Experimental techniques and chemical analysis — IGCSE Physical Science (0652) questions by topic
Experimental techniques and chemical analysis questions cover identifying chloride ions with silver nitrate, stating how impurities affect a melting point, and calculating distances travelled in paper chromatography. Identify, state, draw and explain are the command words, with explain wanting the reasoning behind an effect, not just a description of what happens.
6 real questions from 2023 papers make up this page, worth 1 to 6 marks. Submitting each short answer for instant marking is useful here because a melting point answer that only says it changed, without stating the direction of change, is marked differently from one that states it clearly, and instant feedback catches that distinction straight away.
What examiners look for
- A recurring mistake is saying a melting point changed without stating how, or wrongly stating that it increased.
- Examiners also flag giving chlorine instead of chloride, and overlooking a diagram that needed completing.
- Strong answers recognised that more energy is required to break up sodium chloride than chlorine.
October–November 2023, Paper 21
Mixture X is separated into its components W and Y by chromatography. E is the distance between the base line and Y. F is the distance between the base line and the top of the…
Answer this question and get it marked →Chloride ions are identified using aqueous silver nitrate. Before aqueous silver nitrate is added, the pH of the mixture must be below 7. Which substance is added to aqueous…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 22
Mixture X is separated into its components W and Y by chromatography. E is the distance between the base line and Y. F is the distance between the base line and the top of the…
Answer this question and get it marked →Chloride ions are identified using aqueous silver nitrate. Before aqueous silver nitrate is added, the pH of the mixture must be below 7. Which substance is added to aqueous…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 41
Melting points are used to assess the purity of substances. State the effect impurities have on the melting point of a sample of a substance.
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 42
Melting points are used to assess the purity of substances. State the effect impurities have on the melting point of a sample of a substance.
Answer this question and get it marked →Other IGCSE Physical Science topics
- Practical skills (22)
- Motion, forces and energy (16)
- Electricity and magnetism (14)
- Waves (12)
- Atoms, elements and compounds (10)
- Organic chemistry (10)
- Stoichiometry (6)
- Chemical reactions (6)
- The Periodic Table (6)
- Thermal physics (6)