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GCSE Questions
and Answers
Organic
Chemistry
6 consecutive CCEA GCSE Chemistry papers: 2002-7
1
2002, Paper 2
4a) Ethene, C2H4, is the first member of
a homologous series of hydrocarbons
called the alkenes.
(i) What is a hydrocarbon?
_____________________________
___________________________ [2]
4a) Ethene, C2H4, is the first member of
a homologous series of hydrocarbons
called the alkenes.
(i) What is a hydrocarbon?
Only [1] contain carbon and
hydrogen [1] atoms
(ii) Complete the table below giving the
molecular formula of propene and
the physical states of both alkenes at
room temperature and pressure.
Name of
Alkene
Ethene
Propene
Molecular Physical state at room
formulae temperature and pressure
C2 H 4
(ii) Complete the table below giving the
molecular formula of propene and
the physical states of both alkenes at
room temperature and pressure.
Name of
Alkene
Ethene
Molecular Physical state at room
formulae temperature and pressure
C2 H 4
Gas [1]
Propene
C3H6 [1]
Gas [1]
(iii) Draw the structure of ethene
showing all bonds.
[2]
(iii) Draw the structure of ethene
showing all bonds.
[2]
(iv) What would you observe if some
bromine water was added to a
sample of ethene?
_____________________________
___________________________ [2]
(v) Name the organic product formed
when ethene reacts with water.
___________________________ [1]
What would you observe if some
bromine water was added to a
sample of ethene?
Yellow/orange/brown [1] to
colourless [1] (decolourises = [1])
(v) Name the organic product formed
when ethene reacts with water.
Ethanol [1] (Accept C2H5OH)
b) Addition polymerisation is an
important industrial reaction of
alkenes. Vinyl chloride is an alkenes
commonly used for polymerisation.
i)
Write an equation for the formation
of the polymer formed from vinyl
chloride.
[4]
b)
Addition polymerisation is an important
industrial reaction of alkenes. Vinyl chloride is
an alkenes commonly used for polymerisation.
i)
Write an equation for the formation of the
polymer formed from vinyl chloride. [4]
(ii) Give two uses of the polymer formed
from vinyl chloride.
1. ___________________________
2. ________________________ [2]
c)
Give one reason why it is important
to recycle polymers.
_____________________________
__________________________ [1]
(ii) Give two uses of the polymer formed
from vinyl chloride.
Clothing/seat covers/records/window
frames or other correct. Any two [2]
c)
Give one reason why it is important
to recycle polymers.
Save resources/limited dumping /
landfill / reduce toxic fumes on
burning. [1]
2003, Paper 2
6a) Butane is a
hydrocarbon fuel
used in many small
lighters in which the
gas is ignited using a
spark from a flint.
(i) What is meant by the term
“hydrocarbon”?
___________________________ [2]
(ii) To which homologous series does
butane belong?
___________________________ [1]
(i) What is meant by the term
“hydrocarbon”?
Contains carbon and hydrogen atoms
[1] only [1]
(ii) To which homologous series does
butane belong?
Alkanes
[1]
(iii) Draw the structural formula of butane
showing all the bonds in the
compound. [2]
(iii) Draw the structural formula of butane
showing all the bonds in the
compound. [2]
H H H H
I I I
I
H–C–C–C–C–H
I I I
I
H H H H
b) Petrol is a hydrocarbon
fuel burnt in car engines.
It is obtained from crude
oil and consists mainly
of octane.
(i) Name the two products
formed when octane burns
completely in a plentiful
supply of air.
____________________
b) Petrol is a hydrocarbon
fuel burnt in car engines
It is obtained from crude
oil and consists mainly of octane.
(i) Name the two products formed when
octane burns completely in a plentiful
supply of air.
Carbon dioxide [1] water/steam [1]
Keep the problems with oil in mind as well!
21
(ii) If a car engine is not serviced
correctly the octane does not burn
completely. Name the poisonous
product formed in this reaction.
___________________________ [1]
(iii) Name the industrial method used to
obtain petrol from crude oil.
