Corrosion of metals: past paper questions
Real questions on corrosion of metals
The newest 9 of 9 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0620/32 · May/June 2026 · Q7a(iii)[1]
State one reason why some metal compounds in river water are harmful.
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · February/March 2025 · Q5f[1]
Iron rusts when in contact with air and water. Name one barrier method used to prevent iron from rusting.
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · October/November 2022 · Q3d[1]
Aluminium is more reactive than copper. When aluminium is added to aqueous copper( II ) sulfate, no immediate reaction is seen. Explain why.
See it on the paper → - 0620/22 · May/June 2022 · Q30[1]
Which process uses sacrificial protection to prevent steel from rusting?
See it on the paper → - 0620/12 · October/November 2021 · Q29[1]
Which nail showed the least amount of rusting?
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · October/November 2021 · Q7d[1]
Give one advantage of recycling aluminium.
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · May/June 2021 · Q6a(v)[2]
Name two waste gases that leave the blast furnace.
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · May/June 2020 · Q7e(i)[2]
Iron forms hydrated iron( III ) oxide when it rusts. Write a word equation to represent the formation of rust.
See it on the paper → - 0620/61 · May/June 2019 · Q4[6]
Steel nails rust in the presence of air and water. Plan an investigation to: ● show that coating steel nails with paint helps to protect the nails from rusting ● show that coating steel nails with zinc helps to protect the nails from rusting ● determine which coating is more effective at protecting steel nails from rus...
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Most candidates could name one barrier method to prevent iron from rusting. The most common incorrect answer was ‘sacrificial protection’.
— Examiner report, February/March 2025, 0620/32 Q5(f) (Cambridge)
A correct answer required reference to an unreactive coating of aluminium oxide. The majority of answers omitted some or all of these items. Despite the introduction to the question, there was frequent reference to the reactivities of aluminium and copper that contradicted the opening statement.
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 0620/43 Q3(d) (Cambridge)
The best answers referred to saving energy or conserving natural resources. Many candidates wrote vague responses, for example ‘good for the environment’ or ‘lower impact on the atmosphere’.
— Examiner report, October/November 2021, 0620/33 Q7(d) (Cambridge)
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