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Complete Collection of GCSE Chemistry Paper 1 Combined Science (Higher, AQA Trilogy) 6 Mark Questions
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Felicia
@felicia_wgsv
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Metal Reactivity Investigation
Ever wondered why some metals fizz more violently in acid than others? This experiment sorts metals by how reactive they are using a simple temperature test.
You'll measure equal volumes of hydrochloric acid in polystyrene cups, record the starting temperature, then add the same mass of different metals one at a time. The key is keeping everything consistent - same acid concentration, same metal mass, same time period. Stir the mixture and measure the final temperature after a set time.
The most reactive metal produces the biggest temperature change because it releases more energy during the reaction. This heat release is your clue to ranking the metals from most to least reactive.
Top Tip: Always use the same physical state of metal (powder vs chunks) - surface area massively affects reaction speed!
Making Salts from Metal Oxides
Creating pure salt crystals from acids and metal oxides is surprisingly satisfying once you nail the technique.
Warm your acid first, then gradually add metal oxide until you have excess solid remaining - this ensures all the acid reacts. Filter out the leftover metal oxide, and you'll have a clear filtrate containing your dissolved salt.
Gentle heating using a water bath partially evaporates the water, concentrating your solution. Leave it to cool naturally, and beautiful crystals will form as the salt comes out of solution.
Watch Out: Never heat too quickly or you'll get powder instead of proper crystals!
Thermal Decomposition of Metal Carbonates
This experiment reveals how different metals affect the breakdown of carbonates when heated.
Start by weighing your empty test tube, add the metal carbonate, then weigh again to find the exact mass used. Heat the sample, cool it down, and weigh it repeatedly until the mass stops changing - this means decomposition is complete.
The missing mass equals the carbon dioxide that escaped during heating. By comparing results from different metal carbonates, you can see which ones decompose most easily.
Key Point: Keep heating and weighing until you get consistent results - incomplete decomposition ruins your data!
Temperature Changes with Dissolving Salts
Some salts make water warmer when they dissolve, others make it colder - this investigation shows you why.
Use insulated containers to prevent heat loss, measure your starting water temperature, then add known masses of different salts. Record the final temperature and calculate the difference.
Repeat with identical water volumes but different salt masses to see how the amount affects temperature change. This data reveals whether dissolving is an exothermic or endothermic process for each salt.
Remember: Good insulation is crucial - heat loss to surroundings will mess up your results!
Comparing Sodium Chloride and Hydrogen Chloride
These compounds might both contain chlorine, but their bonding and structure couldn't be more different.
Sodium chloride has ionic bonds where electrons transfer from metal to non-metal, creating a giant lattice structure. The electrostatic forces are incredibly strong and act in all directions. Hydrogen chloride uses covalent bonds where non-metals share electrons, forming small molecules held together by weak intermolecular forces.
Both create full electron shells and have strong bonds within their structures, but their physical properties differ dramatically because of their arrangements.
Exam Tip: Remember - ionic = transfer electrons, covalent = share electrons!
Identifying Mystery Oxides
You can identify different oxides just by testing their pH when dissolved in water.
Sodium oxide gives pH 14 (strongly alkaline), phosphorus oxide gives pH 3 (acidic), while magnesium oxide reaches pH 9 (weakly alkaline). Silicon oxide stays neutral at pH 7 and doesn't fully dissolve.
The solubility patterns also provide clues - some dissolve completely while others leave solid residues even after thorough stirring.
Quick Check: Metal oxides = alkaline, non-metal oxides = acidic!
Halogen Reactivity Trends
Halogens get less reactive as you move down Group 7 because of their electronic structure.
All halogens have 7 outer electrons and need to gain 1 more for stability. However, atoms further down the group have more electron shells, so the attractive force from the nucleus weakens. This makes it harder for larger halogen atoms to grab that extra electron.
More shells mean more distance from the nucleus and more shielding from inner electrons, reducing the pull on incoming electrons.
Pattern Tip: Down the group = more shells = weaker attraction = less reactive!
