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Edexcel GCSE Chemistry

Topic questions The rate and extent of chemical change Catalysts

Catalysts

9 questions · 97 marks · about 1.5 hours

Catalysts questions

Edexcel 1CH0 Catalysts 9 questions

Paper 2 June 2025 Foundation tier, Question 8 12 marks

Also involves Conservation of mass and balanced equations

When solutions P and Q are mixed together, a purple mixture forms. This mixture slowly becomes colourless.

(a)

A student pours 25 cm3 of solution P into a conical flask and then adds 25 cm3 of solution Q.

The student uses a beaker to measure out these volumes.

Name a piece of apparatus that could be used to measure these volumes more accurately.

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

The student investigates this reaction using the apparatus shown in Figure 12. The student measures the time taken for the cross to become visible. The experiment is repeated at different temperatures.

Figure for question 8

Figure 13 shows the results.

Figure for question 8
(b)(i)

The concentrations of the solutions are kept constant in each experiment.

State one other variable that should be kept constant.

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

State, and explain in terms of particles, how the time taken for the cross to become visible would change if a temperature of 80 °C was used.

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

The concentration of solution Q is 26.8 g dm–3.

Calculate the mass of solid Q present in 25 cm3 of solution Q.

Question 8, shown as an image
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(c)
(d)

The student repeats the experiment at 20 °C, with the addition of a catalyst.

Explain how the addition of a catalyst will affect the rate of reaction.

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

Hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, decomposes into oxygen and water.

A catalyst can be used to increase the rate of this reaction.

(e)(i)

Use a word or phrase from the box to complete the sentence about the mass of the catalyst in a reaction.

Figure for question 8

During a reaction, the mass of a catalyst........ .

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

Complete the balanced equation for this reaction and add the missing state symbol.

Question 8, shown as an image
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 8(e)(ii)

Paper 2 June 2025 Higher tier, Question 2 9 marks

When solutions P and Q are mixed together, a purple mixture forms. This mixture slowly becomes colourless.

(a)

A student pours 25 cm3 of solution P into a conical flask and then adds 25 cm3 of solution Q.

The student uses a beaker to measure out these volumes.

Name a piece of apparatus that could be used to measure these volumes more accurately.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(a)
(b)

The student investigates this reaction using the apparatus shown in Figure 3. The student measures the time taken for the cross to become visible. The experiment is repeated at different temperatures.

Figure for question 2

Figure 4 shows the results.

Figure for question 2
(b)(i)

The concentrations of the solutions are kept constant in each experiment.

State one other variable that should be kept constant.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

State, and explain in terms of particles, how the time taken for the cross to become visible would change if a temperature of 80 °C was used.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(b)(ii)
(c)

The concentration of solution Q is 26.8 g dm–3.

Calculate the mass of solid Q present in 25 cm3 of solution Q.

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

The student repeats the experiment at 20 °C, with the addition of a catalyst.

Explain how the addition of a catalyst will affect the rate of reaction.

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

Paper 2 June 2022 Foundation tier, Question 6 9 marks

This question is about elements in group 7, the halogens.

(a)

Which halogen is a green gas at room temperature and pressure?

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

Bromine, chlorine and iodine all react with heated iron wool.

Figure 9 shows the speed of these reactions.

Figure for question 6
(b)(i)

When iron wool is heated with chlorine, iron chloride is formed.

Write the word equation for this reaction.

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

Give the name of the halogen in Figure 9 that is the most reactive with iron.

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

34.4 % of the mass of iron chloride is iron.

Calculate the mass of iron and the mass of chlorine in 125 g of iron chloride.

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

Alkenes react with halogens.

When iron chloride is added to the reaction mixture, the reaction is much faster but the products are the same.

Use words from the box to complete the sentences.

Figure for question 6

The iron chloride speeds up the reaction because it is........

After the reaction, the mass of iron chloride is........

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

Paper 2 June 2022 Higher tier, Question 9 11 marks

(a)

In some chemical reactions, bonds are broken in the reactant molecules and new bonds are formed to make the product molecules.

(a)(i)

Which row is correct about the energy changes for these processes?

Figure for question 9
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 9(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Hydrogen reacts with fluorine.

Question 9, shown as an image

Figure 12 shows the bond energies for the bonds in the three molecules in the equation.

