Predicting chemical reactions: OCR GCSE Chemistry A questions

Every OCR GCSE Chemistry A exam question on C4.1 Predicting chemical reactions, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 110 questions on Predicting chemical reactions, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6 (1 mark): How did Mendeleev order the elements in his version of the Periodic Table? A Decreasing atomic mass B Decreasing atomic number C Increasing atomic mass D Increa
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): An element has an electronic arrangement 2.8.1. Which section of the Periodic Table is the element in? C D A B [1] Your answer
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(a)(i) (1 mark): An unreactive gas with a full outer shell of electrons. [1]
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(a)(ii) (1 mark): An element which is a solid at room temperature. [1]
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(a)(iii) (1 mark): An element which forms an ion with a 1– charge. [1]
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(a)(iv) (1 mark): An element which is a gas at room temperature. [1]
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(a)(v) (1 mark): An element which has three shells of electrons. [1]
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(b) (1 mark): Which two letters are elements in the same group? and [1]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q4 (1 mark): What is a property of a Group 1 metal? A Brittle B Does not conduct electricity C Forms coloured compounds D Low density Your answer [1]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(d) (2 marks): Copper is a transition metal. Potassium is a Group 1 metal. Identify two differences between copper and potassium. Tick (✓) two boxes. Copper has a lower meltin
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(c)(i) (2 marks): Complete the balanced symbol equation for the reaction. Cl 2 + 2LiBr + [2]
June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(c)(ii) (2 marks): Chlorine, bromine and iodine are in Group 7. Cl Chlorine Br Bromine I Iodine Iodine, I2, does not react with lithium bromide. Explain why. [2]
June 2025, Paper 3 Higher, Q11 (1 mark): Where is beryllium found in the Periodic Table? 4 Be beryllium 9.0 Group Period A 1 1 B 1 2 C 2 1 D 2 2 Your answer [1]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): Which row in the table shows a property of a Group 1 metal and of a transition metal? Group 1 metal Transition metal A forms white compounds low density B high
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q11 (1 mark): Why do Group 1 metals become more reactive down the group? A There is a stronger attraction between the outer electron and the nucleus. B There is less shieldin
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(c)(i) (2 marks): Write the balanced symbol equation for the reaction. [2]
June 2025, Paper 4 Higher, Q21(c)(ii) (2 marks): Iodine, I2, does not react with lithium bromide. Explain why. [2]
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3 (1 mark): Which group of elements on the Periodic Table has a full outer shell of electrons? A 0 B 1 C 2 D 7 Your answer [1]
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(a) (6 marks): (a)* A Periodic Table is shown with two sections, A and B. B A An element, X, is shiny and conducts electricity. State and explain if element X is found in sect
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(b) (3 marks): In his Periodic Table, Mendeleev noticed that when elements were arranged in order of atomic mass, some elements seemed to be in the wrong place. Complete the s
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(c) (2 marks): Lithium is in Group 1 of the Periodic Table and helium is in Group 0. Li He Explain why Group 1 elements are reactive, but Group 0 elements are unreactive. [2]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q7 (1 mark): What is the balanced equation for the reaction of sodium with oxygen? A Na + O NaO B Na + O2 NaO2 C 4Na + O2 2Na2O D Na2 + 2O 2NaO Your answer [1]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): Which row describes the three halogens at room temperature? Chlorine Bromine Iodine A green gas orange-brown gas grey solid B green gas orange-brown liquid grey
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(a)(i) (1 mark): State one trend in the properties of the Group 1 elements shown in the table. [1]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(a)(ii) (1 mark): Caesium is below rubidium in Group 1. Predict the melting point of caesium using the information in the table. Melting point of caesium = °C [1]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(b)(i) (1 mark): Explain why the Group 1 elements all react in the same way. [1]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(b)(ii) (3 marks): The Group 1 elements become more reactive down the group. Explain why. [3]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21(b)(iii) (2 marks): Sodium reacts with bromine, Br2, to make sodium bromide, NaBr. Write the balanced symbol equation for this reaction. [2]
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q8 (1 mark): How did Mendeleev group elements together to develop his Periodic Table? A Based on chemical properties and left gaps B Based on mass number and atomic number C
