Giant covalent structures: past paper questions
Real questions on giant covalent structures
The newest 20 of 25 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0620/42 · May/June 2026 · Q2b(ii)[1]
Name a substance that has a giant covalent lattice and similar properties to silicon( IV ) oxide.
See it on the paper → - 0620/31 · October/November 2025 · Q1b[1]
is present in diamond
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · October/November 2025 · Q2b(i)[3]
Identify which substance, A, B, C, D, E, F or G, has a giant covalent structure. Use the information in Table 2.1 to give two reasons for your choice. substance reason
See it on the paper → - 0620/42 · May/June 2025 · Q2c(i)[1]
Name a giant covalent structure of carbon which conducts electricity.
See it on the paper → - 0620/42 · May/June 2025 · Q2c(ii)[1]
Identify the particles responsible for the conduction of electricity in this covalent structure of carbon.
See it on the paper → - 0620/42 · May/June 2025 · Q2c(iii)[2]
Silicon( IV ) oxide contains silicon atoms, Si, and oxygen atoms, O. Fig. 2.2 shows part of the giant covalent structure of silicon( IV ) oxide. Complete the diagram in Fig. 2.2 by adding the symbol for each of the 9 atoms shown. Fig. 2.2
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · May/June 2025 · Q1a[1]
is a compound with a giant covalent structure
See it on the paper → - 0620/31 · October/November 2024 · Q2d(i)[1]
State one other use of graphite.
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · October/November 2024 · Q1g[1]
is a compound with a giant covalent structure
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · May/June 2024 · Q1a(iii)[1]
a giant covalent structure
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · May/June 2024 · Q1a(iv)[1]
a compound that has a high melting point
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · May/June 2024 · Q3a(i)[1]
Explain why graphite conducts electricity when solid.
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · May/June 2024 · Q3a(iv)[3]
Explain in terms of structure and bonding why graphite has a much higher melting point than carbon monoxide.
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · October/November 2023 · Q8e(i)[1]
Name the type of bonding in diamond.
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · October/November 2023 · Q8e(ii)[1]
Use Fig. 8.2 to explain why diamond is used in cutting tools. [Total: 12]
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · May/June 2023 · Q3c(ii)[2]
Explain, in terms of structure and bonding, why silicon( IV ) oxide has a high melting point. [Total: 10]
See it on the paper → - 0620/11 · October/November 2022 · Q7[1]
Which row describes the bonding in graphite and a use of graphite?
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · October/November 2022 · Q1a(ii)[1]
an element with a giant covalent structure
See it on the paper → - 0620/42 · October/November 2022 · Q1a[1]
the number of covalent bonds each carbon atom has in diamond.
See it on the paper → - 0620/42 · February/March 2022 · Q1d[1]
forms an oxide with a giant covalent structure ��������������������������������������������������������������������
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Most candidates recognised graphite as the giant structure of carbon which conducts electricity.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0620/42 Q2(c)(i) (Cambridge)
Most candidates realised that electrons were the particles responsible for conduction of electricity.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0620/42 Q2(c)(ii) (Cambridge)
Many candidates struggled to complete this diagram of the structure of SiO 2. Many did not read the question that silicon atoms had the symbol ‘Si’ and oxygen atoms had the symbol ‘O’. Many diagrams featured symbols such as ‘S’, ‘Si4+’, ‘O2–’ and ‘O2’. The idea that Si would have four bonds and O would have two bonds was rarely known.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0620/42 Q2(c)(iii) (Cambridge)
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