AQA GCSE Chemistry Chemistry Paper 2 (Foundation), November 2020: Question 5
8 marks · Low Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Answer questions about the composition, properties, and uses of various alloys, including bronze, brass, gold, and steels.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
05 This question is about alloys.
Bronze and brass are both alloys which contain copper.
05.1 Bronze is an alloy of copper and one other metal.
What is the other metal in bronze?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Aluminium
Tin
Zinc
05.2 Give one use of brass.
[1 mark]
Alloys of gold are used to make jewellery.
05.3 The proportion of gold in an alloy is measured in carats:
• pure gold is 24 carat
• 50% gold is 12 carat.
Table 3 shows information about two gold rings, A and B.
A and B contain only gold and silver.
Complete Table 3.
[2 marks]
Table 3
Mass of metal in grams
Gold ring Carat
gold silver
A 7 7
B 18 9
05.4 Suggest two reasons why alloys of gold are used instead of pure gold to
make jewellery.
[2 marks]
Steels are alloys of iron.
05.5 Spoons are made of stainless steel.
Spoons:
• are washed after use
• must not wear away quickly.
Suggest one reason why stainless steel is suitable for making spoons.
[1 mark]
05.6 Steel horseshoes are shaped to fit the feet of horses.
Which type of steel is most easily shaped into horseshoes?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
High carbon steel
Low carbon steel
Stainless steel
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 5
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
AO1
05.1 tin 1
4.10.3.2
any one from: 1
05.2 AO1
• ornaments 4.10.3.2
• musical instruments
• hinges / knobs / screws
allow any correct use of brass
05.3 (A) 12 (carat) 1 AO2
4.10.3.2
(B) 3 (grams) 1
allow converse statements
05.4 about pure gold AO1
any two from: 2 AO3
4.2.2.7
• (alloy of gold is) harder 4.10.3.2
• (alloy of gold is) cheaper
• aesthetic reasons
05.5 any one from: 1 AO2
4.10.3.1
• does not corrode allow will not rust 4.10.3.2
• does not react with water
• is hard
05.6 low carbon steel 1 AO3
4.10.3.2
Total 8
How to answer it
Alloys: Compositions, Properties & Uses
What this question tests
- Recall of common alloy compositions: Bronze (copper + tin) and Brass (copper + zinc).
- Everyday uses of alloys: Brass for fittings/musical instruments and stainless steel for cutlery.
- Carat calculations: Understanding proportion by mass of gold based on a 24-carat system.
- Structure & properties: Why pure gold is alloyed for jewellery (hardness, cost) and how carbon content alters the properties of steel.
Bronze Composition
Identify the metal mixed with copper to make bronze
✅ Correct Answer
Tick: Tin [1 mark]
💡 Key Knowledge
- Bronze = Copper + Tin
- Brass = Copper + Zinc
- Memory Trick: The metal with a 'z' in its name (bronze) does not contain zinc!
Uses of Brass
State one practical application of brass
✅ Correct Answer
Any one from: [1 mark]
- Musical instruments (e.g. trumpets, horns)
- Ornaments / decorative items
- Door knobs / handles / locks / hinges / screws
- Taps / plumbing fittings
🧠 Exam Technique
Always name a specific everyday object. Vague answers like "building things" or "in factories" will not gain credit.
Carat Rating Calculations
Complete Table 3 for Gold Rings A and B
📐 Step-by-Step Calculations
1. Total mass = 7 g (gold) + 7 g (silver) = 14 g
2. Fraction of gold = 7 / 14 = 0.50 (50% gold)
3. Carat = 50% of 24 carats = 12 (carat)
1. 18 carat = 18 / 24 = 3/4 = 75% gold
2. The remaining 25% (1/4) must be silver.
3. If 75% (3 parts) = 9 g, then 1 part = 9 / 3 = 3 (grams) of silver.
✅ Final Completed Values
- Ring A (Carat): 12
- Ring B (Mass of silver): 3
❌ Common Errors
- Working out 18% of 9 g instead of using the 24-carat scale.
- Forgetting that total mass is gold + silver combined.
Why Alloy Gold for Jewellery?
Suggest two reasons why gold alloys are preferred over pure gold
✅ Correct Answer
Any two reasons: [2 marks]
- An alloy of gold is harder / pure gold is too soft (wears away/scratches easily).
- An alloy of gold is cheaper (silver/copper are cheaper than gold).
- Aesthetic reasons (e.g. changes the colour, like white gold or rose gold).
💡 Why are Alloys Harder?
In pure gold, regular layers of identical atoms slide easily over each other. Adding different-sized atoms distorts the layers, stopping them from sliding easily.
❌ Common Errors
Do not say "it has a higher melting point" or "to make it lighter". Focus on hardness / durability and cost.
Properties of Stainless Steel
Explain why stainless steel is suitable for cutlery
✅ Correct Answer
Any one from: [1 mark]
- Does not corrode / will not rust.
- Does not react with water / acidic food.
- It is hard / strong / does not wear away easily.
🧠 Exam Technique
The question prompt gave two clues: "washed after use" (needs corrosion resistance) and "must not wear away" (needs hardness). Always link your answer directly to the context provided!
Selecting Steel Types
Identify the steel most easily shaped into horseshoes
✅ Correct Answer
Tick: Low carbon steel [1 mark]
💡 Key Knowledge: Steel Properties
- Low carbon steel: Soft, easily shaped (malleable). Ideal for car body panels, horseshoes.
- High carbon steel: Hard, strong, but brittle. Ideal for cutting tools, drill bits.
- Stainless steel (with Cr/Ni): Hard, resistant to corrosion. Ideal for cutlery, medical instruments.
Topics
Chemistry · C10: Using Resources · C2: Bonding, Structure and the Properties of Matter
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Chemistry examination, Chemistry Paper 2 (Foundation), November 2020. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.