SubjectCover

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · CHEMISTRY · Section

The combustion of elements in oxygen

18 practice questions

Practice questions

1–10 of 18

  1. Question 1

    1 mark · Easy

    Name the type of reaction that takes place when an element burns in oxygen.

    Answer and see the solution →
  2. Question 2

    3 marks · Easy

    The apparatus below is used to burn phosphorus in air:

    Apparatus: beaker, evaporating basin, gas jar
    Apparatus for burning phosphorus in air
    (a)

    State the name of the gas in air that phosphorus reacts with when it is burned.

    [1 mark]
    (b)

    Give one observation you would make when phosphorus burns in air.

    [1 mark]
    (c)

    Name the compound formed when phosphorus combusts in oxygen.

    [1 mark]
    Answer and see the solution →
  3. Question 3

    2 marks · Easy

    During the combustion of phosphorus in air, a student measures that the water level in the bell jar rises by 44 mL. The total original air volume in the jar was 210 mL. Calculate (to the nearest whole number) the percentage of oxygen in the original air sample.

    Answer and see the solution →
  4. Question 4

    2 marks · Easy

    Explain why it is important to leave some phosphorus unreacted at the end of the experiment when finding the percentage of oxygen in air using phosphorus.

    Answer and see the solution →
  5. Question 5

    1 mark · Easy

    State what you would observe when magnesium burns in pure oxygen.

    Answer and see the solution →
  6. Question 6

    3 marks · Easy

    The diagram shows an experiment in which sulfur is burned in a bell jar filled with air over a trough of water.

    (a)

    Describe what you would see when sulfur burns in oxygen.

    [1 mark]
    (b)

    Write a word equation for the reaction of sulfur and oxygen.

    [1 mark]
    (c)

    Explain why the water level inside the bell jar rises after burning sulfur, based on the changes taking place inside the jar.

    [1 mark]
    Answer and see the solution →
  7. Question 7

    2 marks · Easy

    A student burns phosphorus in a bell jar containing 300 cm³ of air. After the reaction, the water level inside the bell jar rises by 63 cm³. Calculate the percentage of oxygen in air, based on these results. Give your answer to the nearest whole number.

    Answer and see the solution →
  8. Question 8

    2 marks · Normal

    State what is meant by a combustion reaction. Give an example of a combustion reaction involving an element.

    Answer and see the solution →
  9. Question 9

    4 marks · Normal

    The diagram shows an experiment in which a piece of magnesium ribbon is burned in a bell jar containing air, floating on water as described.

    (a)

    State what you would observe when magnesium burns in the air inside the bell jar.

    [1 mark]
    (b)

    Write a word equation for the combustion of magnesium in oxygen.

    [1 mark]
    (c)

    Explain why the level of water rises inside the bell jar after the reaction.

    [2 marks]
    Answer and see the solution →
  10. Question 10

    1 mark · Normal

    Which of the following best describes what happens when an element combusts in oxygen?

    1. A.A new compound is formed and energy is released.
    2. B.The element turns into a gas without reacting.
    3. C.The element dissolves in oxygen.
    4. D.No change takes place.
    Answer and check →