FORMAT OF CHEMISTRY SPM

Paper 1 questions test students on 1. Knowledge ( Number 1 20) 2. Understanding ( Number 21 35) 3. Application ( Number 36 50 )

Score in paper 1 indicates students level of understanding in chemistry: Less than 20 very weak 20 25 - weak 26 30 - average 31 39 - good 40 45 - very good 46 50 - Excellent.

Answer all SPM objective questions (2003 2010). Objective questions for each year contain all topics. Try until your can score 40 and above in paper 1.

Steps taken are: Underline the command word and marks allocated.1 point is awarded 1 mark. Answer according to command words

Command word Explanation/example1. Name/State the name (paper 2 & 3)Give the name , not formula. Example: Name the main element added to copper to form bronze. Wrong answer : SnCorrect answer : Tin

Command word Explanation/example2. State (paper 2 & 3) Give brief answer only. Explanation is not required. Example : State one substance which can conduct electricity in solid state. Answer : Copper

Command word Explanation/example3. State the observation (Paper 2 & 3) Write what is observed physically. No chemical name in answerExample 1 : State one observation when magnesium powder is added to hydrochloric acid. [ 1 mark] Wrong answer : Hydrogen gas is released. Correct answer : Gas bubbles are released

Command word Explanation/example3. State the observation (Paper 2 & 3) Indicate the change of colour , give the initial and final colour of the substance/chemical. Example 2: What is the colour change of copper(II) suphate solution. [2 marks] Wrong answer: The solution becomes colourless Correct answer : The blue colour of the solution becomes colourless

Command word Explanation/example4. Explain (Paper 2 & 3) Give the answer with reasons to explain certain statement / fact / observation/ principal.Example 1 : Explain why bronze is harder than pure copper [4 marks]

Correct answer : - Copper atoms in pure copper are all of the same size and ...........1 - they are arranged in layers that can slide easily when force is applied ...........1 - The presence of tin atoms in bronze that are different in size disturb the orderly arrangement of atoms in bronze. ...........1 - This reduces the layer of atoms from sliding.....1

Command word Explanation/example5. What is meant by.. (Definition) (Paper 2 & 3) Give the exact meaning

Example: What is meant by hydrocarbon. Wrong answer: A compound that contains carbon and hydrogen Correct answer: A compound that contains carbon hydrogen only

Command word Explanation/example6. Describe chemical test (Paper 2 & 3) State the method to conduct the test , observation and conclusion

Example : Describe how to identify the ion present in the solution . [3 marks]

Correct answer : - Pour in 2 cm3 of the solution in a test tube, add a few drops of sodium hydroxide solution and the test tube is shaken...........1 - A reddish brown precipitate formed. ...........1 - Fe3+ ions present 1

Command word Explanation/example7. Describe gas test. (Paper 2 & 3) State the method to conduct the test observation and conclusion. Example: Describe the confirmatory test for gas released at the anode (oxygen). [ 3 marks] Correct answer: - Place a glowing wooden splinter to the mouth of the test tube ...1 - The glowing wooden splinter is lighted up ...1 - Oxygen gas is released ...1

Command word Explanation/example8. Describe an experiment ( 8 - 10 marks) (Paper 2) - No mark is awarded for the diagram. - List of materials 1m - List of apparatus 1m - Procedure - ( 5 8 m) bservation/tabulation of data/ calculation/sketch of the graph/ chemical equation /ionic equation /conclusion etc

Command word Explanation/example9. Predict (Paper 2 & 3) Make a prediction for something that might happen based on factsExample: Experiment 1 is repeated using a larger beaker. Predict the increase in temperature Answer : The increase in temperature is lower than experiment 1.

Command word Explanation/example10. Compare (Paper 2) Give the similarities and differences between two items/ situations

Command word Explanation/example11. Differentiate (Paper 2) Give differences between two items/situationsExample : State three differences between ionic and covalent compound. Answer : State three properties of ionic compound and three properties covalent compound

Command word Explanation/example12. Calculate (Paper 2 & 3) Show all the steps taken Give final answer with unit.