___________________________ [1]
(ii) If a car engine is not serviced
correctly the octane does not burn
completely. Name the poisonous
product formed in this reaction.
Carbon monoxide
[1]
(iii) Name the industrial method used to
obtain petrol from crude oil.
Fractional [1] distillation [1]
Fractional Distillation
(Fractionation) of
Crude Oil.
24
c)
Liquid octane can be thermally cracked in
the laboratory using the apparatus shown
below.
(i)
Why is it possible to collect the products
over water?
_______________________________ [1]
(ii) What is meant by the term “cracking”?
_______________________________ [2]
(i)
Why is it possible to collect the products
over water?
Not very soluble in water/insoluble [1]
(ii) What is meant by the term “cracking”?
Breaking down large molecules [1] into
smaller molecules [1]
(iii) When octane, C8H18, is cracked,
ethene and one other hydrocarbon is
produced. Write a balanced, symbol
equation for the cracking of octane.
______________________________
___________________________ [2]
(iii) When octane, C8H18, is cracked,
ethene and one other hydrocarbon is
produced. Write a balanced, symbol
equation for the cracking of octane.
C8H18 → C2H4 + C6H14
[2]
(iv) Ethene is an alkene. Describe a chemical
test which could be used to prove that an
alkene was produced. State the result of
the test.
_________________________________
_________________________________
_______________________________ [3]
(iv) Ethene is an alkene. Describe a chemical
test which could be used to prove that an
alkene was produced. State the result of
the test.
(bubble into) bromine water [1] red brown
to [1] colourless / decolourised [1]
d)
“Gasochol” is an alternative fuel which
contains up to 20% ethanol. The ethanol
is produced by the fermentation of sugar
cane.
(i)
Draw the structural formula of ethanol
showing all the bonds in the compound.[2]
(ii) Write a balanced, symbol equation for the
combustion of ethanol in a plentiful
supply of air.
_______________________________ [2]
(iii) Describe how ethanol is
produced by fermentation.
______________________
__________________________________
_______________________________ [4]
(ii) Write a balanced, symbol equation for the
combustion of ethanol in a plentiful
supply of air.
C2H5OH + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O[2]
(iii) Describe how ethanol is
produced by fermentation.
The key points of this
answer are: sugar/grapes,
yeast, exclude air, control
temperature, CO2 produced
(Max [4] from [5])
(iv) Give one other use of ethanol, apart
from as a fuel.
___________________________ [1]
(iv) Give one other use of ethanol, apart
from as a fuel.
Alcoholic beverage / solvent [1]
2004, Paper 2
1
Ethanol is an important carbon compound.
It is the “active ingredient” in alcoholic
drinks and is often just called “alcohol”.
a)(i) Give the molecular formula for ethanol.
_______________________________ [1]
1
Ethanol is an important carbon compound.
It is the “active ingredient” in alcoholic
drinks and is often just called “alcohol”.
a)(i) Give the molecular formula for ethanol.
C2H5OH
[1]
(ii) Draw the full structural formula of ethanol.
[2]
(ii) Draw the full structural formula of ethanol.
all bonds present = [2]
1 bond missing = [1]
more than one bond missing = [0]
[2]
b)
Ethanol can be produced by the
fermentation of sugar solutions.
(i)
What must be added to a sugar solution for
fermentation to occur?
_______________________________ [1]
(ii) Give two other conditions which are
necessary for fermentation to take place.
_______________________________
_______________________________ [2]
b)
Ethanol can be produced by the
fermentation of sugar solutions.
(i)
What must be added to a sugar solution for
fermentation to occur?
Yeast
[1]
(ii) Give two other conditions which are
necessary for fermentation to take place.
Warm (20°C ≤ 50°C) [1] exclusion of air
[1]
(iii) Name the other product of this
fermentation.
_______________________________ [1]
(iv) What technique can be used to make the
dilute solution of ethanol produced more
concentrated?
_______________________________ [1]
(iii) Name the other product of this
fermentation.
