plumiWhy are nanoparticles so useful?: OCR GCSE Combined Science B questions
Every OCR GCSE Combined Science B exam question on C4.3 Why are nanoparticles so useful?, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Calculations
Q2(a)(iii)
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Q2(b)
The whole paper ↗Q7(b)(i)
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Q7(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q9(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q9(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q9(b)
The whole paper ↗Q9(c)
The whole paper ↗Q5(a)
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Q5(b)
The whole paper ↗Q1(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q1(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q1(b)
The whole paper ↗Q1(c)
The whole paper ↗Q8(a)
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Q8(b)
The whole paper ↗Q6(a)
The whole paper ↗
Q6(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q6(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q6(c)
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All 50 questions on Why are nanoparticles so useful?, as a list
- June 2025, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q2(a)(iii) (2 marks): Fullerene can be used to carry drugs into the body. Which two properties of the structure makes this possible? Tick (3) two boxes. It is hollow. It is made up o
- June 2025, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q2(b) (2 marks): Some scientists are worried about the use of fullerenes to carry drugs into the body. State one benefit and one risk of using fullerenes in this way. Benefit Ri
- June 2025, Chemistry Paper 6 Higher, Q7(b)(i) (1 mark): Which two particles are the same order of magnitude? and [1]
- June 2025, Chemistry Paper 6 Higher, Q7(b)(ii) (2 marks): Nanoparticles are between 1 × 10–9 and 1 × 10–7 m in size. Which two particles could be nanoparticles? and [2]
- June 2024, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(a)(i) (1 mark): Which two particles have diameters with the same order of magnitude? and [1]
- June 2024, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(a)(ii) (2 marks): Write down the particles in order of diameter. Smallest Largest [2]
- June 2024, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(b) (2 marks): Nanoparticles make effective catalysts because they have a high surface area to volume ratio. Table 9.2 shows the surface area to volume ratio of some different
- June 2024, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(c) (3 marks): The nanoparticle shown is a cube. This nanoparticle has a volume of 1000 nm3. h w l NOT TO SCALE Calculate the surface area of the nanoparticle. Use the formula
- June 2024, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q5(a) (3 marks): Indium tin oxide is an important component of smartphones. The diagram shows a layer of indium tin oxide on a glass screen. Indium atoms are approximately 3.9 ×
- June 2024, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q5(b) (1 mark): Suggest why the actual number of whole indium atoms across the thickness of the indium tin oxide layer is less than the number of whole indium atoms calculated
- June 2024, Chemistry Paper 6 Higher, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): Which two particles have diameters with the same order of magnitude? and [1]
- June 2024, Chemistry Paper 6 Higher, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Write down the particles in order of diameter. Smallest Largest [2]
- June 2024, Chemistry Paper 6 Higher, Q1(b) (2 marks): Nanoparticles make effective catalysts because they have a high surface area to volume ratio. Table 1.2 shows the surface area to volume ratio of some different
- June 2024, Chemistry Paper 6 Higher, Q1(c) (3 marks): The nanoparticle shown is a cube. This nanoparticle has a volume of 1000 nm3. h w l NOT TO SCALE Calculate the surface area of the nanoparticle. Use the formula
- June 2023, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q8(a) (1 mark): What is the typical size of atoms and small molecules? Put a ring around the correct option. 1 × 10–10 m 1 × 10–6 m 1 × 10–2 m 1 m [1]
- June 2023, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q8(b) (3 marks): A sphere with a diameter of 2 cm is used as a model of an atom. Calculate the diameter of a model of a tennis ball on the same scale. Give your answer in metres
- June 2023, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q6(a) (2 marks): What can you conclude from the data in the graph? [2]
- June 2023, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): Suggest two reasons why scientists in the nanotechnology company might disagree with this conclusion. 1 2 [2]
- June 2023, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe what the group of scientists should have done to improve their study. [2]
- June 2023, Combined Science Paper 4 Foundation, Q6(c) (1 mark): Nanoparticles have been used in medicine alongside MRI scans to help detect cancer in patients. Why are health professionals and patients happy to be part of na
- June 2022, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): What is the approximate size of a nanoparticle? Put a ring around the correct answer. ≤100 nm 1000 nm 10 000 nm ≥10 000 nm [1]
- June 2022, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Fullerenes can be used to carry drugs into the body. Which two statements explain why? Tick (3) two boxes. They are small enough to pass through body tissues. T
- June 2022, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q6(b)(iii) (2 marks): Some people do not agree with the use of nanoparticles to carry drugs into the human body. Others think that the benefits outweigh the risks. Suggest one risk a
- June 2022, Chemistry Paper 6 Higher, Q8(a)(iii) (1 mark): Graphene sheets are one atom deep. What is the depth of a graphene sheet? Put a ring around the correct answer. 1 × 10–11 m 1 × 10–10 m 1 × 10–9 m 1 × 10–8 m 1
- June 2022, Chemistry Paper 6 Higher, Q8(b)(i) (2 marks): Which two statements explain why nanotubes can be used to carry drugs into the body? Tick (3) two boxes. They act as molecular sieves. They are good catalysts.
