AQA A-LEVEL CHEMISTRY Paper 1 Questions with Correct
Answers 2024-2025
Why does graphite conduct electricity? - ANSWER-Graphite conducts electricity because it is only
bonded 3x (meaning there is a delocalised electron to pass the charge)
Explain why ionic compounds have a giant structure - ANSWER-Ionic compounds have giant
structures because the ions keep their charge and attract up to 6 other ions - forming a giant lattice
What does monatomic mean and why are noble gases monatomic? - ANSWER-Monatomic means an
atom which only exists on its own (does not react)
Noble gases are monatomic as they have a full shell and are un-reactive
What does diatomic mean and why are elements such as the halogens, hydrogen and oxygen diatomic?
- ANSWER-Diatomic - atoms in pairs, e.g. H2 and O2
Halogens will form diatomic molecules because they covalently bond with each other, forming pairs
What is the bonding in metals like? - ANSWER-The bonding in metals creates delocalised electrons
(free to move and pass on electrical current)
Why do metals conduct electricity? - ANSWER-The bonding in metals creates delocalised electrons
(free to move and pass on electrical current)
Why do ionic compounds conduct electricity when they are dissolved / molten? - ANSWER-Ionic
compounds conduct electricity when dissolved or molten because they remain as ions (which will pass a
current)
What are the symbols for these compounds?
,• Sulfuric acid
• Sodium hydroxide
• Nitric acid - ANSWER-Sulfuric acid = H2SO4
Sodium hydroxide = NaOH
Nitric acid = HNO3
What are the symbols for these compounds?
• Magnesium oxide
• Ammonia
• Methane - ANSWER-Magnesium oxide = MgO
Ammonia = NH3
Methane = CH4
Which group of the periodic table do not form ions?
Explain why this is - ANSWER-Noble gases do not form ions as they already have a full outer shell
What are the names of the following groups in the periodic table?
• Group 1
• Group 2
• Middle metals
• Group 7
, • Group 0 - ANSWER-Group 1 = alkali metals
Group 2 = alkaline Earth metals
Middle metals = transition metals
Group 7 = halogens
Group 0 = Nobel gases
What are nano-materials and what are they used for? - ANSWER-Nano-materials are very small (one
nano-metre = one-thousand-millionth of a metre)
They are used for self-cleaning coats on glass etc...
What are smart materials and what are they used for? - ANSWER-Smart materials return to their
original shape, e.g. metals which can be stretched and then return to their original shape (metals used in
braces / spectacles)
What is a macromolecule?
Give some examples - ANSWER-Macromolecules - are formed by giant covalent bonds, e.g. diamond,
graphite, silicon dioxide etc...
What is the bonding like in diamonds? - ANSWER-Each carbon atom forms 4 covalent carbon-carbon
bonds with the carbons around them creating a giant structure and makes them very hard
What is the bonding like in graphite? - ANSWER-Each carbon forms 3 covalent carbon-carbon bonds
with the carbons around them creating a sea of delocalised electrons which will pass an electrical
current
Answers 2024-2025
Why does graphite conduct electricity? - ANSWER-Graphite conducts electricity because it is only
bonded 3x (meaning there is a delocalised electron to pass the charge)
Explain why ionic compounds have a giant structure - ANSWER-Ionic compounds have giant
structures because the ions keep their charge and attract up to 6 other ions - forming a giant lattice
What does monatomic mean and why are noble gases monatomic? - ANSWER-Monatomic means an
atom which only exists on its own (does not react)
Noble gases are monatomic as they have a full shell and are un-reactive
What does diatomic mean and why are elements such as the halogens, hydrogen and oxygen diatomic?
- ANSWER-Diatomic - atoms in pairs, e.g. H2 and O2
Halogens will form diatomic molecules because they covalently bond with each other, forming pairs
What is the bonding in metals like? - ANSWER-The bonding in metals creates delocalised electrons
(free to move and pass on electrical current)
Why do metals conduct electricity? - ANSWER-The bonding in metals creates delocalised electrons
(free to move and pass on electrical current)
Why do ionic compounds conduct electricity when they are dissolved / molten? - ANSWER-Ionic
compounds conduct electricity when dissolved or molten because they remain as ions (which will pass a
current)
What are the symbols for these compounds?
,• Sulfuric acid
• Sodium hydroxide
• Nitric acid - ANSWER-Sulfuric acid = H2SO4
Sodium hydroxide = NaOH
Nitric acid = HNO3
What are the symbols for these compounds?
• Magnesium oxide
• Ammonia
• Methane - ANSWER-Magnesium oxide = MgO
Ammonia = NH3
Methane = CH4
Which group of the periodic table do not form ions?
Explain why this is - ANSWER-Noble gases do not form ions as they already have a full outer shell
What are the names of the following groups in the periodic table?
• Group 1
• Group 2
• Middle metals
• Group 7
, • Group 0 - ANSWER-Group 1 = alkali metals
Group 2 = alkaline Earth metals
Middle metals = transition metals
Group 7 = halogens
Group 0 = Nobel gases
What are nano-materials and what are they used for? - ANSWER-Nano-materials are very small (one
nano-metre = one-thousand-millionth of a metre)
They are used for self-cleaning coats on glass etc...
What are smart materials and what are they used for? - ANSWER-Smart materials return to their
original shape, e.g. metals which can be stretched and then return to their original shape (metals used in
braces / spectacles)
What is a macromolecule?
Give some examples - ANSWER-Macromolecules - are formed by giant covalent bonds, e.g. diamond,
graphite, silicon dioxide etc...
What is the bonding like in diamonds? - ANSWER-Each carbon atom forms 4 covalent carbon-carbon
bonds with the carbons around them creating a giant structure and makes them very hard
What is the bonding like in graphite? - ANSWER-Each carbon forms 3 covalent carbon-carbon bonds
with the carbons around them creating a sea of delocalised electrons which will pass an electrical
current
