OCR A Level Chemistry B (Salters)
OCR A Level Chemistry B Chemical Literacy Exam Questions
Free OCR A Level Chemistry B exam questions for Chemical Literacy, with a mark scheme for every pack. Covers reading unfamiliar articles, applying chemistry to new contexts, data analysis, calculations, evaluating evidence and extended answers for Paper 2.
Chemical Literacy exam questions
1 question pack of real past exam questions, each with its mark scheme. Do not stop after a few: answer as many as you can without notes, then mark every answer with the mark scheme. The more questions you do, the more quickly you will spot how examiners ask about each idea.
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About OCR A Level Chemistry B Chemical Literacy
Chemical Literacy is the set of skills tested in the Scientific literacy in chemistry paper (Paper 2) of OCR A Level Chemistry B (Salters). The paper includes questions based on an advance notice article released before the exam, so you must be able to read about unfamiliar chemistry, link it to the storylines you have studied and apply your knowledge to a new context. Questions often involve interpreting data, graphs and tables, carrying out calculations, evaluating claims and writing extended answers. Examiners reward precise use of chemical terms, clear working and answers that use evidence from the article and data rather than general statements.
What you need to know
- The advance notice article Read the article carefully before the exam, identify which storylines each section links to, research unfamiliar terms and practise explaining the chemistry in your own words.
- Applying knowledge Questions place familiar ideas, such as equilibrium, rates, bonding or spectroscopy, in an unfamiliar context. Identify the underlying principle first, then apply it to the example.
- Data handling Interpret tables and graphs, describe trends with numbers, calculate gradients, and comment on anomalies and uncertainty.
- Calculations Expect mole, concentration, yield, enthalpy, pH and rate calculations, using standard form and appropriate significant figures.
- Evaluation Weigh benefits and risks, assess whether evidence supports a conclusion, and consider sustainability, cost and safety when discussing chemical processes.
- Extended responses Plan longer answers so that each point is linked logically, uses correct terminology and refers back to the question.
Common mistakes in Chemical Literacy
- Describing trends in data without quoting values. Use numbers from the graph or table to support your statement.
- Writing general environmental points without linking them to the chemistry. Explain the specific reaction or property involved.
- Copying phrases from the article without explanation. Marks come from showing the underlying chemistry.
- Giving answers to an inappropriate number of significant figures. Match the precision of the data.
- Ignoring command words. 'Explain' needs a reason, 'evaluate' needs a judgement supported by evidence.
Try three Chemical Literacy exam-style questions
1. A titre of 24.00 cm3 is measured with a burette that has an uncertainty of plus or minus 0.05 cm3 per reading. Calculate the percentage uncertainty in the titre. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Two readings, so total uncertainty = 0.10 cm3; percentage uncertainty = 0.10 / 24.00 x 100 = 0.42%.
2. An article states that a new catalyst allows a process to run at 200 C instead of 450 C. Suggest two benefits of this and one further piece of information needed to judge whether it is more sustainable. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Less energy needed for heating, so lower fuel costs and lower CO2 emissions; a lower temperature may also improve the equilibrium yield if the reaction is exothermic, or improve safety; need information such as catalyst cost, lifetime or toxicity, or the rate achieved.
3. A graph shows that the rate of a reaction doubles for every 10 C rise in temperature. Explain this observation using collision theory. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
At higher temperature particles have more kinetic energy; a much larger proportion of collisions have energy greater than or equal to the activation enthalpy; so the frequency of successful collisions increases, increasing the rate.
Chemical Literacy FAQs
What does OCR A Level Chemistry B Chemical Literacy cover?
It covers the skills needed for the scientific literacy paper: understanding an advance notice article, applying chemistry to unfamiliar contexts, handling data, carrying out calculations, evaluating evidence and writing extended answers.
Which paper assesses Chemical Literacy?
These skills are the focus of Paper 2, Scientific literacy in chemistry, which includes questions based on a pre-released advance notice article.
How do I prepare for the advance notice article?
Annotate the article, link each section to storylines, look up unfamiliar terms, and write practice questions on the chemistry it describes, especially calculations and explanations.
