plumiApparatus, techniques and safety: Edexcel International A Level Chemistry questions
Edexcel International A Level Chemistry past-paper questions on P.1.4 Apparatus, techniques and safety, 2019–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
Paper
All papers
Exam
All years
Calculations
Q2(a)(iv)
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 PDFQ4(f)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ3(c)(i)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ4(b)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ4(e)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ1(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ1(b)(iii)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ2(b)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ2(d)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ3(a)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ4(d)(i)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ4(d)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ4(d)(iv)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ3(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ4(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ2(b)
The whole paper ↗
Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ2(d)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ2(e)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDFQ2(f)
The whole paper ↗Loading the start of the question…
Loading the question…
Open the full PDF
All 98 questions on Apparatus, techniques and safety, as a list
- June 2025, AS Unit 3, Q2(a)(iv) (2 marks): In school laboratories, wooden splints are sometimes used in the flame test instead of the unreactive metal wires. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of us
- June 2025, Unit 6, Q3(b) (2 marks): Explain why a burette, and not a measuring cylinder, is used to add the starch solution in Step 3, even though the concentration of starch indicator does not ne
- June 2025, Unit 6, Q4(f) (3 marks): Draw a labelled diagram of the apparatus that could be used to measure the melting temperature of phenyl benzoate in Step 5. You should assume that electrical e
- January 2025, AS Unit 3, Q3(c)(i) (1 mark): Name the piece of apparatus that should be used to add the ethanedioic acid solution, H2C2O4(aq), to the conical flask. (1)
- January 2025, AS Unit 3, Q4(b) (2 marks): Draw a labelled diagram of the separating funnel at the end of Step 3. [Density of 2‑chloro‑2‑methylpropane = 0.85 g cm–3] (2)
- January 2025, AS Unit 3, Q4(e) (4 marks): Identify two changes that must be made to the apparatus shown before distilling in Step 6, giving a reason for each change. (4) water from tap still head pear-s
- January 2025, Unit 6, Q1(b)(ii) (3 marks): Draw a labelled diagram of the apparatus used to filter under reduced pressure. (3)
- January 2025, Unit 6, Q1(b)(iii) (2 marks): Give two advantages of filtering under reduced pressure compared to gravity filtration. (2)
- January 2025, Unit 6, Q2(b) (2 marks): The student suggested using the apparatus shown to carry out the heating under reflux in Step 2. There are two mistakes with this set-up. water in water out hea
- January 2025, Unit 6, Q2(d) (3 marks): The hazard symbols present on the reagent bottle containing phenylamine are shown. State three precautions, other than wearing safety glasses and a laboratory c
- October 2024, AS Unit 3, Q3(a) (3 marks): Draw a labelled diagram of the distillation apparatus including a thermometer. (3)
- October 2024, AS Unit 3, Q4(d)(i) (1 mark): Draw the hazard symbol that should be displayed on the bottle of hydrogen peroxide. (1)
- October 2024, AS Unit 3, Q4(d)(ii) (1 mark): State one safety precaution that should be taken when using the hydrogen peroxide, other than wearing a lab coat and safety spectacles. (1)
- October 2024, AS Unit 3, Q4(d)(iv) (1 mark): Give a reason why, during the experiment, the measuring cylinders should be placed in a tray. (1)
- October 2024, Unit 6, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why, in Step 2, the ethanedioic acid solution was measured using a 25.0 cm3 volumetric pipette but the dilute sulfuric acid was measured using a 25 cm3
- October 2024, Unit 6, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): Draw a labelled diagram of the apparatus used to filter off the crystals under reduced pressure in Step 5. (2)
- June 2024, AS Unit 3, Q2(b) (1 mark): The potassium bromide used in Step 3 was initially lumpy and not a fine powder. State the apparatus that would be suitable for breaking up the lumps of potassiu
- June 2024, AS Unit 3, Q2(d) (3 marks): Complete the labelled diagram of the distillation apparatus used in Step 4. (3) round-bottomed flask reaction mixture of ethanol, sulfuric acid A and potassium b
- June 2024, AS Unit 3, Q2(e) (1 mark): Identify the solid particles labelled A in the flask that have been added to promote smooth boiling. (1)
