Practical questions

You will complete eight required core practical activities if you are studying GCSE Chemistry, and 18 if you are studying GCSE Combined Science (five of these are in Chemistry).

You could be asked questions about the apparatus, methods, safety precautions, results, analysis and evaluation of these experiments.

There are no core practical activities in the Groups in the periodic table section.

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Sample question 1 - Foundation

Question

Describe the chemical test for chlorine. [2 marks]

This question has been written by a Bitesize consultant as a suggestion to the type of question that may appear in an exam paper.

Sample question 2 - Foundation

Question

Chlorine, bromine and iodine are halogens.

The table shows the appearance of bromine and iodine at room temperature.

Halogen	Appearance at room temperature
Chlorine
Bromine	Dark red liquid
Iodine	Grey solid

Halogen	Chlorine
Appearance at room temperature

Halogen	Bromine
Appearance at room temperature	Dark red liquid

Halogen	Iodine
Appearance at room temperature	Grey solid

Complete the table to show the appearance of chlorine at room temperature. [2 marks]

Edexcel question courtesy of Pearson Education Ltd.

Sample question 3 - Higher

Question

Magnesium and calcium are in group 2 of the periodic table. They are less reactive than the metals in group 1.

Calcium reacts with water to form calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)₂, and hydrogen, H₂.

Ca(s) + 2H₂O(l) → Ca(OH)₂(s) + H₂(g)

Describe what would be seen when a piece of calcium is dropped into a container of water. [2 marks]

Edexcel question courtesy of Pearson Education Ltd.

Sample question 4 - Higher

Question

Describe what you would see when a small piece of sodium is added to water. [2 marks]

Edexcel question courtesy of Pearson Education Ltd.

Sample exam questions - groups in the periodic table - EdexcelPractical questions