Interpreting and interacting with earth systems: OCR GCSE Combined Science A questions

Every OCR GCSE Combined Science A exam question on C6.2 Interpreting and interacting with earth systems, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 99 questions on Interpreting and interacting with earth systems, as a list

June 2025, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q2 (1 mark): Which gas in the atmosphere causes acid rain? A Carbon monoxide B Hydrogen C Oxygen D Sulfur dioxide Your answer [1]
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q8 (1 mark): Desalination is the removal of salt from seawater to produce drinking water. The seawater is heated and the water vapour condensed and collected. Which separati
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q11(d) (2 marks): When hydrocarbons burn they produce carbon dioxide. The graph shows how the percentage of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased since 1760. 0.045 0.040
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q11(e) (2 marks): Scientists think that increased levels of carbon dioxide are causing global warming. Which statements about the potential effects of global warming are true and
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q13(a) (2 marks): The sentences describe how the Earth’s atmosphere developed over time. A The Earth cooled down. B Plants absorbed carbon dioxide and produced oxygen. C The wate
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q13(b) (3 marks): The pie chart shows the relative amounts of each gas in the Earth’s early atmosphere. Carbon dioxide Nitrogen Water vapour Calculate the percentage of nitrogen
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q13(c)(i) (1 mark): What effect do greenhouse gases have in the Earth’s atmosphere? Tick (✓) one box. They dissolve in rain water making it acidic. They make a hole in the ozone la
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q13(c)(ii) (1 mark): Which of these gases is a greenhouse gas? Tick (✓) one box. Argon Methane Nitrogen [1]
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q8 (1 mark): The Earth’s early atmosphere may have been mainly carbon dioxide. Which statement about the carbon dioxide is incorrect? A It dissolved in the oceans. B It reac
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q12(b)(i) (2 marks): State two problems caused by the products of burning methane. 1 2 [2]
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q12(b)(ii) (2 marks): Suggest why methane sometimes produces carbon monoxide, CO, instead of carbon dioxide, CO2. [2]
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q13(e)(i) (1 mark): At which stage, 1–4, is chlorine added to water? [1]
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q13(e)(ii) (1 mark): Why is chlorine added to water? [1]
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q16(a) (2 marks): Fig. 16.1 shows the greenhouse effect. Fig. 16.1 Sun Space Atmosphere Earth’s surface • Solar radiation from the Sun reaches the Earth’s surface. • Most of the
June 2025, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q16(b) (2 marks): Fig. 16.2 shows how the Earth’s temperature has changed since 1880 (compared to the average temperature from 1951–1980). Fig. 16.2 0.6 0.4 0.2 Temperature chang
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): What is an effect of increased levels of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere? A Acid rain B Global warming C Light pollution D Smog Your answer [1]
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q3 (1 mark): Burning fossil fuels can produce solids called particulates. Which product of burning fossil fuels is an example of a particulate? A Carbon B Carbon monoxide C
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q5 (1 mark): Scientists think the Earth’s oxygen-rich atmosphere developed due to photosynthesis by plants. Which gas in the Earth’s early atmosphere did plants absorb durin
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q6 (1 mark): It is thought that the gases in Earth’s early atmosphere were released by volcanoes. The table shows the amounts of different gases released by a volcano. Which
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q11(a)(ii) (2 marks): The water produced in the experiment is a very light brown colour. Why is the student not sure that the water produced is potable? Tick (3) two boxes. Only smal
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q13(a) (2 marks): The table shows the percentages of different gases found in the Earth’s atmosphere. Gas Percentage in the Earth’s atmosphere (%) Nitrogen Oxygen 20.95 Carbon di
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q13(d)(i) (1 mark): Oxides of nitrogen responsible for acid rain are given the formula NOx. What is the value of x in nitrogen dioxide? [1]
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q13(d)(ii) (2 marks): Normal rain water is slightly acidic. Describe a test and its result to show that acid rain is more acidic than normal rain water. Test Result [2]
