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Edexcel GCSE Combined Science

Topic questions Bonding, structure and the properties of matter The three states of matter

The three states of matter

11 questions · 93 marks · about 2 hours

The three states of matter questions

Edexcel 1SC0 The three states of matter 11 questions

Paper 3: Chemistry 1 June 2025 Foundation tier, Question 2 9 marks

(a)

Figure 3 shows the changes of state between ice, water and steam.

Figure for question 2
(a)(i)

What is the name of the change of state labelled P in Figure 3?

Question 2, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 2(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Which of the following shows the arrangement of particles in ice?

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

Figure 4 shows the apparatus that can be used to separate a mixture of ethanol and water by fractional distillation.

Figure for question 2
(b)(i)

Name the piece of apparatus labelled R in Figure 4.

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

Explain the purpose of the piece of apparatus labelled Q in Figure 4.

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

A student investigates the food dyes used to make the colours W, X, Y and Z in four different sweets.

Figure 5 shows the chromatogram produced.

Figure for question 2

The solvent front shows how far the solvent moves during the investigation.

(c)(i)

Using the information in Figure 5, state which colour is made of only two food dyes.

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

The Rf value of a spot on the chromatogram can be calculated using the equation R = distance moved by the food dye f distance moved by solvent front

Using the information in Figure 5, calculate the Rf value of the food dye labelled S.

Give your answer to 2 decimal places.

Rf value of food dye S =........

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

Paper 3: Chemistry 1 June 2025 Higher tier, Question 3 9 marks

Nitrogen, N2, oxygen, O2and fluorine F2 are all gases.

(a)

Nitrogen, oxygen and fluorine are in the same period of the periodic table.

Explain, in terms of electronic configuration, in which period of the periodic table nitrogen, oxygen and fluorine are located.

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

Fluorine has a boiling point of โ€“188 ยฐC.

(b)(i)

Explain why fluorine has a low boiling point.

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

A mixture of nitrogen and oxygen becomes a liquid when cooled to โ€“200 ยฐC.

Which row shows the changes in energy and movement of the molecules as they are cooled from room temperature to โ€“200 ยฐC?

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

The mixture of liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen can be separated.

Which process could be used to separate a mixture of liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen?

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

At high temperatures, nitrogen, N2, can react with oxygen, O2, to form nitrogen dioxide only.

Write the balanced equation for this reaction.

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

Paper 3: Chemistry 1 June 2024 Foundation tier, Question 1 6 marks

Figure 1 shows a test tube being heated in a beaker of water.

Figure for question 1

The test tube contains solid wax.

As the test tube was heated, the solid wax changed to liquid wax.

After heating, the wax was allowed to cool to room temperature.

(a)

Figure 2 shows the arrangement of particles in liquid wax.

Figure for question 1

Draw the arrangement of particles in solid wax in the box in Figure 3.

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

When the wax cools, it changes from a liquid back to a solid. This change is a physical change.

(b)(i)

What name is given to the change of a liquid to a solid?

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

Explain why the change from a liquid to a solid is a physical change rather than a chemical change.

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

Another physical change is when a liquid changes into a gas.

(c)(i)

Which row shows the movement and arrangement of the particles in a gas?

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

Suggest why the wax did not change into a gas when the test tube was heated in the beaker of water.

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

Paper 3: Chemistry 1 June 2023 Foundation tier, Question 1 8 marks

In an experiment, paper chromatography was used to separate the coloured dyes in four different inks, W, X, Y and Z.

(a)

Figure 1 shows the chromatogram at the end of the experiment.

Figure for question 1
(a)(i)

The chromatogram shows that only one of the inks contains a single dye.

Which ink contains a single dye?

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

Which ink contains the greatest number of dyes?

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

The Rf value of a dye can be calculated using the equation

Question 1, shown as an image

At the end of the chromatography one dye had moved 3.60 cm and the solvent front had moved 9.20 cm.

Calculate the Rf value for this dye.

Give your answer to 2 decimal places.

Rf =........

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

The substance used as the solvent in the chromatography was heated for 8 minutes.

Figure 2 shows how the temperature of the substance changed with time.

Figure for question 1

From A to B the substance was a liquid.

From C to D the substance was a gas.

(b)(i)

Give the name of the change when a liquid becomes a gas.

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

Use Figure 2 to give the temperature of the substance at 4 minutes.

........ maths symbolC

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

Use Figure 2 to give the time when the substance has completely changed into a gas.

........ minutes

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

The temperature of the substance at A was 25maths symbolC.

Calculate the temperature rise of the substance from A to D.

........ maths symbolC

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

Paper 3: Chemistry 1 June 2023 Higher tier, Question 5 11 marks

Crystals of copper sulfate are prepared by reacting copper oxide, a base, with dilute sulfuric acid.

(a)

Name the other product of this reaction.

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

During the experiment, a spatula measure of copper oxide, a black powder, is added to warm, dilute sulfuric acid in a beaker.

When the mixture is stirred, the black powder disappears and the mixture turns pale blue.

The student then adds more copper oxide until the maximum amount of copper sulfate is formed without wasting copper oxide.

Explain how the student knows when to stop adding copper oxide.

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

The reaction produces an aqueous solution of copper sulfate.

What is the best way to obtain crystals of copper sulfate from an aqueous solution?

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

When some water is removed from the aqueous solution of copper sulfate, crystals of copper sulfate are made.

Describe how the arrangement and movement of the particles change as crystals are formed from a solution.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(d)
(e)

In this reaction, copper oxide, CuO, forms copper sulfate, CuSO4.

Explain, in terms of electrons, whether the copper in copper oxide has been oxidised, has been reduced, or has not been oxidised or reduced.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(e)
(f)

In another experiment, a copper sulfate solution with a concentration of 39.875 g dmโ€“3 is used.