- June 2024, AS Unit 3, Q2(f) (1 mark): Bromoethane is very volatile. Suggest what could be done with the small beaker, used in Step 5 to collect bromoethane, in order to prevent the loss of the bromo
- June 2024, AS Unit 3, Q2(g) (2 marks): Describe how to use a separating funnel to remove the aqueous layer from the bromoethane collected in Step 6. [Densities: bromoethane = 1.47 g cm–3 water = 1.00
- June 2024, AS Unit 3, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): The 3‑way tap can be used to prevent more chlorine gas from entering the equilibrium system. Identify Q and state why it is necessary. (2)
- June 2024, AS Unit 3, Q4(a) (1 mark): Give the reason why the polystyrene cup in Step 1 was placed in a beaker. (1)
- June 2024, Unit 6, Q4(c) (3 marks): Draw a diagram of the apparatus used in Step 3 when the mixture is heated under reflux. (3)
- June 2024, Unit 6, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): Containers of ammonia gas have the following hazard warning signs. State these two hazards associated with ammonia. (1)
- June 2024, Unit 6, Q5(a)(iii) (1 mark): Give a precaution to reduce the risk when carrying out Steps 3 and 4. It is assumed that safety goggles and a laboratory coat are used. (1)
- June 2024 (R), AS Unit 3, Q1(a) (1 mark): Complete the diagram to show the apparatus that could be used to measure the volume of gas. (1) 0.150 mol dm–3 sulfuric acid and 0.200 g sodium sulfite
- June 2024 (R), AS Unit 3, Q1(e) (1 mark): State why the experiment should be carried out in a fume cupboard. (1)
- June 2024 (R), AS Unit 3, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): State two precautions, other than wearing safety goggles, that should be taken during the experiment. (2)
- June 2024 (R), AS Unit 3, Q4(a) (2 marks): Justify an appropriate temperature for the water bath. (2)
- January 2024, AS Unit 3, Q2(e)(i) (1 mark): Student B added too much deionised water in Step 2. State how Student B should correct this mistake. (1)
- January 2024, AS Unit 3, Q3(d) (4 marks): Describe how to carry out Step 5, using a separating funnel. [Density of cyclohexane = 0.78 g cm–3] (4)
- January 2024, AS Unit 3, Q3(e)(i) (1 mark): State what is meant by Symbol 3. (1)
- January 2024, AS Unit 3, Q3(e)(ii) (2 marks): Give two safety precautions that should be taken to reduce the risk in Step 5. Assume eye protection, gloves and a laboratory coat are being worn. (2)
- January 2024, AS Unit 3, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why the water is passed through the condenser in the direction shown. (2)
- January 2024, Unit 6, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Suggest why sulfur dioxide is advised to be prepared in this way. (1)
- January 2024, Unit 6, Q3(c)(i) (1 mark): State a suitable method to remove the unreacted tin. (1)
- January 2024, Unit 6, Q4(a) (2 marks): The use of phenylammonium chloride is preferred to the use of phenylamine in this preparation. Compound State at room temperature Hazard symbols phenylamine liq
- October 2023, AS Unit 3, Q2(c) (1 mark): A student suggested that the mass of calcium carbonate could be measured by weighing the weighing bottle empty and then when containing the solid. Give a reason
- October 2023, AS Unit 3, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Complete the table by identifying the hazards. (1)
- October 2023, AS Unit 3, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): For each compound, state one way in which the risk due to the hazard shown could be reduced when carrying out this preparation. (2) Cyclohexanol Cyclohexene
- October 2023, AS Unit 3, Q4(b) (1 mark): The diagram shows the burette at the end-point of the rough titration. 23 24 25 Give the burette reading for this rough titration. (1)
- June 2023, AS Unit 2, Q22(a) (1 mark): State one safety precaution that you should take when using a toilet cleaner containing hydrochloric acid. (1)
- June 2023, AS Unit 3, Q3(a)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why, in apparatus F, the water should flow in from the bottom of the condenser. (2)
- June 2023, Unit 6, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): State the precaution that you would take to minimise the risk of carrying out this test on the misty fumes. Assume gloves, safety goggles and laboratory coat ar
- June 2023, Unit 6, Q4(a) (1 mark): An ice bath is a mixture of ice and water in a beaker. Suggest an advantage of using an ice bath in Steps 1 and 3 rather than a beaker containing only ice cubes
- June 2023, Unit 6, Q4(c) (3 marks): One student drew the suction filtration apparatus in Step 6 as shown. base of Buchner funnel flask Identify the three ways in which this diagram is incorrect. Y
- January 2023, AS Unit 3, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): Draw the hazard symbol which should be on a bottle of ethanol. (1)
