AQA A-Level Chemistry sample questions and answers (7405)

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54 sample questions and answers

Taken from every topic of AQA A-Level Chemistry, specification 7405. The full guide has 2,442.

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Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3

Atomic Structure

89 questions in the guide, across 7 subtopics. More from this topic

  1. Fundamental Particles

    What is the relative mass of a proton?

    Show the answer
    1
  2. Fundamental Particles

    Where in an atom are neutrons located?

    Show the answer
    In the nucleus
  3. Mass Number and Isotopes

    How do you determine the number of electrons in a neutral atom?

    Show the answer
    The number of electrons equals the atomic number (same as the number of protons).

Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3

Amount of Substance

118 questions in the guide, across 8 subtopics. More from this topic

  1. Relative Atomic and Molecular Mass

    How is relative molecular mass calculated from a molecular formula?

    Show the answer
    By adding together the relative atomic masses of all atoms present in the molecular formula.
  2. The Mole and the Avogadro Constant

    How is the number of moles of a substance calculated from its mass?

    Show the answer
    Moles = mass ÷ Mᵣ
  3. The Ideal Gas Equation

    What does T represent in the ideal gas equation?

    Show the answer
    Temperature

Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3

Bonding

132 questions in the guide, across 8 subtopics. More from this topic

  1. Ionic Bonding

    What is the formula of the carbonate ion?

    Show the answer
    CO₃²⁻
  2. Covalent, Dative Covalent and Metallic Bonding

    In a dative covalent bond, what must the acceptor species possess?

    Show the answer
    An empty orbital.
  3. Crystal Structures: Giant Ionic Lattices and Diamond

    Under what conditions do ionic compounds conduct electricity?

    Show the answer
    When molten or dissolved in water

Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3

Energetics and Thermodynamics

108 questions in the guide, across 8 subtopics. More from this topic

  1. Enthalpy Change and Standard Conditions

    What does the term exothermic mean in relation to a reaction?

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    A reaction that releases heat energy to the surroundings (negative ΔH)
  2. Calorimetry and Heat Change Calculations

    How would you calculate the molar enthalpy change from the heat change measured in a calorimetry experiment?

    Show the answer
    Divide the heat change (q) by the number of moles of the limiting reactant
  3. Hess's Law and Enthalpy Cycles

    When using enthalpies of formation to calculate the enthalpy change of a reaction, what is the general formula?

    Show the answer
    ΔH = Σ ΔfH(products) − Σ ΔfH(reactants)

Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3

Kinetics

133 questions in the guide, across 9 subtopics. More from this topic

  1. Collision Theory and Activation Energy

    Besides having sufficient energy, what other requirement must be met for a successful collision?

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    The particles must collide with the correct orientation.
  2. Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution and the Effect of Temperature

    How does the position of the peak of a Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution relate to the mean energy?

    Show the answer
    The peak (most probable energy) is at a lower energy than the mean energy
  3. Effect of Concentration and Pressure, and Catalysts

    For a gaseous reaction, what happens to the collision frequency if the pressure is halved?

    Show the answer
    The collision frequency decreases as particles are further apart on average.

Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3

Chemical Equilibria

80 questions in the guide, across 5 subtopics. More from this topic

  1. Dynamic Equilibrium and Le Chatelier's Principle

    What happens to the position of equilibrium when the concentration of a product is removed?

    Show the answer
    The position of equilibrium shifts to the right (towards products) to replace the removed product.
  2. Dynamic Equilibrium and Le Chatelier's Principle

    How does a catalyst affect the rate at which equilibrium is reached?

    Show the answer
    A catalyst increases the rate at which equilibrium is reached.
  3. Industrial Compromise Conditions

    Why is a very high pressure not always used in industrial processes even when it would favour the products?

    Show the answer
    Very high pressures are expensive to maintain and require stronger equipment, increasing costs.

Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3

Redox and Electrochemistry

109 questions in the guide, across 7 subtopics. More from this topic

  1. Redox: Definitions and the Rules for Oxidation States

    What oxidation state is assigned to uncombined elements?