Figure for question 9

Calculate the energy change for this reaction.

energy change =........ kJ mol

[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 9(a)(ii)
(b)

*(b) The reaction profile for an uncatalysed exothermic reaction is shown in Figure 13.

Figure for question 9

Using some examples of catalysts you have met in chemistry, discuss what catalysts do and their effect on the activation energy of a reaction.

You can use Figure 13 to illustrate your answer.

[6]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 9(b)

Paper 2 November 2021 Foundation tier, Question 6 12 marks

Figure 9 shows a sample of hydrogen peroxide solution decomposing to form water and oxygen gas.

Figure for question 6
(a)(i)

Write the word equation for hydrogen peroxide solution decomposing.

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

In this reaction hydrogen peroxide is a solution, water is a liquid and oxygen is a gas.

Draw one straight line from each substance to its correct state symbol.

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

Describe the test to show the gas produced is oxygen.

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

Figure 10 shows the electron arrangement for an atom of hydrogen and an atom of oxygen.

Figure for question 6

Complete the dot and cross diagram in Figure 11 for a molecule of water, H2O.

Draw outer shell electrons only.

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

Liver contains the enzyme catalase.

A piece of liver was added to another sample of hydrogen peroxide solution.

Figure 12 shows the results.

Figure for question 6

Figure 13 shows a graph of the volume of oxygen produced from the hydrogen peroxide with and without liver.

Figure for question 6

Figure 13

(d)(i)

Complete the missing label on the axis of the graph.

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

Describe what the graph shows about the difference in decomposition of hydrogen peroxide with and without liver.

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

Describe how the apparatus in Figure 12 could be modified to find the volume of gas produced when the liver is added to the hydrogen peroxide.

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

Paper 2 June 2019 Foundation tier, Question 6 13 marks

The word equation for the reaction between magnesium and dilute hydrochloric acid is

magnesium + hydrochloric acid maths symbol magnesium chloride + hydrogen

The reaction was carried out using the apparatus shown in Figure 11.

Figure for question 6
Question 6, shown as an image

A strip of magnesium ribbon was placed in the conical flask. 100 cm3 of dilute hydrochloric acid was added to the conical flask.

The mass of the flask and contents was measured at regular intervals. The loss in mass was calculated. Figure 12 shows a graph of the results.

Figure for question 6
(a)

Name the apparatus that could be used to measure out 100 cm3 of dilute hydrochloric acid.

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

Explain why there is a loss in mass of the flask and contents.

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

The graph shows that the rate of reaction slows as the reaction takes place.

Explain, in terms of particles, why the rate of reaction between magnesium ribbon and dilute hydrochloric acid slows as the reaction takes place.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(c)
(d)

The experiment was repeated using the acid at a higher temperature. All other conditions were kept the same.

State the effect of the higher temperature on the mass loss after two minutes.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(d)
(e)

The original experiment was repeated using the same mass of magnesium powder instead of the magnesium ribbon. All other conditions were kept the same.

Sketch, on the graph in Figure 12, the line you would expect for this experiment.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(e)
(f)

Some reactions are affected by the presence of a catalyst.

(f)(i)

State the effect of a catalyst on a reaction.

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

Devise a simple experiment to find out what happens to the mass of a solid catalyst during a reaction.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(f)(ii)

Paper 2 June 2019 Foundation tier, Question 10 11 marks

(a)

Ethanol is made by fermentation of a carbohydrate dissolved in water, in the presence of yeast.

The reaction is carried out at 30maths symbolC.

Explain why the reaction is carried out at a temperature of 30maths symbolC rather than at a

Question 10, shown as an image
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 10(a)
(b)

Ethanol, C2H5OH, can be converted into ethanoic acid, CH3COOH.

(b)(i)

In this reaction ethanol is

Question 10, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 10(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

Draw the structure of a molecule of ethanoic acid, CH3COOH, showing all covalent bonds.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 10(b)(ii)
(c)
(c)(i)

The apparatus in Figure 16 can be used to investigate the temperature rise produced in a known mass of water when a sample of ethanol is burned.

