AQA GCSE Chemistry Chemistry Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2023: Question 6
9 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Extended Answer
Evaluate the properties and uses of different metals, including observations when sodium reacts with water and comparing aluminium and copper for cooking pans.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
06 This question is about metals.
06.1 Platinum is used to make jewellery.
Suggest one reason why platinum is used to make jewellery.
[1 mark]
06.2 Figure 7 shows a piece of sodium being added to water.
Figure 7
Give two observations that could be seen when sodium is added to water.
[2 marks]
06.3 Copper is a transition element.
Sodium is a Group 1 element.
What are two differences between copper and sodium?
[2 marks]
Tick ( ) two boxes.
Copper has a lower melting point.
*17* Copper is harder.
Copper is less dense.
Copper is less reactive.
Copper is less strong. 19
06.4 The metals aluminium and copper can be used to make pans for cooking.
Table 2 shows information about the two metals.
The higher the value for thermal conductivity, the better the metal conducts
thermal energy.
Table 2
Aluminium Copper
Thermal conductivity in
250 400
arbitrary units
Density in g/cm3 2.7 8.9
Cost of metal per kg in £ 1.50 7.00
Evaluate the use of pans made of aluminium and of copper.
Use Table 2.
[4 marks]
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
06.1 any one from: 1 AO3
• unreactive allow does not react with air / 4.4.1.2
water / skin 4.4.1.3
allow does not tarnish
• appearance allow aesthetic reasons
• easily shaped allow malleable
allow easily moulded
ignore references to cost
ignore references to hardness /
strength
ignore references to melting /
boiling point
AO /
Spec. Ref.
06.2 any two from: 2 AO1
• bubbles 4.1.2.5
• moves 4.4.1.2
• floats
• melts allow forms a ball
• disappears
allow catches fire
AO /
Spec. Ref.
06.3 copper is harder 1 AO1
– HEMISTRY – – 4.1.3.1
copper is less reactive 1
AO/
Question Answers Mark
Spec. Ref
Level 2: Some logically linked reasons are given. There may also AO3
06.4 3–4
be a simple judgement. 4.2.2.7
4.2.2.8
Level 1: Relevant points are made. They are not logically linked. 1–2
No relevant content 0
Indicative content
• copper is the better conductor
• so heats food more quickly
• copper has the higher density
• so the pan is heavier
• copper costs more per kilogram
• so the pan is more expensive to buy
• simple judgement
– HEMISTRY – –
Total Question 6 9
Question 7
How to answer it
Properties, Reactions, and Uses of Metals
What this question tests
This question examines your understanding of the physical and chemical properties of metals across the periodic table, specifically:
- Everyday uses of metals: Linking material properties (unreactivity, malleability) to their practical use in jewellery.
- Group 1 reaction with water: Stating accurate visual observations for alkali metals reacting with water.
- Comparing metal groups: Contrasting typical transition metals (copper) with Group 1 alkali metals (sodium).
- Data-based evaluation: Interpreting a table of physical properties (conductivity, density, cost) to form a balanced, reasoned judgement on material selection.
Reason Platinum is Used for Jewellery (1 Mark)
✅ Acceptable Answers (Any One)
- Unreactive / does not react with air, water, or skin
- Does not tarnish / stays shiny
- Attractive appearance / aesthetically pleasing / shiny
- Malleable / easily shaped / easily moulded
❌ Common Errors
- "It is expensive / rare": Cost is a consequence of value, not the chemical/physical reason it makes good jewellery.
- "It has a high melting point": Jewellery does not encounter extreme temperatures during normal wear.
- "It is strong / hard": Pure jewellery metals are typically prized for malleability, not structural strength.
Observations: Sodium Added to Water (2 Marks)
✅ Any Two Visible Observations
- Bubbles / fizzing / effervescence
- Floats (on the surface of the water)
- Melts into a ball / sphere
- Moves around on the water surface
- Disappears / dissolves / gets smaller
- Catches fire / produces a flame (yellow-orange)
💡 Chemical Insight
Reaction: 2Na + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂
- Floats: Sodium is less dense than water (0.97 g/cm³).
- Melts into a ball: The reaction is highly exothermic; sodium has a low melting point (98 °C).
- Fizzing: Hydrogen gas (H₂) is actively produced.
🧠 Exam Technique: "Observations"
An observation is what you see, hear, or smell. Never write theoretical conclusions:
- Write "fizzing / bubbles", NOT "hydrogen is made".
- Do NOT write "turns purple" unless universal indicator was explicitly mentioned in the question stem.
Transition Element (Copper) vs Group 1 (Sodium) (2 Marks)
✅ Correct Ticks
- ☑ Copper is harder.
- ☑ Copper is less reactive.
Leave the other three boxes blank: Copper has a higher melting point, is denser, and is stronger.
💡 Transition Metals vs Group 1 Alkali Metals
| Property | Group 1 (e.g. Sodium) | Transition Metals (e.g. Copper) |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness | Very soft (cut with a knife) | Hard and rigid |
| Reactivity | Extremely reactive | Unreactive or slow to react |
| Melting Point | Relatively low (98 °C) | Very high (1085 °C) |
| Density | Low (floats on water) | High (sinks in water) |
Evaluating Aluminium vs Copper for Cooking Pans (4 Marks)
📐 Data Summary (from Table 2)
| Property | Aluminium | Copper |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity | 250 (Arbitrary units) | 400 (Higher) |
| Density | 2.7 g/cm³ (Lighter) | 8.9 g/cm³ (Heavier) |
| Cost per kg | £1.50 (Cheaper) | £7.00 (More expensive) |
🧠 Level 2 Response Structure (3–4 Marks)
To reach Level 2, you must link the data values to a practical consequence for cooking, and finish with a simple judgement.
- Thermal conductivity: Copper (400) conducts heat better than aluminium (250) → food heats up faster and cooks more evenly.
- Density: Aluminium (2.7 g/cm³) is much less dense than copper (8.9 g/cm³) → aluminium pans are lighter and easier to lift.
- Cost: Aluminium (£1.50/kg) is much cheaper than copper (£7.00/kg) → aluminium pans are significantly cheaper to manufacture and buy.
- Judgement: e.g., "Aluminium is generally better for everyday home use because it is far cheaper and lighter, even though copper cooks food faster."
❌ Common Errors in 4-Mark Evaluation Questions
- Just quoting numbers without meaning: Saying "Copper conductivity is 400 and aluminium is 250" scores nothing unless you explain that this means copper heats food faster.
- One-sided answers: Only discussing copper and forgetting to mention aluminium.
- Missing a final conclusion: For full marks in an "evaluate" question, you must state which metal you recommend and why.
• Level 2 (3–4 marks): Logically linked points discussing multiple properties (conductivity, density, cost) with their practical effects, plus a reasoned final judgement.
• Level 1 (1–2 marks): Relevant points made directly from the data, but without linking them logically to the practical use of pans or omitting a judgement.
Topics
Chemistry · C1: Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table · C2: Bonding, Structure and the Properties of Matter · C4: Chemical Changes
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Chemistry examination, Chemistry Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2023. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.