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q3 (1 mark): Where do scientists think that the oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere came from? A Earthquakes B Green plants C Thunderstorms D Volcanic activity Your answer [1]
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): Acid rain is a dilute solution of a weak acid. What is the pH of acid rain? A 1–2 B 4–5 C 8–9 D 13–14 Your answer [1]
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q12 (4 marks): A student does an experiment to separate water from muddy water. The diagram shows the equipment they use. A cold, curved Large metal tin piece of glass Glass b
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q15(a) (1 mark): What is the percentage of carbon dioxide found in the Earth’s atmosphere today? Tick one (3) box. 0.04% 0.4% 4% [1]
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q15(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe the correlation between carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and carbon dioxide emissions. [2]
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q15(b)(ii) (1 mark): Give one reason for the change in carbon dioxide emissions after 1960. [1]
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q15(c)(i) (2 marks): Describe how an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is causing global warming. [2]
June 2024, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q15(c)(ii) (1 mark): Describe one way that the emissions of carbon dioxide by human activity can be reduced. [1]
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q2 (1 mark): Which process traps heat from the Sun in the Earth’s atmosphere? A Combustion B Displacement C Greenhouse effect D Photosynthesis Your answer [1]
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q5 (1 mark): The Earth’s atmosphere contains 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. The remaining 1% is listed in the table. Gas Percentage (%) argon 0.94 carbon dioxide other gases 0
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q14 (6 marks): 14* Cars can burn petrol or diesel as a fuel. The composition of the exhaust fumes depends on the type of fuel used. The table shows the percentages of some sub
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): What is the percentage change in sulfur dioxide emissions from 1970 to 2010? Sulfur dioxide emissions Year (million tonnes per year) 1970 141 2010 87 A 38% B 54
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q9 (1 mark): Which Group 7 element is most often added to tap water to make it potable? A Bromine B Chlorine C Fluorine D Iodine Your answer [1]
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q12(a) (2 marks): Complete the bar chart to show the percentage of nitrogen and oxygen found in the Earth’s atmosphere today. [2] 100 90 80 70 60 Gas (%) 50 40 30 20 10 0 Nitroge
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q12(b) (2 marks): Explain how the amounts of water vapour and carbon dioxide in the Earth’s early atmosphere decreased over time. Water vapour Carbon dioxide [2]
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q12(c) (1 mark): Explain how the amount of oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere has increased over time. [1]
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q12(d) (1 mark): The Earth’s early atmosphere may have trapped more of the sun’s heat than Earth’s atmosphere traps today. Give a reason why. [1]
June 2023, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q12(e) (3 marks): The amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere is 409.8 parts per million. 1 part per million is equal to 0.0001% Calculate the percentage of carbon dio
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q5 (1 mark): Which toxic gas is produced from burning fossil fuels? A Carbon dioxide B Carbon monoxide C Nitrogen D Oxygen Your answer [1]
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): In the UK, one person produces about 9.5 × 103 kg of carbon dioxide per year. One tree can take in 15 kg of carbon dioxide per year. Approximately how many of t
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q11(a) (1 mark): What produced the gases present in the Earth’s early atmosphere? Tick (3) one box. Earthquakes Thunderstorms Volcanoes [1]
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q11(b) (1 mark): What is the percentage of oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere today? [1]
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q11(c) (2 marks): The amounts of carbon dioxide and water vapour in the Earth’s early atmosphere decreased over time. Draw lines to connect each gas with the correct description
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q11(d)(i) (2 marks): The table shows the amounts of the gases from Group 0 in the Earth’s atmosphere today. Gas Amount of gas (%) Helium 0.000524 Neon 0.00182 Argon 0.934 Krypton Th
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q13(a) (1 mark): Which name is given to water that has been made safe to drink? Tick (3) one box. Filtered Ground Potable [1]
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q13(b) (2 marks): The diagram shows the stages in the treatment of water from lakes and reservoirs. Water from lakes and reservoirs Stage 2 Stage 3 Settlement Coagulation and sed