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q12 (1 mark): An element has the electronic configuration 2.8.4. Which group and period is the element in? A Group 2 as it has 2 electron shells. Period 4 as it has 4 electro
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(a)(i) (1 mark): State one trend in the properties of the Group 1 elements shown in the table. [1]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(a)(ii) (1 mark): Caesium is below rubidium in Group 1. Predict the melting point of caesium using the information in the table. Melting point of caesium = °C [1]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(b)(i) (1 mark): Explain why the Group 1 elements all react in the same way. [1]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(b)(ii) (3 marks): The Group 1 elements become more reactive down the group. Explain why. [3]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q16(b)(iii) (2 marks): Sodium reacts with bromine, Br2, to make sodium bromide, NaBr. Write the balanced symbol equation for this reaction. [2]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6 (1 mark): An element gains electrons to form a full outer shell. Which part of the Periodic Table will the element be from? C D A B Your answer [1]
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q13 (1 mark): What changes did Mendeleev make to improve his Periodic Table? A He arranged elements by mass number. B He arranged elements by the number of neutrons. C He put
June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q20(b) (2 marks): Chlorine is in Period 3 and Group 7 of the Periodic Table. Which statements about chlorine are correct? Tick (3) two boxes. Chlorine forms negative ions. Chlori
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): Bromine reacts with sodium iodide. What is the balanced symbol equation for the reaction? A Br + NaI NaBr + I B Br2 + NaI NaBr + I2 C Br2 + 2NaI 2NaBr + I2 D Br
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q15 (1 mark): The Group 7 element fluorine is a gas at room temperature and pressure. The Group 7 elements show a trend in boiling points going down the group. Which row show
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(b) (2 marks): One of the elements is sodium in Group 1. Which element is sodium? Give a reason for your answer. Element Reason [2]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q17(c)(i) (3 marks): Compare the physical and chemical properties of Group 1 metals and transition metals. Use the information in the table, and your own knowledge. [3]
June 2023, Paper 3 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): An element reacts with oxygen to form an acidic oxide. Which area of the Periodic Table is the element from? C D A B Your answer [1]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): The Group 7 element fluorine is a gas at room temperature and pressure. The Group 7 elements show a trend in boiling points going down the group. Which row show
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(a) (1 mark): Describe what you would observe in the reaction. [1]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q22(c) (2 marks): Chlorine displaces bromine from potassium bromide because chlorine is more reactive than bromine. Explain why chlorine is more reactive than bromine. [2]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4 (1 mark): Which is correct about any two elements with the same number of electron shells? A They are both metals. B They are both non-metals. C They are both in the same
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q12 (1 mark): Mendeleev swapped the positions of the elements tellurium and iodine when he was creating his Periodic Table. This meant that the atomic masses were not in orde
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q16(b)(ii) (1 mark): The diagram shows a boron atom. xx xx B x Explain why boron is in Group 3 of the Periodic Table. [1]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): Chlorine and iodine are Group 7 elements. Chlorine Iodine A green gas purple gas B pale yellow gas grey-black solid C green gas grey-black solid D pale yellow g
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q21 (6 marks): 21* The diagram shows a simplified version of the Periodic Table. X Z Y The letters X, Y and Z are elements in the Periodic Table. These letters are not the sym
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): Why are balloons filled with helium gas able to float in the air? A Helium is colourless. B Helium is in Group 0 and is unreactive. C Helium has a low boiling p
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q11 (1 mark): Sodium, in Group 1, reacts with fluorine in Group 7. Sodium fluoride is made. What is the balanced symbol equation for the reaction? A Na + F NaF B 2Na + F2 2Na
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q17(a) (1 mark): Explain why some elements appeared to be in the wrong order, when arranged by relative atomic mass. [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q17(b) (1 mark): Look at the Periodic Table provided on the data sheet. Write down the symbols of two elements that are not arranged in order of increasing relative atomic mass.
