Bulk & Surface Properties (AQA GCSE Chemistry)

Exam Questions

2 hours24 questions
1a3 marks

This question is about particles.

Put the following particles in order of size starting with the smallest. 

Coarse particles                      Nanoparticles                      Fine particles 

   

Smallest: ___________________

                ___________________

Largest:   ___________________

1b1 mark

How does the size of a nanoparticle compare to other types of particle?

1c2 marks

Give two uses of nanoparticles. 

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2a1 mark

This question is about the properties of nanoparticles.

What are nanoparticles?

2b
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2 marks

Figure 1 shows a nanoparticle of silver.

Each side of the nanoparticle has a length of 20 nm. 

Figure 1
silver-nanoparticle-aqa-gcse-2-4e-tq2b

Calculate the volume and surface area of the nanoparticle. 

2c1 mark

Silver nanoparticles are added to the fibres used to make some socks as they prevent unpleasant smells.

Suggest why silver nanoparticles prevent unpleasant smells.

Tick (one box.

They provide colour to the socks  
They kill bacteria   
They make the sock feel softer   
2d2 marks

Why are normal sized particles not as effective at doing this job compared to nanoparticles?

2e
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3 marks

An atom of silver is represented as:

 Ag presubscript 47 presuperscript 108


Calculate the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom of silver. 

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3a3 marks

This question is about nanoscience.

Draw one line from each particle to the correct size. 

ECBHwLvY_particles-size-match-up-
3b1 mark

Why are nanoparticles effective even when used in very small quantities?

Tick (✔) one box.

They are reactive compounds  
They have a high surface area to volume ratio  
They have a low boiling point  
They can adopt different shapes  
3c1 mark

State one advantage of using nanoparticles in sun lotions.

3d1 mark

State one disadvantage of using nanoparticles in sun lotions.

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4a1 mark

This question is about nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes.

The structure of a carbon nanotube is shown in Figure 1. 

Figure 1

carbon-nanotube

 Nanoparticles contain a few  

hundred

thousand

million

atoms.

4b2 marks

One use of carbon nanotubes is as catalysts.

Explain how a catalyst increases the rate of a reaction.

4c2 marks

One use of carbon nanotubes is as catalysts.

Give two other uses of carbon nanotubes.

4d3 marks

Complete the sentences to describe and explain the properties of carbon nanotubes. 

Carbon nanotubes have ____________________ melting points because of strong ____________________ bonds. 

They can conduct electricity because ____________________ are free to move throughout the structure. 

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5a1 mark

This question is about nanoparticles of iron oxide.

Small amounts of iron oxide are added to river water to kill toxic substances.

Complete the sentence.

The size of a nano-sized particle is ____________________ than normal-sized particles.

5b
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2 marks

A nanoparticle of iron oxide is a cube of side 40 nm.

Figure 1 represents a nanoparticle of iron oxide.


Figure 1
iron-oxide-nanoparticle-aqa-gcse-2-4e-tq5b


Calculate the volume of the nanoparticle and state the units. 

 120  1600  9600  64 000 

Volume__________________ Units _____________

5c1 mark

Why are less iron oxide nanoparticles needed to have the same effect as the normal sized particles?

5d1 mark

Suggest why it is beneficial for the manufacturer to use iron oxide nanoparticles.

5e1 mark

Iron oxide has ionic bonds. 

The charge on the oxide ion is O2-

How did oxygen become an oxide ion? 

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61 mark

Which of the following is not a use of nanoparticles?

  • Drug delivery to cells 

  • Extracting iron from its ore 

  • Producing suncreams

  • Catalysts

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1a3 marks

This question is about silver nanoparticles. 

Silver can form cubic nanocrystals as shown in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1

2-4-bulk--surface-properties-medium-q1a

 

A silver nanocrystal is a cube shaped nanoparticles with each side measuring 20 nm.

Calculate the surface area to volume ratio of the silver nanocrystal.

1b2 marks

Silver nanoparticles are sometimes used in clothing to prevent odours.

Suggest why it is more economical to use nanoparticles of silver rather than coarse particles.

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2
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1 mark

Particles are grouped into categories depending on their diameter.

Particle X has a diameter of  2.5 x 10-7 m.

Which particle is this most likely to be?

  • Coarse particles

  • Fine particles

  • Nanoparticles

  • Dust particles

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3
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1 mark

A nanoparticle of a metal oxide is a cube. 

q2

Each side has a length of 82 nm. 

What is the volume of the nanoparticle? 

  • 6.72 x 10nm3

  • 5.51 x 105 nm3

  •  5.51 x 10-5 nm3

  • 6.72 x 10-3 nm3

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4a3 marks

Modern catalytic converters use nanosized particles of catalytic metals such as palladium and rhodium. 

Using nanosized particles is more cost effective than normal sized particles.

Suggest and explain why the use of nanosized catalyst particles reduces the production costs of catalytic converters.

4b3 marks

Nanoparticles of magnesium oxide have antibacterial properties. 

Figure 1 below shows the percentage of bacteria killed. 

Figure 1

aqa-gcse-2-4m-q5b

 Draw three conclusions from Figure 1.

4c1 mark

Not all sizes of nanoparticles have points plotted.

Would including data for more sizes of nanoparticles improve the conclusions that can be drawn about their effect on killing bacteria?

Give a reason for your answer.

4d2 marks

A coarse particle has a diameter of 1 × 10−6 m and a nanoparticle has a diameter of 1.6 × 10−9 m.

Calculate how many times larger the diameter of the coarse particle is than that of the nanoparticle.

