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Edexcel GCSE Chemistry

Topic questions Bonding, structure and the properties of matter Diamond, graphite, graphene & fullerenes

Diamond, graphite, graphene & fullerenes

8 questions · 87 marks · about 1.5 hours

Diamond, graphite, graphene and fullerenes questions

Edexcel 1CH0 Diamond, graphite, graphene and fullerenes 8 questions

Paper 2 June 2025 Higher tier, Question 7 13 marks

This question is about carbon and some carbon compounds.

(a)

Two forms of pure carbon are graphite and Buckminsterfullerene.

(a)(i)

Explain why graphite is used as a lubricant.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 7(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Calculate the mass, in kg, of five moles of Buckminsterfullerene, C60.

(relative atomic mass: C = 12)

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 7(a)(ii)
(b)

A molecule in an homologous series has the formula C9H21N.

What is the formula of the next molecule in this homologous series?

Question 7, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 7(b)
(c)

A Bunsen burner burns methane gas, CH4.

A student investigates the time taken to heat up a beaker of water using this Bunsen burner.

Figure 9 shows the apparatus used.

Figure for question 7

The student sees that a large amount of carbon forms as a black solid on the underside of the gauze.

The teacher said that the investigation would be improved if no carbon forms.

Explain what the student should do to stop carbon forming on the underside of the gauze.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 7(c)
(d)

*(d) Natural processes and human activities change the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Figure 10 shows the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere measured in one location and the mean global temperature from 1960 to 2000.

Figure for question 7

Evaluate whether the data in Figure 10 shows that the change in the amount of carbon dioxide is leading to climate change.

Your answer should include

β€’ the natural processes that change the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

β€’ the human activities that change the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

β€’ how carbon dioxide contributes to the greenhouse effect and climate change.

[6]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 7(d)

Paper 1 June 2024 Foundation tier, Question 6 11 marks

(a)

A 250 cm3 solution of copper sulfate contains 6.52 g of dissolved solid.

Calculate the concentration of this copper sulfate solution in g dm–3.

Question 6, shown as an image

concentration =........ g dm

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(a)
(b)

Sodium hydroxide solution and copper sulfate solution were reacted together completely.

The result was a mixture of a precipitate of copper hydroxide in a solution of sodium sulfate.

Describe how to obtain

β€’ a pure sample of solid copper hydroxide from the mixture

β€’ a pure sample of solid sodium sulfate from the mixture.

[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(b)
(c)

Figure 9 shows the equipment used to electrolyse a sample of sodium sulfate solution.

Figure for question 6
Question 6, shown as an image

Graphite electrodes are used in the electrolysis.

(c)(i)

Give two reasons why graphite is a suitable material for the electrodes.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(c)(i)
(c)(ii)

Sodium sulfate solution contains ions.

Which ions are attracted to the positive electrode during the electrolysis?

Question 6, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(c)(ii)
(c)(iii)

Draw one straight line from each electrode to the product formed at that electrode during the electrolysis of sodium sulfate solution.

Figure for question 6
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(c)(iii)

Paper 1 June 2024 Higher tier, Question 8 11 marks

This question is about the properties of different substances.

(a)

Silicon tetrachloride is a simple molecular covalent compound.

(a)(i)

A molecule of silicon tetrachloride is composed of a silicon atom and four chlorine atoms.

β€’ a silicon atom has 4 outer electrons

β€’ a chlorine atom has 7 outer electrons

Draw a dot and cross diagram of a molecule of silicon tetrachloride, SiCl4.

Show outer electrons only.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Explain why simple molecular covalent compounds such as silicon tetrachloride have low melting and boiling points.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(a)(ii)
(b)

Part of the structure of rubidium bromide is shown in Figure 7.

Figure for question 8

Which row shows the most likely melting point and boiling point of rubidium bromide?

Figure for question 8
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(b)
(c)

*(c) Diamond and graphite are two forms of carbon.

Figure 8 shows how the carbon atoms are arranged in a part of the structure of each of these forms of carbon.

Figure for question 8

β€’ diamond is one of the hardest known substances on Earth and is used in cutting tools.

β€’ graphite is soft and flaky.

β€’ diamond is a poor electrical conductor, but graphite is a good electrical conductor.

Explain, in terms of structure and bonding, these properties of diamond and graphite.

[6]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(c)

Paper 1 June 2022 Foundation tier, Question 6 11 marks

(a)

3.14 g of solid copper sulfate was dissolved in water and made up to 250 cm3 of solution.

Question 6, shown as an image

Calculate the concentration of this copper sulfate solution in g dmβˆ’3.

concentration =........ g dm

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(a)
(b)

Sodium hydroxide solution was added to a solution of copper sulfate. A precipitate of copper hydroxide and a solution of sodium sulfate were formed.

(b)(i)

State what would be seen in the reaction.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

Complete the balanced equation for the reaction by adding a number in front of NaOH.

