AQA GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science

Topic Questions

3.2 Calculating Mass of Substances

1a1 mark

This question is about elements in Group 2. 

A teacher burns magnesium in oxygen, O2.

Complete the word equation for the reaction.

magnesium + oxygen ⟶ ___________________

1b1 mark

Balance the equation for the reaction between magnesium and oxygen.

___Mg + O2 → ___MgO
1c2 marks

The teacher reacts calcium with water.

Ca + 2H2O → Ca(OH)2 + H2 

How many moles of reactant and product are there in this reaction?

      Moles of reactant = __________

      Moles of product =  __________

1d
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1 mark

According to the symbol equation, how many calcium atoms are present at the start of this reaction?

Tick (one box.

6.02 x 10–23  
6.23 x 10–23  
6.02 x 1023  
1e
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1 mark

According to the symbol equation, how many hydrogen atoms are present in the hydrogen gas produced during this reaction?

Tick (one box.

6.02 x 10–23  
6.02 x 1023  
1.20 x 1024  
1.20 x 10–24  

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2a
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1 mark

Ethanol, C2H5OH, can be formed by the hydration of ethene, C2H4.

Balance the equation for the hydration of ethene.

C2H4 + _____ → C2H5OH
2b
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2 marks

Calculate the relative formula mass (Mr) of ethanol, C2H5OH.

Relative atomic masses (Ar):     C = 12;     H = 1;     O = 16

2c
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2 marks

16.1 g of ethanol is produced in a hydration of ethene reaction.

How many moles of ethanol are in 16.1 g?

Use the equation:

Moles equals fraction numerator mass over denominator relative space formula space mass end fraction

2d
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1 mark

Calculate the number of moles of ethene that is required to produce 16.1 g of ethanol.

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3a
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1 mark

This question is about the reactions of metals and metal oxides.

9.6 g of magnesium is burned in oxygen to form magnesium oxide.

2Mg + O2 → 2MgO 

How many moles are in 9.6 g of magnesium?

Relative atomic mass (Ar): Mg = 24

Use the equation:

  Moles equals mass over straight M subscript straight r

3b
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1 mark

How many moles of magnesium oxide are produced when 9.6 g of magnesium is burned in oxygen?

3c
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1 mark

What mass of magnesium oxide is produced when 9.6 g of magnesium is burned in oxygen?

Use the equation:

Mass = moles x Mr 

3d
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3 marks

What mass of hydrogen is needed to react with 3.18 g of copper oxide?

CuO +  H2  →  Cu  +  H2O

Relative formula mass (Mr): CuO = 79.5

3e
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3 marks

Potassium is burned in oxygen to form potassium oxide.

4K + O2 → 2K2O

What mass of potassium oxide is formed when 1.95 g of potassium is burned in oxygen?

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4a
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4 marks

15.9 g of copper oxide reacts with 1.2 g of carbon to form 12.7 g of copper and 4.4 g of carbon dioxide.

The unbalanced equation for the reaction is:

CuO + C → Cu + CO2 

Relative atomic masses (Ar):    C = 12;     Cu = 63.5;     O = 16

Calculate the number of moles of each chemical in the equation.

Use the equation:

Moles equals mass over straight M subscript straight r

4b
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2 marks

Use your answer to part (a) to balance the equation. 

___CuO + ___C → ___Cu + ___CO2

4c
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4 marks

2.8 g of calcium oxide, CaO, reacts with 2.2 g of carbon dioxide to form 5.0 g of calcium carbonate, CaCO3.

Relative atomic masses (Ar):     Ca = 40;     C = 12;     O = 16

Use the number of moles of each chemical to write the balanced symbol equation for this reaction.

Show your working.

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5a1 mark

This question is about limiting reagents.

Which of the following statements about limiting reagents is not correct?

Tick () one box.

The limiting reagent is in excess  
The limiting reagent is used up first  
The limiting reagent controls the amount of product formed  
Doubling the amount of limiting reagent doubles the amount of product formed   
5b1 mark

Magnesium reacts with sulfur to form magnesium sulfide.