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q17(c)(i) (2 marks): Which element, J, Q, X, or Z, is an unreactive gas with a full outer shell of electrons? Tick (✓) one box. J Q X Z Explain your answer. [2]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q17(c)(ii) (2 marks): Which element, J, Q, X or Z, is a shiny element that forms positive ions? Tick (✓) one box. J Q X Z Explain your answer. [2]
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): Transition metals have properties that are different from other metals in the Periodic Table. Copper is a transition metal. Which of the following describes cop
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q12 (1 mark): Sodium reacts with fluorine to form sodium fluoride. What is the correctly balanced symbol equation for this reaction? A Na + F NaF B Na + F2 NaF2 C 2Na + F Na2
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(a) (1 mark): Group 1 elements all react in a similar way. Explain why. [1]
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b)(i) (1 mark): What is the name of this gas? [1]
November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b)(iii) (6 marks): This question is about the elements in Group 1 of the Periodic Table. (iii)* Rubidium is another Group 1 element. It is below potassium in Group 1 of the Period
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(c) (2 marks): Neon is in Group 0 of the Periodic Table. Lithium is in Group 1 of the Periodic Table. Explain, in terms of electronic structure, why elements in Group 1 are mo
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(a) (2 marks): Complete the table. Use ideas about trends down Group 7. [2]
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(b) (2 marks): Chlorine reacts with sodium bromide, NaBr, in a displacement reaction. Write the balanced symbol equation for this reaction. [2]
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q19(c) (3 marks): Explain, in terms of the arrangement of electrons, the decrease in reactivity from fluorine to astatine. [3]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2 (1 mark): What is the position of carbon in the Periodic Table? A Period 1, Group 4 B Period 2, Group 4 C Period 4, Group 1 D Period 4, Group 2 Your answer [1]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(a) (2 marks): Describe two ways Mendeleev arranged the elements in his Periodic Table. 1 2 [2]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(b) (1 mark): Describe how the elements are arranged in the modern Periodic Table. [1]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(c)(i) (1 mark): Which element matches Mendeleev’s predictions for ‘eka-silicon’? Tick (3) one box. Scandium Gallium Germanium Technetium [1]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(c)(ii) (2 marks): Give two reasons for your answer to (c)(i). 1 2 [2]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q23(d)(i) (2 marks): Mendeleev did not predict the existence of argon, neon, krypton or xenon. The electron arrangement of argon is 2,8,8. What does this tell you about the reactivi
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(a) (2 marks): Complete the table. Use ideas about trends down a Group to help you. [2]
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b)(i) (1 mark): Complete the word equation. bromine + sodium iodide + [1]
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b)(ii) (1 mark): There is no reaction between iodine and sodium bromide. Explain why. [1]
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b)(iii) (2 marks): Chlorine reacts with sodium iodide. Sodium chloride and iodine are made. Write the balanced symbol equation for this reaction. [2]
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(c)(i) (1 mark): Potassium is a Group 1 metal. Potassium is stored under oil because it is very reactive. Oil Potassium What does the oil stop the potassium reacting with? [1]
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(c)(ii) (1 mark): Sodium is another Group 1 metal. Sodium reacts in a similar way to potassium. Explain why. Use ideas about atomic structure in your answer. [1]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): Which Period 3 element is in Group 2? A Aluminium B Boron C Calcium D Magnesium Your answer [1]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(a) (2 marks): Describe two ways Mendeleev arranged the elements in his Periodic Table. 1 2 [2]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(b) (1 mark): Describe how the elements are arranged in the modern Periodic Table. [1]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(c)(i) (1 mark): Which element matches Mendeleev’s predictions for ‘eka-silicon’? Tick (3) one box. Scandium Gallium Germanium Technetium [1]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(c)(ii) (2 marks): Give two reasons for your answer to (c)(i). 1 2 [2]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q17(d)(i) (2 marks): Mendeleev did not predict the existence of argon, neon, krypton or xenon. The electron arrangement of argon is 2,8,8. What does this tell you about the reactivi
