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Edexcel GCSE Combined Science

Topic questions Organic chemistry Properties of hydrocarbons

Properties of hydrocarbons

14 questions · 143 marks · about 3 hours

Properties of hydrocarbons questions

Edexcel 1SC0 Properties of hydrocarbons 14 questions

Paper 4: Chemistry 2 June 2025 Foundation tier, Question 6 13 marks

Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons.

(a)
(a)(i)

The majority of hydrocarbons in crude oil belong to one homologous series.

Give the name of this series.

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

When hydrocarbons undergo combustion, water is produced.

Draw a dot and cross diagram of a molecule of water.

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

One compound in crude oil contains 0.96 g of carbon atoms combined with 0.32 g of hydrogen atoms.

Calculate the empirical formula of this compound.

(relative atomic masses: C = 12, H = 1.0)

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

*(d) Crude oil is separated into useful products called fractions using fractional distillation.

Figure 9 shows a fractional distillation column and the fractions kerosene and fuel oil.

Figure for question 6

Kerosene and fuel oil have different uses depending on their properties.

Describe the properties and uses of kerosene and fuel oil. Include in your answer

β€’ the difference in boiling point

β€’ the difference in viscosity

β€’ the difference in ease of ignition

β€’ their uses and how fuel oil can be converted into kerosene.

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

Paper 4: Chemistry 2 June 2025 Higher tier, Question 2 7 marks

Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons.

(a)
(a)(i)

The majority of hydrocarbons in crude oil belong to one homologous series.

Give the name of this series.

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

When hydrocarbons undergo combustion, water is produced.

Draw a dot and cross diagram of a molecule of water.

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

One compound in crude oil contains 0.96 g of carbon atoms combined with 0.32 g of hydrogen atoms.

Calculate the empirical formula of this compound.

(relative atomic masses: C = 12, H = 1.0)

empirical formula of this compound =........

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

Paper 4: Chemistry 2 June 2024 Foundation tier, Question 3 10 marks

(a)

Figure 5 shows the structure of one molecule of three different compounds, X, Y and Z.

Figure for question 3

The molecules of the compounds shown in Figure 5 all contain the same number of carbon atoms.

(a)(i)

Give the number of carbon atoms in a molecule of compound X.

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

Compound X contains carbon and one other element.

Give the name of the other element in compound X.

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

Which of the compounds in Figure 5 is a hydrocarbon?

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

Which of the compounds in Figure 5 have the same molecular formula?

Question 3, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)(iv)
(b)

Figure 6 shows where fractions are produced in the fractional distillation of crude oil.

Figure for question 3

Complete the sentences about fractions obtained from crude oil.

The fraction with the smallest molecules is called........ .

Compared to petrol, the boiling point of kerosene is........ .

When petrol burns, one product is........ .

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

When some impure hydrocarbon fuels are burned, sulfur dioxide is one of the products.

Some sulfur dioxide gas is dissolved in water to form solution W.

When solution W is added to sodium hydroxide solution of pH 12

β€’ the pH changes

β€’ the temperature increases.

Explain how the pH changes and why the temperature increases.

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

Paper 4: Chemistry 2 June 2024 Higher tier, Question 3 9 marks

(a)
(a)(i)

Most hydrocarbons found in fossil fuels are members of the alkane homologous series.

State two features of an homologous series.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)(i)
(a)(ii)
Figure for question 3
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)(ii)
(b)

A fossil fuel contains carbon and sulfur.

Explain how the products of the complete combustion of this fossil fuel would affect the environment.

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

Incomplete combustion of fuels may produce carbon monoxide.

Write the balanced equation for the incomplete combustion of heptane, C7H16, where all of the carbon atoms form carbon monoxide.

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

Paper 4: Chemistry 2 June 2024 Higher tier, Question 4 9 marks

(a)

Damp iron wool reacts with oxygen in the air. A student uses the apparatus in Figure 4 to investigate the percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere.

