Particles - Structured questions
Simple recall questions are usually worth one mark. They often have command words like Give, State, Name or Identify. Some questions may ask you to state two things, rather than just one, and will be worth two marks.
Structured questions, with command words such as Describe or Explain, will be worth two or more marks:
- if you are asked to describe something, you need to give an account but no reason
- if you are asked to explain something, you must give reasons or explanations
More complex structured questions will be worth three to five marks. They include questions with complex descriptions and explanations, questions in which you need to compare and contrast two different things, or calculations with several stages.
The mark schemes given here may show answers as bullet points. This is to show clearly how a mark can be obtained. However, it is important that your answer is written in a logical, linked way.
Learn about command words with Dr Alex Lathbridge
Listen to the full series on 大象传媒 Sounds.
Understanding the different command words in your science GCSE exams.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
The table shows information about two particles (A and B).
| Particle | Number of protons | Number of neutrons | Number of electrons |
| A | 11 | 11 | 11 |
| B | 13 | 14 | 10 |
| Particle | A |
|---|---|
| Number of protons | 11 |
| Number of neutrons | 11 |
| Number of electrons | 11 |
| Particle | B |
|---|---|
| Number of protons | 13 |
| Number of neutrons | 14 |
| Number of electrons | 10 |
Particle A is an atom and particle B is an ion. Explain why.
[2 marks]
OCR Gateway Science, GCE Chemistry, Paper J248, 2016.
The following are vaild points that could be included in your answer. It is important that you do not bullet point your answer but write your sentences in full:
- particle A has equal numbers of protons and electrons [1]
- particle B has a different number of protons and electrons [1]
Sample question 2 - Higher
Question
Rutherford was a scientist who helped to develop the atomic model.
State how Rutherford鈥檚 work contributed to the development of the atomic model.
[1 mark]
OCR Gateway Science, GCE Chemistry, Paper J248, 2016 - Higher.
The idea that atoms have a nucleus [1]
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
Complete the table below to give information about protons, neutrons and electrons.
| Particle | Charge | Relative mass |
| proton | .................................... | 1 |
| neutron | .................................... | .................................... |
| electron | negative | .................................... |
| Particle | proton |
|---|---|
| Charge | .................................... |
| Relative mass | 1 |
| Particle | neutron |
|---|---|
| Charge | .................................... |
| Relative mass | .................................... |
| Particle | electron |
|---|---|
| Charge | negative |
| Relative mass | .................................... |
[2 marks]
OCR Gateway Science, GCE Chemistry, Paper J248, 2016 - Higher.
| Particle | Charge | Relative mass |
| proton | positive | 1 |
| neutron | neutral | 1 |
| electron | negative | 0.0005 |
| Particle | proton |
|---|---|
| Charge | positive |
| Relative mass | 1 |
| Particle | neutron |
|---|---|
| Charge | neutral |
| Relative mass | 1 |
| Particle | electron |
|---|---|
| Charge | negative |
| Relative mass | 0.0005 |