IGCSEChemistry: Double ScienceEdexcelExam Questions1. Principles of ChemistryStates of Matter

States of Matter (Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry: Double Science)

Exam Questions

1 hour18 questions
Easy
Medium
Hard
1a3 marks

This question is about the three states of matter, solid, liquid and gas.

a)
Solids, liquids and gases can be changed from one state to another.

  condensing evaporation melting sublimation  

Use words from the box to complete the sentences.

Each word may be used once, more than once or not at all.

i)
The change from solid to liquid is called

(1)

ii)
The change from liquid to gas is called

(1)

iii)
The change from solid to gas is called

(1)

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1b3 marks
b)
Describe the arrangement and the movement of particles in a solid.

(3)

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2a2 marks

This question is about states of matter.

a)
The diagram shows how the particles of a substance are arranged in two different states.

solid-liquid-gas-diagrams

i)
Complete the diagram to show how particles are arranged in the liquid state.
 (1)
ii)
Identify the state of matter in which the particles have the most energy.

(1)

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2b3 marks
b)
The state symbols (s), (l), (g) and (aq) are often used in chemistry.
The table shows some physical changes.
Complete the table by giving the state symbol before and after each change.

  State symbol
Physical change before change after change
 water evaporates    
 crystals of iodine sublime    
 ice melts    

(3)

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2c2 marks
c)
Explain why hot water evaporates more quickly than cold water.

(2)

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3a1 mark

This question is about ammonium chloride.

a)
Give the formula of the ammonium ion.

(1)

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3b3 marks
b)
Describe a test to show that ammonium chloride contains ammonium ions.

(3)

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3c1 mark
c)
The equation shows the thermal decomposition of ammonium chloride.

NH4Cl(s) rightwards harpoon over leftwards harpoon NH3(g) + HCl(g)

State what the rightwards harpoon over leftwards harpoon symbol indicates about this reaction.

(1)

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3d4 marks
d)
The diagram shows the formation of ammonium chloride in a glass tube.

hcl-and-nh3-reaction-tube-diagram

i)
Explain how the mean speed of ammonia molecules compares with the mean speed of hydrogen chloride molecules.

(2)

ii)
Gas particles travel very quickly.
Give two reasons why it takes several minutes for the ammonium chloride to form.

(2)

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4a3 marks
a)
The boxes list changes that may happen in a laboratory and the names of some changes.
 
Draw one straight line from each change to its correct name.
 
(3)
 
matching-changes-q

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4b3 marks
b)
A student has two solids, X and Y.
 
One of these solids is a pure substance and the other is a mixture.
 
Describe how the student could identify which solid is pure and which is a mixture by measuring a physical property of each solid.
 
(3)

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5a3 marks

This question is about states of matter.

a)
Use the words solid, liquid or gas to give the initial and final state of matter for each of the changes listed in the table.

The first one has been done for you.

(3)

Change Initial state Final state
 melting solid liquid
 sublimation    
 condensing    
 evaporation    

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5b3 marks
b)
Particles in a solid are closely packed, arranged in a regular pattern and vibrate about fixed positions.

Describe the arrangement and movement of the particles in a gas.

(3)

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6a3 marks

Some sugar is added to cold water in a beaker.

a)
After some time, all the sugar dissolves and spreads throughout the water.
 
i)
Name the process that occurs that causes the sugar to spread throughout the water.
 
(1)
 
ii)
State two ways to make the sugar dissolve more quickly.
 
(2)

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6b3 marks
b)
Pure water can be obtained from the sugar solution using this apparatus.
 
general-simple-distillation-experiment
 
i)
Name the process used to obtain pure water from the sugar solution.
(1)
 
ii)
Explain the purpose of the piece of apparatus labelled X.
 
(2)

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7a3 marks

This question is about states of matter.

a)
The box gives words relating to changes of state.
 
condensation  cooling  evaporation
freezing  melting  sublimation
 
Complete the table by giving the correct word from the box for each change of state.
 
