Bulk & Surface Properties of Matter Including Nanoparticles (Edexcel GCSE Chemistry)

Exam Questions

1 hour16 questions
1a1 mark

Figure 1 shows a mug made of clay ceramic.

fig-1-q1a-1cho-2f-paper-1-nov-2021

Figure 1

Which property of clay ceramic makes it suitable for use as a mug?

  A is brittle
  B is not transparent 
  C does not conduct electricity
  D does not dissolve in water 
1b2 marks

Figure 2 shows the properties of some materials.

material property
brittle conducts
electricity
conducts
heat
transparent
clay ceramic yes no no no
glass yes no no yes
metal no yes yes no
polymer no no no no

Figure 2

Figure 3 shows an electrical cable.
The electrical cable is made of metal wire coated with another material.
The metal wire inside the electrical cable conducts electricity.

fig-3-q1b-1cho-2f-paper-1-nov-2021

Figure 3

i)
Name a material from Figure 2 that would be suitable for coating the metal wire.

(1)

ii)
Which type of particle moves through the metal wire to allow it to conduct electricity?

(1)

  A atoms
  B electrons
  C neutrons
  D protons
1c
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3 marks

There are some concerns that nanoparticles may cause harm if they enter the human body.

i)
Suggest one way that nanoparticles can enter the human body.

(1)
.

ii)
Suggest one possible risk if nanoparticles enter the human body.

(1)

iii)
The surface area of a nanoparticle of gold is 150 nm2
The volume of a nanoparticle of gold is 125 nm3


ratio space equals space fraction numerator surface space area over denominator volume end fraction

Calculate the surface area to volume ratio of this nanoparticle of gold.

(1)

surface area to volume ratio = ................................... : 1

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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?

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3a2 marks

Information about three different materials, a composite, a metal and glass are found in Figure 1. 

  metal glass composite
density  high high low
ability to conduct electricity  good poor poor
resistance to corrosion poor good good

Figure 1

Which material in Figure 1 is the most suitable material to use in electrical circuits?

Give a reason for your answer. 

3b1 mark

Nanoparticles are very small in comparison to other particles. 

The radius of a sodium atom is 0.19 nm.

Some nanoparticles have a radius of 20 nm. 

Approximately how many times larger is the radius of the nanoparticles than the radius of the sodium atom?

  A 0.01
  B 0.1
  C 10
  D 100

3c1 mark

A catalyst contains cube-shaped nanoparticles. 

Figure 2 shows a diagram of these molecules. 

The length of each side is 40 nm. 

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

Figure 2

Which row in the table correctly shows the surface area and volume for the cube shaped nanoparticle shown in Figure 2?

  A S.A: 9600 V: 64 000
  B S.A: 64 000 V: 9600
  C S.A: 1600 V: 6400
  D S.A: 6400 V: 1600

3d1 mark

Some scientists are concerned about the possible risks of using nanoparticles. 

Give one possible risk of using nanoparticles.

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4a1 mark

Nanoparticles are found in some sunscreen. 

An atom has an approximate radius of 0.1 nm. 

What is the approximate radius of a nanoparticle?

  A 0.1 nm
  B 0.1 cm
  C 50 nm
  D 0.5 nm
4b1 mark

What is a useful property of nanoparticles used in sunscreen?

  A They are are toxic
  B They can reach the cells
  C They have a low surface area to volume ratio
  D They prevent harmful UV radiation reaching the skin

4c1 mark

In addition to sunscreen, nanoparticles have many other uses. 

Give one other use of nanoparticles

4d2 marks

Buckminsterfullerene is a nanomaterial used in medicine. 

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

 it has a hollow shape  
 it has a high surface area to volume ratio  
 its contains ionic bonds  
 it forms compounds that are coloured  
 it is made up of layers   

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1
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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?

  A Coarse particles
  B Fine particles
  C Nanoparticles
  D Dust particles

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2a4 marks

This question is about properties of materials.

