Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry (a) Energetics Question Bank
Practise energetics through temperature-change practicals, energy level diagrams, bond energy calculations and explanations of heat transfer.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2019
- Course
- Chemistry 4CH1
Practise energetics through temperature-change practicals, energy level diagrams, bond energy calculations and explanations of heat transfer.
The teacher demonstrates the reaction between aluminium and iron(III) oxide.

The teacher ignites the magnesium fuse. A very exothermic reaction then occurs between aluminium powder and iron(III) oxide.
The products of the reaction are iron and aluminium oxide.
State what is meant by the term exothermic.
gives out/releases heat (energy)/thermal energy
ALLOW multiples and
fractions
A student investigates the reaction between zinc and copper(II) sulfate solution.
This is the equation for the reaction.
This is the student's method.
Step 1 add 25.0 cm3 of copper(II) sulfate solution to a glass beaker
Step 2 record the temperature of the solution
Step 3 add between 5 g and 6 g of zinc powder (an excess) and stir the mixture
Step 4 record the highest temperature reached
Explain an improvement to step 1 to produce a more accurate temperature rise.
Any two from:
- use a polystyrene cup
- less heat will be lost
- leave to reach a steady temperature before recording it
Allow:
- use a beaker with a lid
- any apparatus that is better insulated
The table shows the student's results.

Calculate the heat energy change ( Q ) in joules (J).
[for the solution, c=4.2 J/g/∘C ]
[mass of 1.0 cm3 of solution =1.0 g ]
M1Δ T=30.1(∘C)
M2 25×4.2×30.1
ALLOW ecf from M1
M3 3160.5(J)
ALLOW any number of
significant figures from
2
The student repeats the experiment and calculates Q as 3800 J.
The solution used contains 6.38 g of copper(II) sulfate.
Calculate the molar enthalpy change, ΔH, in kJ / mol.
Include a sign in your answer.
[for CuSO4,Mr=159.5 ]
- moles of CuSOX4 = 6.38 / 159.5 = 0.04 mol
- 3800 / 0.04 = 95000
- divide by 1000 = 95 kJ
- molar enthalpy change = -95 kJ/mol
Allow:
- ECF from moles
- ECF from energy per mole
Marking guidance:
- Correct answer -95 scores 4.
- ECF -79 scores 3 if using the energy change from 10(b)(i).