Experimental design: past paper questions
Real questions on experimental design
The newest 20 of 386 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0620/31 · May/June 2026 · Q3b(i)[1]
Name the piece of apparatus used to collect and measure the volume of hydrogen gas produced in this reaction.
See it on the paper → - 0620/31 · May/June 2026 · Q3b(ii)[1]
Use the graph in Figure 3.1 to determine the total volume of hydrogen gas released in 10 s. total volume of hydrogen gas = cm 3
See it on the paper → - 0620/31 · May/June 2026 · Q3b(iii)[1]
Use the graph in Figure 3.1 to deduce the time taken for the reaction to finish. time = s
See it on the paper → - 0620/31 · May/June 2026 · Q3b(v)[2]
The student repeats the experiment using the same volume of dilute hydrochloric acid at a higher temperature. Draw a line on the grid in Figure 3.1 to show how the total volume of hydrogen gas released changes over time in this second experiment.
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · May/June 2026 · Q3b(i)[1]
Use the graph in Figure 3.1 to determine the total volume of carbon dioxide gas released in 20 s. total volume of carbon dioxide gas = cm 3
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · May/June 2026 · Q3b(ii)[1]
Use the graph in Figure 3.1 to deduce the time taken for the reaction to finish. time = s
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · May/June 2026 · Q3b(iii)[2]
The student repeats the experiment using the same volume of dilute sulfuric acid but with smaller pieces of magnesium carbonate. Draw a line on the grid in Figure 3.1 to show how the total volume of carbon dioxide gas released changes over time in this second experiment.
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · May/June 2026 · Q7e[1]
Explain why distilled water rather than tap water is used in practical chemistry.
See it on the paper → - 0620/42 · May/June 2026 · Q3d(ii)[1]
Water is allowed to evaporate from solution A. Determine the volume of solution A when ZnSO 4 crystals first appear. volume = cm 3
See it on the paper → - 0620/42 · May/June 2026 · Q3d(iii)[1]
Solution B is formed when solution A is evaporated until 20 cm 3 remains. Calculate the mass of ZnSO 4 that is formed from solution B. mass = g
See it on the paper → - 0620/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2a[1]
Complete Table 2.1, using the information in the descriptions of the experiments and the thermometer diagrams. Calculate the temperature decrease using the equation shown. temperature decrease = initial temperature – lowest temperature Table 2.1 experiment volume of distilled water / cm 3 initial temperature / ° C ther...
See it on the paper → - 0620/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2b[1]
On Figure 2.1, write a suitable scale on the y-axis, and plot the results from Experiments 1 to 5. Draw a line of best fit. temperature decrease / °C 0 2 4 6 volume of distilled water / cm 3 8
See it on the paper → - 0620/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2d[1]
Use your graph in Figure 2.1 to predict the temperature decrease if the experiment is repeated using 5.5 cm 3 of distilled water. Show your working on Figure 2.1.
See it on the paper → - 0620/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2e[1]
Describe the relationship between the volume of distilled water and the temperature decrease.
See it on the paper → - 0620/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2f(i)[1]
Explain why wrapping the boiling tube in cotton wool would improve the accuracy of the results.
See it on the paper → - 0620/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2f(ii)[1]
Explain why placing the boiling tube in a water-bath at room temperature would not improve the accuracy of the results. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 0620/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2g[1]
Explain why the volume of distilled water was measured using a 10 cm 3 measuring cylinder rather than a 25 cm 3 measuring cylinder.
See it on the paper → - 0620/61 · May/June 2026 · Q2h[1]
On Figure 2.1, sketch the graph obtained if all of the experiments were repeated using 2 g of solid citric acid and 2 g of solid sodium carbonate.
See it on the paper → - 0620/62 · May/June 2026 · Q1a[1]
Name the items of apparatus in Figure 1.1 labelled A and B. A
See it on the paper → - 0620/62 · May/June 2026 · Q1b(i)[1]
Draw an arrow on Figure 1.1 to show where the apparatus should be heated.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Comprehensive responses • Most candidates were able to name the correct item of apparatus. Limited responses • Some candidates thought that a measuring cylinder could be used but did not know that it must be over water.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0620/32 Q4(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • Some candidates could put the experimental concentrations in the correct order in the context of this experiment. Limited responses • Many candidates confused the order and would benefit from practising very similar types of questions to this one.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0620/32 Q4(b)(i) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • Most candidates could name this separation technique.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0620/32 Q4(e) (Cambridge)
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