Improving Processes & Products (OCR Gateway GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science)

Exam Questions

48 mins18 questions
11 mark

The table shows the main stages in the life-cycle assessment of a manufactured product.

Stage Process
1 Manufacturing the product
2 Obtaining raw materials
3 Disposing of the product
4 Using the product

What is the correct order for the stages?

  • 1, 2, 3, 4

  • 1, 2, 4, 3

  • 2, 1, 4, 3

  • 2, 4, 1, 3

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11 mark

Zinc is extracted from zinc oxide by reduction.

Which element acts a reducing agent during this process?

  • Hydrogen

  • Oxygen

  • Carbon

  • Zinc 

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21 mark

Which of the following metals can not be extracted from its ore by reduction?

  • Iron

  • Zinc

  • Copper

  • Lithium

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31 mark

Coffee cups are usually made from ceramic, glass, paper, plastic or metal.

Some of these materials are recyclable. In a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) where would this information be given?

  • During the extraction and processing of the raw materials needed to make the cup

  • Disposing of the cup at the end of its useful life

  • When the cup is manufactured and packaged

  • During the use and lifetime of the cup

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41 mark

Which material for making coffee cups would be considered recyclable and biodegradable?

  • Polymers

  • Ceramic

  • Glass

  • Paper

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51 mark

When comparing the LCA of a plastic bag to a paper bag you can say that

  • A plastic bag has a greater impact on the environment than a paper bag

  • A paper bag has a greater impact on the environment than a plastic bag

  • Both bags are made from finite resources

  • It is difficult to say whether a paper or plastic bag has a greater impact on the environment

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61 mark

What is true about single use paper plates?

  • They are heavier to transport than plastic plates

  • They increase global warming

  • They can be incinerated to release energy

  • All the above are true

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71 mark

Look at the information about four different polymers.

Polymer Cost
(£ per kg)
Tensile strength
(MPa)
Melting point
(°C)
Maximum useable
temperature (°C)
A 0.74 15 120 85
B 1.20 78 254 70
C 0.92 35 176 160
D 1.42 42 156 160

Which polymer would be best for making a plastic cup to hold hot drinks?

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    81 mark

    Look at the information about four different polymers.

    Polymer Cost
    (£ per kg)
    Tensile
    strength
    (MPa)
    Melting point
    (°C)
    Maximum
    useable
    temperature
    (°C)
    A 0.74 15 120 85
    B 1.20 78 254 70
    C 0.92 35 176 160
    D 1.42 42 156 160


    Which polymer would be best for making a plastic washing up bowl?

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      91 mark

      Higher Only

      Phytoextraction is one way to extract copper from low-grade ores.

      The table shows the main stages involved in phytoextraction.

      Stage Process
      1 Copper ions accumulate in the roots, shoots and leaves of plants.
      2 Copper is extracted from ash with a high concentration of copper compounds.
      3 Plants absorb dissolved copper ions through their roots.
      4 A crop is planted in soil containing low-grade copper ore.
      5 Plants are harvested and burned.

      What is the correct order for the stages?

      • 1, 3, 4, 5, 2

      • 4, 1, 3, 2, 5

      • 4, 3, 1, 5, 2

      • 1, 4, 3, 5, 2

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      101 mark

      Higher Only

      Which one of the following is an advantage of phytoextraction?

      • A high concentration of a metal can be obtained from a low grade ore.

      • Bacteria are used to dissolve metals instead of chemical solutions.

      • Better crops of plants are harvested.   

      • Phytoextraction is a quick process and is not affected by poor weather.

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      11 mark

      Aluminium is extracted by the electrolysis of molten aluminium oxide, Al2O3.

      Which equation shows the reaction at the anode in this electrolysis?

      • 4OH– 4e → O2 + 2H2O

      • Al 3+ + 3e → Al

      • 2H+ + 2e → H2

      • 2O2– – 4e → O2

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