(3)
 
Change of state Name of change
solid to liquid  
solid to gas  
liquid to solid  

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7b4 marks
b)
When ammonia gas and hydrogen chloride gas mix, they react together to form a white solid called ammonium chloride.
 
The equation for the reaction is
 
NH3 (g) + HCl (g) → NH4Cl (s)
 
A teacher soaks a piece of cotton wool in concentrated ammonia solution and another piece of cotton wool in concentrated hydrochloric acid.
 
The teacher places the two pieces of cotton wool at opposite ends of a glass tube at the same time.
 
After several minutes, a white ring of solid ammonium chloride forms.
 
ammonium-chloride-tube-experiment
 
i)
State the name given to the spreading out of gas particles.
 
(1)
 
ii)
State how the diagram shows that the particles of ammonia gas are travelling at higher speeds than the particles of hydrogen chloride gas.
 
(1)
 
iii)
Gas particles travel at high speeds.
 
Give a reason why the white ring of ammonium chloride takes several minutes to form.
 
(1)
 
iv)
Concentrated ammonia solution and concentrated hydrochloric acid are corrosive.
 
Give one safety precaution the teacher should take.
 
(1)

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8a2 marks
a) i)
State the meaning of the term solute.
 
(1)
 
ii)
State the meaning of the term solvent.
 
(1)

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8b2 marks
b)
Explain what is meant by a saturated solution.
 
(2)

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8c2 marks
c)
A dark purple liquid is diluted by adding water.
 
The diluted liquid becomes a pale purple colour.
 
Explain the process that causes this change.
 
Refer to particles in your answer.
 
(2)

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9a2 marks

Substances can exist as solids, liquids or gases.

a) i)
Give the change of state that occurs when a substance melts.
(1)

ii)
Complete the word equation for the sublimation of iodine.

iodine (s) → iodine (...........)
(1)

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9b1 mark
b)
The circle in the diagram represents a particle. Complete the diagram to show the arrangement of particles in a gas.

(1)

screen-shot-2022-10-19-at-09-26-45

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9c2 marks
c)
The table lists some statements about particles. Place ticks (✔) in boxes to show which two statements are correct for water particles.
(2)
Statement Tick
the particles only vibrate  
the particles do not move  
the particles have no gaps between them  
the particles move randomly  
the particles have more energy than in ice  
the particles have a regular arrangement  

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11 mark

The diagram shows a mirror in a bathroom. As the water vapour cools it turns into droplets of water on the bathroom mirror.

1-1-q1-image

 When the water vapour changes to liquid water the change is called

(1)

  ☐ A vaporisation
  ☐ B condensation
  ☐ C sublimation
  ☐ D evaporation

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2a1 mark

Ammonium chloride decomposes in a reversible reaction. The equation for this reaction is

NH4Cl (s) rightwards harpoon over leftwards harpoon NH3 (g) + HCl (g)

a)
State how the equation shows that the reaction is reversible.
[1] 

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2b3 marks
b)
Some ammonium chloride is heated gently in a test tube.

The diagram shows the test tube after it has been heated gently for a short time.

screen-shot-2022-10-10-at-11-57-04

i)
Identify solid X and the two gases formed in region Y of the test tube.

Solid X ................................................................................................

Gases at Y ..................................................................................................
(1)
ii)
Which change of state occurs in the test tube during heating? 

(1)

  ☐ A condensing
  ☐ B evaporating 
  ☐ C melting 
  ☐ D subliming 

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2c3 marks
c)
An experiment involving ammonium chloride can be used to show the process of diffusion.

The diagram shows the apparatus at the start of the experiment.

screen-shot-2022-10-10-at-12-35-41

At the end of the experiment, a white solid forms in the test tube. Explain which position, A, B or C, shows where the white solid forms.
[3] 

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31 mark

The diagram below shows a bottle of perfume which has been sprayed in a room. Very soon the perfume can be smelled in every part of the room.

1-1-q2-image

Which statement explains these observations?

(1)

☐ A The perfume particles diffuse into the air
☐ B The perfumes particles sublime into the air
☐ C The perfume particles are carried in air currents
☐ D The perfume particles are changing state

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4a1 mark

Potassium permanganate is a purple solid that is soluble in water.