Command word Explanation/example13. Draw a diagram to show the bonding formed in the compound (Paper 2) -The number of electrons in each shell is correct Show the charge (if any ion) Write the symbol of each element at the centre of the ion. - Write final electron arrangement

Command word Explanation/example14. Draw the energy level diagram ( Paper 2) Draw an arrow for the vertical axis only and label with energy. Draw two horizontal lines for the reactants and products

Command word Explanation/example15. Draw graph (Paper 3) - axis with correct unit - suitable scale, size of the graph at least of graph paper. -Plot all points correctly -Smooth graph-To determinerate of reaction: (i) Draw a tangent at the curve. (ii) Draw triangle at the tangent (iii)Calculate gradient of tangent

Command word Explanation/example16. Draw a labeled diagram of the apparatus (Paper 2) (i) Functional apparatus (ii) Complete labellings (iii) Shaded solid, liquid and gas correctly. (iv) Draw an arrow and label heat if the experiment involves heating(v) two dimensional diagram should be drawn

Drawing the stopper below the mouth level of the test tube.

Diagram A Diagram BMistakes in drawing diagrams WRONG CORRECT

2. No Heat beside the arrow

WRONGCORRECTNo Heat labelCrucibleCrucibleCrucibleHeat

3. Gas passed through and excess gas must be allowed to escape

WRONGNo gas outletHeatHeatCORRECTHeat

4. To represent solution drawing dash lines

WRONGCORRECTNo indication of solution

*Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007*5. Drawing a battery in the circuit of a chemical cell

WRONGCORRECTSymbol for battery given in the diagramCopper(II) sulphate solutionCopper(II) sulphate solution

Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007

6. Certain apparatus not supported. Burettes not attached to clamp/retort or test/combustion tubes floating while being heated

WRONGCORRECTBoiling TubeLead(II)CarbonateHeatLime waterBoiling TubeLead(II)CarbonateHeatLime water

WRONG CORRECT

7. Diagram not labelledExcess copper(II) oxideFilter PaperFilter funnelFilterate (Copper(II) sulphate solution)

WRONG CORRECT

8.Wire gauge should not be usedWire gaugeHeatClay pipe triangleHeat

WRONG CORRECT

9.Delivery tube not inserted inside lime waterHeatLime waterHeatLime water

WRONG CORRECT

Direction of water flow is not correct

Direction of electron flow shown is not right WRONG CORRECT

e

eCopper(II) sulphate solutionCopper(II) sulphate solution

Thistle funnel must be immersed in solution WRONG CORRECT

Thistle funnelThistle funnelDilute hydrocloric acidDilute hydrocloric acidThistle funnel

WRONG CORRECTAll electron shells must be shown

Can you identify the mistakes in each diagrams?

Why students lose marksin Paper 2 Essay question ?1.Did not give enough facts or points or incomplete facts2Did not give the correct conditions of the experiment3Did not write chemical equation4Wrong words or terms used

*Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007*Sodium donates electron.Correct :One sodium atom donates one electron

Stable electron arrangementCorrect: Stable octet arrangement of electrons

Rate of reaction described as fast or slow Correct:Fast reaction high rate Slow reaction low rateIncomplete/Inaccurrate statement/phrases

Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007

*Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007*Rate of reaction getting slower Correct : Rate of reaction decreases

The smaller the size of substance the bigger the surface areaCorrect : The smaller the size of the substance the bigger is the total surface area.

Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007

*Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007*6.An ionic compound can conduct electricity Correct: An ionic compound can conduct electricity in the molten state/aqueous solution

Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007

*Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007*7.Relative atomic mass of an element is the number of times an atom of an element is heavier than hydrogen.

Correct : Relative atomic mass of an element is the number of times an atom of an element is heavier than one atom of hydrogen.

Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007

*Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007*8. A Hydrocarbon is a compound that contains carbon and hydrogen.

Correct : A Hydrocarbon is a compound that contains carbon and hydrogen only.

Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007

*Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007*9. An alkali is a substance that contains hydroxide ions

Correct : An alkali is a substance that produces hydroxide ions when dissolved in water

Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007

*Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007*10. An acid is a substance that contains hydrogen ions.

