Answers to end-of-chapter

questions
Chapter 2 The nature of matter 3 a A: thermometer; B: beaker [2]
b to keep the temperature the same throughout [1]
1 Both ways of categorising substances have their use c i 48 °C [1]
to a chemist. ii 72 °C [1]
d The particles are close together but irregular
◆ Knowing whether a substance is a solid, liquid [1]; the molecules are able to move about
or gas at room temperature – and how easily with slow movement [1]. [2]
a substance can change its state – helps us e i The third statement is correct: its melting
in handling the different substances and in point is different from pure stearic acid. [1]
separating them and purifying them from ii in testing medicines or food additives, or
mixtures. It is important to realise that any other correct [1]
substance can exist in any of the three states, [Total = 9]
depending on the conditions of temperature
and pressure.
4 a i The particles are in fixed positions [1];
◆ Knowing whether a sample is an element,
they vibrate about their fixed position [1]. [2]
compound or mixture helps us in knowing
ii Add water, stir to dissolve salt and filter to
and predicting the chemical properties of a
obtain sand as the residue. [3]
substance. These distinctions are mutually
b distillation, lower, volatile, condenser, vapour [5]
exclusive and therefore are more fundamental
[Total = 10]
to our understanding.

5 Both crystals dissolve in water; particles of each

2 The word ‘particle’ is needed when talking in
substance diffuse through the water; eventually
generalisations about the structure and movement
particles of the two meet and they react to form
of the constituents of matter. The context should
a yellow compound, silver iodide. [4]
always be defined to distinguish this scientific use
[Total = 4]
of the word from the more everyday use when it
can be a speck of dust etc. The one key experiment
where the two uses interact is in the description of 6 a An isotope is an atom of an element with
Brownian motion. a different nucleon (mass) number but the
same proton number (or the same number of
Here the unseen motion of atoms and molecules in
protons but a different number of neutrons). [1]
a fluid is demonstrated by the jerky, random motion b
of the dust particles as they are hit by the sub-
microscopic particles that make up matter. Number of Number of Number of
Isotope
protons electrons neutrons
One aspect that can be discussed, and needs to
be referred to, is the key definition of the size of 50
V 23 23 27
23
the ‘particles’ involved when the term is used.
Descriptions such as ‘sub-microscopic’ and 51
23 V 23 23 28
‘subatomic’ are useful.
[3]
c non, medicine, cancer [3]
[Total = 7]

© Cambridge University Press 2014 IGCSE Chemistry Answers to end-of-chapter questions: Chapter 2 1
7 a balloons [1]
b i nucleus [1]
ii The third statement is correct: helium has
a complete outer shell of electrons. [1]
iii 18 [1]
34
iv 18 Ar [1]
c The atoms are arranged irregularly [1] and
are close together/touching [1]. [2]
[Total = 7]

8 a Bromine slowly evaporates into a gas, the

molecules of the gas spread away from the
liquid until eventually all the space is filled
and the particles move randomly. [3]
b Diagram 2: Hydrogen in the beaker moves
into the pot faster than the air moves out so
the liquid moves down. [3]
Diagram 3: Air in the pot moves out of the
pot faster than the surrounding carbon
dioxide moves in so the liquid moves up. [3]
[Total = 9]

© Cambridge University Press 2014 IGCSE Chemistry Answers to end-of-chapter questions: Chapter 2 2