- January 2023, AS Unit 3, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Give a reason why the student inverted the volumetric flask several times in Step 1. (1)
- January 2023, AS Unit 3, Q3(a)(iii) (2 marks): The sodium hydroxide solution was labelled with the hazard label. The student wore safety glasses and placed the burette below head height while filling it with
- January 2023, Unit 6, Q1(c)(iii) (1 mark): Pure ethanoic acid is corrosive. Identify the appropriate control measure to reduce the risk associated with this hazard. Assume the student carried out the add
- January 2023, Unit 6, Q1(c)(iv) (2 marks): Describe the corrosive hazard label present on a bottle containing pure ethanoic acid. You may use a diagram in your answer. (2)
- January 2023, Unit 6, Q4(c) (3 marks): Draw a labelled diagram of the apparatus used for filtration under reduced pressure in Step 7. (3)
- October 2022, AS Unit 3, Q3(d) (1 mark): The metal nitrate is toxic. Draw the hazard symbol that should be displayed on the bottle. (1)
- October 2022, AS Unit 3, Q4(c)(i) (1 mark): State why an electric heater should be used rather than a Bunsen burner to heat these reaction mixtures. (1)
- October 2022, Unit 6, Q2(a) (2 marks): Describe how all the solution containing excess sodium hydroxide is separated from the sand in Step 3. (2)
- October 2022, Unit 6, Q2(b) (2 marks): Describe how to make the 250.0 cm3 of sodium hydroxide solution in Step 4. (2)
- October 2022, Unit 6, Q3(c) (2 marks): A student set up a separating funnel in Step 5 as shown and opened the tap to remove the lower layer. Explain what happens. Assume that the funnel is supported
- October 2022, Unit 6, Q4(a) (1 mark): Name the apparatus which is most suitable to remove the samples from the reaction mixture. (1)
- June 2022, AS Unit 3, Q3(a) (1 mark): Give the most suitable piece of apparatus for measuring the cyclohexanol in Step 1. (1)
- June 2022, Unit 6, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): State two hazards in this experiment, giving the precautions you would take to minimise the risk associated with each hazard. Assume safety spectacles and a lab
- June 2022, Unit 6, Q3(a)(iv) (3 marks): Ethanoic acid solution is added, drop by drop, to the neutralised mixture until the precipitate redissolves. Describe how the solution in the beaker should then
- June 2022, Unit 6, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Label the diagram to show the direction of the water flow in the condenser. (1)
- January 2022, AS Unit 3, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): State the measurements that should be made. (2)
- January 2022, AS Unit 3, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): Identify the main hazard related to chlorine gas, giving the best way of minimising the risk when using this gas. (2)
- January 2022, Unit 6, Q4(a) (2 marks): This question is about the preparation of phenylamine by the reduction of nitrobenzene. NH2 NO2 + 6[H] → + 2H2O phenylamine nitrobenzene Outline procedure Step
- January 2022, Unit 6, Q4(g) (2 marks): This question is about the preparation of phenylamine by the reduction of nitrobenzene. NH2 NO2 + 6[H] → + 2H2O phenylamine nitrobenzene Outline procedure Step
- October 2021, Unit 6, Q1(d)(ii) (1 mark): Name the most suitable piece of apparatus to measure the 10 cm3 of potassium iodide solution. (1)
- October 2021, Unit 6, Q4(a) (3 marks): A student drew a diagram of the apparatus set up for distillation in Step 3. There are three errors in the diagram. Assume the apparatus is clamped correctly an
- June 2021, AS Unit 3, Q3(c) (1 mark): Solid samples of soluble barium compounds such as barium oxide are toxic by inhalation due to the presence of barium ions. Give a safety precaution that should
- June 2021, AS Unit 3, Q3(d) (1 mark): Barium also forms a peroxide. A bottle of barium peroxide has the hazard symbol Give the meaning of this symbol. (1)
- June 2021, Unit 6, Q2(a) (1 mark): Give a reason why a measuring cylinder is more suitable than a graduated pipette for measuring the distilled water in Step 1. (1)
- June 2021, Unit 6, Q2(c) (1 mark): Give the reason why Step 2 should be carried out in a fume cupboard. (1)
- June 2021, Unit 6, Q3(c)(i) (1 mark): State what causes the initial stream of bubbles from the capillary tube in Step 3. (1)
- June 2021, Unit 6, Q3(c)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest why the side-arm of the Thiele tube is heated, rather than point X on the diagram. (1)
- June 2021, Unit 6, Q3(c)(iii) (1 mark): Suggest why mineral oil, and not water, is used in the Thiele tube when determining the boiling temperature of compound A. (1)
- June 2021, Unit 6, Q3(c)(iv) (1 mark): Suggest why the results obtained when using this apparatus on different days may not be the same, even when no mistakes are made in carrying out the experiment.