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Anna
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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Complete Collection of GCSE Chemistry Paper 1 Combined Science (Higher, AQA Trilogy) 6 Mark Questions
F
Felicia
@felicia_wgsv
Chemistry practicals are a massive part of your GCSE, and these key experiments will likely show up on your exams. From metal reactivity to acid reactions, mastering these methods will boost your confidence in both the lab and on paper.
Metal Reactivity Investigation
Ever wondered why some metals fizz more violently in acid than others? This experiment sorts metals by how reactive they are using a simple temperature test.
You'll measure equal volumes of hydrochloric acid in polystyrene cups, record the starting temperature, then add the same mass of different metals one at a time. The key is keeping everything consistent - same acid concentration, same metal mass, same time period. Stir the mixture and measure the final temperature after a set time.
The most reactive metal produces the biggest temperature change because it releases more energy during the reaction. This heat release is your clue to ranking the metals from most to least reactive.
Top Tip: Always use the same physical state of metal (powder vs chunks) - surface area massively affects reaction speed!
Making Salts from Metal Oxides
Creating pure salt crystals from acids and metal oxides is surprisingly satisfying once you nail the technique.
Warm your acid first, then gradually add metal oxide until you have excess solid remaining - this ensures all the acid reacts. Filter out the leftover metal oxide, and you'll have a clear filtrate containing your dissolved salt.
Gentle heating using a water bath partially evaporates the water, concentrating your solution. Leave it to cool naturally, and beautiful crystals will form as the salt comes out of solution.
Watch Out: Never heat too quickly or you'll get powder instead of proper crystals!
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Thermal Decomposition of Metal Carbonates
This experiment reveals how different metals affect the breakdown of carbonates when heated.
Start by weighing your empty test tube, add the metal carbonate, then weigh again to find the exact mass used. Heat the sample, cool it down, and weigh it repeatedly until the mass stops changing - this means decomposition is complete.
The missing mass equals the carbon dioxide that escaped during heating. By comparing results from different metal carbonates, you can see which ones decompose most easily.
Key Point: Keep heating and weighing until you get consistent results - incomplete decomposition ruins your data!
Temperature Changes with Dissolving Salts
Some salts make water warmer when they dissolve, others make it colder - this investigation shows you why.
Use insulated containers to prevent heat loss, measure your starting water temperature, then add known masses of different salts. Record the final temperature and calculate the difference.
Repeat with identical water volumes but different salt masses to see how the amount affects temperature change. This data reveals whether dissolving is an exothermic or endothermic process for each salt.
Remember: Good insulation is crucial - heat loss to surroundings will mess up your results!
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Improve your grades
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By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Comparing Sodium Chloride and Hydrogen Chloride
These compounds might both contain chlorine, but their bonding and structure couldn't be more different.
Sodium chloride has ionic bonds where electrons transfer from metal to non-metal, creating a giant lattice structure. The electrostatic forces are incredibly strong and act in all directions. Hydrogen chloride uses covalent bonds where non-metals share electrons, forming small molecules held together by weak intermolecular forces.
Both create full electron shells and have strong bonds within their structures, but their physical properties differ dramatically because of their arrangements.
Exam Tip: Remember - ionic = transfer electrons, covalent = share electrons!
Identifying Mystery Oxides
You can identify different oxides just by testing their pH when dissolved in water.
Sodium oxide gives pH 14 (strongly alkaline), phosphorus oxide gives pH 3 (acidic), while magnesium oxide reaches pH 9 (weakly alkaline). Silicon oxide stays neutral at pH 7 and doesn't fully dissolve.
The solubility patterns also provide clues - some dissolve completely while others leave solid residues even after thorough stirring.
Quick Check: Metal oxides = alkaline, non-metal oxides = acidic!
Halogen Reactivity Trends
Halogens get less reactive as you move down Group 7 because of their electronic structure.
All halogens have 7 outer electrons and need to gain 1 more for stability. However, atoms further down the group have more electron shells, so the attractive force from the nucleus weakens. This makes it harder for larger halogen atoms to grab that extra electron.
More shells mean more distance from the nucleus and more shielding from inner electrons, reducing the pull on incoming electrons.
Pattern Tip: Down the group = more shells = weaker attraction = less reactive!
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
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4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user