WASSCE Chemistry · Paper 1 style

Kinetic theory

One sample question with the full working. 2 more in the app, with instant feedback and repair sessions for the traps below.

When a solid melts, its particles

Again enough energy to overcome some of the forces holding them in fixed positions
Blose kinetic energy
Cstop vibrating
Dbecome larger

Show the answer and working

Answer: A

They begin to move past one another.

Trap B Reverses a trend, direction or effect: State the rule with its direction before looking at the options (down group 1 reactivity INCREASES; exothermic forward reaction: heating shifts LEFT). An option that is the mirror image of the rule is the trap.

Trap C Picks a related substance or process with a different role: Learn reagents and processes as one-line 'name → job' cards and contrast neighbours in a table (process | product | catalyst | conditions). Match the job in the stem, not just the topic.

Trap D Uses everyday or macroscopic thinking instead of particles: Ask what the particles, ions or electrons are doing. Properties of a substance come from its particles and bonds, not from how it looks or feels.

Traps in Kinetic theory

Reverses a trend, direction or effect
State the rule with its direction before looking at the options (down group 1 reactivity INCREASES; exothermic forward reaction: heating shifts LEFT). An option that is the mirror image of the rule is the trap.
Picks a related substance or process with a different role
Learn reagents and processes as one-line 'name → job' cards and contrast neighbours in a table (process | product | catalyst | conditions). Match the job in the stem, not just the topic.
Uses everyday or macroscopic thinking instead of particles
Ask what the particles, ions or electrons are doing. Properties of a substance come from its particles and bonds, not from how it looks or feels.
Chooses a true but irrelevant statement
Re-read the question word (why, which, what causes). A true fact that answers a different question is still wrong.
Mixes up a pair of similar chemical terms
Keep a list of confusable pairs with one defining feature each and a hook. Underline the key word in the stem and check it against the definition, not the sound of the name.

Practise Kinetic theory (2 questions)Send to your class on WhatsApp