AQA GCSE Chemistry Chemistry Paper 2 (Higher), November 2020: Question 5

8 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Extended Answer

Evaluate the use of paper, polymers, and ceramics for making food plates using life cycle assessments and describe how ceramics are made from clay.

Practise this question

Question

Question 5 shows Table 2 comparing three food plate materials: Paper, Polymers, and Ceramics. The table details: Raw material (Wood, Crude oil, Mined clay); Number packaged in 10 dm³ cardboard box (500, 100, 50); Average number of times used (1, 400, 1000); Biodegradable? (Yes, No, No); Recyclable? (Yes, Yes, No). Part 05.1 asks to suggest two pieces of energy usage information needed for a complete LCA (2 marks). Part 05.2 asks students to evaluate the use of these materials for making food plates using LCA stages and Table 2 (4 marks). Part 05.3 asks how ceramic food plates are produced from clay (2 marks).
Question text

05 This question is about materials used to make food plates.

Food plates are made from paper, polymers or ceramics.

Table 2 shows information about plates of the same diameter made from each of

these materials.

Table 2

Food plate material

Paper Polymers Ceramics

Raw material Wood Crude oil Mined clay

Number packaged in

3 500 100 50

10 dm cardboard box

Average number of

1 400 1000

times used

Biodegradable? Yes No No

Recyclable? Yes Yes No

05.1 Table 2 does not show information about energy usage.

Suggest two pieces of information about energy usage which would help to produce

a complete life cycle assessment (LCA) for the three food plate materials.

[2 marks]

05.2 Evaluate the use of these materials for making food plates.

You should use features of life cycle assessments (LCAs).

Use Table 2.

[4 marks]

05.3 Describe how ceramic food plates are produced from clay.

[2 marks]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme Mark scheme for Question 5. For 05.1 (2 marks), any two from energy used in: extraction of raw materials, processing raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, cleaning non-disposable plates, disposal, recycling. For 05.2 (4 marks, Levels 1 and 2), indicative content covers raw materials (renewable vs finite), manufacturing and packaging, use and operation (single use vs durable), disposal (landfill vs recycling), and a reasoned judgement. For 05.3 (2 marks), wet clay is shaped (1 mark) and heated in a furnace/kiln/oven/fired (1 mark). Total: 8 marks.

Question 5

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

05.1 any two from: 2 AO3

4.10.2.1

energy used in:

• extraction of raw materials

• processing raw materials allow energy used to make food

plate materials

• manufacturing

• transportation

• cleaning

non-disposable plates

• disposal

• recycling

Question 5 (continued)

AO/

Question Answers Mark

Spec. Ref

Level 2: A judgement, strongly linked and logically supported by a

05.2

sufficient range of correct reasons, is given. 3‒4 AO3

4.10.1.1

Level 1: Some logically linked reasons are given. There may also 4.10.2.1

be a simple judgement. 1‒2 4.10.2.2

No relevant content 0

Indicative content

Raw materials

• Trees are renewable

• Crude oil and clay are finite

Manufacturing and packaging

• Paper plates use the least packaging so conserve raw materials

• Paper plates need less transportation overall as more plates in a

10 dm3 cardboard box

Use and operation

• Paper plates are single use so must be replaced most often

• Ceramic plates last longer than polymer plates so must be

replaced less often

Disposal

• Polymer / ceramic plates take up landfill which is running out

• Paper / polymer plates can be used to make new products

• Recycling conserves raw materials 13

Reasoned judgement

AO /

Spec. Ref.

05.3 (wet) clay is shaped 1 AO1

4.10.3.3

(and) heated in a furnace allow (and) heated in a kiln / 1

oven

allow (and) fired

Total 8

How to answer it

Life Cycle Assessments & Ceramics (Food Plates)

📋 What this question tests

This question evaluates your understanding of Using Resources (AQA Topic 10), specifically:

  • Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs): Identifying the stages of an LCA (extracting raw materials, manufacturing & packaging, use & operation, disposal) and recognising energy requirements at each stage.
  • Evaluating comparative data: Comparing renewable vs finite resources, durability, recyclability, and waste implications, followed by making a justified conclusion.
  • Ceramics manufacturing: Knowing the direct two-step process used to make traditional pottery and ceramics from clay.
Question 05.1

Energy Usage in Life Cycle Assessments (2 marks)

Suggest two pieces of information about energy usage needed for a complete LCA

✅ Correct Answers (Choose any two)

Energy used in:

  • Extraction of raw materials (or processing raw materials)
  • Manufacturing / production of the plates
  • Transportation / distribution of materials or finished products
  • Cleaning / washing non-disposable plates during use
  • Disposal or recycling of the plates at end of life

💡 Key Knowledge: The 4 LCA Stages

Every complete Life Cycle Assessment must consider environmental impact and energy input across four distinct stages:

