States of matter: past paper questions
Real questions on states of matter
The newest 20 of 165 written questions, plus 84 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9701/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(i)[1]
Explain why the elements Na to Al are good electrical conductors.
See it on the paper → - 9701/22 · October/November 2025 · Q2a(ii)[1]
Explain why the elements P, S and Cl do not conduct electricity.
See it on the paper → - 9701/23 · October/November 2025 · Q2c(ii)[1]
Construct an equation for the reaction of Al 2 O 3 with a base to form NaAl O 2 .
See it on the paper → - 9701/51 · October/November 2025 · Q2a[1]
Suggest why the student adds 50 cm 3 of the gas being tested to the syringe in step 2 and then removes this gas in step 3.
See it on the paper → - 9701/51 · October/November 2025 · Q2b(i)[2]
Complete Table 2.1. Give the values for 1 to three significant figures. M Give the values for rate of effusion to two decimal places.
See it on the paper → - 9701/51 · October/November 2025 · Q2b(ii)[1]
Identify the dependent variable in this experiment.
See it on the paper → - 9701/51 · October/November 2025 · Q2b(iii)[1]
Identify a variable, other than temperature, that is controlled when carrying out this experiment.
See it on the paper → - 9701/51 · October/November 2025 · Q2c[2]
Plot a graph on the grid in Fig. 2.2 to show the relationship between rate of effusion and Use a cross (×) to plot each data point. Draw a suitable line of best fit. 1 . M 5.0 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 of 3 s –1 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 1 M 0.5 0.6 0.7
See it on the paper → - 9701/51 · October/November 2025 · Q2d[1]
Circle one point on the graph in Fig. 2.2 which you consider to be most anomalous. Suggest one reason for this anomaly. Assume there is no error in 1 . M
See it on the paper → - 9701/51 · October/November 2025 · Q2e[1]
the rate of effusion of a gas is proportional to 1 . M State whether or not the student’s results support Graham’s law of effusion. Explain your answer, using the graph in Fig. 2.2. (e) Graham’s law of effusion can be expressed as:
See it on the paper → - 9701/51 · October/November 2025 · Q2f[1]
Suggest how the position of the plotted points relative to the line of best fit in Fig. 2.2 is related to the reliability of the results. (f)
See it on the paper → - 9701/51 · October/November 2025 · Q2g(i)[2]
Use the graph in Fig. 2.2 and the student’s result to calculate the value of M for this sample. M =
See it on the paper → - 9701/51 · October/November 2025 · Q2g(ii)[1]
Natural gas is a mixture of mainly methane, CH 4 , with small amounts of other gases. Suggest what your calculated value of the M of natural gas in (g)(i) tells you about the other gases in the mixture.
See it on the paper → - 9701/51 · October/November 2025 · Q2h[1]
The experiment described in (g) is repeated at a higher temperature. Suggest how the rate of effusion for this sample of natural gas would change, if at all. Explain your answer. effect on the rate of effusion explanation Important values, constants and standards molar gas constant R = 8.31 J K –1 mol –1 Faraday consta...
See it on the paper → - 9701/53 · October/November 2025 · Q2b(i)[2]
Complete Table 2.1. Give the values for 1 to three significant figures. M Give the values for rate of effusion to two decimal places.
See it on the paper → - 9701/53 · October/November 2025 · Q2c[2]
Plot a graph on the grid in Fig. 2.2 to show the relationship between rate of effusion and Use a cross (×) to plot each data point. Draw a suitable line of best fit. 1 . M 5.0 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 of 3 s –1 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 1 M 0.5 0.6 0.7
See it on the paper → - 9701/53 · October/November 2025 · Q2d[1]
Circle one point on the graph in Fig. 2.2 which you consider to be most anomalous. Suggest one reason for this anomaly. Assume there is no error in 1 . M
See it on the paper → - 9701/53 · October/November 2025 · Q2e[1]
the rate of effusion of a gas is proportional to 1 . M State whether or not the student’s results support Graham’s law of effusion. Explain your answer, using the graph in Fig. 2.2. (e) Graham’s law of effusion can be expressed as:
See it on the paper → - 9701/53 · October/November 2025 · Q2f[1]
Suggest how the position of the plotted points relative to the line of best fit in Fig. 2.2 is related to the reliability of the results. (f)
See it on the paper → - 9701/53 · October/November 2025 · Q2g(i)[2]
Use the graph in Fig. 2.2 and the student’s result to calculate the value of M for this sample. M =
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The general direction of travel of the two particle beams was nearly always correct. The extent of the deflection of the electron beam was not always very clear.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9701/22 Q2(c)(iii) (Cambridge)
Although many candidates did gain credit here, a significant minority were unable to give the required answer of anti-bumping granules.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 9701/52 Q2(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
PV=nRT was successfully used by many candidates to calculate the volume of 1 mole of gas, in a reaction of glucose with molten KClO3, to give the correct answer of 0.0524 m3, to 3 significant figures. 4KCl O3 + C6H12O6 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + 4KCl Several candidates did not appear to read the question carefully and gave answers with an incorrect number of sig. figs and/or incorrect rounding of their ans...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 9701/21 Q3(d)(i) (Cambridge)
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