plumiMaxwell–Boltzmann distribution: AQA A‑Level Chemistry questions
AQA A-Level Chemistry past-paper questions on 3.1.5.2 Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution, 2008–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
Paper
All papers
Exam
All years
Calculations
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDFQ09.4
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 PDFYour answerQ01.6
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 PDFQ01.1
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ01.2
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ01.3
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ01.4
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 PDFQ01.1
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ01.2
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFLoading the question…
Open the full PDF
All 40 questions on Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution, as a list
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q19 (1 mark): The Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution of molecular energies for a sample of gas at two different temperatures is shown. Which letter represents the mean energy of
- June 2024, Paper 3, Q14 (1 mark): The Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution curve is shown for a gaseous reaction mixture. What is represented by the total area under the curve? [1 mark] A The total en
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q09.4 (5 marks): Sketch the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution of molecular energies for gaseous ethanoic anhydride at temperature T1 and at a higher temperature T2 Include a label
- June 2023, Paper 3, Q11 (1 mark): This is a Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution for a gaseous reactant. What is represented by the total area under the curve? [1 mark] A total energy of the particles
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q08 (6 marks): Draw the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution curves for a fixed mass of a gas at two different temperatures. This gas decomposes when heated. By reference to these d
- June 2022, Paper 3, Q09 (1 mark): Consider the change that occurs in the shape of the curve for the distribution of molecular energies in a gas when the temperature of the gas is increased. Whic
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q01.6 (2 marks): The investigation shows that increasing the temperature causes the rate of reaction to increase. Explain why a small increase in temperature causes a large incr
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q14 (1 mark): Which statement about molecules in a gas is correct? [1 mark] A At a fixed temperature they all move at the same speed. B At a fixed temperature their average k
- November 2021, Paper 3, Q19 (1 mark): Which statement about the distribution curve of molecular energies in an ideal gas at a given temperature is correct? [1 mark] A There are no molecules with zer
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q01.1 (1 mark): Label the y-axis on Figure 1. [1 mark]
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q01.2 (1 mark): State why the curve starts at the origin. [1 mark]
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q01.3 (1 mark): State what X indicates on Figure 1. [1 mark] X indicates
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q01.4 (2 marks): Half of the gas molecules in the sample are removed. The remaining gas molecules are kept at the same temperature. Draw the new distribution of molecular energi
- November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q20 (1 mark): Which statement about the molecules in a sample of a gas is correct? [1 mark] A At a given temperature they all move at the same speed. B At a given temperature
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q11 (1 mark): Which statement is correct for the distribution curve of molecular energies in a gas? [1 mark] A The curve is symmetrical about the maximum. B There are always
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q16 (1 mark): The Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution of molecular energies in a sample of gas at a fixed temperature is shown. Which letter represents the mean energy of the mole
- June 2017, Paper 3, Q16 (1 mark): The diagram shows the Maxwell−Boltzmann distribution of molecular energies in a gas at two different temperatures. Which letter represents the most probable ene
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q01.1 (1 mark): Label the horizontal axis in Figure 1. [1 mark]
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q01.2 (2 marks): On Figure 1, sketch a distribution of molecular energies for this sample of gas at a higher temperature. [2 marks]
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q16 (1 mark): Figure 7 shows a typical energy distribution for particles of an ideal gas in a sealed container at a fixed temperature. Figure 7 Which of the following stateme
- June 2016, CHEM2 (old spec), Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Sketch a second curve on Figure 2 to show the distribution of molecular energies in this mixture at a higher temperature. [1 mark]
- June 2014, CHEM2 (old spec), Q2(a) (1 mark): One of the axes is labelled. Label the other axis. [1 mark]
- June 2014, CHEM2 (old spec), Q2(b) (1 mark): State why the curve starts at the origin. [1 mark]
- June 2014, CHEM2 (old spec), Q2(c) (1 mark): Which of the following, A, B or C, describes what the value of Y represents in Figure 2? Write the correct letter, A, B or C, in the box. [1 mark] A The energy
- June 2014, CHEM2 (old spec), Q2(d) (2 marks): On Figure 2, draw a distribution of molecular energies in this sample of gas at a higher temperature. [2 marks]
- June 2014, CHEM2 (old spec), Q2(e) (1 mark): The pressure of the original sample of gas is doubled at temperature T. State the effect, if any, of this change on the value of Y. [1 mark]
- June 2013, CHEM2 (old spec), Q3(a) (3 marks): On the appropriate axis of this diagram, mark the value of Emp for this distribution. On this diagram, sketch a new distribution for the same sample of gas at a
- June 2013, CHEM2 (old spec), Q3(b) (2 marks): With reference to the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution, explain why a decrease in temperature decreases the rate of decomposition of this gas.
- January 2012, CHEM2 (old spec), Q3(a) (1 mark): One of the axes is labelled. Complete the diagram by labelling the other axis. (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)
- January 2012, CHEM2 (old spec), Q3(c) (1 mark): In the box, write the letter, V, W, X or Y, that represents the most probable energy of the molecules at the lower temperature. (1 mark)
- June 2011, CHEM2 (old spec), Q1(c)(i) (1 mark): State how, if at all, the value of the most probable energy (Emp) changes as the total number of molecules is increased at constant temperature. (1 mark)
- June 2011, CHEM2 (old spec), Q1(c)(ii) (1 mark): State how, if at all, the number of molecules with the most probable energy (Emp) changes as the temperature is decreased without changing the total number of m
- 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(a)(i) (2 marks): On this diagram, sketch the distribution for the same sample of gas at a higher temperature. (2 marks)
- June 2008, CHM2 (2008 spec), Q5(b) (4 marks): 5 (b) State what Q represents and what the total area under the curve represents. Explain why the curve starts at the origin and why the shaded area is very sma
- June 2008, CHM2 (2008 spec), Q5(c) (7 marks): 5 (c) Describe how the shape of the curve, the area under the curve, the value of Ea and the value of Q change if the temperature is increased. Explain why a sm
- June 2008, CHM6W (2008 spec), Q24 (1 mark): 24 Correct statements at constant volume include 1 the change shown in diagram P occurs when the temperature is decreased. 2 the change shown in diagram Q occur
- January 2008, CHM2 (2008 spec), Q4(a) (2 marks): (a) On Figure 1 below draw a curve to show the distribution of energies for one mole of gas at a higher temperature. Figure 1 (2 marks) Energy Number of molecul
- January 2008, CHM2 (2008 spec), Q4(b) (2 marks): (b) On Figure 2 below draw a curve to show the distribution of energies for two moles of gas at 300 K. Figure 2 (2 marks) Energy Number of molecules with a give
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.