IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award) 0654 · Chemistry · 52

0654.C5.1.01 — State that an exothermic reaction transfers thermal energy to the surroundings leading to an increase in the temperature of the surroundings: past paper questions

9 real questionsasked in 3 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: Which, State, Explain

Real questions on 0654.c5.1.01 — state that an exothermic reaction transfers thermal energy to the surroundings leading to an increase in the temperature of the surroundings

The newest 9 of 9 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0654/41 · May/June 2025 · Q7a[1]
In the first stage, carbon (coke) is burnt to provide heat and produce carbon dioxide. State the type of reaction that transfers thermal (heat) energy to the surroundings.
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0654/43 · May/June 2025 · Q8b(ii)[2]
State the enthalpy change for the reaction. enthalpy change = kJ / mol
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0654/32 · February/March 2025 · Q8b(i)[1]
Explain how these observations show that the reaction is exothermic.
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0654/21 · October/November 2024 · Q19[1]
Which row describes the type of change and the type of reaction taking place?
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0654/21 · May/June 2021 · Q18[1]
Which row describes the energy change and the type of reaction?
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0654/22 · May/June 2021 · Q18[1]
Which arrow shows the overall energy change for the reaction?
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0654/11 · October/November 2020 · Q12[1]
Which statement is correct?
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0654/11 · October/November 2020 · Q18[1]
Which statement describes the meaning of exothermic?
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0654/11 · October/November 2019 · Q19[1]
Which change is the most exothermic?
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What examiners said

Many candidates appreciated that the enthalpy change is the difference in energy between the reactants and products but very few appreciated that the change had a minus sign since energy is released. The energy of the products, 4 kJ / mol, and also 34 kJ / mol, were common incorrect responses.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0654/43 Q8(b)(ii) (Cambridge)

Many candidates used the observations given in the question to show that the reaction is exothermic.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 0654/32 Q8(b)(i) (Cambridge)

Candidates understood very well the meaning of exothermic in terms of heat energy transfer.
— Examiner report, October/November 2020, 0654/11 Q18 (Cambridge)

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Practise 0654.c5.1.01 — state that an exothermic reaction transfers thermal energy to the surroundings leading to an increase in the temperature of the surroundings

In the syllabus

52 0654.C5.1.01 — State that an exothermic reaction transfers thermal energy to the surroundings leading to an increase in the temperature of the surroundings

State that an exothermic reaction transfers thermal energy to the surroundings leading to an increase in the temperature of the surroundings
State that an endothermic reaction takes in thermal energy from the surroundings leading to a decrease in the temperature of the surroundings
Interpret reaction pathway diagrams showing exothermic and endothermic reactions
State that the transfer of thermal energy during a reaction is called the enthalpy change, ∆H, of the reaction. ∆H is negative for exothermic reactions and positive for endothermic reactions
Define activation energy, Ea, as the minimum energy that colliding particles must have to react
Draw and label reaction pathway diagrams for exothermic and endothermic reactions using information provided, to include: (a).reactants (b).products (c). overall energy change of the reaction, ∆H (d). activation energy, Ea
State that bond breaking is an endothermic process and bond making is an exothermic process

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