GraspIT - AQA GCSE Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table - Practice Questions

Sep 5, 2026

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Practice questions for AQA GCSE Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table, covering core chemistry concepts and atomic models. Includes short- and extended-response tasks on elements versus compounds, interpreting chemical formulas, balanced symbol equations with state symbols, mixtures and separation techniques such as distillation, and separating immiscible components. Also addresses atomic history (Thomson, Rutherford, Bohr), plus calculations of protons, neutrons and electrons, overall charge, ion formation, and comparisons of atomic structures.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Atoms, Elements, Compounds and Mixtures - Part 1

Atoms, Elements, Compounds and Word & Symbol Equations

Atoms, Elements, Compounds and Mixtures - Part 2

Separating Techniques

Atomic Model - Part 1

History of the Atom

Atomic Model - Part 2

Size and Mass of Atoms and Atomic Structure

GraspIT – AQA GCSE Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table A . Atoms, Elements, Compounds and Mixtures part 1 – Atoms, Elements, Compounds, Word and Symbol Equations 1. Describe the differences between an element and a compound. (2) . ............................................................................................................................................ . ............................................................................................................................................ 2. Explain what information can be deduced from the chemical formula of carbon dioxide CO2. (2) 3. Sodium reacts with water to make sodium hydroxide, NaOH. Write a balanced symbol equation including the state symbols for the reaction. (2) B. Atoms, Elements, Compounds and Mixtures part 2 – Separating Techniques 1. What is a mixture? (2) . ............................................................................................................................................ . ............................................................................................................................................. 2. Explain how the process of distillation can be used to remove dissolved impurities from a sample of water. (4) ............................................................................................................................................. . ............................................................................................................................................ . ............................................................................................................................................. . ............................................................................................................................................ . ............................................................................................................................................ GraspIT – AQA GCSE Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table 3. Extended response question: Sulfur is soluble in the flammable liquid xylene but not in water. Sodium nitrate is soluble in water but not xylene. Describe and explain two ways to separate a mixture of sulfur powder and sodium nitrate to collect pure samples of each solid. (6) . ............................................................................................................................................ . ............................................................................................................................................ | . . .
. . | | --- | | . . | | . . | | . . | | . . . | 4. A mixture of inks is thought to contain three pure inks. The colours of these inks are red, green and blue. Describe using a diagram how a student could prove this. (4) . ............................................................................................................................................ . ............................................................................................................................................ . ............................................................................................................................................. . ............................................................................................................................................ C. Atomic Model part 1 – History of the Atom 1. Describe JJ. Thomson’s plum pudding model of the atom (2) . ............................................................................................................................................ . ............................................................................................................................................. GraspIT – AQA GCSE Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table 2. State two ways in which Rutherford changed Thomson’s model of the atom (3) . .

FAQs

What are the key differences between an element and a compound?

Elements are made of one type of atom, while compounds contain atoms of different elements chemically combined.

How can distillation remove dissolved impurities from a water sample?

Distillation involves heating to produce vapour and then cooling it so the vapour condenses back into a purer liquid, leaving dissolved impurities behind.

How do Thomson’s, Rutherford’s, and Bohr’s models differ?

Thomson proposed a “plum pudding” model; Rutherford changed it using scattering evidence, and Bohr revised Rutherford’s model by introducing electron energy levels for electrons in atoms.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Rhys