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5a1 mark

This question is about nanoparticles and water.

Hydrogen and oxygen chemically combine to produce water molecules.

What type of bonding is present in a molecule of water.

5b2 marks

Does pure water conduct electricity?

Give a reason for your answer.

5c1 mark

Nanoparticles of cobalt oxide are used as a catalyst in the production of hydrogen from water. 

Compare the size of a nanoparticle with the size of an atom.

5d2 marks

Explain why 1g of nanoparticles is a better catalyst than 1g of cobalt oxide powder.

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61 mark

Nanoparticles are used in medicine, and can be used to deliver drugs to the cells where they are needed.

Some people are concerned about using nanoparticles this way.

What is the main reason for this concern? 

  • The potential cost of this technology to the National Health Service

  • Limited information to patients on which treatments nanoparticles are used for

  • The unknown effect of nanoparticles on long term health

  • Money could be spent on other areas of medicine that affect a greater proportion of the population

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7a1 mark

Nanoparticles are useful substances with many applications.

Tick (✔) one use of nanoparticles.

In the extraction of zinc

 

In suntan lotions

 

In the test for water

 

7b1 mark

How does the size of nanoparticles compare to normal-sized particles?

Draw a ring around the correct answer.

much smaller same size much larger

7c1 mark

Tiny amounts of cerium oxide nanoparticles can be added to diesel fuel as a catalyst.

Why are only a tiny amount of cerium oxide nanoparticles used?

7d5 marks

Explain how nanoparticles are able to catalyse reactions. 

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8a2 marks

Nanocrystalline metals are a new kind of metal structure which are based on nanoparticle science. 

Nanocrystalline metals are much harder and stronger than normal metals and their use in the production of artificial limbs is being investigated. 

Crystals in normal metal structures are around 20,000 nm in diameter. 

Explain how a metal and nanoparticles of the same metal can have different properties.

8b1 mark

In terms of size, how do the crystals in nanocrystalline metals compare with the crystals in normal metals?

8c3 marks

Hip joints are constantly moving when people move or walk during normal daily activities.

Suggest and explain why an artificial hip joint made of a nanocrystalline metal should last longer than one made from normal metals.

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1a2 marks

This question is about nanoparticles in products used for protection against the sun.

Sun Screens

Nanoparticles of titanium oxide are used in some sun creams. Sun screens that use nanoparticle technology spread more easily and provide better coverage so you use less. They are also transparent unlike traditional screens which are white. 


Normal sized particles of titanium oxide are safe but nanoparticles of this compound are thought to be absorbed into the body through our skin. Once in the body, they can travel around in our bloodstream unheeded. Some scientists suspect that these nanoparticles may be toxic to some types of cells found in the brain, skin, liver and bones.

Explain why nanoparticles of titanium oxide are able to pass through the skin and travel around the body more easily than normal-sized particles of the same compound.

1b3 marks

Give three reasons why sunscreens containing nanoparticles should be subjected to further testing.

1c3 marks

Suggest why some companies that make sun creams might prefer to not engage in further testing.

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2a2 marks

Graphene is a single layer of graphite.

It can conduct electricity and can be used in loudspeakers.

Explain why graphene can conduct electricity. 

2b3 marks

Explain why graphene is strong.

2c2 marks

Explain why graphite can be used in the tips of pencils. 

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3a3 marks

This question is about nanoparticles and their uses.

Nanoparticles of platinum can be used in modern catalytic converters. 

Catalytic converters are found in car engines and prevent harmful substances that are produced when petrol burns from being released into the air. 

Figure 1 represents a platinum nanoparticle. 

All sides are the same length.


Figure 1
aqa-gcse-2-4h-tq3a-nanoparticle-of-iron-oxide-1

Calculate the surface area to volume ratio of this particle. 

Give your answer in the simplest whole number ratio.

3b4 marks

Burning petrol in a car is an exothermic reaction.

Draw and label the reaction profile for an exothermic reaction in Figure 2.

Include labels for:

  • Overall energy change
  • Activation without a catalyst
  • Activation energy with platinum catalyst

 Figure 2

aqa-gcse-2-4h-tq3b-reaction-profile-axis

3c3 marks

Platinum is a transition metal. 

Describe the bonding and structure of platinum. 

3d2 marks

Why is it cheaper to use nanoparticles of platinum as opposed to coarse particles of platinum? 

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4a1 mark

Processors in computers can be damaged if they are exposed to high levels of  heat.

To avoid this a heat sink is placed on top of the processor as shown in Figure 1.

A heat sink is a metal that conducts heat away from the processor.


Figure 1

aqa-gcse-2-4h-tq4a-heat-sink


Explain why the metal is a good conductor of heat.

4b4 marks

Heat sinks are often made from copper, a transition metal.

Compare the properties of copper to the Group 1 metal, sodium.

4c1 mark

Grease is used to fill the gaps between the processor and the heat sink.

Without the grease, the gaps contain air which is a poor conductor, so the grease improves the transfer of heat from the processor to the sink.

One manufacturer of thermal grease claims that grease containing nanosized particles of silver will help transfer the heat better than if fine particles were used.

How are nanosized particles different from fine particles?

4d1 mark

Suggest one reason why fine particles of silver might not transfer heat as well as nanosized particles.

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5
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1 mark

A gold nanoparticle is a cube with sides of 2 nm. 

q3

What is the simplest surface area to volume ratio of the nanoparticle?

     

  • 24: 8

  • 12:3

  • 16:1 

  • 3:1

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