Carbon dioxide
[1]
(iv) What technique can be used to make the
dilute solution of ethanol produced more
concentrated?
Distillation
[1]
c)
Ethanol has many uses. Some countries,
including Brazil, use ethanol as a fuel for
cars.
(i)
Write a balanced symbol equation for the
combustion of ethanol.
_______________________________ [1]
(ii) Give one advantage of ethanol as a fuel
compared to the alkanes.
_______________________________ [1]
c)
Ethanol has many uses. Some countries,
including Brazil, use ethanol as a fuel for
cars.
(i)
Write a balanced symbol equation for the
combustion of ethanol.
C2H5OH + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O [1]
(ii) Give one advantage of ethanol as a fuel
compared to the alkanes.
It is a clean fuel/renewable
[1]
(iii) The combustion of ethanol is an
exothermic reaction. What is meant by the
term exothermic?
_______________________________
_______________________________ [2]
(iv) Explain in terms of bonds broken and
bonds made why a reaction such as the
combustion of ethanol is exothermic.
_______________________________
_______________________________ [5]
(iii) The combustion of ethanol is an
exothermic reaction. What is meant by the
term exothermic?
Gives out [1] heat [1]
[2]
(iv) Explain in terms of bonds broken and
bonds made why a reaction such as the
combustion of ethanol is exothermic.
Breaking bonds requires heat energy [1] in
reactants [1]. Formation of new bonds releases
energy [1] in products [1]. More energy is given
out than is taken in.
[5]
d)
Ethanol reacts with ethanoic acid to form
an ester.
(i)
Briefly describe the conditions necessary
to carry out this reaction on a test tube
scale.
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________ [3]
d)
Ethanol reacts with ethanoic acid to form
an ester.
(i)
Briefly describe the conditions necessary
to carry out this reaction on a test tube
scale.
A few drops of concentrated [1] sulphuric
acid [1] are added and the mixture is
warmed [1] (for a few minutes)
[3]
(ii) Name the ester formed and draw its full
structural formula.
_______________________________ [1]
Structural Formula
[2]
(ii) Name the ester formed and draw its full
structural formula.
Ethyl ethanoate
[1]
Structural Formula
all bonds present = [2]
1 bond missing = [1]
more than one bond missing = [0]
(iii) Give one use for this ester.
_______________________________ [1]
e)
Alcohol is a drug and is addictive.
Excessive intake over an extended period
of time can damage vital organ s in the
body. What do you understand by the
term “ safe drinking limit”?
_______________________________
_______________________________ [1]
(iii) Give one use for this ester.
Solvent/flavourings
e)
[1]
Alcohol is a drug and is addictive.
Excessive intake over an extended period
of time can damage vital organ s in the
body. What do you understand by the
term “ safe drinking limit”?
Implies drink in moderation
[1]
2005, Paper 2
6a) alkanes and alkenes are two distinct
homologous series of hydrocarbons.
Propane is an alkane and propane is an
alkane. Alkanes are described as
saturated.
(i)
What is meant by the term homologous
series?
_______________________________
_______________________________ [3]
6a) alkanes and alkenes are two distinct
homologous series of hydrocarbons.
Propane is an alkane and propane is an
alkane. Alkanes are described as
saturated.
(i)
What is meant by the term homologous
series?
Same general formula/same type of molecule [1]
increase in size/increase in carbon chain/increase
by CH2 unit [1] same chemical properties [1]
gradation in physical properties [1] (Max [3])
(ii) What is hydrocarbon?
_______________________________
_______________________________ [2]
(iii) What is meant by the term saturated?
_______________________________
_______________________________ [2]
(ii) What is hydrocarbon?
Only [1] contains carbon and hydrogen
atoms [1]
(iii) What is meant by the term saturated?
No [1] double/triple bonds [1] (or only [1]
single [1] bonds)
[2]
(iv) Give the molecular and structural formulae
of propane and propene in the table below.
Hydrocarbon Molecular formula Structural formula
Propane
Propene
(iv) Give the molecular and structural formulae
of propane and propene in the table below.