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q13(c) (2 marks): Water can also be purified by simple distillation. The diagram shows the equipment used by a student to distil sea water. Water out Condenser Sea water Pure wat
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q13(d) (3 marks): On average one person in the UK uses 149 litres of water every day. Only 3% of this water is used for drinking. Calculate the amount of drinking water a family
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): In the UK, one person produces about 9.5 × 103 kg of carbon dioxide per year. 2 One tree can take in 15 kg of carbon dioxide per year. Approximately how many of
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): The diagram shows the four processes, 1–4, that cause the greenhouse effect. Radiation from the sun Radiation from the sun Atmosphere Atmosphere 3 1 1 4 1 12 Ea
June 2022, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q10 (1 mark): The graph shows how the amounts of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and oxygen in the Earth’s early atmosphere may have changed over time. 100 Carbon dioxide Nitrogen 8
November 2021, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): The burning of fossil fuels can produce gases that cause acid rain. Which gas causes acid rain? A Carbon monoxide B Nitrogen C Oxygen D Sulfur dioxide [1] Your
November 2021, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q4 (1 mark): The Earth’s early atmosphere contained little or no oxygen. Which process produced the oxygen found in the Earth’s atmosphere today? A Burning fossil fuels B Ph
November 2021, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q6 (1 mark): Many scientists believe that increased levels of methane in the atmosphere are contributing to global warming. What causes increased levels of methane in the at
November 2021, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): The diagram shows the percentage of greenhouse gases made from different sources. Agriculture Industry 29% Residential Commercial 16% Transportation 28% The per
November 2021, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q13(d)(i) (1 mark): Write down the name of the hazardous gas formed in this reaction. [1]
November 2021, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q13(d)(ii) (1 mark): State why the gas identified in (d)(i) is hazardous to humans. [1]
November 2021, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q16 (6 marks): 16* Fig. 16.1 shows how the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration changed between 1970 and 2010. 400 390 380 370 360 Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration
November 2021, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): The diagram shows the percentage of greenhouse gases made from different sources. Agriculture Industry 29% Residential Commercial 16% Transportation 28% The per
November 2021, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q5 (1 mark): Which row correctly shows a gas produced in a car engine and the problem it can cause? Gas produced by a car engine Problem caused by the gas A Water vapor Toxi
November 2021, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q6 (1 mark): The table shows the composition of the atmosphere of four different planets. Planet Composition of the planet’s atmosphere Carbon dioxide Nitrogen Other gases A
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q11(a) (1 mark): Calculate the percentage of argon in the atmosphere. Percentage = ..% [1]
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q11(b)(i) (1 mark): Which gas condensed to form the oceans? [1]
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q11(b)(ii) (1 mark): Which gas was turned into oxygen by plants and algae? [1]
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q11(b)(iii) (1 mark): .. [1]
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q14(a) (1 mark): What is the name of water that is safe to drink? [1]
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q14(b) (3 marks): A student wants to produce water that is safe to drink from muddy water from a river. Step 1: He leaves the water from the river in a beaker for 24 hours. Muddy
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q14(c)(i) (1 mark): Suggest why simple distillation is more expensive than reverse osmosis. [1]
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q14(c)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest one environmental problem with both methods. [1]
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): The diagram shows how drinking water can be produced from water from a reservoir. Water from a reservoir Drinking water Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Coarse S
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q5 (1 mark): The composition of the Earth’s atmosphere has changed over the last 4.5 billion years. Which gas has increased by the largest amount? A Ammonia B Nitrogen C Oxy
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q9 (1 mark): The Earth’s early atmosphere is thought to have contained large amounts of carbon dioxide. Which process does not explain how the amount of carbon dioxide in th
