Practical questions
During the GCSE Chemistry course you will complete practical activities from eight Practical Activity Groups (PAGs).
The exams will include questions about some of these experiments. You may also be asked to apply what you know to unfamiliar practical contexts, which will draw on your practical knowledge and understanding.
You could be asked to:
- write or identify a hypothesis or prediction that could be tested in an experiment
- name equipment and measuring instruments, and describe what they do and how they are used
- identify factors that must be controlled, and explain why
- describe how to work safely
- process data by doing calculations and representing them in graphs
- identify patterns and trends in data
- evaluate the accuracy, repeatability and reproducibility of data, and identify possible errors and anomalous results
- suggest improvements to methods
- interpret data and draw conclusions from it
Practical questions will appear throughout both exams papers, and at both Foundation tier and Higher tier. Practical questions could be multiple choice or free response, and could include calculations. A 6-mark question could be asked in a practical context, so practice writing in detail about the practical work you have done.
It's important to look back at your lab book or your notes from the practical activities you have done when revising for your exams.
These questions have been written by Bitesize consultants as suggestions to the types of questions that may appear in an exam paper.
Learn about practicals with Dr Alex Lathbridge
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Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
Some magnesium ribbon is placed in a test tube containing copper sulfate solution.
Describe what you would observe. [2 marks]
- the blue solution will become colourless [1]
- a red/brown solid will appear [1]
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Joe is investigating the electrolysis of copper chloride solution.
a) Describe the main hazard of this experiment. [2 marks]
b) Suggest two precautions that Joe could take to reduce this hazard. [2 marks]
c) Explain why these precautions are not necessary if copper chloride solution is replaced by copper sulfate solution. [1 mark]
a)
- the release of toxic chlorine gas into the laboratory... [1]
- ...which is harmful if breathed in [1]
b) Any two from:
- keep laboratory well ventilated
- use a low voltage
- use dilute solution
- carry out the electrolysis for a short time
- collect the gas in an upside down test tube
- use a fume cupboard
[2]
c) Electrolysis of copper sulfate solution produces oxygen gas which is not harmful to breathe in. [1]