Actual 2025 AQA GCSE CHEMISTRY 8462/1H
Paper 1 Higher Tier Merged Question Paper +
Mark S, Exams of Chemistry
Draw and label an atom
Protons
Neutrons
Electrons
What are the masses and charges of these parts of an atom?
• Proton
• Neutron
• Electron
Protons = +ve
(mass 1)
Neutrons = neutral
(mass 1)
Electrons = -ve
(mass 1/2000th)
Why do atoms usually have no overall electrical charge?
Atoms usually have no overall charge because they have equal numbers of protons
(+ve) and electrons (-ve), which cancel one another out
All atoms of a particular element (e.g. carbon) all have the same number of what?
Protons
What does relative atomic mass tell you about the atom?
The number of protons and neutrons in the atom
What does atomic number tell you about the atom?
The number of protons (usually the same as the number of electrons)
What is an isotope?
An isotope is an atom with a different amount of neutrons
How many electrons can occupy the 1st and 2nd shell (energy level) of an atom?
2 in the 1st shell and 8 in the 2nd shell
The electron structure of sodium can be represented as 2,8,1 - what does this mean?
Represent these atoms: -
• Fluorine
• Oxygen
, • Potassium
• Magnesium
2,8,1 means 2 electrons in the 1st shell, 8 electrons in the 2nd shell and 1 electron in
the 3rd shell
Fluorine = 2,7
Oxygen = 2,6
Potassium = 2,8,8,1
Magnesium = 2,8,2
Define these terms: -
• Element
• Compound
• Mixture
Element - a pure substance made from 1 type of atom only
Compound - 2 or more elements chemically bound
Mixture - 2 or more elements or compounds mixed together which are not chemically
bound
What happens to the electrons of 2 atoms when they chemically react?
During a chemical reaction electrons are either given away, taken, or shared
What is an ion?
How are +ve ions formed?
How are -ve ions formed?
An ion is an atom with a charge
+ve ions have lost electrons
-ve ions have gained electrons
Explain how the following atoms become ions (will they be +ve or -ve)?
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Chlorine
• Oxygen
Potassium - loses 1 electron (K+)
Magnesium - loses 2 electrons (Mg2+)
Chlorine - gains 1 electron (Cl-)
Oxygen - gains 2 electrons (O2-)
Paper 1 Higher Tier Merged Question Paper +
Mark S, Exams of Chemistry
Draw and label an atom
Protons
Neutrons
Electrons
What are the masses and charges of these parts of an atom?
• Proton
• Neutron
• Electron
Protons = +ve
(mass 1)
Neutrons = neutral
(mass 1)
Electrons = -ve
(mass 1/2000th)
Why do atoms usually have no overall electrical charge?
Atoms usually have no overall charge because they have equal numbers of protons
(+ve) and electrons (-ve), which cancel one another out
All atoms of a particular element (e.g. carbon) all have the same number of what?
Protons
What does relative atomic mass tell you about the atom?
The number of protons and neutrons in the atom
What does atomic number tell you about the atom?
The number of protons (usually the same as the number of electrons)
What is an isotope?
An isotope is an atom with a different amount of neutrons
How many electrons can occupy the 1st and 2nd shell (energy level) of an atom?
2 in the 1st shell and 8 in the 2nd shell
The electron structure of sodium can be represented as 2,8,1 - what does this mean?
Represent these atoms: -
• Fluorine
• Oxygen
, • Potassium
• Magnesium
2,8,1 means 2 electrons in the 1st shell, 8 electrons in the 2nd shell and 1 electron in
the 3rd shell
Fluorine = 2,7
Oxygen = 2,6
Potassium = 2,8,8,1
Magnesium = 2,8,2
Define these terms: -
• Element
• Compound
• Mixture
Element - a pure substance made from 1 type of atom only
Compound - 2 or more elements chemically bound
Mixture - 2 or more elements or compounds mixed together which are not chemically
bound
What happens to the electrons of 2 atoms when they chemically react?
During a chemical reaction electrons are either given away, taken, or shared
What is an ion?
How are +ve ions formed?
How are -ve ions formed?
An ion is an atom with a charge
+ve ions have lost electrons
-ve ions have gained electrons
Explain how the following atoms become ions (will they be +ve or -ve)?
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Chlorine
• Oxygen
Potassium - loses 1 electron (K+)
Magnesium - loses 2 electrons (Mg2+)
Chlorine - gains 1 electron (Cl-)
Oxygen - gains 2 electrons (O2-)