Write the word equation for this reaction.

5c
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4 marks

The balanced symbol equation for the reaction of magnesium with sulfur is:

Mg + S → MgS

1.8 g of magnesium is reacted with 1.8 g of sulfur.

Explain which chemical is the limiting reactant. Show your working.

Relative atomic masses (Ar):     Mg = 24;     S = 32

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6a1 mark

The concentration of a solution can be measured in different ways.

Which are the correct units for concentration in terms of the mass of a solid dissolved in a known quantity of liquid?

Circle the correct answer.

dm3 / g g / dm3 mol / dm3
6b
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3 marks

A student is asked to make a sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, NaHCO3 (aq).

The student uses 0.25 moles of sodium hydrogen carbonate.

Calculate the mass of sodium hydrogen carbonate that the student uses.

Relative atomic masses (Ar):     C = 12;     H = 1;     Na = 23;     O = 16

6c
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1 mark

What is the concentration of the student's solution in g / dm3?

6d
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2 marks

The student takes a 25 cm3 portion from their 1 dm3 sodium hydrogen carbonate solution.

There are 1000 cm3 in 1 dm3.

Estimate the mass of sodium hydrogen carbonate in the 25 cm3 portion.

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1a1 mark

This question is about the reaction of iron and chlorine.

A teacher uses the apparatus shown in Figure 1 to react iron with chlorine.

Figure 1

aqa-gcse-3-2h-q1a-iron--chlorine-glass-tube-demo

This is the teacher's method.

  • Record the mass of the weighing boat
  • Add iron and record the mass again
  • Heat the weighing boat and iron strongly for two minutes and then allow to cool
  • Record the mass of the weighing boat and its contents

Give an addition to the method to check that the iron has fully reacted with the chlorine.

1b2 marks

The iron is the limiting reagent in the reaction.

Explain one resulting safety precaution for this reaction.

1c
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3 marks

Table 1 shows the teacher's results.

Table 1

  Mass in g
empty weighing boat 11.76
weighing boat and iron 16.24
weighing boat and iron chloride 24.76


Use the teacher's results to show that the empirical formula of iron chloride is FeCl3.

Relative atomic masses (Ar):     Fe = 56,     Cl = 35.5

1d2 marks

Write the balanced symbol equation, including state symbols, for this reaction of iron and chlorine.

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2a1 mark

This question is about the redox reaction of tungsten oxide.

The word equation for the reaction is: 

tungsten oxide + hydrogen → tungsten + water

Explain, in terms of redox, the type of reaction that the tungsten oxide is undergoing.

2b2 marks

A teacher uses this apparatus in Figure 1 to for the reaction of tungsten oxide with hydrogen.

Figure 1

aqa-gcse-sq-3-5h-4a-tungsten-oxide-reduction

The teacher wears appropriate eye protection and a lab coat during the demonstration.

Explain one other safety precaution the teacher should take.

2c
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6 marks

The teacher weighed:

  • the glass tube
  • the glass tube and tungsten oxide before the reaction
  • the glass tube and tungsten after the reaction.

Table 1 shows the teacher’s results.

Table 1

  Mass in g
empty weighing boat  12.22
weighing boat and tungsten oxide  14.54
weighing boat and tungsten 14.06


Calculate the simplest whole number ratio of:

moles of tungsten atoms : moles of oxygen atoms

Determine the balanced equation for the reaction.

Relative atomic masses (Ar):     W = 184,     O = 16 

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3a1 mark

This question is about the reaction of zinc with sulfuric acid.

3.75 g of zinc oxide, ZnO (s), was added to 150 cmof 98 g/dmof sulfuric acid (aq) producing a salt.

Write a balanced symbol equation for this reaction. 

3b
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4 marks

Using the equation in part (a), deduce which is the limiting reactant in the reaction.

