# "Explain" questions — AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462)

> 108 questions · chemistry

## How to answer

WHAT + WHY. Every point paired with a because. Structure: X happens because Y. This causes Z because … Assessment Objective: AO2. Every "explain" answer on this spec is marked against exactly this pattern.

## Sample questions

1. [Explain how increasing the surface area of a solid reactant increases the rate of reaction.](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-how-increasing-the-surface-area-09d613e6)
2. [A factory produces a batch of painkiller tablets. A quality control technician uses paper chromatography to check whethe…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-factory-produces-a-batch-of-0b417c9f)
3. [Iron reacts with sulfur to form iron sulfide. The equation for this reaction is: Fe + S → FeS. Explain why the mass of i…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/iron-reacts-with-sulfur-to-form-0d5819cf)
4. [Explain why a life cycle assessment (LCA) is not a purely objective process.](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-a-life-cycle-assessment-0f4cb8fa)
5. [Explain how an ionic bond is formed when sodium reacts with chlorine. Include in your answer the charges of the ions for…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-how-an-ionic-bond-is-11a89590)
6. [Explain how adding a catalyst increases the rate of a chemical reaction.](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-how-adding-a-catalyst-increases-12059653)
7. [Titanium dioxide nanoparticles are used in some sunscreen products. Explain why manufacturers choose to use titanium dio…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/titanium-dioxide-nanoparticles-are-used-in-13ecba31)
8. [A scientist claims that media reports about global climate change are often unreliable. Explain why scientists find it d…](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-scientist-claims-that-media-reports-1b9a6178)

## Related

- [AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462) revision notes](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn/aqa-gcse-chemistry-8462)
- [AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462) past papers](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/past-papers/aqa-gcse-chemistry-8462)
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