Figure for question 4
(a)(i)

The initial volume of air in the measuring cylinder was 18.0 cm3.

The student left the apparatus overnight.

The volume of gas in the measuring cylinder the next day was 14.5 cm3.

To the nearest whole number, what percentage of the air has reacted with the iron wool?

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

Describe one improvement the student could make to this method to ensure that all of the oxygen in the measuring cylinder has reacted.

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

When hydrocarbon fuels are burned, the products are water and carbon dioxide.

Describe what needs to be done to the apparatus in Figure 5 to collect the water and show that carbon dioxide has been produced.

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

A hydrocarbon, CxHy, is burned in excess oxygen, forming 26.4 g of carbon dioxide and 5.4 g of water.

The relative formula mass of CxHy is 78.

Calculate the molecular formula of the hydrocarbon CxHy.

(relative atomic masses: H = 1.0, C = 12; relative formula masses: H2O = 18, CO2 = 44)

molecular formula =........

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

Paper 4: Chemistry 2 June 2023 Higher tier, Question 6 13 marks

Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons.

Crude oil can be separated into useful fractions by the process of fractional distillation in a fractionating column.

(a)

Figure 10 shows a fractionating column, the fractions obtained and the trend in viscosity of the fractions.

Figure for question 6
(a)(i)

Which row shows the correct uses for bitumen, diesel oil and fuel oil?

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

Explain the trend in the viscosity of the fractions.

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

Hydrocarbon X was cracked to form one molecule of hexane, C6H14, and one molecule of alkene Y.

Question 6, shown as an image

The relative formula mass of Y is 56. The empirical formula of Y is CH2.

Deduce the molecular formula of hydrocarbon X.

Show your working.

(relative atomic masses: H = 1.0, C = 12)

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

*(c) Large quantities of methane are used as a fuel.

Figure 11 shows a Bunsen burner.

Methane can be used as fuel for the Bunsen burner.

Figure for question 6

The air-hole on the chimney of the Bunsen burner can be opened and closed.

Explain the effect of opening and closing the air-hole of the Bunsen burner on the products of combustion of methane and the harm that using large quantities of methane as a fuel can cause.

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

Paper 4: Chemistry 2 June 2022 Higher tier, Question 3 9 marks

(a)

Figure 4 shows some information about the composition of pollutant exhaust gases from the engines of two different vehicles.

Figure for question 3
(a)(i)

Give two ways in which the data in Figure 4 shows that the diesel engine is more damaging to the environment than the petrol engine.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Explain, using information from Figure 4, one way in which the diesel engine is less damaging to the environment than the petrol engine.

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

Which statement about the members of the alkane homologous series is correct?

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

Write the balanced equation for the complete combustion of octane, C8H18.

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

Paper 4: Chemistry 2 November 2021 Higher tier, Question 6 11 marks

Pentadecane, C15H32, is a hydrocarbon and is used as a fuel.

(a)

The incomplete combustion of pentadecane produces carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas.

(a)(i)

Explain why the incomplete combustion of pentadecane can produce carbon monoxide as one of the products.

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

Explain how carbon monoxide behaves as a toxic gas.

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

1 mole of pentadecane can be cracked to form 1 mole of octane, C8H18, and 1 mole of propene, C3H6, and 2 moles of another product.

Complete the balanced equation for this reaction by adding the formula of the missing product.

C15H32 maths symbol C8H18 + C3H6 + 2........

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

Figure 8 shows the reaction of propene, C3H6, with water.

Figure for question 6

Figure 9 shows some bond energies.

Figure for question 6

Use the bond energies in Figure 9 to calculate the energy change of the reaction in Figure 8.

energy change of reaction =........ kJ mol–1

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

Methane gas, CH4, was burned using the apparatus shown in Figure 10.

Figure for question 6

Explain why water droplets form on the bottom of the beaker of cold water.

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

Paper 4: Chemistry 2 November 2020 Foundation tier, Question 4 9 marks

(a)

Methane is a hydrocarbon fuel.