- June 2022, Chemistry Paper 6 Higher, Q8(b)(ii) (2 marks): Give one risk and one benefit of using nanoparticles to carry drugs into the body. Risk Benefit [2]
- June 2022, Combined Science Paper 8 Higher, Q8(a)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the surface area of a gold nanoparticle. Use information from the table and the equation: surface area of a sphere = 4πr 2 Use π = 3.14 Give the corre
- June 2022, Combined Science Paper 8 Higher, Q8(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which statement would be a reason to use gold nanoparticles to deliver drugs to cells in the human body? Tick (✓) one box. Gold is very valuable Gold has the sm
- June 2022, Combined Science Paper 8 Higher, Q8(b) (2 marks): Explain why silver oxide nanoparticles make an effective catalyst. Use information from the table to support your answer. [2]
- June 2022, Combined Science Paper 8 Higher, Q8(c) (4 marks): Suggest why titanium dioxide nanoparticles might be a risk to marine ecosystems. Use information from the table and your own knowledge to support your answer. [
- November 2021, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(a) (3 marks): Discuss James’ comment. Use Table 10.1 to support your answer. [3]
- November 2021, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(b)(i) (1 mark): Which type of powder in Table 10.2 provides the biggest surface area for a given volume of silver? Give one reason for your answer. Type of powder Reason [1]
- November 2021, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(b)(ii) (2 marks): James thinks that the data in Table 10.2 gives this relationship. surface area to volume ratio ∝ size of particle Is James correct? Yes No Explain your answer.
- November 2021, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(c) (2 marks): The different ways that nanoparticles are used depends on their properties. Draw lines to connect each property of nanoparticles with the use that depends on it
- November 2021, Chemistry Paper 6 Higher, Q2(a) (3 marks): Discuss James’ comment. Use Table 2.1 to support your answer. [3]
- November 2021, Chemistry Paper 6 Higher, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): Which type of powder in Table 2.2 provides the biggest surface area for a given volume of silver? Give one reason for your answer. Type of powder Reason [1]
- November 2021, Chemistry Paper 6 Higher, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): James thinks that the data in Table 2.2 gives this relationship. surface area to volume ratio ∝ size of particle Is James correct? Yes No Explain your answer. [
- November 2021, Chemistry Paper 6 Higher, Q2(c) (2 marks): The different ways that nanoparticles are used depends on their properties. Draw lines to connect each property of nanoparticles with the use that depends on it
- June 2019, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q11(a)(i) (1 mark): Nanotubes are nanoparticles. Which statement explains why nanotubes are nanoparticles? Tick (3) one box. They have covalent bonds. Their diameters are between 1
- June 2019, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q11(a)(ii) (2 marks): Which two statements explain why nanotubes are very strong? Tick (3) two boxes. Bonds between carbon atoms are strong. Lots of bonds must be broken to break the
- June 2019, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q11(a)(iii) (3 marks): Nanotubes are a similar shape to a human hair but they are much smaller. A human hair has a diameter of 0.001 mm. A nanotube has a diameter of 2 nm and a length
- June 2019, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q11(b) (2 marks): Short nanotubes can also be used to carry medicines into the body. The medicine is put inside the tube and the tube is injected into the body. Give one benefit
- June 2019, Chemistry Paper 6 Higher, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Nanotubes are nanoparticles. Which statement explains why nanotubes are nanoparticles? Tick (3) one box. They have covalent bonds. Their diameters are between 1
- June 2019, Chemistry Paper 6 Higher, Q2(a)(ii) (2 marks): Which two statements explain why nanotubes are very strong? Tick (3) two boxes. Bonds between carbon atoms are strong. Lots of bonds must be broken to break the
- June 2019, Chemistry Paper 6 Higher, Q2(a)(iii) (3 marks): Nanotubes are a similar shape to a human hair but they are much smaller. A human hair has a diameter of 0.001 mm. A nanotube has a diameter of 2 nm and a length
- June 2019, Chemistry Paper 6 Higher, Q2(b) (2 marks): Short nanotubes can also be used to carry medicines into the body. The medicine is put inside the tube and the tube is injected into the body. Give one benefit
- June 2018, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(c)(i) (1 mark): The surface area to volume ratio of a particle of a catalyst can be calculated by using this formula: surface area to volume ratio = surface area of particle ÷
- June 2018, Chemistry Paper 2 Foundation, Q10(c)(ii) (4 marks): Catalysts are now made from nanoparticles. A nanoparticle in a catalyst is shown in the diagram. 10 nm 10 nm 10 nm Calculate the surface area to volume ratio of
- June 2018, Chemistry Paper 6 Higher, Q2(c)(i) (1 mark): The surface area to volume ratio of a particle of a catalyst can be calculated by using this formula: surface area to volume ratio = surface area of particle ÷
- June 2018, Chemistry Paper 6 Higher, Q2(c)(ii) (4 marks): Catalysts are now made from nanoparticles. A nanoparticle in a catalyst is shown in the diagram. 10 nm 10 nm 10 nm Calculate the surface area to volume ratio of
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