A sports drink manufacturer produces a new energy drink. A chemist describes the drink as a formulation. Explain what is meant by the term 'formulation' and explain why the sports drink can be described as one.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
The sports drink contains water, sugar, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and food colouring. Each ingredient is added in carefully measured quantities to give the drink specific properties.
Model answer (4 marks)
A formulation is a mixture designed for a particular use.
The sports drink is a formulation because it contains several different pure substances – water, sugar, sodium chloride, potassium chloride and food colouring – that are not chemically combined.
Each ingredient is added in an exact, carefully measured quantity.
Every component has a specific purpose, giving the drink the required properties such as flavour, colour and electrolyte balance.
The sports drink is a formulation because it contains several different pure substances – water, sugar, sodium chloride, potassium chloride and food colouring – that are not chemically combined.
Each ingredient is added in an exact, carefully measured quantity.
Every component has a specific purpose, giving the drink the required properties such as flavour, colour and electrolyte balance.
Examiner tips
- Use the definition of formulation first, then list the key features: mixture, designed use, exact quantities, multiple pure substances, each with a purpose.
- Show the connection between the ingredients and the drink’s properties to demonstrate understanding.
Common mistakes
- Confusing formulation with a chemical reaction; stating the drink is a single compound.
- Failing to mention that the ingredients are pure substances and not chemically combined.
Mark scheme (4 marks)
- A formulation is a mixture designed for a particular use
- Formulations are made up of exact/carefully measured quantities of pure substances
- The sports drink contains more than one substance / contains several different substances (water, sugar, salts, colouring) that are not chemically combined
- Each ingredient/component in the drink has a particular purpose / the drink has been designed to give specific/required properties
Key terms in this question
Related
- All WJEC GCSE Chemistry (Wales) revision notes →
- How to answer a "Explain" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →
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