Hydrocarbon Molecular formula Structural formula
Propane
C3H8 [1]
Propene
C3H6 [1]
(v) What chemical test is used to distinguish
between propane and propene? Give the
observations you would make.
Test: ___________________________ [1]
Result with propane: ______________
_______________________________
Result with propene: ______________
_______________________________ [3]
(v) What chemical test is used
to distinguish between propane
and propene? Give the
observations you would make.
Test: Bromine water
[1]
Result with propane: No Change [1]
Result with propene: orange/red-brown/
brown [1] to colourless [1]
b)
Crude oil is a complex mixture of
hydrocarbons which can be separated into
simpler mixtures. The process of thermal
cracking is used on some of the
hydrocarbon mixtures.
(i)
What is the name of Process 1 in which
crude oil is separated into simpler mixtures
of hydrocarbons?
_______________________________ [2]
(ii) Explain what happens to the hydrocarbons
when they undergo thermal cracking.
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________ [2]
(i)
What is the name of Process 1 in which
crude oil is separated into simpler mixtures
of hydrocarbons?
Fractional [1] distillation [1]
[2]
(ii) Explain what happens to the hydrocarbons
when they undergo thermal cracking.
Larger/longer [1] molecules broken into
smaller/shorter [1] ones
[2]
(iii) Explain why thermal cracking is only used
on some hydrocarbon mixtures.
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________ [1]
(iii) Explain why thermal cracking is only used
on some hydrocarbon mixtures.
Longer chains fewer uses/some fractions
are so useful they do not need to be
cracked/shorter chains more uses
[1]
c)
Polythene or poly(ethene) is a polymer
formed when ethene molecules react with
other ethene molecules.
(i)
Write a structural equation to show the
formation of polyethene from ethene.
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________ [4]
c)
Polythene or poly(ethene) is a polymer
formed when ethene molecules react with
other ethene molecules.
(i)
Write a structural equation to show the
formation of polyethene from ethene. [4]
(ii) Give one use of polythene.
_______________________________ [1]
(iii) Polymers like polythene can be disposed
of in landfill sites or by incineration. Give
one problem associated with each method
of disposal.
Incineration: _______________________
_______________________________ [1]
Landfill: ___________________________
_______________________________ [1]
(ii) Give one use of polythene.
plastic bags / plastic bottles
[1]
(iii) Polymers like polythene can be disposed
of in landfill sites or by incineration. Give
one problem associated with each method
of disposal.
Incineration: CO2 produced / greenhouse
effect / toxic fumes / air pollution
[1]
Landfill: land waste / non-biodegradable/
eyesore / water pollution / smell
[1]
d)
The structure below represents part of
another polymer.
(i)
What is the name of this polymer?
_______________________________ [1]
(ii) Draw the structural formula of the
monomer from which this polymer is
formed.
[1]
(i)
What is the name of this polymer?
Polystyrene
[1]
(ii) Draw the structural formula of the
monomer from which this polymer is
formed.
[1]
2006, Paper 1
3
Organic compounds are used in medicine and first
aid.
a)
One of the first anaesthetics to be used in surgery
was ethene. However, ethene is flammable and
halothane, CF3CHBrCl, is now used instead.
(i)
Draw the structural formula of ethene.
3
Organic compounds are used in medicine and first
aid.
a)
One of the first anaesthetics to be used in surgery
was ethene. However, ethene is flammable and
halothane, CF3CHBrCl, is now used instead.
(i)
Draw the structural formula of ethene.
1 bond missing = [1]
More than 1 bond missing = [0]
(ii) Describe a chemical test which could be
used to show that ethene is unsaturated.
Give the observations which would occur.
Test: ___________________________ [1]
Observations: ______________________
_______________________________ [2]
(ii) Describe a chemical test
which could be used to show
that ethene is unsaturated.
Give the observations which
would occur.
Test: Add bromine (water)
[1]
Observations: Red brown [1]. Changes to
colourless/decolourises [1]
[2]
(iii) Explain why halothane is not a
hydrocarbon.
