Chromatography: past paper questions
Real questions on chromatography
The newest 20 of 23 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0620/32 · October/November 2025 · Q3d(i)[1]
Name the separation method shown in Fig. 3.1.
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · October/November 2025 · Q3d(ii)[1]
Label the solvent front in Fig. 3.1.
See it on the paper → - 0620/41 · October/November 2024 · Q6e[2]
A mixture of the three amino acids, A, B and C, can be separated and the amino acids identified using paper chromatography. Complete the equation for R f .
See it on the paper → - 0620/41 · October/November 2024 · Q6f(i)[1]
Explain why the baseline is drawn in pencil.
See it on the paper → - 0620/41 · October/November 2024 · Q6f(ii)[1]
State the type of substance used to make the colourless amino acids visible on the chromatogram in Fig. 6.6.
See it on the paper → - 0620/41 · October/November 2024 · Q6f(iii)[1]
Explain why in Fig. 6.6 only two spots are seen from the mixture of three amino acids.
See it on the paper → - 0620/41 · October/November 2024 · Q6f(iv)[1]
Suggest how the experiment can be changed to separate all three amino acids. (iv)
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · May/June 2024 · Q4b(i)[1]
Name this method of separation.
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · May/June 2024 · Q1e[1]
identify the components of a mixture of soluble coloured substances
See it on the paper → - 0620/06 · Specimen 2023 · Q4[6]
The label on a bottle of orange drink states ‘contains no artificial colours’. A scientist thinks that the orange colour in the drink is a mixture of two artificial colours: •Sunset Yellow E110 •Allura Red E129. Plan an experiment to show that the orange colour in the drink does not contain these two artificial co...
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · October/November 2022 · Q6c(iii)[3]
Amino acids are colourless. A sample containing a mixture of amino acids is separated. Each amino acid is detected and identified. ● Name the process used to separate the amino acids. ● Name the type of substance used to detect the amino acids. ● ive the symbol of the value used to determine the identity of each...
See it on the paper → - 0620/62 · October/November 2022 · Q1d[1]
State when the paper should be removed from the solvent in A.
See it on the paper → - 0620/62 · October/November 2022 · Q1e[1]
Name this method of separation of coloured compounds.
See it on the paper → - 0620/22 · May/June 2022 · Q3[1]
Which measurements are used to find the R f value of T?
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · May/June 2022 · Q5h[2]
Suggest what is meant by the term saturated solution in step 3.
See it on the paper → - 0620/61 · October/November 2021 · Q4[6]
Tartrazine is used as a yellow food colouring. Plan an investigation to find out if a yellow sweet contains tartrazine. Explain how your results will tell you if the sweet contains tartrazine. You have access to all normal laboratory materials, a yellow sweet and a sample of tartrazine. You may draw a labelled diagr...
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · May/June 2021 · Q1f[1]
to separate the products of hydrolysis of long chain carbohydrates
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · May/June 2020 · Q4c(i)[1]
How does this chromatogram show that this substance is not pure?
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · May/June 2020 · Q4c(ii)[1]
Draw a circle round the correct R f value for the spot labelled X. 0.2 0.4 0.8 1.2
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · May/June 2020 · Q4c(iii)[1]
State how a colourless substance can be made visible on a chromatogram. . [Total: 8]
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Those candidates who were familiar with the processes involved in separation and identification of amino acids often performed well. However, many candidates seemed unfamiliar with the techniques involved and often did not gain credit. Fractional distillation and indicators were regularly mentioned. The question asked for type of substance used to detect as opposed to names of substances. Weaker...
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 0620/43 Q6(c)(iii) (Cambridge)
A significant number of candidates described the colour spreading or the solvent reaching the baseline.
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 0620/62 Q1(d) (Cambridge)
Many candidates attempted to use the correct terminology of solute, solvent and dissolve but often confused the terms, for example ‘solvent dissolving in solute’ was regularly seen. It was common to see answers given in reference to saturation of organic compounds, rather than saturated solutions.
— Examiner report, May/June 2022, 0620/43 Q5(h) (Cambridge)
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