Show your full workings. 

Relative atomic masses (Ar):     Zn = 65,     O = 16,     H = 1,     S = 32

3c
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2 marks

Use your answer to part (b), to calculate the amount, in grams, of the salt produced.

Give your answer to 3 significant figures.

3d
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1 mark

Calculate the amount, in moles, of sulfuric acid at the end of the reaction.

Give your answer to 3 significant figures.

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4a2 marks

This question is about aluminium.

Aluminium can be extracted from aluminium oxide by electrolysis. 

The overall equation for the electrolysis of aluminium oxide is:

2Al2O3 → 4Al + 3O2 

Write the balanced half-equation, including state symbols, for the process at the negative electrode.

4b
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4 marks

Calculate the mass of oxygen, in kg, produced when 5000 kg of aluminium oxide is completely electrolysed.

Relative atomic masses (Ar):     O = 16,     Al = 27

4c
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6 marks

The thermite reaction of aluminium and iron oxide is used to weld train tracks together.

The equation for this reaction is:

2Al + Fe2O3 → 2Fe + Al2O3 

A 5.00 kg thermite mixture contains 20% aluminium and 80% iron oxide.

Show that aluminium is the limiting reactant.

Relative atomic masses (Ar):     O = 16,     Al = 27,     Fe = 56

4d1 mark

Explain why having aluminium as the limiting reactant in the thermite reaction is better for industrial applications.

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5a2 marks

Zinc-bromine batteries are rechargeable batteries that are being developed as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries.

They are less likely to overheat and catch fire compared to lithium-ion batteries.

The zinc-bromine battery has a zinc electrode and a carbon electrode with a solution of zinc bromide as the electrolyte.

Write the balanced symbol equation for the formation of zinc bromide, ZnBr2, using hydrobromic acid.

5b
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4 marks

Calculate the minimum mass of zinc that needs to be added to 5.00 cm3 of hydrobromic acid so that the hydrobromic acid fully reacts.

The density of hydrobromic acid is 1.49 g / cm3.

Relative atomic masses (Ar):     Zn = 65,     H = 1,     Br = 80

5c
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3 marks

In a second experiment, 5.00 g of zinc powder was reacted with hydrobromic acid.

Calculate the number of atoms of hydrogen produced.

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1a2 marks

The amount of substances can be described in different ways.

Complete the sentences. 

One mole of a substance is the relative formula mass in ____________________

The relative atomic mass of an element compares the mass of an atom of an element with the mass of an atom of ____________________ 

1b2 marks

Explain the meaning of the term “mole”.

1c3 marks

Describe the link between the mole and the relative atomic mass of an element.

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2a2 marks

Calcium sulfate is used as a coagulant in the production of tofu and to make Plaster of Paris. 

The molecular formula of calcium sulfate is CaSO4

Calculate the relative formula mass (Mr) of CaSO4. 

Relative atomic masses: O = 16; S = 32; Ca = 40. 

Relative formula mass (Mr) = _______________

2b1 mark

What is the mass of one mole of calcium sulfate?

2c1 mark

What mass of calcium sulfate would be needed to provide 18 grams of calcium?

2d1 mark

Calculate the number of moles in 320 g of Fe2O3. 

You may need to use the periodic table to answer this question.

2e1 mark

Calculate the number of moles in 14 g of C2H4.

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3a3 marks

Magnesium and steam react to produce magnesium oxide and hydrogen gas.

A student carried out the reaction using the apparatus shown in Figure 1 below.

 Figure 1

SE8zj9ar_aqa-gcse-3-2m-q3a

The balanced equation for the reaction is:

Mg (s) + H2O (g) → MgO (s) + H2 (g)

The student used 2.00 g of Mg.

Using the equation, calculate the maximum mass of magnesium oxide produced. 

Give your answer to three significant figures. 

Relative atomic masses (Ar): O = 16; Mg = 24

Maximum mass MgO = ____________________ g

3b2 marks

A student uses 75 cm 3 of a copper (II) sulfate solution of 90 g / dm3 in an experiment. 