_______________________________
_______________________________ [1]
(iv) Write a balanced symbol equation for the
burning of ethene in excess air.
_______________________________ [3]
(iii) Explain why halothane is not a
hydrocarbon.
Halothane contains other elements /
contains F, Cl, Br / halogen
[1]
(iv) Write a balanced symbol equation for the
burning of ethene in excess air.
C2H4 + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 2H2O
[3]
[1]
[1] + [1] for balancing
(v) At room temperature and pressure, what is
the physical state of ethene?
_______________________________ [1]
(v) At room temperature and pressure, what is
the physical state of ethene?
Gas
[1]
b)
Hip and shoulder joints which have been
damaged by arthritis can be replaced
during surgery by a metal ‘bone’ which
fits into a polythene cup. Polythene is a
polymer made from ethene.
(i)
State one property of polythene which
makes it suitable for this use.
_______________________________ [1]
b)
Hip and shoulder joints which have been
damaged by arthritis can be replaced
during surgery by a metal ‘bone’ which
fits into a polythene cup. Polythene is a
polymer made from ethene.
(i)
State one property of polythene which
makes it suitable for this use.
Unreactive / durable / strong / easily
moulded / low density / light / non toxic[1]
(ii) What is meant by the term polymer?
_______________________________
_______________________________ [2]
(iii) Draw the structure of polythene.
(ii) What is meant by the term polymer?
Monomers / small molecules / repeating
unit [1] bond / join / form a (long) chain[1]
(iii) Draw the structure of polythene.
Correct structure with carbon-carbon
single bond [1] repeat indicated [1]
c)
Surgical spirit is used to sterilise surfaces
and to cleanse cuts in the skin. It contains
ethanol and a small amount of methanol.
(i)
Draw the structural formula of ethanol.
c)
Surgical spirit is used to sterilise surfaces
and to cleanse cuts in the skin. It contains
ethanol and a small amount of methanol.
(i)
Draw the structural formula of ethanol.
1 bond missing = [1]
more than 1 bond missing = [0]
(ii) The ethanol in surgical spirit is produced
in industry from ethene. Write a balanced
symbol equation for the production of
ethanol from ethene.
_______________________________ [2]
(ii) The ethanol in surgical spirit is produced
in industry from ethene. Write a balanced
symbol equation for the production of
ethanol from ethene.
C2H4 + H2O → C2 H5OH
[1]
[1]
[2]
(iii) Alcoholic drinks also contain ethanol,
which is produced by fermentation.
Explain the process of fermentation.
_______________________________
_______________________________ [3]
(iii) Alcoholic drinks also contain ethanol,
which is produced by fermentation.
Explain the process of fermentation.
Sugar / fruit [1]* under the action of yeast
[1]* form carbon dioxide and alcohol [1],
warm [1] conditions, aqueous conditions
[1] in the absence of air [1]. * Essential[3]
d)
In first aid ethanoic acid is
used to treat wasp stings
which are alkaline.
(i)
Draw the structural formula of ethanoic
acid.
d)
In first aid ethanoic acid is used to treat
wasp stings which are alkaline.
(i)
Draw the structural formula of ethanoic
acid.
1 bond missing = [1]
More than 1 bond missing = [0]
(ii) State another use of ethanoic acid.
_______________________________ [1]
(iii) Ethyl ethanoate is formed when ethanoic
acid reacts with ethanol. Draw the
structural formula of ethyl ethanoate.
(ii) State another use of ethanoic acid.
Pickling/preservative/flavouring/
vinegar/cleaning
[1]
(iii) Ethyl ethanoate is formed when
ethanoic acid reacts with ethanol.
Draw the structural formula of
ethyl ethanoate.
1 bond missing = [1]
More than 1 bond missing = [0]
2007, Paper 1
2a) Most of our fuels come from animals and
plants that lived millions of years ago.
Fuels formed in this way are called fossil
fuels and they are non-renewable fuels.
Propane is a non-renewable fuel.
(i)
Name the homologous series of organic
compounds to which propane belongs.
_______________________________ [1]
(ii) Write a balanced symbol
equation to show the complete
combustion of propane.
