Atomic structure: OCR GCSE Combined Science A questions

Every OCR GCSE Combined Science A exam question on C1.2 Atomic structure, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 68 questions on Atomic structure, as a list

June 2025, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): Which row describes the nucleus of an atom? Charge Mass A positive contains little of the mass of the atom B positive contains most of the mass of the atom C ne
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q14(a) (2 marks): The table shows the relative mass and relative charge for a proton and electron. Relative mass Relative charge Proton 1 +1 Neutron Electron 0.0005 –1 Complete t
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q14(b) (2 marks): The mass of a proton is 1.67 × 10–27 kg. An electron is 0.0005 times lighter than a proton. Calculate the mass of an electron in kg. Give your answer in standar
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q14(c) (2 marks): The symbol for an atom of nitrogen is: 7 N 14 The table shows the number of protons in this atom of nitrogen. Number of protons Number of neutrons Number of ele
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): Which row describes the nucleus of an atom? Charge Mass A positive contains little of the mass of the atom B positive contains most of the mass of the atom C ne
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q12(a) (2 marks): Table 12.1 shows the relative mass and relative charge of the three sub-atomic particles. Complete Table 12.1 by writing the name of a sub-atomic particle in ea
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q12(b) (2 marks): An atom of phosphorus has an atomic number of 15 and a mass number of 31. Calculate the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in this atom of phosphorus. Nu
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q11(a)(i) (2 marks): Label the names of the three particles on the diagram. ………………………………………… – ………………………………………… + + ………………………………………… – [2]
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q11(a)(ii) (1 mark): Complete the sentence about the atom. Put a ring around the correct option. The particle with the lowest relative mass is the proton / neutron / electron. [1]
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q11(a)(iii) (1 mark): The first of these three particles to be discovered was by J.J. Thomson. Complete the sentence about the particles. Put a ring around the correct option. The pa
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q11(b) (1 mark): Write the symbol of the element made from atoms with nine protons. Use the Periodic Table on the Data Sheet. [1]
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q17(c) (1 mark): Write the electron arrangement for an atom of lithium. [1]
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q17(f) (2 marks): Lithium can exist as two isotopes. 3 3 Li Li 6 7 Explain what isotope means. [2]
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q11(c) (1 mark): Write the electron arrangement for an atom of lithium. [1]
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q11(f) (2 marks): Lithium can exist as two isotopes. 3 3 Li Li 6 7 Explain what isotope means. [2]
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q16(a) (3 marks): The model developed by Rutherford was based on the results of an experiment performed whilst working with Geiger and Marsden. They fired positively charged alph
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q16(b) (1 mark): Describe how Bohr improved Rutherford’s model of the atom. [1]
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q16(c) (1 mark): What is the typical atomic radius size of an atom in metres? Give your answer in standard form. m [1]
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): What is the part of the atom labelled X called? X A Core B Ion C Nucleus D Shell Your answer [1]
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q15(a) (1 mark): What name is given to different atoms of the same element such as Y and Z? [1]
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q15(b) (2 marks): Write the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom of Z. Number of protons = Number of neutrons = [2] Number of electrons =
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q15(c) (1 mark): Write the mass number of an atom of Z. Mass number of an atom of Z = [1]
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q15(d) (1 mark): Write the name of the element that contains atoms of Y and Z. Use the Periodic Table. [1]
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q15(e)(iii) (1 mark): Why does sodium react with Y and Z in a similar way? Tick (3) one box. Atoms of Y and Z have the same number of electrons. Atoms of Y and Z have the same number
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q7 (1 mark): Which scientist developed this model of the atom? A Bohr B Dalton C Rutherford D Thomson Your answer [1]
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q11(a) (1 mark): What name is given to different atoms of the same element such as Y and Z? [1]
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q11(b) (2 marks): Write the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in an atom of Z. Number of protons = Number of neutrons = [2] Number of electrons =
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q11(c) (1 mark): Write the mass number of an atom of Z. Mass number of an atom of Z = [1]
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q11(d) (1 mark): Write the name of the element that contains atoms of Y and Z. Use the Periodic Table. [1]
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q11(e)(iii) (1 mark): Why does sodium react with Y and Z in a similar way? Tick (3) one box. Atoms of Y and Z have the same number of electrons. Atoms of Y and Z have the same number
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q12(a) (3 marks): The table shows the relative mass and relative charge of a proton, neutron and electron. Particle Relative mass Relative charge proton 1 neutron 0 electron Comp
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q12(b) (1 mark): The mass of a proton is 1.673 × 10–27 kg. The mass of an electron is 9.109 × 10–31 kg What is the relative mass of an electron compared to a proton? Tick (✓) on
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q12(c) (3 marks): An atom of helium contains: • 2 protons • 2 neutrons • 2 electrons. Draw a labelled diagram to show the arrangement of protons, neutrons and electrons in an ato
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q12(d)(iii) (1 mark): Which element has a mass number of 12? Element = [1]