What mass of copper (II) sulfate is dissolved in 75 cm 3 of this solution? 

Mass = ____________________ g

3c4 marks

Another student uses a 0.20 mol / dm3 solution of sodium hydroxide in an acid - base reaction. 

Calculate the mass of sodium hydroxide in 250 cm3 of a 0.20 mol / dm3 solution. 

Relative formula mass (Mr): NaOH = 40

Mass of sodium hydroxide = ___________________ g

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4a1 mark

Copper oxide (CuO) was reacted with methane (CH4) in the apparatus shown below in Figure 1.

Figure 1

3-2-calculating-mass-of-substances-medium-q4a

Balance the equation for the reaction: 

__CuO (s) +  __CH4 (g) → __Cu (s) +  __H2O (g) + __CO2 (g)
4b3 marks

Use the equation to calculate the mass of copper that could be made from 6.0 g of copper oxide.

Mass of copper = _______________________ g

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5a3 marks

Iron (III) chloride is used in industrial waste treatment, in water purification and in the production of electronic circuit boards.

One method of producing iron (III) chloride is reacting iron with chlorine:

2Fe + 3 Cl2 → 2FeCl3

Calculate the maximum mass of FeCl3 that can be produced from 14.0 g of iron. 

Relative atomic masses (Ar): Cl = 35.5; Fe = 56

Maximum mass of FeCl3 = _______________ g

5b4 marks

A student wanted to make 12.0 g of copper chloride by reacting copper carbonate with hydrochloric acid. The equation for the reaction is as follows: 

CuCO3 + 2HCl  →  CuCl2 + H2O + CO2
 

Relative atomic masses, Ar: H = 1; C = 12; O = 16; Cl = 35.5; Cu = 63.5

Calculate the mass of CuCO3 the student needs to react with dilute hydrochloric acid to make 12.0 g of copper chloride.

Mass of copper carbonate = _________________________ g

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6a1 mark

This question is about Avogadro's constant. 

How many grams are there in one mole of carbon?

6b1 mark

How many atoms are present in one mole of chlorine atoms?

Tick (✔) one box.

6.02 × 1023

 

6.02 × 1024

 

7.02 × 1023

 

8.02 × 1026

 
6c1 mark

How many atoms are present in one mole of oxygen molecules?

Tick (✔) one box.

1.24 × 1024

 

1.204 × 1024

 

12.04 × 1022

 

6.02 × 1046

 
6d1 mark

Methanol is produced on an industrial scale by reacting carbon monoxide with hydrogen. 

The equation for the reaction is: 

CO (g) + 2H2 (g) ⇌ CH3OH (g)

How many moles of CO react completely with 6.0 × 103 moles of H2?

Tick (✔) one box

3.0 × 103

 

2.0 × 103

 

2.5 × 103

 

9.0 × 103

 

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7a3 marks

A chemist prepares some zinc iodide (ZnI2) to use as a catalyst in the production of some organic compounds. 

The equation for the reaction is:
 

Zn + I2 ⟶ ZnI2 

Calculate the minimum mass of zinc that should be added to 0.600 g of iodine so that the iodine fully reacts. 

Relative atomic masses (Ar): Zn = 65; I = 127

Minimum mass of Zn = ____________________ g

7b5 marks

Titanium is extracted from titanium dioxide in a two step industrial process:

      Step 1     TiO2 + 2C + 2Cl2 ⟶ TiCl4 + 2CO

      Step 2     TiCl4 + 4Na ⟶ Ti + 4NaCl

In step 2, 40 kg of TiCl4 is added to 20 kg of Na.

The equation for the reaction is:

TiCl4 + 4Na ⟶ Ti + 4NaCl

Relative atomic masses (Ar): Na = 23; Cl = 35.5; Ti = 48

Explain why titanium chloride is the limiting reactant.

You must show your working.

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