory alloy. These are used
increasingly in industry, and respond to environmental change such as heat
or an electrical charge. What is the correct description of a shape memory
alloy?
1
Smart alloys can return to one of several shapes after being
deformed.
2
Smart alloys cannot return to their original shape after being
deformed.
3
Smart alloys can return to their original shape after being deformed.
4
Smart alloys can return to their deformed shape after being
straightened.
Turn over ►
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QUESTION SEVEN
Titanium is a metal that has many applications due to its low density, strength and
corrosion resistance. Due to this, the production of high-grade titanium from ores
can be highly profitable. The data below shows how many tonnes of titanium were
produced by six countries in 1999 and 2003.
Tonnes
produced
in 1999
Tonnes
produced
in 2003
Australia
179,000
173,000
Brazil
4,300
2,650
India
16,000
18,000
South Africa
100,000
120,000
Ukraine
49,000
60,000
Country
7A
7B
By what percentage did the production of titanium in the Ukraine increase
by in 2003?
1
15.8
2
18.5
3
20.5
4
81.5
In 2003, Brazil used 108,000 tonnes of titanium to make pigments for paints
which it then exported. What is the maximum percentage of this that could
have been mined in Brazil itself?
1
Less than 1%
2
2.5
3
5.2
4
6.7
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7C
7D
The price of titanium has risen sharply over the past few years. The reason
for this is…
1
the ore is becoming more scarce.
2
more uses have been found for the metal.
3
the amount of titanium mining has increased.
4
the price of other metals has risen.
Titanium has a low density and is unreactive. Which of the following uses
requires both of these properties?
1
Making jewellery
2
Foundations of skyscrapers in earthquake zones
3
Manufacture of floating oil platforms in the North Sea
4
Hardwearing paints and coatings for industrial buildings
Turn over ►
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QUESTION EIGHT
Read the following article on hydrogen fuel cells:
Hydrogen 'to fuel future'
Hydrogen, a renewable energy, has the potential to replace fossil fuels. Depending on
how it is produced, hydrogen fuel can be a clean source of power that produces no
pollutant gases, such as carbon dioxide, and can be stored easily. Its potential has been
recognised for well over 100 years, but it requires energy to extract hydrogen from water,
or any other source.
Hydrogen is often produced from hydrocarbons like oil and gas, but the by-products of
these have downsides. Since practically the only waste emission from hydrogen fuel is
water, if it was used to power transportation it could reduce smelly exhaust gases, which
is especially desirable in residential areas.
Pollution-free hydrogen cell technology is predicted to be the next wave in emissionscontrol, after the hybrid electric motor currently used in the car industry. With increasing
concern about the instability of the oil market, the development of a commercially viable
alternative energy source has attracted interest.
Source: BBC News
8A
8B
Based on the information given above, which of the following could result
from more power being generated from hydrogen fuel cells?
1
A reduction in the use of fossil fuels
2
A reduction in global warming
3
A reduction in acid rain formation
4
A reduction in car usage
The reaction that occurs in the hydrogen fuel cell is shown below:
2H2 + O2
2H2O
What has happened to the hydrogen in this reaction?
1
It has been oxidised.
2
It has been reduced.
3
It has been neutralised.
4
It has thermally decomposed.
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8C
Hydrogen is a possible fuel for the future, and could lead to a CO2
emissions-free fuel source.
Which of the following is not a possible drawback to this?
8D
1
You still need to use energy from another source to make it.
2
Hydrogen reacting in a fuel cell releases water into the air.
3
Hydrogen is potentially explosive if oxygen gets into the system.
4
The current engines in cars are not able to take this new fuel source,
so would have to be adapted, which is expensive.
Of the following statements comparing hydrogen fuel cells with fossil fuels
as an energy source, which cannot be based on scientific measurements?
1
The gases in the exhaust of fossil fuel-powered vehicles contain
more carcinogens.
2
The waste gases from a hydrogen fuel cell have a much more
pleasant smell than those of fossil fuels.
3
Hydrogen fuel cells cannot currently match fossil fuels for power
output.
4
Hydrogen fuel cells are quieter than current petrol-fuelled engines.
Turn over ►
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QUESTION NINE
This question is about global dimming.
9A
A group of scientists investigated the effect of global dimming on the
Maldive islands. These islands produce very little pollution, yet the
scientists observed a 10 per cent difference between light reaching the
northern Maldive islands and the other Maldive islands.
This difference could be explained by…
1
pollution being blown to the Maldive islands from polluting countries
to the north.
2
fluctuations in the amount of Solar energy given out by the Sun.
3
variations in the length of the day.
4
higher levels of background lighting in the north Maldive islands.
Turn over ►
15
The following graph shows the results of a study into the temperature range
across the US at around the time of the September 11th terrorist attacks. The
change in temperature range is the difference between the maximum and
minimum temperatures in a 24-hour period, compared with the 30-year mean
temperature range for that time of year.
9B
From 11 to 13 September 2001, all aeroplanes in the US were grounded
following the terrorist attacks. Planes resumed flying on 14 September.
Scientists have attributed the increase in the daily temperature range
between 11 and 13 September to the lack of aeroplanes flying. This is
because…
1
fewer greenhouse gases were produced by aeroplanes.
2
the grounded aeroplanes did not produce any atmospheric particles.
3
less sulfur dioxide was produced by the aeroplanes.
4
people were using their cars more, producing more greenhouse
gases.
Turn over ►
16
9C
9D
Why did scientists compare the 24-hour temperature range with a 30-year
average temperature range, instead of just comparing it with the previous
year?
1
The 30-year average allowed them to take account of temperature
changes due to increased pollution.
2
The 30-year average was based on measurements from a variety of
scientists over that period, making the results more reliable.
3
The 30-year average allowed them to reduce the effect of natural
variations in the temperature range from year to year.
4
The 30-year average allowed them to make comparisons based on
more precise data.
Measures such as fitting catalytic converters to cars and using low-sulfur
fuels are reducing the global-dimming effect. However, scientists fear that
these measures could accelerate global warming far beyond current
predictions. This is because…
1
global dimming has reduced the effect of global warming by limiting
the amount of solar radiation that is able to enter our atmosphere.
2
global dimming has reduced the effect of global warming by
absorbing heat energy within our atmosphere.
3
the measures used to reduce global dimming lead to a substantial
increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
4
the measures used to reduce global dimming result in the production
of large quantities of thermal energy, which adds to global warming.
END OF QUESTIONS
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