Figure 6 shows some properties of steel and Kevlar®.

property steel Kevlar®
density / g cm–3 7.85 1.44
relative strength 1 5
flexibility low high
resistance to corrosion low high

Figure 6

Body armour, such as a bullet-proof vest, could be manufactured using either of these materials.

Explain two reasons why Kevlar® is preferred to steel as the material for body armour.

2b
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6 marks

The use of nanoparticles has increased in recent years.

i)
The length of one side of a cube of silver is 2 cm as shown in Figure 7.
fig-7-q6bi-1cho-2h-specimen-2018

Figure 7

   Calculate the surface area to volume ratio of this cube of silver.

(3)

surface area to volume ratio = ..............................................................

ii)

Suggest an explanation of why a given mass of silver is more effective as a catalyst when used as nanoparticles rather than in a powder form.

(3)

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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? 

  A 6.72 x 10nm3
  B 5.51 x 105 nm3
  C 5.51 x 10-5 nm3
  D 6.72 x 10-3 nm3

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41 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? 

  A The potential cost of this technology to the National Health Service
  B Limited information to patients on which treatments nanoparticles are used for
  C The unknown effect of nanoparticles on long-term health
  D Money could be spent on other areas of medicine that affect a greater proportion of the population

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5a2 marks

Figure 2 shows information about three different materials, a composite, a glass and a metal.

  a composite a glass a metal
density low high high
ability to conduct electricity poor poor good
resistance to corrosion good good poor

Figure 2

Explain which material in Figure 2 is the most suitable material to use in electrical circuits.

5b4 marks
i)
Nanoparticles are very small.
Some nanoparticles have a radius of 17 nm.
The radius of a magnesium atom is 0.16 nm.

Approximately how many times larger is the radius of these nanoparticles than the radius of the magnesium atom?
(1)
  A 0.01
  B 0.10 
  C 10 
  D 100

ii)
A catalyst contains cube‐shaped nanoparticles.
Figure 3 shows a diagram of a cube‐shaped nanoparticle.

The length of each side of the cube is 9nm.

fig-3-q2bii-1cho-2f-paper-1-nov-2020

Figure 3

Calculate the surface area of the cube, in nm2.

(2)

surface area = .............................. nm2

iii)
Nanoparticles have many uses.
Some scientists are concerned about the possible risks of using nanoparticles.

Give one possible risk of using nanoparticles.
(1)

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61 mark

The properties and uses of some materials are given below.

Which does NOT show the correct property or use of the material?

      Material Properties Use
  A borosilicate glass high melting point cooking containers
  B glass-fibre composite strong and low weight racing bicycles
  C aluminium high density construction of aircraft
  D reinforced concrete high compressive strength in building structures

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7a2 marks

Figure 1 shows a list of particles.

ethene molecule
nanoparticle
sodium atom
starch molecule

Figure 1

In the spaces below, write the names of these particles in order of increasing particle size.

smallest particle ..........................................

..........................................

..........................................

largest particle ..........................................

7b2 marks

Explain a possible risk associated with nanoparticulate materials.

7c2 marks

Explain the advantage of using catalysts made of nanoparticles rather than larger particles.

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8
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1 mark

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

q3

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

  A 24:8
  B 12:3
  C 16:1
  D 3:1

     

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1a2 marks
i)
Titanium(IV) oxide is an ionic solid.
Many ionic solids are soluble in water.

Titanium(IV) oxide is not soluble in water.
Its other physical properties are typical of ionic solids.


Predict one other physical property of titanium(IV) oxide that would be typical of ionic solids.

(1)

ii)
The formula of titanium(IV) oxide is TiO2.
Deduce the charge of the titanium ion in titanium(IV) oxide.