(a)(i)

Complete the word equation for the complete combustion of methane in oxygen.

methane +........ maths symbol water +........

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

The incomplete combustion of methane can produce carbon and carbon monoxide.

Give the reason why carbon and carbon monoxide are produced in the incomplete combustion of methane.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(ii)
(b)

Crude oil is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons. Crude oil can be separated into useful fractions by fractional distillation.

Figure 7 shows a fractional distillation column and the fractions produced when crude oil is distilled.

Figure for question 4
(b)(i)

Name the fraction in Figure 7 that is used to surface roads.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

Name the fraction in Figure 7 that contains hydrocarbons with the lowest boiling point.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)(ii)
(c)

When crude oil is fractionally distilled, the demand for some fractions is more than the amount produced.

Figure 8 shows the relative amounts of each fraction in a crude oil and the relative demand for each of these fractions.

Figure for question 4

Which of the following shows the fractions where the relative demand is greater than the relative amount in the crude oil?

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

Cracking involves the breaking down of large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller hydrocarbon molecules.

(d)(i)

Octane, C8H18, can be cracked to produce one molecule of ethene, C2H4, and one molecule of CxH14.

Question 4, shown as an image

Determine the value of x in the molecule of CxH14.

x =........

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(d)(i)
(d)(ii)

Dodecane is a large hydrocarbon molecule. When one molecule of dodecane is cracked the products are one molecule of octane and one molecule of butene.

dodecane maths symbol octane + butene

Calculate the maximum mass of octane that could be produced when 340 g of dodecane is cracked in this reaction.

(relative formula masses: dodecane = 170, octane = 114)

mass of octane =........ g

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

Paper 4: Chemistry 2 November 2020 Higher tier, Question 6 13 marks

(a)

An impure hydrocarbon fuel is burned in the apparatus in Figure 5.

Figure for question 6

When the fuel is burned

maths symbol the funnel becomes hot maths symbol a colourless liquid forms in tube A maths symbol the indicator in tube B changes colour to show an acidic gas.

Explain these observations.

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

The energies of some bonds are shown in Figure 6.

Figure for question 6

Methane burns in oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water.

The equation shows the structures of the molecules.

Figure for question 6

Calculate the energy change, in kJ mol–1, for this reaction.

energy change =........ kJ mol–1

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

*(c) Petrol and diesel are used as fuels for cars. The emissions from three similar sized cars were investigated. The first car was the oldest, had no catalytic converter and used petrol. The other two cars were only a few years old. One of these was fitted with a catalytic converter and used petrol and the other car used diesel.

Figure 7 shows the emissions in grams for each kilometre travelled by these three cars.

Figure for question 6

Discuss and compare the impact on the environment of the emissions from these three cars using the information from Figure 7.

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

Paper 4: Chemistry 2 June 2019 Foundation tier, Question 5 11 marks

Most of the fuels used today are obtained from crude oil.

(a)

Which statement about crude oil is correct?

Question 5, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)
(b)

Crude oil is separated into several fractions by fractional distillation. Two of these fractions are kerosene and diesel oil.

(b)(i)

State a use for each of these fractions.

kerosene........

diesel oil........

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

Figure 8 shows where the fractions kerosene and diesel oil are produced in the fractionating column.

Figure for question 5

Kerosene is obtained higher up the column than diesel oil. Kerosene and diesel oil fractions have slightly different properties.

Choose a property. State how this property for kerosene compares with the property for diesel oil.

property........

comparison........

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)(ii)
(c)

Figure 9 shows the formulae of a molecule of butane and of a molecule of pentane. Butane and pentane are neighbouring members of the same homologous series.

Figure for question 5
(c)(i)

Explain, using these formulae, why butane and pentane are neighbouring members of the same homologous series.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(c)(i)
(c)(ii)

Butane has the formula C4H10.

Calculate the mass of carbon in 100 g of butane.

Give your answer to three significant figures.