  1. Extracting and processing raw materials
  2. Manufacturing and packaging
  3. Use and operation during its lifetime
  4. Disposal at the end of useful life

🧠 Exam Technique

The prompt asks for pieces of information about energy usage. Do not just name a stage (e.g. "transport"); phrase it clearly as energy consumption, e.g.:

  • "Energy used to transport the plates to shops" [1 mark]
  • "Energy required to wash/clean polymer and ceramic plates during use" [1 mark]

❌ Common Errors

  • Vague answers: Stating just "how much energy it needs" without specifying the stage.
  • Confusing energy with material quantities: Answering with "how much wood is cut down" instead of energy-related data.
  • Forgetting the 'use' phase: Students often forget that reusable plates consume hot water and electricity (dishwashers) during their lifespan.
Mark Scheme: 1 mark per valid stage where energy is quantified (maximum 2 marks). Allow: "energy used to make food plate materials".
Question 05.2

Evaluating Plate Materials Using LCA Stages (4 marks)

Evaluate the use of paper, polymers, and ceramics for making food plates

Property (Table 2) Paper Polymers Ceramics
Raw material Wood (Renewable) Crude oil (Finite) Mined clay (Finite)
Packaged per 10 dm³ box 500 (Most compact) 100 50 (Least compact)
Average uses 1 (Single use) 400 1000 (Most durable)
Biodegradable? Yes No No
Recyclable? Yes Yes No

💡 Structured Evaluation Points

  • Raw materials: Wood is renewable (trees can be replanted); crude oil and mined clay are finite resources.
  • Packaging & Transport: Paper plates pack 500 per box (10× more than ceramics), requiring less packaging material and fewer transport journeys.
  • Use: Paper is single-use (wastes resources quickly); ceramics last 1000 uses and polymers 400 uses, meaning far fewer plates need replacing.
  • End of Life: Paper is biodegradable and recyclable; polymers can be recycled into new products; ceramics are non-biodegradable and cannot be recycled (take up scarce landfill space).

✅ Model Answer (Level 2: 4 Marks)

"Wood for paper is a renewable resource, whereas crude oil and clay are finite. Paper plates are also compact (500 fit in 10 dm³), reducing transportation emissions and packaging compared to ceramics (only 50)."

"However, paper plates last only 1 use, while ceramic plates last 1000 uses, drastically reducing raw material consumption over time. At disposal, paper biodegrades and polymers can be recycled, whereas ceramics neither biodegrade nor recycle, ending up in landfill."

Conclusion: "Overall, ceramic plates are better for long-term domestic use because their high reuse (1000 uses) offsets the mining impact, whereas paper is preferable for temporary events as it is renewable and biodegradable."

🧠 How to Get 4/4 Marks

  • Cover multiple LCA stages: Address at least raw materials, use/packaging, and disposal.
  • Use comparative language: Say "paper is renewable whereas oil is finite" or "ceramics last longer than polymers". Don't just list data.
  • Always give a final judgement: A Level 2 answer (3–4 marks) requires a clear conclusion supported by your points.

❌ Common Errors

  • Merely copying the table: Writing "Paper: Wood, 500, 1, Yes, Yes" gets 0 marks. You must interpret what the data means environmentally.
  • Forgetting the conclusion: Without a final reasoned judgement, the response is capped at Level 1 (max 2 marks).
Mark Scheme (Levelled):
• Level 2 (3–4 marks): A reasoned judgement, strongly linked and logically supported by a sufficient range of correct points across LCA stages.
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): Some logically linked comparative points given. A simple judgement may or may not be present.
Question 05.3

Production of Ceramics (2 marks)

Describe how ceramic food plates are produced from clay

✅ Correct Answer

  1. Step 1: (Wet) clay is shaped [1 mark]
  2. Step 2: (and then) heated in a furnace (or kiln / oven, or fired) [1 mark]

💡 Key Knowledge: Traditional Ceramics

Clay is a natural, mineral-rich material dug from the ground. When wet, it is soft and malleable, allowing it to be molded into shapes (plates, bowls, bricks).

Heating clay to very high temperatures in a kiln/furnace causes chemical changes and crystal bonds to form, making the material hard, rigid, and heat-resistant.

❌ Common Errors

  • Missing the heating step: Stating that clay is just "left to dry" or "baked in the sun". A furnace/kiln/oven is required for true ceramic bonding.
  • Confusing glass and clay ceramics: Mentioning "melting sand and limestone" (that is how soda-lime glass is made, not clay ceramics).
Mark Scheme:
• Mark 1: (wet) clay is shaped
• Mark 2: (and) heated in a furnace (allow: kiln / oven / fired)

Topics

Chemistry · C10: Using Resources

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Chemistry examination, Chemistry Paper 2 (Higher), November 2020. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.