plumiCatalysts: AQA A‑Level Chemistry questions
AQA A-Level Chemistry past-paper questions on 3.1.5.5 Catalysts, 2008–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
All papers
All years
Q04.4
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFQ02.1
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFQ05.3
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ01.1
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ03.4
The whole paper ↗Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ03.6
The whole paper ↗Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ4(a)(iii)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ7(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ8(c)(ii)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ2(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ2(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ1(e)(i)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ1(e)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ3(d)(i)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ3(b)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDF
All 30 questions on Catalysts, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q04.4 (1 mark): An alloy of platinum and rhodium is used as a catalyst in the reaction. What type of catalyst is this? [1 mark] Tick ( ) one box. Autocatalyst Heterogeneous cat
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q09 (1 mark): Which statement about the use of a catalyst in a reaction is correct? [1 mark] A The activation energy of the reverse reaction increases. B The equilibrium cons
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q02.1 (2 marks): Describe how a catalyst increases the rate of a reaction. [2 marks]
- June 2024, Paper 3, Q16 (1 mark): Which statement explains why the rate of a reaction increases when a catalyst is added at a constant temperature? [1 mark] A The collision frequency increases b
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q10 (1 mark): Which statement explains why the rate of a reaction increases when a catalyst is added to a reaction mixture at a constant temperature? [1 mark] A The collision
- June 2023, Paper 3, Q12 (1 mark): The rate of reaction is greater when a catalyst is used, without changing the temperature. Which statement explains why the rate of reaction is greater with a c
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q20 (1 mark): Which statement about the use of a catalyst in a reversible reaction is correct? [1 mark] A The activation energy for the reverse reaction is increased. B The e
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q05.3 (6 marks): Methanol is made by the reaction of carbon monoxide with hydrogen. CO + 2 H2 ⇌ CH3OH ∆H = –91 kJ mol–1 The reaction uses a copper-based catalyst, a pressure of
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q01.1 (2 marks): Explain, in general terms, how a catalyst increases the rate of a reaction. [2 marks]
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q03.4 (2 marks): Explain, in general terms, how a catalyst works. [2 marks]
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q03.6 (2 marks): Platinum, palladium and rhodium are metals used inside catalytic converters. A very thin layer of the metals is used on a honeycomb ceramic support. Explain why
- June 2015, CHEM2 (old spec), Q4(a)(iii) (2 marks): A nickel catalyst is used in the first stage. Explain why the catalyst is more effective when coated onto an unreactive honeycomb. [2 marks]
- June 2015, CHEM2 (old spec), Q7(a)(ii) (1 mark): Deduce the role of the bacteria in this reaction. [1 mark]
- June 2014, CHEM2 (old spec), Q8(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how a catalyst increases the rate of a reaction. [2 marks]
- January 2013, CHEM2 (old spec), Q2(b)(i) (3 marks): State the meaning of the term catalyst. Explain, in general terms, how catalysts work. Meaning of the term catalyst How catalysts work
- January 2013, CHEM2 (old spec), Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): State the effect, if any, of a catalyst on the time taken to reach equilibrium. (1 mark)
- June 2012, CHEM2 (old spec), Q1(e)(i) (1 mark): Write an equation for the overall reaction. (1 mark)
- June 2012, CHEM2 (old spec), Q1(e)(ii) (1 mark): Give one reason, other than the increase in rate of reaction, why the student was able to deduce that hydrogen bromide behaves as a catalyst in this two-step re
- June 2012, CHEM2 (old spec), Q3(d)(i) (1 mark): State the meaning of the term catalyst. (1 mark)
- January 2012, CHEM2 (old spec), Q3(b) (1 mark): State the effect, if any, of a solid catalyst on the shape of either of these distributions. (1 mark)
- June 2011, CHEM2 (old spec), Q1(b) (2 marks): Explain how a catalyst increases the rate of a reaction.
- June 2011, CHEM2 (old spec), Q1(c)(iv) (1 mark): State how, if at all, the area under the molecular energy distribution curve changes as a catalyst is introduced without changing the temperature or the total n
- January 2011, CHEM2 (old spec), Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): Use the data in the table to deduce which is the most effective catalyst for this decomposition. (1 mark)
- January 2011, CHEM2 (old spec), Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how a catalyst increases the rate of a reaction.
- June 2010, CHEM2 (old spec), Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): Draw on the diagram a curve to illustrate the reaction profile for this equilibrium reaction with a catalyst. (2 marks)
- June 2010, CHEM2 (old spec), Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): State the effect of a catalyst on the rate of attainment of this equilibrium. (1 mark)
- January 2010, CHEM5 (old spec), Q1(a) (2 marks): State how a catalyst speeds up a chemical reaction. (2 marks)
- January 2010, CHEM2 (old spec), Q5(a)(iv) (2 marks): State how a catalyst increases the rate of a reaction. (2 mar
- June 2009, CHEM2 (old spec), Q4(c)(i) (1 mark): 4 (c) (i) State what is meant by the term catalyst. (1 mark)
- June 2008, CHM2 (2008 spec), Q5(d) (2 marks): 5 (d) Explain why a catalyst increases the rate of a reaction. (2 marks)
Questions, mark schemes and examiner’s reports are © AQA, from their published past papers. Plumi isn’t affiliated with any exam board. Want whole papers? AQA A-Level Chemistry past papers.
The Plumi iPad app also offers exam-style questions with AI feedback on your handwritten working.