(relative atomic masses: H = 1.00, C = 12.0; relative formula mass: C4H10 = 58.0)

You must show your working.

mass of carbon =........ g

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(c)(ii)
(c)(iii)

Butane burns completely in air to form carbon dioxide and water.

Write the word equation for this reaction.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(c)(iii)

Paper 4: Chemistry 2 June 2019 Higher tier, Question 1 9 marks

Most of the fuels used today are obtained from crude oil.

(a)

Which statement about crude oil is correct?

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

Crude oil is separated into several fractions by fractional distillation. Two of these fractions are kerosene and diesel oil.

(b)(i)

State a use for each of these fractions.

kerosene........

diesel oil........

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

Figure 1 shows where the fractions kerosene and diesel oil are produced in the fractionating column.

Figure for question 1

Kerosene is obtained higher up the column than diesel oil. Kerosene and diesel oil fractions have slightly different properties.

Choose a property. State how this property for kerosene compares with the property for diesel oil.

property........

comparison........

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

Figure 2 shows the formulae of a molecule of butane and of a molecule of pentane. Butane and pentane are neighbouring members of the same homologous series.

Figure for question 1
(c)(i)

Explain, using these formulae, why butane and pentane are neighbouring members of the same homologous series.

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

Butane has the formula C4H10.

Calculate the mass of carbon in 100 g of butane.

Give your answer to three significant figures.

(relative atomic masses: H = 1.00, C = 12.0; relative formula mass: C4H10 = 58.0)

You must show your working.

mass of carbon =........ g

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

Paper 4: Chemistry 2 June 2018 Foundation tier, Question 3 9 marks

Crude oil is found in the Earth’s crust.

(a)

Which of the statements about crude oil is correct?

Question 3, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)
(b)

The substances ethane, C2H6, octane, C8H18, and pentadecane, C15H32, are all found in crude oil.

These substances

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

Use a word from the box to complete each of the sentences about the fractional distillation of crude oil.

Figure for question 3

Each word may be used once, more than once, or not at all.

The separation of crude oil into fractions occurs in a fractional distillation column.

Before crude oil is passed into the column it is........ .

During the distillation, vapour rises up the column until it is cold enough for the

vapour to form a liquid. The vapour has been........ .

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(c)(i)
(c)(ii)
Figure for question 3
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(c)(ii)
(d)
Figure for question 3
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(d)
(e)

In January 2015 the United Kingdom produced 850 000 barrels of crude oil per day. 45% of this crude oil was fuel oil.

Calculate the number of barrels of fuel oil present in the 850 000 barrels of crude oil.

Give your answer to two significant figures.

........ barrels

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(e)

Paper 4: Chemistry 2 June 2018 Higher tier, Question 4 11 marks

Crude oil is a complex mixture of substances.

(a)

Crude oil can be separated into useful fractions by fractional distillation.

Figure 3 shows a fractional distillation column and the fractions produced when a sample of crude oil is distilled.

Figure for question 4

The properties of these fractions vary from the top of the column to the bottom of the column.

Which of the following is a trend in a property of the fractions obtained from the top of the column to those obtained from the bottom?

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

Most of the substances in crude oil are alkanes.

(b)(i)

Which of the following is the general formula of an alkane?

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

Explain why alkanes are described as hydrocarbons.

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

Figure 4 shows a graph of the boiling points of some alkanes against the number of carbon atoms in one molecule of each alkane.

Figure for question 4

Explain the pattern shown by this graph.

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

Use the information in Figure 5 to give the name of the fraction that is most likely to need to be cracked.

........

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(d)(i)
(d)(ii)

In a cracking reaction, reactants are heated to form products. This reaction is endothermic.

On the axes provided, draw the reaction profile of this reaction. Label the energy of the reactants, the energy of the products and the activation energy of the reaction.

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

Dodecane, C12H26, can be cracked to form useful products.

Complete the equation for the cracking of dodecane by filling in the formula of the single molecule needed to balance the equation.

C12H26 maths symbol........ + 3C2H4

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

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