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q15(a) (2 marks): Scientists think that without the greenhouse effect the average temperature of the Earth’s surface would be about −18 °C. Explain how the greenhouse effect keep
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q15(b) (2 marks): Many scientists think that human activity is enhancing the greenhouse effect and leading to global warming. Explain this statement. [2]
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q15(c) (2 marks): Student A thinks that the increased use of electric cars would help reduce the greenhouse effect. Student B thinks that the increased use of electric cars would
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q15(d)(i) (2 marks): Explain how the oxides of nitrogen are formed in an engine. [2]
November 2020, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q15(d)(ii) (1 mark): Most vehicles are fitted with catalytic converters. They reduce the amount of the oxides of nitrogen released into the atmosphere. Describe why this is importan
June 2019, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q2 (1 mark): Which process leads to the greenhouse effect? A Radiation absorbed by carbon dioxide B Radiation causing plants to grow C Radiation causing pollution D Radiatio
June 2019, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q3 (1 mark): Which graph shows the correct percentages of the three main gases in the atmosphere today? 80 60 Percentage of A atmosphere 40 (%) 20 0 nitrogen oxygen argon 80
June 2019, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q12(c)(i) (1 mark): Name one source of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere. [1]
June 2019, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q12(c)(ii) (2 marks): Describe two problems caused by the release of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. 1 2 [2]
June 2019, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q12(e) (2 marks): The amount of sulfur dioxide released in the UK is decreasing. This graph shows how it has decreased since 1970. 4000 3500 3000 2500 Mass of sulfur dioxide rele
June 2019, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q4 (1 mark): Which statement explains why methane is a greenhouse gas? A It absorbs and re-emits infrared radiation. B It absorbs and re-emits ultraviolet radiation. C It co
June 2019, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q15(d)(i) (1 mark): Write down two sources of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere. 1 2 [1]
June 2019, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q15(d)(ii) (2 marks): Describe two problems caused by the release of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. 1 2 [2]
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q1 (1 mark): Large scale desalination is used to make drinking water from seawater in hot countries. What is the name of the technique used to remove the dissolved salts fro
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q5 (1 mark): Look at the table. Nitrogen Oxygen Carbon dioxide A 21% 78% 0.04% B 80% 15% 5% C 70% 20% 10% D 78% 21% 0.04% Which row in the table shows the correct percentage
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q9 (1 mark): The graph shows how the masses of three atmospheric pollutants have changed in one city since 1990. The atmospheric pollutants are: • Oxides of nitrogen, NOx •
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q10 (1 mark): Look at the graph in question 9. Which statement is true based on the data on the graph? A In 2015 the level of oxides of nitrogen was higher than the levels of
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q13 (4 marks): Complete the sentences about how the Earth’s atmosphere has evolved. Choose words from the list. argon condensed melted nitrogen oxygen sunlight thunderstorms v
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q15(a) (1 mark): In graph 1, how much has the Earth’s temperature increased between 1880 and 2000? Answer = °C [1]
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q15(b) (1 mark): In graph 2, what is the difference between the amount of carbon dioxide in the air between 1880 and 2000? Answer = parts per million [1]
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 4 Foundation, Q15(c) (2 marks): Some scientists believe that graph 1 and graph 2 show that increased levels of carbon dioxide have increased the Earth’s temperature. Other scientists believe t
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q2 (1 mark): Look at the table. Nitrogen Oxygen Carbon dioxide Argon A 21% 78% 0.04% 0.1% B 80% 15% 4.5% 0.5% C 70% 20% 9% 1.0% D 78% 21% 0.04% 0.9% Which row in the table s
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q15(a) (4 marks): Describe the four processes and how the greenhouse effect occurs. [4]
June 2018, Chemistry Paper 10 Higher, Q15(b) (2 marks): Look at the graphs. Graph 1 shows how the Earth’s temperature has changed between 1880 and 2010. Graph 1 0.6 0.4 0.2 Temperature change (°C) 0 –0.2 –0.4 1880 19

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