Grade 12 Physical Sciences · Paper 2 (Chemistry)
Matter and Materials Grade 12
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Question 2.1 · May/June 2025 · Paper 2 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
The letters A to F in the table below represent organic compounds.
2.1 Define the term unsaturated compound.(2)
Work it out on paper first. Then mark yourself with the official memo, one tick at a time.
What's in Matter and Materials Grade 12
Each skill is one thing a memo gives a tick for. Tap a skill for its own questions, notes and videos.
Optical Phenomena and Properties of Materials60 past paper questions
- Calculate photon energyCalculate the energy of one photon of light using E = hf or E = hc/λ.6 past paper questions · 3 videos
- Define photoelectric effect termsDescribe the photoelectric effect and define terms like threshold frequency, work function and photon.9 past paper questions · 3 videos
- Use the photoelectric equationUse E = W₀ + Ek(max) to find the frequency of light, the work function or the speed of electrons released from a metal.14 past paper questions · 3 videos
- Explain the photoelectric effectExplain how the brightness and frequency of light change the number and energy of released electrons, and why this shows light acts as particles.17 past paper questions · 3 videos
- Explain emission and absorption spectraExplain how bright or dark lines in a spectrum form when electrons jump between energy levels in atoms (the coloured lines of hydrogen).11 past paper questions · 3 videos
- Convert unitsChange values into the units a formula needs (500 g → 0,5 kg, 25 °C → 298 K, 72 km/h → 20 m/s).14 past paper questions · 3 videos
- Read a graph of resultsRead values from a graph or table of results, or calculate a gradient (finding resistance from the gradient of a V-I graph).13 past paper questions · 3 videos
Organic Molecules235 past paper questions
- Identify the intermolecular forcesName the type of force between molecules, such as London forces, dipole-dipole forces or hydrogen bonds (water has hydrogen bonds).10 past paper questions · 3 videos
- Define organic chemistry termsGive the exact meaning of organic chemistry words like hydrocarbon, functional group, homologous series and saturated compound.13 past paper questions · 3 videos
- Identify functional group and seriesIdentify the functional group and homologous series of an organic compound (ethanol has an -OH group, so it is an alcohol).39 past paper questions · 3 videos
- Write IUPAC namesGive the correct IUPAC name of an organic compound from its structure (CH₃CH₂OH is ethanol).36 past paper questions · 4 videos
- Draw structural formulaeDraw the structural formula, or write the condensed or molecular formula, of an organic compound from its name (propane is C₃H₈).30 past paper questions · 3 videos
- Identify and draw structural isomersRecognise or draw compounds with the same molecular formula but a different structure (butane and methylpropane are both C₄H₁₀).19 past paper questions · 3 videos
- Explain organic boiling point trendsExplain why organic compounds have different boiling points using chain length, branching or functional group (longer chains boil at higher temperatures).27 past paper questions · 4 videos
- Write addition reactions and conditionsWrite addition reactions where atoms are added across a double bond, and give their conditions (ethene + H₂O → ethanol).26 past paper questions · 3 videos
- Write elimination reactions and conditionsWrite elimination reactions where a small molecule is removed to form a double bond, and give their conditions (ethanol → ethene + H₂O).22 past paper questions · 3 videos
- Write substitution reactions and conditionsWrite substitution reactions where one atom or group replaces another, and give their conditions (bromoethane + NaOH → ethanol).12 past paper questions · 3 videos
- Write esterification reactionsWrite the reaction of an alcohol with a carboxylic acid to make an ester, and name the ester (ethanol + ethanoic acid → ethyl ethanoate).16 past paper questions · 3 videos
- Identify variables in an investigationName the independent, dependent and controlled variables in an experiment (in a test of temperature on reaction rate, temperature is independent).13 past paper questions · 3 videos
- Write investigative question or conclusionWrite an investigative question, hypothesis or conclusion that links two variables (How does the length of a wire affect its resistance?).10 past paper questions · 3 videos
- Describe and evaluate an experimentName apparatus, describe or explain steps of a method, and give safety precautions (repeat readings and work out an average).6 past paper questions · 3 videos
- Read a graph of resultsRead values from a graph or table of results, or calculate a gradient (finding resistance from the gradient of a V-I graph).13 past paper questions · 3 videos
Organic Macromolecules13 past paper questions
- Define organic chemistry termsGive the exact meaning of organic chemistry words like hydrocarbon, functional group, homologous series and saturated compound.13 past paper questions · 3 videos
- Identify polymers and monomersIdentify the monomer that makes a polymer, and say if it is an addition or condensation polymer (ethene makes polythene).3 videos
More Matter and Materials Grade 12 questions and answers
Try each one on paper before you open the memo.