Calculate the mass of copper sulfate dissolved in 0.300 dm3 of this solution.

mass =........ g

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(f)

Paper 3: Chemistry 1 June 2022 Foundation tier, Question 1 6 marks

Figure 1 shows a metal spoon and two test tubes being heated in a water bath.

One test tube contains a piece of chocolate, the other some liquid egg white.

Figure for question 1

After heating, the spoon, the chocolate and the egg white are allowed to cool to room temperature.

Figure 2 shows the state of the three different substances before heating, when hot and after cooling.

Figure for question 1
(a)

Describe the differences in the arrangement and movement of the particles in a solid and in a liquid.

difference in arrangement of particles

difference in movement of particles

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

What name is given to the process when the chocolate changes from a solid to a liquid?

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

Give a reason why the metal spoon has not changed state during the experiment.

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

Explain how we know the change to the egg white is a chemical change rather than a physical change.

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

Paper 3: Chemistry 1 November 2021 Foundation tier, Question 1 9 marks

If liquid water is cooled below 0 ยฐC it turns into the solid, ice.

(a)(i)

Give the name for the change of state from liquid to solid.

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

Here are five statements about ice and water.

Place ticks in boxes by the two statements that are correct.

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

Figure 1 shows a label from a bottle of drinking water.

Figure for question 1
(b)(i)

Explain why this drinking water should not be described as pure water.

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

State the information from Figure 1 that shows that the drinking water is neutral.

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

Calculate the mass of calcium ions in 250 cm3 of this drinking water.

mass =........ mg

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

State how you know that calcium is a metal from its position in the periodic table.

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

Paper 3: Chemistry 1 November 2020 Foundation tier, Question 3 10 marks

(a)

In the 19th century, Mendeleev arranged the elements known at the time to form his periodic table. Mendeleevโ€™s periodic table is different from the modern periodic table.

State one difference between Mendeleevโ€™s periodic table and the modern periodic table.

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

Aluminium oxide reacts with hydrochloric acid to form a salt and water.

(b)(i)

State the name of the salt formed.

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

In this reaction aluminium oxide is a base.

State the type of reaction that takes place when an acid reacts with a base.

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

Gallium, Ga, is in the same group of the modern periodic table as aluminium.

The formula of aluminium oxide is Al2O3.

(c)(i)

Predict the formula of gallium oxide.

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

Gallium oxide has a very high melting point. Gallium oxide does not conduct electricity when solid but does conduct electricity when molten.

What type of substance is gallium oxide?

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

Figure 5 shows the changes of state for gallium and the arrangement of particles in liquid gallium.

Figure for question 3
(d)(i)

Complete the boxes for solid gallium and gaseous gallium by drawing the arrangement of the particles in each of these physical states.

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

Give the name of the change of state labelled Y in Figure 5.

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

Gallium metal is a conductor of electricity.

Explain how metals conduct electricity.

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

Paper 3: Chemistry 1 June 2019 Foundation tier, Question 1 7 marks

The three states of matter are solid, liquid and gas.

(a)

What is the name of the change of state when a liquid changes into a solid?

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

A gas was left to cool to form a liquid.

Figure 1 shows how the temperature of the substance changed with time.

Figure for question 1

From A to B the substance is a gas.

From C to D the substance is a liquid.

(b)(i)

State the time when the gas first started to form a liquid.

........ minutes

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

Calculate the number of minutes it took from the gas first starting to form a liquid until the substance was completely liquid.

........ minutes

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

Figure 2 shows the melting points and boiling points of four substances, W, X, Y and Z.

substancemelting point in ยฐCboiling point in ยฐC
Wโˆ’220โˆ’188
Xโˆ’101โˆ’34
Yโˆ’759
Z114184
Question 1, shown as an image

Using the information in Figure 2

(c)(i)

give the letter of the substance that is a solid at 20 ยฐC

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

give the letter of a substance that is a liquid at 50 ยฐC

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

The diagrams below show particles in five different structures. The different circles show different particles.

Draw one straight line from each substance to its structure.

Figure for question 1
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(d)

Paper 3: Chemistry 1 June 2018 Foundation tier, Question 4 9 marks

An ink is a mixture of coloured substances dissolved in water.

(a)

Which method is used to separate the coloured substances in the ink?

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

The apparatus shown in Figure 6 can be used to separate water from ink.

Figure for question 4
(b)(i)

Cold water flows through the condenser.

On Figure 6 use arrows to show where the water should flow in and where it should flow out.

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

Explain why a condenser is used.

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

The flask was heated with a Bunsen burner.

Give the name of an alternative piece of apparatus that could be used to heat the flask.

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

The particles in the ink in the flask can be shown as in Figure 7.

Figure for question 4

In the boxes below, draw the arrangement of particles that would be expected at A and B shown in Figure 6.

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

Changes of state between the three states of matter are shown in Figure 8.

Figure for question 4

The changes shown are physical changes.

Explain why these changes are called physical changes rather than chemical changes.

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

Paper 3: Chemistry 1 June 2018 Higher tier, Question 3 9 marks

(a)

Which of the following substances will be a solid at 20 maths symbolC and will melt when placed in a beaker of hot water at 80 maths symbolC?

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

A student set up the apparatus shown in Figure 2 to obtain pure water from sea water by distillation.

Figure for question 3
(b)(i)

Explain how the water in sea water separates to produce the pure water in this apparatus.

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

Explain how the apparatus could be improved to increase the amount of pure water collected from the same volume of sea water.

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

A substance is heated at a constant rate and its temperature is taken every minute. During the heating, the substance undergoes one change of state.

The results are shown on the graph in Figure 3.

Figure for question 3

Explain the shape of the graph in terms of the changes in the movement and arrangement of the particles as the substance is heated.

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

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