AQA GCSE Chemistry Chemistry Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2022: Question 3

8 marks · Low Demand difficulty · Short Answer

Identify metals from reactivity observations with acid, name reagents for zinc sulfate production, match pH to universal indicator colours, and identify titration equipment.

Practise this question

Question

Question 3 includes six parts about acids and reactions. Figure 4 shows four test tubes containing hydrochloric acid and a metal sample: tube A has two gas bubbles, tube B has no bubbles, tube C has seven bubbles, and tube D has four bubbles. Questions 03.1 and 03.2 ask to identify copper and the most reactive metal by ticking boxes A, B, C, or D. Question 03.3 asks to name the metal oxide and acid used to produce zinc sulfate and water. Question 03.4 asks to match pH values 1 and 7 to colours (Blue, Green, Purple, Red, Yellow). Question 03.5 asks for the reaction type between an acid and alkali (Combustion, Decomposition, Neutralisation). Figure 5 shows a graduated glass tube with a stopcock tap at the bottom, and Question 03.6 asks to name it from Burette, Pipette, Syringe, or Tube.
Question text

03 This question is about acids.

A student added four metals, A, B, C and D to hydrochloric acid.

Figure 4 shows the rate of bubbling in each tube.

Figure 4

Use Figure 4 to answer questions 03.1 and 03.2.

03.1 Which metal is copper?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

A B C D

03.2 Which metal is the most reactive?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

A B C D

03.3 A metal oxide reacts with an acid to produce zinc sulfate and water.

Name the metal oxide and the acid used in this reaction.

[2 marks]

Name of metal oxide

Name of acid 11

03.4 Universal indicator is used to measure the pH of a solution.

Draw one line from each pH to the colour of universal indicator in a solution with

that pH.

[2 marks]

Colour of universal

pH

indicator

Blue

Green

Purple

Red

12 Yellow

A student reacts an acid with an alkali in a titration.

03.5 What is the type of reaction when an acid reacts with an alkali?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Combustion

Decomposition

Neutralisation

03.6 Figure 5 shows a piece of equipment used to measure the volume of the acid in

the titration.

Figure 5

What is the name of this piece of equipment?

[1 mark]

Tick ( ) one box.

Burette

Pipette

Syringe

Tube

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme Mark scheme for Question 3 listing answers for each sub-question: 03.1 is B (1 mark, AO3 4.4.1.2); 03.2 is C (1 mark, AO3 4.4.1.2); 03.3 is zinc (oxide) [allow ZnO] and sulfuric (acid) [allow H2SO4] (1 mark each, 2 marks total, AO2 4.4.2.2); 03.4 links pH 1 to Red and pH 7 to Green (1 mark each, 2 marks total, AO1 4.4.2.4); 03.5 is neutralisation (1 mark, AO1 4.4.2.4); 03.6 is burette (1 mark, AO1 4.4.2.5 RPA2). Total question marks: 8.

Question 3

AO /

Question Answers Extra information Mark

Spec. Ref.

03.1 B 1 AO3

4.4.1.2

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.2 C 1 AO3

4.4.1.2

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.3 zinc (oxide) allow ZnO 1 AO2

4.4.2.2

sulfuric (acid) allow H2SO4 1

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.4 AO1

4.4.2.4

do not accept more than one line from a box on the left

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.5 neutralisation 1 AO1

4.4.2.4

AO /

Spec. Ref.

03.6 burette 1 AO1

4.4.2.5

RPA2

Total Question 3 8

How to answer it

Reactions of Acids, Reactivity, pH & Titration Apparatus

What this question tests

This Foundation-tier question assesses core knowledge across AQA Topic 4 (Chemical Changes):

  • Reactivity of metals with acid: Linking rate of hydrogen effervescence (bubbles) to the position of a metal in the reactivity series.
  • Naming salts and reactants: Deducing the parent acid and base from the name of the salt product (zinc sulfate).
  • pH Scale & Indicators: Recalling Universal Indicator colours for strongly acidic and neutral solutions.
  • Types of chemical reactions: Identifying neutralization between an acid and an alkali.
  • Practical equipment: Identifying key titration apparatus (burette).
Questions 03.1 & 03.2

Metals Reacting with Hydrochloric Acid

Identifying unreactive metals and most reactive metals from observations

✅ Correct Answers

  • 03.1: B [1 mark]
  • 03.2: C [1 mark]

💡 Key Knowledge

  • When metals react with acid:
    metal + acid → salt + hydrogen
  • Hydrogen gas produces visible bubbles (effervescence).
  • Copper is below hydrogen in the reactivity series, so it does not react with dilute acid (0 bubbles → tube B).
  • The most reactive metal reacts the fastest, producing the greatest number of bubbles (tube C).