- June 2021, Unit 6, Q3(d)(i) (2 marks): Identify, by name or formula, suitable substances for solids M and N. (2) Solid M Solid N
- January 2021, AS Unit 3, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): The diagram shows how the student read the filled pipette in Step 3. Identify the two mistakes the student made. (2) 25 cm3 ± 0.06 pipette B20 °C mark
- January 2021, AS Unit 3, Q3(a) (1 mark): Give a reason why the delivery tube must be removed from the water bath before removing the test tube from the heat source. (1)
- January 2021, Unit 6, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): Identify the hazard indicated by this label. (1)
- January 2021, Unit 6, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Describe how you would add small amounts of A until there is no further change. Name the apparatus you would use. (2)
- January 2021, Unit 6, Q2(a) (2 marks): Identify the main hazard in Step 1, giving a safety precaution that will reduce the risk. Assume that safety spectacles and a laboratory coat were used. (2)
- January 2021, Unit 6, Q2(c) (2 marks): A student who used Method 1 obtained a value that was significantly larger than the actual concentration of the solution. Explain one possible source of experim
- October 2020, AS Unit 3, Q2(b) (6 marks): To identify the cations in sodium chloride and potassium carbonate, a student carried out flame tests using the following method. Step 1 A sample of solid sodi
- October 2020, AS Unit 3, Q5(a) (1 mark): Name a suitable piece of apparatus to measure the 25.0 cm3 of solution. (1)
- October 2020, Unit 6, Q3(a) (1 mark): Two of the hazard warning signs for phenol are State the most important hazard associated with phenol in this experiment and the precaution you would take to re
- October 2020, Unit 6, Q3(c) (1 mark): Suggest a way of making the disappearance of the methyl red colour easier to see. (1)
- October 2020, Unit 6, Q3(e)(i) (1 mark): Give a reason why the potassium bromate(V) solution is first measured into a separate boiling tube rather than directly into the reaction mixture. (1)
- January 2020, AS Unit 3, Q2(d) (2 marks): Explain why the magnesium ribbon was cleaned with sandpaper before being weighed. (2)
- June 2019, AS Unit 2, Q19(c) (1 mark): The cyclohexane layer is then removed from the separating funnel and dried. Identify, by name or formula, a suitable drying agent. (1)
- June 2019, AS Unit 3, Q1(c) (1 mark): Complete the diagram to show how you would collect the carbon dioxide obtained by heating ammonium carbonate, using another test tube as the only additional app
- June 2019, AS Unit 3, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): One student said that if A was a primary alcohol this could be shown by oxidising it to the corresponding aldehyde and testing the product. Identify which appar
- June 2019, AS Unit 3, Q2(b)(v) (2 marks): Another student said that if A was a secondary alcohol this could be shown by oxidising it to the corresponding ketone. Identify which apparatus (1, 2 or 3) sho
- June 2019, AS Unit 3, Q2(c)(i) (2 marks): Give two reasons for the use of the mineral wool. (2)
- June 2019, AS Unit 3, Q2(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why it is necessary to remove the delivery tube from the heated tube immediately when heating stops. (2)
- June 2019, AS Unit 3, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Give a reason, other than preventing heat loss, for placing the polystyrene cup in a glass beaker. (1)
- June 2019, AS Unit 3, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Name the piece of apparatus suitable for measuring 50.0 cm3 of copper(II) sulfate solution. (1)
Questions, mark schemes and examiner’s reports are © Pearson Edexcel, from their published past papers. Plumi isn’t affiliated with any exam board. Want whole papers? Edexcel International A Level Chemistry past papers.
The Plumi iPad app also offers exam-style questions with AI feedback on your handwritten working.