AQA GCSE Chemistry Chemistry Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2025: Question 6
9 marks · Standard Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Identify fullerenes and calculate the volume and surface area to volume ratio of a cubic nanoparticle.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
06 This question is about nanoparticles.
Figure 9 represents a type of nanoparticle made of carbon atoms.
Figure 9
06.1 What is the name of the type of nanoparticle in Figure 9?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Buckminsterfullerene
Carbon nanotube
Graphene
06.2 Nanoparticles of the type in Figure 9 are slippery.
Which structural feature of these nanoparticles makes them slippery?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
The nanoparticles are hollow.
The nanoparticles are made of carbon atoms.
The nanoparticles are spherical. 25
06.3 A nanoparticle of a metal has a diameter of 15 nm.
*24A fine particle of the metal has a diameter of 1500 nm.*
How many times larger is the diameter of the fine particle than the diameter of
the nanoparticle?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
10 102 103 104
06.4 Figure 10 represents a cubic nanoparticle.
Figure 10
The surface area of the cubic nanoparticle is 96 nm2.
Calculate:
• the volume of the cubic nanoparticle
• the simplest whole number ratio of surface area : volume
for the cubic nanoparticle.
The volume of a cube = (length of side)3
[4 marks]
Volume of nanoparticle = nm3
Ratio of surface area : volume = :
Simplest whole number ratio of surface area : volume =26 :
06.5 A substance can be used to provide a scratchproof coating on reading glasses.
The coating is a single layer of particles of the substance.
Nanoparticles are used instead of normal-sized particles.
Complete the sentences.
[2 marks]
When using nanoparticles instead of normal-sized particles, the thickness of the
layer that can be used is much .
This means the amount of light passing through the layer is .
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 6
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec. Ref.
06.1 Buckminsterfullerene 1 AO1
4.2.3.3
AO /
Spec. Ref.
06.2 the nanoparticles are spherical 1 AO3
4.2.3.3
4.2.4.2
AO /
Spec. Ref.
06.3 102 1 AO2
4.2.4.1
AO /
Spec. Ref.
06.4 (volume = ) 43 1 AO2
4.2.4.1
= 64 (nm3) 1
(surface area : volume ratio =)
96 : 64 allow correct use of an 1
incorrectly determined volume
= 3 : 2 allow correct use of an 1
incorrectly determined surface
area : volume ratio
AO /
Spec. Ref.
06.5 thinner / smaller / less 1 AO3
4.2.4.1
4.2.4.2
greater / more 1
Total Question 6 9
How to answer it
Nanoparticles: Fullerenes, Scale, Ratios & Applications
This question assesses key specifications from AQA C2 (Bonding, Structure, and the Properties of Matter): identifying allotropes of carbon (fullerenes), explaining lubricating properties based on molecular shape, understanding particle scale and powers of 10, calculating volume and simplest whole-number surface area-to-volume ( SA:V ) ratios, and applying nanoparticle properties to practical uses (transparent coatings).
Question 06.1: Identifying Carbon Allotropes
1 Mark • AO1 (Recall)
✅ Correct Answer
Buckminsterfullerene (first box ticked)
💡 Key Knowledge
- Buckminsterfullerene (C₆₀): A spherical hollow molecule made of 60 carbon atoms arranged in pentagons and hexagons.
- Carbon nanotubes: Cylindrical fullerenes with very high length-to-diameter ratios.
- Graphene: A single 2D layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice.
Question 06.2: Lubricating Properties of Fullerenes
1 Mark • AO3 (Analysis & Reasoning)
✅ Correct Answer
The nanoparticles are spherical. (third box ticked)
🧠 Exam Technique
Always link function to geometry. Fullerenes act like microscopic ball bearings. Because they are spherical, individual molecules can roll over each other, reducing friction.
❌ Common Errors
Choosing "The nanoparticles are hollow" or "made of carbon atoms". While both statements are scientifically true, they do not explain why fullerenes are slippery lubricants.
Question 06.3: Comparing Scales & Powers of 10
1 Mark • AO2 (Application of Scale)
✅ Correct Answer
10² (second box ticked)
📐 Step-by-Step Working
Compare the diameter of the fine particle to the nanoparticle:
Scale factor = 1500 nm ÷ 15 nm = 100
Express 100 as a power of 10:
100 = 10 × 10 = 10²
❌ Common Errors
Counting zeros incorrectly or confusing the power. Remember: 10¹ = 10, 10² = 100, 10³ = 1000.
Question 06.4: Cube Volume and Surface Area-to-Volume Ratio
4 Marks • AO2 (Multi-Step Calculation)
📐 Step-by-Step Calculation
Given side length = 4 nm
Volume = (side)³ = 4³ = 4 × 4 × 4 = 64 nm³
[2 marks: 1 for formula/substitution 4³, 1 for answer 64]
Surface area = 96 nm² (given), Volume = 64 nm³
Surface area : Volume = 96 : 64
[1 mark: allow error carried forward from Step 1]
Divide both sides by their highest common factor (32):
96 ÷ 32 = 3 and 64 ÷ 32 = 2
Simplest ratio = 3 : 2
[1 mark]
✅ Final Mark Scheme Answers
- Volume = 64 nm³
- Ratio = 96 : 64
- Simplest whole number ratio = 3 : 2
❌ Common Errors & Traps
- Reversing the ratio: Writing 2 : 3 (volume : surface area) instead of 3 : 2 . Read the question order carefully!
- Not fully simplifying: Leaving the answer as 48 : 32 , 24 : 16 , or 12 : 8 loses the final mark.
- Decimal form: Writing 1.5 : 1 is mathematically equal, but the question explicitly asked for simplest whole number ratio.
Question 06.5: Applications of Nanoparticles in Coatings
2 Marks • AO3 (Scientific Reasoning & Application)
✅ Correct Answer
When using nanoparticles instead of normal-sized particles, the thickness of the layer that can be used is much thinner / smaller / less. [1 mark]
This means the amount of light passing through the layer is greater / more / higher. [1 mark]
💡 Why Nanoparticles Work Here
- Nanoparticles are tiny (1 to 100 nm). A single monolayer of nanoparticles creates an extraordinarily thin film.
- Normal-sized particles create thicker, irregular layers that scatter or absorb visible light, making the glass cloudy or opaque.
- Thinner coatings let significantly more light transmit through, keeping the lenses completely transparent while providing scratch resistance.
🧠 Exam Technique
Always think about the context: these are reading glasses! The wearer needs maximum light to read clearly, so any protective layer must allow maximum light transmission.
Topics
Chemistry · C2: Bonding, Structure and the Properties of Matter
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Chemistry examination, Chemistry Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.