AQA GCSE COMBINED SCIENCE TRILOGY CHEMISTRY
MARK SCHEMES 2026 | Paper 1H (8464/C/1H) and Paper 2H
(8464/C/2H) | Version 1.0 Final | Complete Combined
Document | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Qualification Accreditation: AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Combined Science:
Trilogy (8464)
Date of Examination: June 2026
Total Marks: 140 (70 marks per paper)
Assessment Objectives: AO1 (35-40%), AO2 (40-45%), AO3 (15-20%)
PAPER 1: CHEMISTRY PAPER 1H (8464/C/1H)
Total marks: 70
Time allowed: 1 hour 15 minutes
Assessment Objectives Distribution:
● AO1: 24-28 marks
● AO2: 28-32 marks
● AO3: 10-14 marks
SECTION A
Answer all questions in this section.
Question 1: Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
Total marks: 8
01.1 Figure 1 shows a diagram of a lithium atom.
,[Diagram: Nucleus containing protons and neutrons, electron shells with electrons]
Complete Table 1 to show the number of each subatomic particle in a lithium atom.
[2 marks]
Table
Subatomic particle Number
Proton
Neutron
Electron
[MARK SCHEME]
01.1 [2]
Table
Subatomic particle Number
Proton 3
Neutron 4
Electron 3
●
[1 mark] for all three numbers correct
● [1 mark] for correct identification that protons = electrons (in neutral atom) OR
correct identification of atomic number = 3 / mass number = 7
,Accept: 3, 4, 3 in any order if clearly labelled
Allow: [1 mark] for two correct values
Allow: [1 mark] for stating protons = electrons = 3 (reasoning mark)
AO1 - Demonstrate knowledge of atomic structure
01.2 The atomic number of an element is defined as the number of protons in the
nucleus of an atom.
Explain why the atomic number determines the position of an element in the periodic
table.
[3 marks]
[MARK SCHEME]
01.2 [3]
● [1 mark] Elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number (proton
number)
● [1 mark] Elements with the same number of electron shells are in the same
period
● [1 mark] Elements with the same number of outer shell electrons are in the same
group OR chemical properties depend on electron configuration which is
determined by proton number
Allow: [1 mark] for reference to electronic structure determining chemical properties
Allow: [1 mark] for reference to periodic repetition of properties
AO2 - Apply knowledge of periodic table arrangement
01.3 Lithium reacts with water to produce lithium hydroxide and hydrogen.
Write the balanced symbol equation for this reaction. Include state symbols.
[3 marks]
[MARK SCHEME]
01.3 [3]
, 2Li(s) + 2H₂O(l) → 2LiOH(aq) + H₂(g)
● [1 mark] for correct formulae of all reactants and products (allow LiOH or Li(OH)₂
if balanced accordingly)
● [1 mark] for correct balancing (accept: 2Li + 2H₂O → 2LiOH + H₂)
● [1 mark] for all four state symbols correct (allow (aq) for LiOH, (g) for H₂, (s) for
Li, (l) for H₂O)
ECF: If equation unbalanced but state symbols correct relative to their formulae, award [1
mark] for state symbols
Allow: [2 marks] for completely correct equation without state symbols
Common error: Li₂O instead of LiOH - allow [1 mark] max for correct state symbols if
shown
AO2 - Apply knowledge of chemical equations
Question 2: Development of the Atomic Model
Total marks: 7
02.1 The model of the atom has changed over time.
Describe the difference between the plum pudding model and the nuclear model of the
atom.