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q12(d)(iv) (1 mark): Which two elements are isotopes? Elements = and [1]
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q12(d)(v) (1 mark): Which element forms an ion with a 2+ charge? Element = [1]
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): Which statement describes the isotopes of an element? A Atoms that have different numbers of protons but the same number of electrons. B Atoms that have differe
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q12(a) (1 mark): Explain why potassium is found in Group 1 of the Periodic Table. Use ideas about the arrangement of electrons in an atom of potassium. [1]
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q14(a) (1 mark): Draw the arrangement of electrons in an atom of calcium. [1]
November 2021, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): Look at the symbol for boron. 5 B 11 Which is the symbol for the element with an atom that contains 1 more proton and 2 more neutrons than an atom of boron? A 6
November 2021, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q12 (4 marks): J. J. Thomson proposed the ‘plum-pudding’ model of the atom shown in Fig. 12.1. Electron Sphere of positive charge Fig. 12.1 Geiger and Marsden worked with Ruth
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q3 (1 mark): The diagrams show three different models of the atom. 3 + + + e + + 2 3 e What is the correct order for the development of the three models, starting with the e
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): Look at the information about a nitrogen atom. 10 N 14 How many electrons are in a nitride ion, N3-? A 4 В 10 C 11 D 17 Your answer 11]
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q11(a) (1 mark): What is the approximate size of an atom of magnesium? Tick (r) one box. 1.6 × 10-15m 1.6 × 10-10m 1.6 × 10-5m 11]
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q11(b) (2 marks): Explain why magnesium is found in Group 2 and Period 3 of the Periodic Table. Use Fig. 11.1 to help you. 12]
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): Look at the information about a nitrogen atom. 7 N 14 How many electrons are in a nitride ion, N3– ? A 4 B 10 C 11 D 17 Your answer [1]
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): Relative atomic mass compares the average mass of an atom to which element? A Carbon B Hydrogen C Nitrogen D Oxygen Your answer [1]
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q5 (1 mark): The atomic model has changed over time. Look at the diagrams. They show four different atomic models and the years they were developed. A 1803 B 1897 C 1909 D 1
June 2019, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): Which statement best describes an atom? A The nucleus is small compared to the atom and contains little of the atom’s mass. B The nucleus is large compared to t
June 2019, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q11(a) (2 marks): Complete the table to show the relative charges of protons, neutrons and electrons. Particle Relative charge Proton Neutron 0 Electron [2]
June 2019, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q11(b)(i) (3 marks): Use the Periodic Table to work out the following: The relative atomic mass of sodium = The number of protons in an atom of sodium = The number of electrons in a
June 2019, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q11(b)(ii) (1 mark): Sodium is an example of an atom that can form an ion. Describe what happens to a sodium atom when it becomes an ion. [1]
June 2019, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q1 (1 mark): Which statement best describes an atom? A The nucleus is small compared to the atom and contains little of the atom’s mass. B The nucleus is large compared to t
June 2019, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q5 (1 mark): The following table contains information about protons, neutrons and electrons. Particle Relative mass Relative charge Proton 1 +1 Neutron 1 –1 Electron 0.0005
June 2019, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q13(a)(i) (2 marks): Describe the nucleus of an aluminium atom in terms of sub-atomic particles. [2]
June 2019, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q13(a)(ii) (1 mark): What is the overall charge on the nucleus of an atom of aluminium? [1]
June 2019, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q13(a)(iii) (1 mark): Which sub-atomic particles surround the nucleus? [1]
June 2019, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q13(b) (2 marks): Phosphorus has a higher atomic number and a higher mass number than aluminium. A student says that phosphorus must be an isotope of aluminium because it has a d
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q6 (1 mark): In 1808 John Dalton published his theory about matter. Which of Dalton’s ideas is now known to be incorrect? A A chemical reaction is a rearrangement of atoms.
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q7 (1 mark): An element has a relative atomic mass of 19.0. Find this element on the Periodic Table. How many protons does this element contain? A 9 B 10 C 19 D 28 Your answ
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): An atom is the smallest particle of an element. What is the approximate size of a single atom? 0.0001 × 10–6 m A 0.0001 × 10–10 m B 0.01 × 10–10 m C 0.1 × 10–12
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q12(a)(i) (1 mark): What is meant by relative atomic mass? [1]
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q12(a)(ii) (2 marks): What two things can you work out from the atomic number of an element? 1 2 [2]
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 3 Foundation, Q12(b) (3 marks): Look at the table about the particles in an atom. Relative Relative Particle Charge Mass Proton +1 Neutron 1 Electron Almost 0 Complete the table. [3]
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): Which statement about phosphorus is correct? Use the Periodic Table to help you answer this question. A A phosphorus atom has 15 protons and 16 electrons. B The
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q17(a) (4 marks): What conclusions did Rutherford, Geiger and Marsden draw from the experiment? Explain how their results supported their conclusions. [4]
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q17(b) (2 marks): Rutherford, Geiger and Marsden published their results. Why is it important that scientists publish their results? [2]
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 9 Higher, Q17(c) (1 mark): What new idea did Bohr add to the model of the atom? [1]

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