ChemistryIGCSE© RESTRICTED

0620/52 — Paper 5 Practical Test

Cambridge Assessment International Education · October/November 2025

WHAT THIS PAPER ASKS YOU TO DO

Question 1PRACTICAL

Titrate acidic solution B against two different sodium hydroxide solutions, catching both end-points with two indicators in the same flask.

[19]

1(a)Complete Table 1.1 with your burette readings for both experiments, and calculate the volume added to reach each end-point.[6]
1(b)(i)Explain why the conical flask is rinsed with distilled water at the start of Experiment 2.[1]
1(b)(ii)Explain how the volume added from the burette to reach the first end-point would be different if the burette was not rinsed with solution C.[2]
1(b)(iii)Explain why the conical flask is placed on a white tile during the titration.[1]
1(c)Compare the concentration of solution C used in Experiment 1 with the concentration of solution D used in Experiment 2. Explain your answer.[3]
1(d)(i)Deduce the volume of solution C required to reach the first end-point if Experiment 1 is repeated using 50 cm³ of solution B instead of 25 cm³.[2]
1(d)(ii)State why using 50 cm³ of solution B would cause a problem when finding the volume of solution C needed to reach the second end-point.[1]
1(e)A student warms solution B in the conical flask before titrating. State the effect, if any, on the volume of solution D required to reach the second end-point, and explain.[2]
1(f)State one change to the apparatus that will improve the accuracy of the results.[1]

Question 2PRACTICAL

Run the standard test series on solids E and F, record every observation, and name the ions present.

[15]

2(a)(i)To the first portion of solution E, add about 2 cm depth of aqueous sodium hydroxide. Record your observations.[1]
2(a)(ii)Gently warm the product from 2(a)(i). Test any gas produced. Record your observations.[1]
2(b)To the second portion of solution E, add about 1 cm depth of dilute nitric acid followed by a few drops of aqueous barium nitrate. Record your observations.[1]
2(c)To the third portion of solution E, add a few drops of acidified aqueous potassium manganate(VII). Record your observations.[1]
2(d)Identify solid E.[2]
2(e)Carry out a flame test on solid F. Record your observations.[1]
2(f)(i)To the first portion of solution F, add about 1 cm depth of dilute nitric acid followed by a few drops of aqueous silver nitrate. Record your observations.[1]
2(f)(ii)To the second portion of solution F, add aqueous sodium hydroxide dropwise and then in excess. Record your observations.[2]
2(f)(iii)To the third portion of solution F, add aqueous ammonia dropwise and then in excess. Record your observations.[2]
2(g)Identify the three ions in solid F.[3]

Question 3WRITTEN ONLY

Written only — describe how you would investigate which of three alcohols heats water fastest.

[6]

3Describe how to investigate which of three liquid alcohols — ethanol, propanol and butanol — heats the water in the boiling tube the fastest. You are provided with three spirit burners, samples of the three alcohols, water and common laboratory apparatus.[6]

What the lab technician is told: exact solutions, concentrations and apparatus to set out. This is where the bench comes from.

Labelled B, C and D. The candidate is not told what they are.

Supplied in stoppered boiling tubes, labelled E and F.

solid E— ammonium sulfate, (NH₄)₂SO₄1 g
solid FCMHN— homogeneous 50–50 mixture by mass of zinc sulfate heptahydrate (ZnSO₄·7H₂O) and sodium iodide (NaI)1 g

aqueous sodium hydroxideC— 1 mol/dm³
aqueous ammoniaMHN— 1 mol/dm³
dilute nitric acidC— 1 mol/dm³
aqueous silver nitrateMHN— concentration suitable for a positive halide test
aqueous barium nitrate— concentration suitable for a positive sulfate test
acidified aqueous potassium manganate(VII)MH— 0.01 mol/dm³ KMnO₄ in 0.5 mol/dm³ H₂SO₄
limewater and apparatus to test for carbon dioxideMH
red and blue litmus papers
wooden splints

⚠ Small amounts of NH₃ may be produced in Question 2 — the laboratory must be well ventilated. Labels do not need to include concentrations.

Same skills, taught rather than examined — guided step by step, with the apparatus mistakes explained as you make them.