1. Question 10.1.4 · November 2025 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
10.1 Learners conduct an experiment to determine whether electrons will be emitted from the surface of different metals when light with a single frequency is incident on the metal. The maximum kinetic energy of emitted electrons are measured when light of frequency Hz is used.
The results obtained are shown in the table below.
Answer the questions that follow.
10.1.4 Light of the same frequency, but with a higher intensity, is now incident on metal M. Will electrons now be ejected? Choose from YES or NO. Give a reason for the answer.(2)Show the memo (2 ticks)Memo
- ✓ChoiceNo
1 mark · Explain the photoelectric effect
- ✓ReasonThe intensity of light does not have any effect on the ejection of electrons for metal M.
OR
The frequency of light has not changed / Energy of a photon has not changed.1 mark · Explain the photoelectric effect
- ✓
2. Question 4.2.1 · November 2025 · Paper 2 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
4.2 A compound with the formula undergoes a cracking reaction according to the equation:
The mixture of the two products is bubbled in bromine water, (aq), in a darkened room.
Answer the questions that follow.4.2.1 Define the term cracking.(2)Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
- ✓Definition of crackingThe chemical process/reaction in which longer chain hydrocarbon/alkane molecules are broken down to shorter (more useful) molecules.
2 marks · Define organic chemistry terms
- ✓
3. Question 4.1 · November 2024 · Paper 2 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
Study the flow diagram below.
Reaction I is a CRACKING REACTION forming two organic compounds, W and T, as the ONLY products.
4.1 Define the term cracking reaction.(2)Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
- ✓Definition of crackingThe chemical process/reaction in which longer chain hydrocarbon/alkane molecules are broken down to shorter (more useful) molecules.
2 marks · Define organic chemistry terms
- ✓
4. Question 3.2 · November 2025 · Paper 2 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
Two bottles contain compounds A and B with the same molecular formula, . These compounds are straight chain organic molecules that belong to two different homologous series, as shown below.
The boiling points are used to distinguish between the two compounds.
3.2 Identify the TWO homologous series to which these compounds belong.(2)Show the memo (2 ticks)Memo
- ✓EsterEster
1 mark · Identify functional group and series
- ✓Carboxylic acidCarboxylic acid
1 mark · Identify functional group and series
- ✓
5. Question 4.2.1 · November 2025 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 3 marks
Cricketers at an academy conduct an experiment to determine the relationship between the contact time and the final momentum of a ball for a constant average net force.
A cricket ball of mass g is thrown horizontally with a certain initial velocity and is struck by a bat so that the ball moves in the opposite direction, as shown in the diagram below. The average net force acting on the ball is horizontal.
The experiment is repeated using the same ball. The average net force and the initial velocity of the ball are kept constant. The contact time between the bat and the ball is changed EACH time. The results obtained are shown in the sketch graph below.
4.2 Calculate the:4.2.1 Average net force acting on the ball(3)Show the memo (3 ticks)Memo
- ✓METHOD 1: Change in final momentum (numerator)Gradient
1 mark · Read a graph of results
- ✓METHOD 1: Change in contact time (denominator) N
1 mark · Read a graph of results
- ✓METHOD 1: Answer with direction N to the right / opposite to the original direction of the ball
1 mark · Read a graph of results
- ✓
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