_______________________________ [3]
(i)
Name the homologous series of organic
compounds to which propane belongs.
Alkanes
[1]
(ii) Write a balanced symbol
equation to show the
complete combustion of
propane.
C3H8 + 5O2 → 3CO2 + 4H2O
[3]
(iii) Explain what you understand by the term
non-renewable.
_______________________________
_______________________________ [2]
(iii) Explain what you understand by the term
non-renewable.
Cannot be replaced/renewed [1] in a
relatively short period of time [1] by
earth’s natural process/human activity[1]
b)
Ethanoic acid is a weak acid and is the
main constituent of vinegar.
(i)
Write the molecular formula of ethanoic
acid.
_______________________________ [1]
b)
Ethanoic acid is a weak acid and is the
main constituent of vinegar.
(i)
Write the molecular formula of ethanoic
acid.
CH3COOH/CH3CO2H
[1]
(ii) Draw the full structural formula of
ethanoic acid, showing all bonds. [2]
(ii) Draw the full structural formula of
ethanoic acid, showing all bonds. [2]
1 Mistake [1], 2 Mistakes [2].
If – OH then [1]
c)
Ethanoic acid behaves as a typical dilute
acid. A student decided to investigate
some of the reactions of ethanoic acid.
(i)
Some copper carbonate was added to a
solution of ethanoic acid with stirring.
Describe the observations the student
would make during this reaction.
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________ [3]
c)
Ethanoic acid behaves as a typical dilute
acid. A student decided to investigate
some of the reactions of ethanoic acid.
(i)
Some copper carbonate was added to a
solution of ethanoic acid with stirring.
Describe the observations the student
would make during this reaction.
Green [1] solid disappears [1], bubbles /
fizzing / gas given off [1], blue solution
formed [1], heat given off [1]. Max [3]
(ii) A strip of magnesium metal was added to
a
solution of ethanoic acid. State the name
of the gas given off during this reaction
and describe a test which could be carried
out to confirm the presence of this gas.
Gas ____________________________ [1]
Test ____________________________
_______________________________ [2]
A strip of magnesium metal was
added to a solution of ethanoic acid.
State the name of the gas given off
during this reaction and describe a
test which could be carried out to
confirm the presence of this gas.
Gas Hydrogen
[1]
Test Apply a lighted splint [1], pop [1] [2]
(iii) Finally some sodium hydroxide solution
was mixed with a solution of ethanoic
acid. State the name and write the formula
of the salt produced.
Name __________________________ [1]
Formula ________________________ [1]
(iii) Finally some sodium hydroxide solution
was mixed with a solution of ethanoic
acid. State the name and write the formula
of the salt produced.
Name Sodium ethanoate
[1]
Formula CH3COONa
[1]
d)
Esters are organic compounds which occur
naturally in fruits. One such ester, ethyl
ethanoate, can be produced by reacting
ethanol with ethanoic acid.
(i)
Write a balanced symbol equation for the
formation of ethyl ethanoate.
_______________________________ [2]
d)
Esters are organic compounds which occur
naturally in fruits. One such ester, ethyl
ethanoate, can be produced by reacting
ethanol with ethanoic acid.
(i)
Write a balanced symbol equation for the
formation of ethyl ethanoate.
[2]
CH3COOH + C2H5OH → CH3COOC2H5 + H2O
(ii) What conditions are required for the
preparation of ethyl ethanoate in the
laboratory?
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________ [3]
(ii) What conditions are required for the
preparation of ethyl ethanoate in the
laboratory?
Add concentrated [1] sulphuric acid [1]
Warm [1]
[3]
(iii) Draw the structural formula of ethyl
ethanoate, showing all bonds. [2]
(iii) Draw the structural formula of ethyl
ethanoate, showing all bonds. [2]
One bond missing = [1]
Two bonds missing = [0]
(iv) State one use of ethyl ethanoate.
_______________________________ [1]
(iv) State one use of ethyl ethanoate.
Solvent/Flavouring
[1]
120
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