Figure for question 10

The first steps of the method are

NK =$put=NMMcm3 of water into a beaker 2. maths symbol determine the mass of the burner containing ethanol 3. maths symbol measure the initial temperature of the water 4. maths symbol place the burner under the beaker of water

Question 10, shown as an image

Describe the remaining steps of the method that are needed to determine the mass of ethanol required to raise the temperature of the water by 30maths symbolC.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 10(c)(i)
(c)(ii)

In a different experiment, separate samples of the alcohols methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol and pentanol were burned to determine the mass of each alcohol that needs to be burned to raise the temperature of 100 cm3 water by 10maths symbolC.

alcoholnumber of carbon atoms in one molecule of alcoholmass of alcohol burned in g
methanol10.37
ethanol20.28
propanol30.25
butanol40.23
pentanol50.22

Draw a graph of the mass of each alcohol required to raise the temperature of 100cm3 of water by 10maths symbolC against the number of carbon atoms in one molecule of that alcohol.

Figure for question 10
[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 10(c)(ii)

Paper 2 June 2019 Higher tier, Question 4 11 marks

Also involves Calorimetry

(a)

Ethanol is made by fermentation of a carbohydrate dissolved in water, in the presence of yeast.

The reaction is carried out at 30maths symbolC.

Explain why the reaction is carried out at a temperature of 30maths symbolC rather than at a

Question 4, shown as an image
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)
(b)

Ethanol, C2H5OH, can be converted into ethanoic acid, CH3COOH.

(b)(i)

In this reaction ethanol is

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

Draw the structure of a molecule of ethanoic acid, CH3COOH, showing all covalent bonds.

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

The apparatus in Figure 3 can be used to investigate the temperature rise produced in a known mass of water when a sample of ethanol is burned.

Figure for question 4

The first steps of the method are

NK $put NMMcm3 of water into a beaker 2. maths symbol determine the mass of the burner containing ethanol 3. maths symbol measure the initial temperature of the water 4. maths symbol place the burner under the beaker of water

Question 4, shown as an image

Describe the remaining steps of the method that are needed to determine the mass of ethanol required to raise the temperature of the water by 30maths symbolC.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)(i)
(c)(ii)

In a different experiment, separate samples of the alcohols methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol and pentanol were burned to determine the mass of each alcohol that needs to be burned to raise the temperature of 100 cm3 water by 10maths symbolC.

alcoholnumber of carbon atoms in one molecule of alcoholmass of alcohol burned in g
methanol10.37
ethanol20.28
propanol30.25
butanol40.23
pentanol50.22

Draw a graph of the mass of each alcohol required to raise the temperature of 100cm3 of water by 10maths symbolC against the number of carbon atoms in one molecule of that alcohol.

Figure for question 4
[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)(ii)

Paper 2 June 2018 Foundation tier, Question 3 9 marks

Also involves Conservation of mass and balanced equations

Hydrogen peroxide decomposes to form water and oxygen.

The rate of this reaction can be found by measuring the volume of oxygen formed after different time intervals.

Hydrogen peroxide solution is placed in a conical flask. The apparatus is set up as shown in Figure 5.

Figure for question 3
(a)

State the name of the piece of apparatus labelled Z in Figure 5.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)
(b)

At the end of the reaction the bung is removed from the conical flask. A glowing splint is put into the gas in the flask.

State what you would see.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(b)
(c)

A solid catalyst can be used for this reaction.

(c)(i)

The experiment is repeated under identical conditions but with the catalyst added.

In the experiment with the catalyst added

Question 3, shown as an image

decomposed is larger than when no catalyst is present

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(c)(i)
(c)(ii)

At the end of the experiment with the catalyst added, the mass of the catalyst remaining is found.

The method used to find the mass of the catalyst remaining is filter the mixture of products and catalyst determine the mass of the filter paper and solid catalyst subtract the mass of a filter paper from the mass of filter paper and solid catalyst.

This method would not give the accurate mass of catalyst remaining.

Which of the following needs to be done to give a more accurate mass?

Question 3, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(c)(ii)
(c)(iii)

A given mass of catalyst is more effective if it has a large surface area.

State how you could increase the surface area of some lumps of solid catalyst.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(c)(iii)
(d)

The experiment is repeated three times once using a more dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide once using a lower temperature once using a larger flask

In each case, all other conditions are kept the same.

Circle the word that shows the change in the rate of decomposition in each case.

change in rate
hydrogen peroxide solution is more dilutefaster slower unchanged
the temperature used is lowerfaster slower unchanged
the reaction is carried out in a larger flaskfaster slower unchanged
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(d)
(e)

Complete the balanced equation for the reaction and fill in the two missing state symbols.

Question 3, shown as an image
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(e)

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