(1)

1b
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5 marks

Nanoparticles are very small particles that have unusual properties.

i)
Particles less than 100 nanometres in size are classified as nanoparticles.
100 nanometres is

(1)

  A 1 × 10–4 metres
  B 1 × 10–5 metres 
  C 1 × 10–7 metres
  D 1 × 10–9 metres

ii)
Nanoparticles of titanium(IV) oxide are used in some sunscreens.

Describe a reason why nanoparticles of titanium(IV) oxide are used in some sunscreens.
(2)

iii)
Some people are concerned that there is a risk when sunscreens containing nanoparticles are used.

Explain a possible risk associated with using nanoparticles in sunscreens.
(2)

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2a5 marks

This question is about materials and their properties.

FIgure 1 shows a tennis racket.
 9-5-2a-h-tennis-racket
  
Table 1 shows the properties of some materials that could be used to make tennis racket frames.
 
Table 1
 
Material Density in g / cm3 Relative stiffness Relative strength
Aluminium 2.7 70 0.3
Carbon nanotube 1.3 - 1.4 1000 60
Wood 0.2 - 1.2 13 0.1
 
Compare and evaluate the use of the materials to make tennis racket frames.
2b
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3 marks

Heat sinks are objects that absorb and dissipate heat from another object using thermal contact. Figure 2 shows the application of heat sinks in computers, where they are used to protect the processor from being damaged due to overheating.

 
9-5-2b-h-heat-sink
 
 

Thermal grease containing nanoparticles of silver can be applied to the gap between the heat sink and the processor.

 

Table 2 shows the approximate diameters of different types of particle.

 
Table 2
 
Particle Diameter in m
Coarse 1.0 x 10-6 
Fine 1.0 x 10-7 
Nano 1.8 x 10-9 
 
i)
Calculate how many times smaller the diameter of the nanoparticle is compared to the diameter of the coarse particle.
 
Give your answer to the appropriate number of significant figures.
 
(2)
 
ii)
State one advantage of using silver nanoparticles in this application of thermal grease.
 
(1)
2c2 marks

Silver nanoparticles are also known for their antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties.

 

The graph in Figure 3 shows how the size of the nanoparticles affects the mortality rates of different bacteria.

 
9-5-2c-h-bacteria-and-nanoparticles-graph

 Two students, A and B, make the following statements based on the graph:

  • Student A states that the percentage of bacteria killed decreases as the size of the nanoparticles increases and no further experiments are needed.
  • Student B states that the percentage of bacteria killed decreases as the size of the nanoparticles increases but further experiments are needed.
 

Justify each student's statement. 

2d2 marks

Another application of nanoparticles is the use of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles in suncreams.

State one advantage and one disadvantage of using nanoparticles in suncreams.

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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.



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

Figure 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

 

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

3c3 marks

Platinum is a transition metal. 

Describe the bonding and structure of platinum. 

3d2 marks

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

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4a1 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? 

  A The potential cost of this technology to the National Health Service
  B Limited information to patients on which treatments nanoparticles are used for
  C The unknown effect of nanoparticles on long term health
  D Money could be spent on other areas of medicine that affect a greater proportion of the population

4b1 mark

Figure 1 shows the surface area to volume ratio for different diameters of spherical nanoparticles. 

diameter of nanoparticle in nm  surface area: volume ratio
10 3:05
20 3:10
30 3:15
40 3:20
50 3:25

Figure 1

What are the correct surface area: volume ratios for spherical nanoparticles with diameters of 80 nm, 100 nm, and 110 nm?

  A 80 = 3:35, 100 = 3:45, 110 = 3:50 
  B 80 = 3:35, 100 = 3:50, 110 = 3:55 
  C 80 = 3:40, 100 = 3:50, 110 = 3:55
  D 80 = 3:40, 100 = 3:50, 110 = 3:60 
4c
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3 marks

A different nanoparticle is cube shaped, as shown in Figure 2.


The length of one side of this cube is 60 nm.

screenshot-2024-01-26-115454

Figure 2

Show that the surface area : volume ratio for this cube is 1:10.

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