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WorksheetYear 9Level 2 · Standard

Free Year 9 Combustion, Rusting and Oxidation Reactions Worksheet

Students write word and balanced equations for the complete combustion of fuels and the oxidation of metals, compare complete and incomplete combustion and explain the dangers of carbon monoxide. They use the fire triangle to explain how fires are put out, interpret a three-tube experiment to find the conditions needed for rusting, calculate the mass of oxygen gained when magnesium burns and evaluate methods of preventing corrosion.

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Year
Year 9
Subject
Science
Topic
Mixtures & Chemical Reactions
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
45 minutes
Curriculum
Australian Curriculum
Questions
15
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practise

  • writing word and balanced equations for combustion and oxidation
  • comparing complete and incomplete combustion
  • using the fire triangle
  • identifying the conditions needed for rusting from experimental results
  • calculating mass changes in oxidation reactions
  • evaluating ways to prevent corrosion

Curriculum: Australian Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Combustion, Rusting and Oxidation Reactions

Ready for more? Move on to Year 10 Science.

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

Year 9 students (typically ages 14–15) working on mixtures & chemical reactions. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 45 minutes for 15 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

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Success TutoringWorksheetsYear 9 · Science · Mixtures & Chemical Reactions

Combustion, Rusting and Oxidation Reactions

Name

Date

Score /

Oxidation means combining with oxygen. Count every atom when you balance an equation.

Part A: Combustion

Combustion is a fast reaction between a fuel and oxygen that releases heat and light. It is a type of oxidation reaction (a reaction in which a substance combines with oxygen).

Complete combustion happens with plenty of oxygen: a hydrocarbon fuel produces carbon dioxide and water, with a clean blue flame. Incomplete combustion happens when oxygen is limited: it produces carbon monoxide, soot (carbon) and water, and a yellow, smoky flame.

A fire needs fuel, heat and oxygen (the fire triangle). Removing any one puts the fire out.

1.Write a word equation for the complete combustion of methane. (answer space)
2.Balance: CH₄ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O (answer space)
3.Balance the complete combustion of butane: C₄H₁₀ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O (answer space)
4.A gas heater with a blocked air vent produces a yellow, sooty flame. Which dangerous gas is most likely being produced?
  1. AOxygen
  2. BCarbon monoxide
  3. CNitrogen
  4. DHydrogen
5.Explain why carbon monoxide is so dangerous. (answer space)
6.Name the three parts of the fire triangle, and explain how a fire blanket puts out a small fire. (answer space)

Part B: Metals and oxygen

Many metals react with oxygen to form metal oxides: metal + oxygen → metal oxide. For example, magnesium burns with a bright white flame: 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO.

7.Balance: Cu + O₂ → CuO, and name the product. (answer space)
8.0.24 g of magnesium ribbon is burned in a crucible and forms 0.40 g of magnesium oxide. What mass of oxygen combined with the magnesium?
9.By what percentage did the mass increase?
10.When a metal burns in air, the solid product weighs more than the metal did, so mass has been created. ☐ True   ☐ False

Part C: Investigating rusting

Rusting is the slow oxidation of iron: iron + oxygen + water → hydrated iron(III) oxide (rust). Rust is flaky, so it falls away and exposes more iron underneath.

A student set up three test tubes, each with an iron nail, and left them for a week. Tube A: tap water open to the air. Tube B: boiled water with a layer of oil on top. Tube C: dry air with a drying agent (calcium chloride) and a stopper. Only the nail in tube A rusted.

11.In which tube or tubes did the nail rust?
  1. ATube A only
  2. BTube B only
  3. CTube C only
  4. DTubes A and B
12.Why was the water in tube B boiled first, and why was a layer of oil added? (answer space)
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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring Science Team
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.