    Show the answer
    Zero
  2. Redox: Definitions and the Rules for Oxidation States

    What oxidation state is usually assigned to hydrogen in compounds?

    Show the answer
    +1
  3. Redox: Identifying Oxidation and Reduction in a Reaction

    What change in oxidation state indicates that an element has been reduced?

    Show the answer
    A decrease in oxidation state

Paper 1, Paper 2, Paper 3

Acids and Bases

117 questions in the guide, across 7 subtopics. More from this topic

  1. Brønsted-Lowry Acid-Base Equilibria

    What is a conjugate acid?

    Show the answer
    The species formed when a base accepts a proton
  2. Brønsted-Lowry Acid-Base Equilibria

    Explain why water is described as amphoteric in the Brønsted-Lowry sense.

    Show the answer
    Water can donate a proton to act as an acid, forming OH⁻, or accept a proton to act as a base, forming H₃O⁺
  3. The pH Scale and Strong Acids

    What is a strong acid?

    Show the answer
    An acid that completely dissociates in aqueous solution

Paper 1, Paper 3

Periodicity and Group Chemistry

218 questions in the guide, across 16 subtopics. More from this topic

  1. s, p, d and f Block Classification

    Which subshell is being filled in p-block elements?

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    The p subshell
  2. Group 2 Trends in Atomic Radius, Ionisation Energy and Melting Point

    Explain why first ionisation energy decreases down Group 2.

    Show the answer
    The outer electron is further from the nucleus due to additional electron shells, there is greater shielding from inner electrons, so less energy is required to remove the outer electron despite the increased nuclear charge.
  3. Solubility Trends of Group 2 Hydroxides

    What is the agricultural use of calcium hydroxide?

    Show the answer
    Calcium hydroxide is used to neutralise acidic soils.

Paper 1, Paper 3

Period 3 Elements and Their Oxides

92 questions in the guide, across 8 subtopics. More from this topic

  1. Reactions of Na and Mg with Water

    What is observed when magnesium reacts with cold water?

    Show the answer
    Very slow reaction with few bubbles of gas produced; a white precipitate/coating of magnesium hydroxide forms on the surface.
  2. Period 3 Elements with Oxygen: The Oxides Formed and Their Bonding

    What is the formula of the oxide formed when silicon reacts with oxygen?

    Show the answer
    SiO₂
  3. Period 3 Elements with Oxygen: Structures and Oxidation States

    What type of structure do phosphorus(V) oxide, sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide have?

    Show the answer
    Simple molecular structures

Paper 1, Paper 3

Transition Metals

324 questions in the guide, across 19 subtopics. More from this topic

  1. General Properties of Transition Metals

    What is a ligand?

    Show the answer
    A molecule or ion that donates an electron pair to a transition metal, forming a coordinate bond
  2. Complex Ions: Why a Species Can Act as a Ligand, and Coordination Number

    What determines whether a ligand is monodentate, bidentate, or multidentate?

    Show the answer
    The number of atoms in the ligand that have lone pairs capable of forming coordinate bonds with the metal ion.
  3. Substitution Reactions with Bidentate and Multidentate Ligands

    What type of reaction occurs when a bidentate or multidentate ligand replaces monodentate ligands in a complex?

    Show the answer
    A ligand substitution reaction.

Paper 2, Paper 3

Introduction to Organic Chemistry

106 questions in the guide, across 8 subtopics. More from this topic

  1. Nomenclature and Formula Representations

    What is the purpose of a structural formula?

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    To show how atoms are arranged and connected in a molecule.
  2. Homologous Series and General Formulae

    What is the general formula for alcohols?

    Show the answer
    CₙH₂ₙ₊₁OH or CₙH₂ₙ₊₂O
  3. IUPAC Naming: Stems, Prefixes and Suffixes

    What suffix is used to name an alkene?

    Show the answer
    -ene

Paper 2, Paper 3

Hydrocarbons

118 questions in the guide, across 7 subtopics. More from this topic

  1. Alkanes, Fractional Distillation and Cracking

    What property of the components allows fractional distillation to separate them?

