GCSE (9–1) Chemistry B (Twenty First Century Science)
J258/04 Depth in Chemistry (Higher Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
• the Data Sheet for GCSE (9–1) Chemistry B
(inside this document)
You can use:
• a scientific or graphical calculator
• an HB penc
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use
the lined pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
• Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be
given for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 90.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 32 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR GCSE Chemistry B (Twenty First Century Science)
Depth in Chemistry (Higher Tier) (J258/04) Question Paper and Mark
Scheme 2026
, 2
BLANK PAGE
DO NOT WRITE ON THIS PAGE
© OCR 2025
, 3
1 Potassium, sodium and lithium are metals in Group 1 of the Periodic Table.
A student watches a video of the reaction of potassium with water.
Fig. 1.1 shows a diagram of the experiment.
Fig. 1.1
Water Potassium
The table shows information about this reaction.
Metal Products of the reaction Observations
Potassium Potassium hydroxide Potassium moves quickly on the surface of the
water and fizzes violently.
Hydrogen gas
Potassium burns with a pale purple flame.
(a) The student then watches a video of the reaction of sodium with water.
Predict the products of the reaction of sodium with water and describe the observations you
expect.
Products ................................................................. and .................................................................
Observations ....................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[3]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
(b) Fig. 1.2 shows the arrangement of electrons in a lithium atom and a fluorine atom.
Fig. 1.2
Lithium atom Fluorine atom
Li F
(i) Lithium and fluorine belong to different groups of the Periodic Table.
Explain how the arrangement of electrons in lithium and fluorine is related to their groups in the
Periodic Table.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
(ii) Explain how Fig. 1.2 shows that lithium and fluorine are in the same period of the Periodic Table.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
© OCR 2025
J258/04 Depth in Chemistry (Higher Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
• the Data Sheet for GCSE (9–1) Chemistry B
(inside this document)
You can use:
• a scientific or graphical calculator
• an HB penc
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use
the lined pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
• Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be
given for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 90.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 32 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
OCR GCSE Chemistry B (Twenty First Century Science)
Depth in Chemistry (Higher Tier) (J258/04) Question Paper and Mark
Scheme 2026
, 2
BLANK PAGE
DO NOT WRITE ON THIS PAGE
© OCR 2025
, 3
1 Potassium, sodium and lithium are metals in Group 1 of the Periodic Table.
A student watches a video of the reaction of potassium with water.
Fig. 1.1 shows a diagram of the experiment.
Fig. 1.1
Water Potassium
The table shows information about this reaction.
Metal Products of the reaction Observations
Potassium Potassium hydroxide Potassium moves quickly on the surface of the
water and fizzes violently.
Hydrogen gas
Potassium burns with a pale purple flame.
(a) The student then watches a video of the reaction of sodium with water.
Predict the products of the reaction of sodium with water and describe the observations you
expect.
Products ................................................................. and .................................................................
Observations ....................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
[3]
© OCR 2025 Turn over
, 4
(b) Fig. 1.2 shows the arrangement of electrons in a lithium atom and a fluorine atom.
Fig. 1.2
Lithium atom Fluorine atom
Li F
(i) Lithium and fluorine belong to different groups of the Periodic Table.
Explain how the arrangement of electrons in lithium and fluorine is related to their groups in the
Periodic Table.
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [2]
(ii) Explain how Fig. 1.2 shows that lithium and fluorine are in the same period of the Periodic Table.
..........................................................................................................................................................
. ................................................................................................................................................. [1]
© OCR 2025
