Home / iGCSE Chemistry Theory (Extended) : 2.1 Elements, compounds and mixtures: Exam Style Questions Paper 4

iGCSE Chemistry Theory (Extended) : 2.1 Elements, compounds and mixtures: Exam Style Questions Paper 4

Question

A list of substances is shown:

bauxite, carbon dioxide, cryolite, ethane, ethanol, ethene, graphite, helium, hematite, hydrogen, silicon(IV) oxide, sodium chloride

Answer the following questions using only the substances from the list. Each substance may be used once, more than once or not at all.

State which substance:

(a) is manufactured by fermentation

(b) is monatomic

(c) is a reactant in photosynthesis

(d) is a solvent in the extraction of aluminium

(e) is an ore of iron

(f) is manufactured from methane

(g) is a compound with a giant covalent structure

(h) is used as a lubricant

(i) is tested for with limewater

▶️ Answer/Explanation
Solution

(a) ethanol or carbon dioxide

Ethanol is produced by fermentation of sugars, and carbon dioxide is a byproduct of this process.

(b) helium

Helium is a noble gas that exists as single atoms (monatomic), unlike other gases which are diatomic (e.g., H₂, O₂).

(c) carbon dioxide

In photosynthesis, plants use carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen in the presence of sunlight.

(d) cryolite

Cryolite (Na₃AlF₆) is used as a solvent in the extraction of aluminium from bauxite to lower the melting point of the mixture.

(e) hematite

Hematite (Fe₂O₃) is one of the main ores of iron used in iron production.

(f) hydrogen

Hydrogen can be manufactured from methane through steam reforming or other chemical processes.

(g) silicon(IV) oxide

Silicon(IV) oxide (SiO₂) has a giant covalent structure where each silicon atom is covalently bonded to four oxygen atoms.

(h) graphite

Graphite is used as a lubricant because its layered structure allows the layers to slide over each other easily.

(i) carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is tested with limewater (calcium hydroxide solution), which turns milky/cloudy in its presence due to formation of calcium carbonate.

Question

A list of substances is shown.

aluminium oxide         carbon dioxide         chlorine         diamond         ethanol

        glucose         iron(III) oxide         limestone         nitrogen         oxygen

Answer the questions using the list of substances.

Each substance may be used once, more than once or not at all.

State which of the substances:

    (a) is a reactant in photosynthesis 

    (b) is the main constituent of bauxite 

    (c) are two products of fermentation 

    (d) is used as a fuel

    (e) is a gas used to convert iron into steel

    (f) is a greenhouse gas

    (g) is a gas that is approximately 78% of clean, dry air

    (h) is a form of carbon

▶️ Answer/Explanation
Solution

(a) Ans: carbon dioxide

Photosynthesis uses CO₂ and water to produce glucose and oxygen.

(b) Ans: aluminium oxide

Bauxite is the primary ore of aluminium, composed mainly of Al₂O₃.

(c) Ans: ethanol and carbon dioxide

Fermentation of glucose produces ethanol and CO₂ as byproducts.

(d) Ans: ethanol

Ethanol is commonly used as a biofuel in engines and heating.

(e) Ans: oxygen

Oxygen is blown into furnaces to oxidize impurities during steelmaking.

(f) Ans: carbon dioxide

CO₂ traps heat in the atmosphere, making it a key greenhouse gas.

(g) Ans: nitrogen

Dry air contains about 78% N₂, 21% O₂, and 1% other gases.

(h) Ans: diamond

Diamond is an allotrope of carbon with a crystalline structure.

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