    Show the answer
    Different boiling points
  2. Alkanes, Fractional Distillation and Cracking

    What type of catalyst is used in catalytic cracking?

    Show the answer
    Zeolite catalyst
  3. Combustion of Alkanes and Pollutants

    How are NOₓ pollutants formed in internal combustion engines?

    Show the answer
    Nitrogen and oxygen from the air react at the high temperatures inside the engine

Paper 2, Paper 3

Halogenoalkanes, Alcohols and Organic Analysis

175 questions in the guide, across 12 subtopics. More from this topic

  1. Nucleophilic Substitution of Halogenoalkanes

    In the reaction of a halogenoalkane with cyanide ions, what is the organic product?

    Show the answer
    A nitrile
  2. Effect of Bond Enthalpy on Reaction Rate

    Why do iodoalkanes react faster than chloroalkanes in nucleophilic substitution reactions?

    Show the answer
    The C-I bond has a lower bond enthalpy than the C-Cl bond, so it is easier to break.
  3. CFCs and Ozone Depletion

    What role do chlorine atoms play in the decomposition of ozone?

    Show the answer
    They catalyse the decomposition of ozone

Paper 2, Paper 3

Carbonyls, Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives

165 questions in the guide, across 12 subtopics. More from this topic

  1. Oxidation of Aldehydes and Distinguishing Tests

    What is the positive result when Fehling's solution reacts with an aldehyde?

    Show the answer
    A brick-red precipitate forms
  2. Reduction of Carbonyls with NaBH4

    If propanal is reduced with NaBH₄, what is the organic product?

    Show the answer
    Propan-1-ol
  3. Hazards of KCN and Formation of Enantiomers

    Why does the reaction of an aldehyde with KCN followed by dilute acid produce a mixture of enantiomers?

    Show the answer
    The planar carbonyl group can be attacked equally from either side by the cyanide nucleophile, producing both enantiomers in equal amounts.

Paper 2, Paper 3

Aromatic Chemistry and Amines

84 questions in the guide, across 7 subtopics. More from this topic

  1. Bonding and Stability of Benzene

    What effect does the delocalisation of electrons have on the stability of benzene?

    Show the answer
    It makes benzene more stable
  2. Bonding and Stability of Benzene

    How does the enthalpy of hydrogenation of benzene compare to the expected value for cyclohexa-1,3,5-triene?

    Show the answer
    The enthalpy of hydrogenation of benzene is less exothermic than expected for cyclohexa-1,3,5-triene, indicating benzene is more stable
  3. Electrophilic Substitution: Nitration

    Write the equation for the generation of the nitronium ion from the nitrating mixture.

    Show the answer
    HNO₃ + H₂SO₄ → NO₂⁺ + HSO₄⁻ + H₂O

Paper 2, Paper 3

Polymers, Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA

136 questions in the guide, across 11 subtopics. More from this topic

  1. Condensation Polymers: Polyesters

    Name a common polyester used as a textile fibre.

    Show the answer
    Terylene
  2. Condensation Polymers: Polyamides

    What is the name of the polyamide formed from hexanedioic acid and 1,6-diaminohexane?

    Show the answer
    Nylon 6,6
  3. Intermolecular Forces in Condensation Polymers

    What functional group in polyamides allows for hydrogen bonding?

    Show the answer
    The amide link (containing C=O and N-H groups)

Paper 2, Paper 3

Organic Synthesis, Nmr and Chromatography

138 questions in the guide, across 9 subtopics. More from this topic

  1. Multi-Step Synthesis Routes

    When devising a multi-step synthesis, which reactions should you draw on?

    Show the answer
    Only reactions from the A-level course you have already met
  2. Green Chemistry Principles in Synthesis Design

    Why do addition reactions have high atom economy?

    Show the answer
    All atoms from the reactants are incorporated into a single product with no by-products
  3. Principles of NMR and the Delta Scale

    What symbol is used to represent chemical shift in NMR spectroscopy?

    Show the answer
    δ (delta)

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