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(a) (2 marks): Sodium reacts with water to make sodium hydroxide, NaOH, and hydrogen. Write the balanced symbol equation for the reaction between sodium and water. [2]
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q18(c) (2 marks): Rubidium is another element in Group 1. Rubidium reacts much faster than sodium does. Explain why. Use ideas about electrons in your answer. [2]
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4 (1 mark): The positions of some elements in the Periodic Table are shown by the letters A to G. The letters shown are not the symbols of the elements. C G D F A B E Which
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2 (1 mark): Which of these elements is a transition metal? A Calcium B Caesium C Carbon D Cobalt Your answer [1]
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3 (1 mark): Lithium, sodium and potassium all react with water. In all three reactions the same gas is produced. What is the name of the gas? A Carbon dioxide B Chlorine C
June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q13 (1 mark): Which statement describes the properties of transition metals? A High melting point, shiny when freshly cut and brittle. B Good conductors of electricity, low d
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): Sodium is an element that can be found in the Periodic Table. A sodium atom contains 11 electrons. Which statement about sodium is true? A Sodium is in Group 2
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): Mendeleev’s arrangement of elements led to our modern Periodic Table. How did Mendeleev arrange the elements in his Periodic Table? A In order of decreasing ato
June 2019, Paper 3 Higher, Q19(b) (3 marks): Element C burns in oxygen to make white clouds of its oxide. Describe how you could test the oxide to find out if the element is a metal. [3]
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(a) (2 marks): Lithium, sodium and potassium are all Group 1 elements. A teacher adds a small piece of potassium to a trough of water, as shown in the diagram. Potassium Water
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(b) (2 marks): Reactivity increases going down Group 1 from lithium to potassium. Explain this trend in reactivity. Use ideas about the electronic configurations of the atoms
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(c) (3 marks): Look at the table. It shows information about the Group 7 elements. Complete the table. State at Element Formula Colour room temperature Fluorine F2 pale yellow
June 2019, Paper 4 Higher, Q20(e) (2 marks): The elements in Group 0 (the noble gases) are unreactive. Explain why, in terms of their electronic configurations. [2]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4 (1 mark): This is a section of the Periodic Table. D A B C In which section of the Periodic Table would you find non-metals? Your answer [1]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): The electronic structure of an atom of an element is 2.8.8.2. In which period of the Periodic Table is this element found? A 1 B 2 C 4 D 8 Your answer [1]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q11 (1 mark): The electronic structure of an atom of an element is 2.8.8.2. In which group of the Periodic Table is this element found? A 1 B 2 C 4 D 8 Your answer [1]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): Lithium, sodium and potassium are Group 1 elements. What happens when these elements are added to water? A Some float and carbon dioxide gas and an alkaline sol
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(a) (1 mark): Which is the most reactive halogen in the table? [1]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b)(i) (1 mark): Predict the state of astatine at room temperature. [1]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(b)(ii) (1 mark): Predict the boiling point of astatine. [1]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(c)(i) (1 mark): What is the name of this white solid? [1]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q16(c)(ii) (2 marks): Write down the balanced symbol equation for this reaction. [2]
June 2018, Paper 3 Higher, Q23 (3 marks): Look at the diagram. It shows part of Mendeleev’s Periodic Table which was developed in 1871. Mendeleev arranged the elements in order of relative atomic mass.
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): Look at the data about four elements. Melting point Density Element Ions formed (g / cm3) (°C) A+ A 98 0.97 B– B –101 0.0032 C2+, C3+ C 1535 7.9 D D3+ 660 2.7 W
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): Chlorine can displace iodine from iodide ions. Which equation represents this reaction? Cl + I – → Cl – + I A Cl – + I2 → 2I – + Cl 2 B Cl 2 + 2I – → 2Cl – + I2
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q13 (1 mark): Group 1 elements get more reactive down the group. Which statement explains why? A The outer electron is closer to the nucleus and lost more easily. B The outer

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