OCR SUMMER 2026
PREDICTED PAPER
GCSE (9–1) Combined Science A
(Gateway Science) WORKED SOLUTIONS
J250/09 Chemistry ( Higher Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 10 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
• the Data Sheet for GCSE (9–1) Combined Science
A (Chemistry) (inside this document)
You can use:
a scientific or graphical calculator
• an HB pencil
H
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use
the lined pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
• Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be
given for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 60.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 17 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
Turn over
for more: tyrionpapers.com
, 2
Section A
You should spend a maximum of 20 minutes on this section.
Write your answer to each question in the box provided.
1. Which of the following is a limitation of the simple particle model?
A It correctly predicts melting and boiling points
B It treats all particles as small, solid and inelastic regardless of their identity
C It accurately describes intermolecular forces between particles
D It distinguishes between atoms, ions and molecules
Your answer [1]
2. Rutherford fired positively charged particles at gold foil and observed that some were
deflected straight back. What conclusion did this lead to?
A Electrons orbit in fixed shells at set distances
B Atoms contain negatively charged electrons
C Most of an atom's mass is concentrated in a small central nucleus
D Atoms are indivisible solid spheres
Your answer [1]
3. Which separation technique would be most suitable for obtaining pure copper sulphate
crystals from a solution of copper sulphate in water?
A Filtration
B Fractional distillation
C Crystallisation
D Chromatography
Your answer [1]
for more: tyrionpapers.com
, 3
4. An alloy is harder than a pure metal because:
A The atoms in an alloy are more tightly packed together
B Atoms of different sizes distort the regular arrangement, making layers harder to slide
C The metallic bonds in an alloy are covalent rather than ionic
D Alloys contain more delocalised electrons than pure metals
Your answer [1]
5. In paper chromatography, a substance travels further up the paper if it:
A Has a lower solubility in the solvent
B Has a stronger attraction to the stationary phase
C Has a higher solubility in the mobile phase
D Has a larger molecular mass
Your answer [1]
6. Graphite can conduct electricity but diamond cannot. The best explanation for this is:
A Graphite has a higher melting point than diamond
B Diamond has stronger covalent bonds than graphite
C Each carbon atom in graphite forms only three covalent bonds, leaving one delocalised
electron per atom free to carry charge
D Graphite is softer than diamond, allowing electrons to pass through more easily
Your answer [1]
for more: tyrionpapers.com
PREDICTED PAPER
GCSE (9–1) Combined Science A
(Gateway Science) WORKED SOLUTIONS
J250/09 Chemistry ( Higher Tier)
Time allowed: 1 hour 10 minutes
You must have:
• a ruler (cm/mm)
• the Data Sheet for GCSE (9–1) Combined Science
A (Chemistry) (inside this document)
You can use:
a scientific or graphical calculator
• an HB pencil
H
Please write clearly in black ink. Do not write in the barcodes.
Centre number Candidate number
First name(s)
Last name
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink. You can use an HB pencil, but only for graphs and diagrams.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided. If you need extra space use
the lined pages at the end of this booklet. The question numbers must be clearly shown.
• Answer all the questions.
• Where appropriate, your answer should be supported with working. Marks might be
given for using a correct method, even if your answer is wrong.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 60.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 17 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
Turn over
for more: tyrionpapers.com
, 2
Section A
You should spend a maximum of 20 minutes on this section.
Write your answer to each question in the box provided.
1. Which of the following is a limitation of the simple particle model?
A It correctly predicts melting and boiling points
B It treats all particles as small, solid and inelastic regardless of their identity
C It accurately describes intermolecular forces between particles
D It distinguishes between atoms, ions and molecules
Your answer [1]
2. Rutherford fired positively charged particles at gold foil and observed that some were
deflected straight back. What conclusion did this lead to?
A Electrons orbit in fixed shells at set distances
B Atoms contain negatively charged electrons
C Most of an atom's mass is concentrated in a small central nucleus
D Atoms are indivisible solid spheres
Your answer [1]
3. Which separation technique would be most suitable for obtaining pure copper sulphate
crystals from a solution of copper sulphate in water?
A Filtration
B Fractional distillation
C Crystallisation
D Chromatography
Your answer [1]
for more: tyrionpapers.com
, 3
4. An alloy is harder than a pure metal because:
A The atoms in an alloy are more tightly packed together
B Atoms of different sizes distort the regular arrangement, making layers harder to slide
C The metallic bonds in an alloy are covalent rather than ionic
D Alloys contain more delocalised electrons than pure metals
Your answer [1]
5. In paper chromatography, a substance travels further up the paper if it:
A Has a lower solubility in the solvent
B Has a stronger attraction to the stationary phase
C Has a higher solubility in the mobile phase
D Has a larger molecular mass
Your answer [1]
6. Graphite can conduct electricity but diamond cannot. The best explanation for this is:
A Graphite has a higher melting point than diamond
B Diamond has stronger covalent bonds than graphite
C Each carbon atom in graphite forms only three covalent bonds, leaving one delocalised
electron per atom free to carry charge
D Graphite is softer than diamond, allowing electrons to pass through more easily
Your answer [1]
for more: tyrionpapers.com