[2 marks]
[MARK SCHEME]
02.1 [2]
● [1 mark] Plum pudding: positive charge spread throughout atom / electrons
embedded in positive 'cloud' / sphere of positive charge
● [1 mark] Nuclear model: positive charge concentrated in nucleus / dense central
nucleus containing protons and neutrons / electrons orbit nucleus in shells /
mostly empty space
Allow: [1 mark] for reference to Rutherford's gold foil experiment leading to nuclear model
Allow: [1 mark] for reference to discovery of nucleus in nuclear model
MARK SCHEMES 2026 | Paper 1H (8464/C/1H) and Paper 2H
(8464/C/2H) | Version 1.0 Final | Complete Combined
Document | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Qualification Accreditation: AQA Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Combined Science:
Trilogy (8464)
Date of Examination: June 2026
Total Marks: 140 (70 marks per paper)
Assessment Objectives: AO1 (35-40%), AO2 (40-45%), AO3 (15-20%)
PAPER 1: CHEMISTRY PAPER 1H (8464/C/1H)
Total marks: 70
Time allowed: 1 hour 15 minutes
Assessment Objectives Distribution:
● AO1: 24-28 marks
● AO2: 28-32 marks
● AO3: 10-14 marks
SECTION A
Answer all questions in this section.
Question 1: Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
Total marks: 8
01.1 Figure 1 shows a diagram of a lithium atom.
,[Diagram: Nucleus containing protons and neutrons, electron shells with electrons]
Complete Table 1 to show the number of each subatomic particle in a lithium atom.
[2 marks]
Table
Subatomic particle Number
Proton
Neutron
Electron
[MARK SCHEME]
01.1 [2]
Table
Subatomic particle Number
Proton 3
Neutron 4
Electron 3
●
[1 mark] for all three numbers correct
● [1 mark] for correct identification that protons = electrons (in neutral atom) OR
correct identification of atomic number = 3 / mass number = 7
,Accept: 3, 4, 3 in any order if clearly labelled
Allow: [1 mark] for two correct values
Allow: [1 mark] for stating protons = electrons = 3 (reasoning mark)
AO1 - Demonstrate knowledge of atomic structure
01.2 The atomic number of an element is defined as the number of protons in the
nucleus of an atom.
Explain why the atomic number determines the position of an element in the periodic
table.
[3 marks]
[MARK SCHEME]
01.2 [3]
● [1 mark] Elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number (proton
number)
● [1 mark] Elements with the same number of electron shells are in the same
period
● [1 mark] Elements with the same number of outer shell electrons are in the same
group OR chemical properties depend on electron configuration which is
determined by proton number
Allow: [1 mark] for reference to electronic structure determining chemical properties
Allow: [1 mark] for reference to periodic repetition of properties
AO2 - Apply knowledge of periodic table arrangement
01.3 Lithium reacts with water to produce lithium hydroxide and hydrogen.
Write the balanced symbol equation for this reaction. Include state symbols.
[3 marks]
[MARK SCHEME]
01.3 [3]
, 2Li(s) + 2H₂O(l) → 2LiOH(aq) + H₂(g)
● [1 mark] for correct formulae of all reactants and products (allow LiOH or Li(OH)₂
if balanced accordingly)
● [1 mark] for correct balancing (accept: 2Li + 2H₂O → 2LiOH + H₂)
● [1 mark] for all four state symbols correct (allow (aq) for LiOH, (g) for H₂, (s) for
Li, (l) for H₂O)
ECF: If equation unbalanced but state symbols correct relative to their formulae, award [1
mark] for state symbols
Allow: [2 marks] for completely correct equation without state symbols
Common error: Li₂O instead of LiOH - allow [1 mark] max for correct state symbols if
shown
AO2 - Apply knowledge of chemical equations
Question 2: Development of the Atomic Model
Total marks: 7
02.1 The model of the atom has changed over time.
Describe the difference between the plum pudding model and the nuclear model of the
atom.
[2 marks]
[MARK SCHEME]
02.1 [2]
● [1 mark] Plum pudding: positive charge spread throughout atom / electrons
embedded in positive 'cloud' / sphere of positive charge
● [1 mark] Nuclear model: positive charge concentrated in nucleus / dense central
nucleus containing protons and neutrons / electrons orbit nucleus in shells /
mostly empty space
Allow: [1 mark] for reference to Rutherford's gold foil experiment leading to nuclear model
Allow: [1 mark] for reference to discovery of nucleus in nuclear model
