Unit 1: Structure 1: Models of the Particulate Nature of Matter
Topic 1.1: Introduction to the Particulate Nature of Matter Questions
Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB Chemistry Topic 1.1. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.
1Calculate2 marks
In a chromatography experiment, a spot of food colouring travels 5.4 cm from the start line while the solvent front travels 12.0 cm in the same time.
Calculate the value of the food colouring. [2]
Calculate the value of the food colouring. [2]
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2026
State the technique used to separate a solid solute from its solution.
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A student records the temperature of a water bath as 35 °C.
Calculate this temperature in kelvin.
Calculate this temperature in kelvin.
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Unlock Question4Describe2 marks
Describe how an element differs from a compound. [2]
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2026
State the difference between a compound and a mixture.
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2026
Calculate the percentage by mass of sulfur in this mixture.
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Explain, using the kinetic molecular theory, why a liquid evaporates below its boiling point.
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State what is meant by sublimation and give one example of a substance that sublimes.
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State the technique you would use to separate each of: sand from water, ethanol from water, and a dissolved salt from its solution.
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Explain how fractional distillation separates two miscible liquids with different boiling points.
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Describe how paper chromatography separates the components of a mixture, and state what the Rf value measures.
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Unlock Question12distinguish3 marks
Distinguish between an element, a compound and a mixture, giving one example of each.
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State two ways in which the properties of a compound differ from those of the elements it contains, using sodium chloride as an example.
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Unlock Question14classify2 marks
Classify each of the following as an element, a compound or a mixture: brass, carbon dioxide, argon and sea water.
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Explain why a mixture can be separated by physical methods but a compound cannot.
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Describe the arrangement, movement and relative energy of the particles in a solid, a liquid and a gas.
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Explain, in terms of particles and energy, what happens during melting and why the temperature stays constant while a pure solid melts.
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Distinguish between a homogeneous and a heterogeneous mixture, giving one example of each. [2]
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Using the kinetic molecular theory, state and explain two properties of a gas. [4]
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Unlock Question20Outline4 marks
A solid mixture contains powdered chalk (insoluble in water), potassium chloride (soluble in water) and small steel paper clips.
Outline a sequence of steps to separate and recover all three components. [4]
Outline a sequence of steps to separate and recover all three components. [4]
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