Correct : An acid is a substance that produces hydrogen ions when dissolved in water.

Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007

*Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007*11. Calcium is situated in Period IV

Correct : Calcium is situated in Period 4

Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007

*Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007*12. A chloride ion has three electron shells

Correct : A chloride ion has three shells filled with electrons.

Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007

*Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007*13. When the temperature is increased, the number of collisions also increases

Correct : When the temperature is increased, the number of collisions between the named particles also increases

Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007

*Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007*14. The oxidation nombor of Fe 2+ ion changes/ increase Correct : The oxidation nombor of iron in Fe 2+ ion changes/ increase from +2 to +3

Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007

*Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007*15. A polystyrene cup is used to prevent heat loss.

Correct : A polystyrene cup is used to reduce heat loss.

Program Intervensi PPSMI 2007

16. Attractive forces between molecules are small /lower/higher Correct Ans : Attractive forces between molecules are weak / strong17. Copper attracted to to the cathode Correct Ans :Copper ions attracted to the cathode18. The ions in the electrolyte can move Correct Ans :The ions in the electrolyte can move freely

Type 1 Describe an experiment oninclude a labeled diagram in your answer 1. Diagram 2. Procedure 3.observation/example/data/calculation/ equation/ sketch of graph/conclusion

II. Type 2 Describe an experiment( The diagram will support your answer.) 1. No mark is allocated for a diagram 2. Procedures 3.Observation/example/calculation/ equation/sketch of graph/conclusion

III. Type 3 Describe a chemical/confirmatory test for . 1. Procedure 2. Observation 3. Conclusion

Structure Question 1/2 test the mastery of 11 Scientific Skills 1. Observing 2. Classifying 3. Inferring 4. Measuring (burette , stopwatch, thermometer, voltmeter) 5. Predicting 6. Communicating( e.g construct table and draw graph)

7. Space-Time (Relationship )8. Interpreting Data 9. Defining Operationally 10. Controlling Variables 11. Hypothesising Each answer is allocated mark as follows: 3 marks/2 marks/1 mark/0 Score : 11 X 3 = 33

Planning should include the following aspects: 1. Aim of experiment/problem statement 2. Variables 3. Hypothesis 4. List of material and apparatus5. Procedure of experiment Tabulation of data Score : (5 X 3) + 2 = 17

Hypothesis: Relate manipulated variable followed by responding variable with direction. Example: The higher temperature of the reactant the higher the rate of reaction Hexene decolourised brown bromine water but hexane does not decolourised brown bromine water. 3. When acid is added into latex, latex coagulates, when ammonia is added into latex, latex cannot coagulates

Manipulated variable: Materials that we use and change in the experimentResponding variable: Measurement(using apparatus, through observation or product of the reaction) that is recorded for each material that we change in the experimentConstant variable: the use of the words amount and quantity is rejected. **volume & concentration

List of material and apparatusWrite separatelymaterial: used one time only / state its volume and concentration for solution, mass for solidApparatus : can be reused

Procedure : All the steps taken in the procedure must include the apparatus used, quantity and type of substance (powder, solution, lumps etc). No mark is allocated for the diagram. The complete labeled diagram can help students in : I. Writing the steps taken in the procedure II. Listing the apparatus and materials

Tabulation of data: The number of columns and rows in the table is related to the manipulated and responding variables Units must be written for all the titlesList all MV subtitlesDo not write answer for RV

Familiarize with different types of questions as listed below and complete the previous SPM papers: 1. Objectives questions (Paper 1) 2. Structured questions ( Paper 2 & 3) 3. Essays (Paper 2) 4. Planning an experiment ( Paper 3) 5. Draw and label the diagram 6. Writing chemical equation( balanced equation, ionic equation, half equation)

Master the topics that contains the basic concepts of chemistry : 1. The structure of the atom 2. Chemical Formulae And Equations 3. Periodic Table 4. Chemical Bond

Try to get :- 40 marks above for paper 1 80 marks above for paper 2 40 marks above for paper 3 (Total = 160/2 =80 , A+ in SPM)

When you sow an action,you reap a habit;When you sow a habit, you reap a character;When you sow a character, you reap a destiny.

Thank You!

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