Chemical AnalysisKey Facts

Formulations

Part of Purity & FormulationsGCSE Chemistry

This key facts covers Formulations within Purity & Formulations for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Purity & Formulations in Chemical Analysis for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 7 of 13 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 7 of 13

Practice

20 questions

Recall

12 flashcards

📋 Formulations

A formulation is a designed mixture — every ingredient is there for a reason, present in a carefully measured quantity. Formulations are NOT pure substances.

Common Formulations

  • Paint: Pigment (colour), binder (adhesion), solvent (flow), additives (anti-mould)
  • Medicines: Active ingredient (drug), binder (tablet shape), filler (size), coating (protection)
  • Petrol: Hydrocarbon blend, octane improvers, antioxidants, detergents
  • Alloys: Steel (iron + carbon), brass (copper + zinc), bronze (copper + tin)
  • Cleaning products: Surfactants, enzymes, fragrances, preservatives
  • Food products: Flavourings, preservatives, emulsifiers, vitamins
  • Fertilisers: Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium compounds in specific ratios

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Purity & Formulations. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for Purity & Formulations

In chemistry, what does it mean for a substance to be described as 'pure'?

  • A. It contains only one type of element or compound
  • B. It has been filtered to remove large particles
  • C. It has no colour or smell
  • D. It is safe to drink or eat
1 markfoundation

Explain why the presence of impurities in a substance lowers its melting point and causes it to melt over a range of temperatures.

3 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What is a formulation?
A mixture designed to have specific properties for a particular purpose, with each component in measured quantities
Give 3 examples of formulations
1) Paint (pigment + binder + solvent), 2) Medicine tablets (active ingredient + binder + filler), 3) Petrol (hydrocarbons + octane improvers + additives)

Want to test your knowledge?

PrepWise has 20 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards for Purity & Formulations — with adaptive difficulty and instant feedback.

Join Alpha