🧠 Exam Technique

Carefully count or compare the density of bubbles in each test tube shown in Figure 4:

  • Tube B = No bubbles → Least reactive / Unreactive
  • Tube A = 3 bubbles
  • Tube D = 5 bubbles
  • Tube C = 8 bubbles → Most reactive

❌ Common Errors

  • Selecting A for copper because it has few bubbles (copper has zero reaction with hydrochloric acid).
  • Confusing "most reactive" with "least reactive" due to rushing through the question.
Total for 03.1 & 03.2: 2 marks
Question 03.3

Making Salts: Naming Reactants

Working backwards from the salt name "zinc sulfate"

✅ Correct Answers

  • Name of metal oxide: zinc oxide (allow ZnO ) [1 mark]
  • Name of acid: sulfuric acid (allow H₂SO₄ ) [1 mark]

💡 Key Knowledge: Salt Naming Rules

Every salt gets its two-part name from the reactants used:

  • First part (Metal): Comes from the base/metal oxide → zinc comes from zinc oxide.
  • Second part (Ending): Comes from the acid:
    • Hydrochloric acid → chloride
    • Sulfuric acid → sulfate
    • Nitric acid → nitrate

zinc oxide + sulfuric acid → zinc sulfate + water

❌ Common Errors

  • Writing just "zinc" instead of zinc oxide (the question explicitly asks for a metal oxide).
  • Spelling mistakes in chemical formulas (e.g., writing H2SO3 or incorrect capitalization like zno ). Stick to the full chemical name if unsure of formulas!
Mark scheme: 1 mark for zinc (oxide), 1 mark for sulfuric (acid). Total: 2 marks
Question 03.4

Universal Indicator & pH Scale

Matching pH values to indicator colours

✅ Correct Answers

  • Line from 1 → Red [1 mark]
  • Line from 7 → Green [1 mark]

💡 Key Knowledge: Universal Indicator Spectrum

  • pH 1–2: Strongly acidic → Red
  • pH 3–6: Weakly acidic → Orange / Yellow
  • pH 7: Neutral (pure water) → Green
  • pH 8–11: Weakly alkaline → Blue
  • pH 12–14: Strongly alkaline → Purple / Violet

🧠 Exam Technique

Notice the rule on the mark scheme: "do not accept more than one line from a box on the left".

  • Always use a ruler to draw neat, straight lines.
  • If you change your mind, clearly cross out the incorrect line completely; never leave two lines originating from the same box.

❌ Common Errors

  • Mixing up Blue/Purple (alkali) with Red (acid).
  • Thinking pH 7 is yellow or blue instead of green.
Mark scheme: Exactly one line from each box on the left. 1 mark each. Total: 2 marks
Questions 03.5 & 03.6

Titration Reaction & Equipment

Reaction types and naming volumetric glassware

✅ Correct Answers

  • 03.5: Neutralisation [1 mark]
  • 03.6: Burette [1 mark]

💡 Key Knowledge

  • Acid + Alkali: The ionic equation is H⁺(aq) + OH⁻(aq) → H₂O(l) , which is defined as a neutralisation reaction.
  • Burette: A long, narrow glass tube with volume markings and a tap (stopcock) at the bottom. It delivers variable, accurate volumes of liquid during a titration.
  • Pipette: Used to measure one fixed volume (usually 25 cm³) accurately into a conical flask.

❌ Common Errors

  • Confusing a burette with a pipette. Remember: a burette has a tap at the bottom and graduation marks all the way along the stem.
  • Confusing neutralisation with decomposition (breaking down one substance) or combustion (burning in oxygen).
Total for 03.5 & 03.6: 2 marks

Topics

Chemistry · Required Practicals · C4: Chemical Changes · Required Practicals

Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Chemistry examination, Chemistry Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2022. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.