A crystal of potassium permanganate is placed in a beaker containing water.

a)
After a short time, the crystal becomes smaller and the liquid at the bottom of the beaker becomes purple.
 
Which statement explains this observation?
(1)
  ☐ A the crystal condenses in the water
  ☐ B the crystal dissolves in the water
  ☐ C the crystal evaporates in the water
  ☐ D the crystal melts in the water
 

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4b2 marks
b)
The beaker is left until there is no further change in the appearance of the liquid.
 
i)
Which statement describes the final appearance of the liquid?
 (1)
  ☐ A all of the liquid is purple
  ☐ B none of the liquid is purple
  ☐ C only the bottom half of the liquid is purple
  ☐ D only the top half of the liquid is purple
 
 
ii)
Which process causes this change in appearance?
(1)
  ☐ A condensation
  ☐ B crystallisation
  ☐ C diffusion
  ☐ D evaporation
 

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4c
Sme Calculator1 mark
c)
The formula of potassium permanganate is KMnO4.
 
How many different elements are there in potassium permanganate?
(1)
  ☐ A 3
  ☐ B 4
  ☐ C 6
  ☐ D 7

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51 mark

A crystal of potassium permanganate is placed in a beaker of water and left for a short time and a purple liquid is seen at the bottom of the beaker.

1-1-q3-image

Which statement is correct?

(1)

  ☐ A Potassium permanganate solution is formed
  ☐ B Water is the solute
  ☐ C A saturated solution is formed
  ☐ D The crystal sublimes

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6a2 marks

Lead nitrate and potassium iodide react to form the insoluble solid lead iodide.
Crystals of lead nitrate and potassium iodide are placed at opposite ends of a container of water.
Solid lead iodide forms after several minutes.
The diagram shows the container at the start and after several minutes.

2021-ja1c-q3a

a)
Name the two processes that occur before the solid lead iodide forms.

(2)

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6b2 marks
b)
Explain why solid lead iodide takes less time to form when the reaction is repeated using water at a higher temperature.

(2)

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6c2 marks
c)
The formula for lead nitrate is Pb(NO3)2

i)
Give the number of different elements in lead nitrate.

(1)

ii)
Give the charge on the lead ion in Pb(NO3)2

(1)

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6d1 mark
d)
Complete the chemical equation for the reaction between lead nitrate and potassium iodide. 

(1)


Pb(NO3)2 (aq) + .......... KI (aq) → PbI2 (s) + .......... KNO3 (aq)

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71 mark

Substances exist as solids, liquids or gases.

1-1-q6-image

What change of state occurs at Y?

(1)

  ☐ A Melting
  ☐ B Freezing
  ☐ C Boiling
  ☐ D Condensation

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81 mark

The diagram shows the three states of matter for a substance:

1-1-q4-image

Which statement is correct about the movement or arrangement of the particles?

(1)

  ☐ A In the solid the particles move fast in all directions
  ☐ B In the gas the particles are close together
  ☐ C In the liquid the particles move randomly
  ☐ D In the liquid the particles vibrate about fixed positions

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1a3 marks

The table gives the melting and boiling points of four pure substances, W, X, Y and Z.

  Melting point in °C Boiling point in °C
W -7 60
X 660 2500
Y 180 1330
Z 115 445

a)
Use data from the table to answer the questions.

i)
Which substance is a gas at 100 °C?

(1)

  ☐ A W
  ☐ B X
  ☐ C Y
  ☐ D Z

ii)
Which substance is a liquid for the largest range of temperature?

(1)

  ☐ A W
  ☐ B X
  ☐ C Y
  ☐ D Z

iii)
Which substance is a liquid at 1000 °C and a gas at 2000 °C?

(1)

  ☐ A W
  ☐ B X
  ☐ C Y
  ☐ D Z

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1b1 mark
b)
Substance Y does not conduct electricity when solid but does conduct electricity when molten.

Give the type of bonding in substance Y.

(1)

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1c1 mark
c)
Suggest how the melting point of a pure substance changes when an impurity is added.

(1)

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