Question 6, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(b)(ii)
(b)(iii)

Describe how to obtain a pure, dry sample of the precipitate of copper hydroxide from the reaction mixture.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(b)(iii)
(c)
Figure for question 6
(c)(i)

Figure 11 shows the ions in the sodium sulfate solution.

Draw a circle around each of the ions in Figure 11 that are attracted to the negative graphite electrode during the electrolysis.

Figure for question 6
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(c)(i)
(c)(ii)

State why it is important that the electrodes are inert.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(c)(ii)
(c)(iii)

Explain, in terms of its structure, how graphite conducts electricity.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(c)(iii)

Paper 1 June 2022 Higher tier, Question 8 12 marks

(a)

Bromine is a liquid at room temperature and vaporises readily. Bromine has a simple molecular structure.

Which row of the table shows the most likely melting and boiling points of bromine?

Figure for question 8
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(a)
(b)

Part of the structure of graphene is shown in Figure 5.

Figure for question 8

Explain why graphene will be a good conductor of an electric current.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(b)
(c)

Part of the structure of potassium chloride is shown in Figure 6.

Figure for question 8

Potassium chloride has a melting point of 770 Β°C.

Explain why potassium chloride has a high melting point.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(c)
(d)

*(d) A molecule of methane can be represented in several different ways as shown in Figure 7. These representations have been labelled A – E to assist you in your answer.

Figure for question 8

Describe what information can be obtained from each representation including the limitations of these representations of methane.

[6]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(d)

Paper 1 November 2021 Foundation tier, Question 6 9 marks

Also involves Hazard symbols and risk assessment

(a)

Hydrochloric acid reacts with solid B. Solid B is an alkali.

A student carries out an experiment to see how the pH changes when different masses of solid B are added to dilute hydrochloric acid.

The student uses the following method.

step 1 use a measuring cylinder to measure out 100cm3 of dilute hydrochloric acid

step 2 pour the acid into a beaker

step 3 measure the pH with a pH probe

step 4 add half a spatula of solid B and stir

step 5 repeat steps 3 and 4 until the pH stops changing.

(a)(i)

Give a safety precaution that should be taken during the experiment.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Give an improvement to step 4 that would produce more accurate results.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

What is the most likely change in pH during the experiment?

Question 6, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(a)(iii)
(a)(iv)

If some methyl orange indicator is added to the acid in step 2, the mixture changes colour during the experiment.

State the colour change.

colour at start in acid........ colour at end........

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(a)(iv)
(b)

Concentrated hydrochloric acid can be broken down using electricity. The apparatus that can be used is shown in Figure 6.

Figure for question 6
(b)(i)

Give the name of the piece of apparatus labelled X.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

The rod labelled Y in Figure 6 is made of graphite.

What is the name of this piece of apparatus?

Question 6, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(b)(ii)
(b)(iii)

Give one reason why graphite is a suitable material to make Y.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(b)(iii)
(b)(iv)

Complete the balanced equation for the reaction that occurs.

Question 6, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(b)(iv)

Paper 1 June 2018 Foundation tier, Question 4 9 marks

Also involves Conservation of mass and balanced equations

(a)

The molecular formula of butene is C4H8.

Which of the following is the empirical formula of butene?

Question 4, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)
(b)

Calculate the relative formula mass of butene, C4H8.

(relative atomic masses: H = 1, C = 12)

relative formula mass........

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)
(c)

When burnt completely in air, butene forms carbon dioxide and water.

(c)(i)

Balance the equation for this reaction by putting numbers in the spaces provided.

Question 4, shown as an image
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)(i)
(c)(ii)

Describe the test to show that a gas is carbon dioxide.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)(ii)
(d)

Substance X is a gas at room temperature. It is a simple molecular, covalent substance.

Which row of the table shows the properties that substance X is most likely to have?

Figure for question 4
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(d)
(e)

Diamond has a giant covalent structure.

State one property of diamond that is the result of its giant covalent structure.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(e)

Paper 1 June 2018 Higher tier, Question 8 11 marks

Also involves Giant covalent structures

Covalent substances can be simple molecular covalent or giant covalent.

(a)(i)

Ammonia is a simple molecular, covalent substance.

Which is the most likely set of properties for ammonia?

Figure for question 8
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Ammonia, NH3, is made by reacting nitrogen with hydrogen.

Write the balanced equation for this reaction.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(a)(ii)
(b)

Oxygen, O2, is also a simple molecular, covalent substance.

Draw a dot and cross diagram for the molecule of oxygen.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(b)
(c)

*(c) Figure 8 shows the arrangement of carbon atoms in diamond, graphene and a fullerene (C60).

Figure for question 8

Consider these three substances.

Explain, in terms of their structures and bonding, their relative melting points, strengths and abilities to conduct electricity.

[6]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(c)

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