Metallic bonding: past paper questions
Real questions on metallic bonding
The newest 20 of 27 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0620/31 · May/June 2026 · Q6b[2]
Cobalt is a transition metal that forms coloured compounds. State two other properties of transition metals.
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(i)[1]
Predict the melting point of sodium.
See it on the paper → - 0620/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(i)[3]
Describe the bonding in a metallic element such as copper.
See it on the paper → - 0620/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(ii)[1]
Explain how solid copper conducts electricity. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · May/June 2025 · Q1d[1]
is a good conductor of electricity when solid
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(i)[1]
Name the type of bonding in zinc. (i)
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(ii)[2]
Name the two types of particles held together by the bonding in (a)(i). (ii)
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(iii)[1]
Name the type of particle whose movement allows zinc to conduct electricity.
See it on the paper → - 0620/42 · February/March 2025 · Q5b(i)[1]
Suggest why manganese is expected to form coloured oxides. (i)
See it on the paper → - 0620/42 · February/March 2025 · Q5b(ii)[1]
State which other property of manganese is shown by the formation of several oxides.
See it on the paper → - 0620/62 · October/November 2024 · Q1a[1]
Draw an arrow on Fig. 1.1 to show where the apparatus should be heated.
See it on the paper → - 0620/62 · October/November 2024 · Q1b[1]
Name the item of apparatus labelled A in Fig. 1.1.
See it on the paper → - 0620/11 · May/June 2024 · Q1[1]
The boiling point of sodium is 890 °C. What happens to sodium atoms as the temperature of a sample of sodium changes from 950 °C to 900 °C?
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · October/November 2023 · Q5a(i)[3]
Describe the bonding in a metallic element such as iron. You may include a labelled diagram as part of your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · October/November 2023 · Q5a(ii)[1]
Explain why iron conducts electricity when it is solid.
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · October/November 2023 · Q5c[2]
Most iron is converted into steel. Steel is an alloy. Steel is more useful than pure iron because it is harder and stronger. Explain why the structure of alloys causes them to be harder and stronger than pure metals. You may include a diagram as part of your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0620/42 · February/March 2023 · Q2a[1]
Name the type of bonding in these elements.
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · October/November 2020 · Q1a(iii)[1]
forms a stable ion of type X 3+
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · February/March 2020 · Q2f[2]
Iron is a transition element. Which two of these statements about iron are correct? Tick two boxes. Iron forms coloured compounds. Iron can act as a catalyst. Iron is brown when freshly cut. Iron has a low density. Iron has a low melting point. [Total: 13]
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · February/March 2020 · Q8a(iv)[1]
Which one of these substances, C, D, E or F, conducts electricity when solid?
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Many candidates gave correct concise answers. The most common errors were references to negative ions and intermolecular forces. Candidates often omitted reference to attraction between positive ions and electrons. ‘Force’ and ‘electrostatic’ both need to be qualified by reference to ‘attraction’. Ionic and covalent bonding were also referred to occasionally.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0620/41 Q3(a)(i) (Cambridge)
The word ‘free’ is irrelevant and unnecessary in answer to this question. The most common error was to omit reference to movement of electrons. ‘Mobile ions’ was another incorrect answer that was seen occasionally.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0620/41 Q3(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Those candidates that were able to identify metallic bonding in (a)(i) were usually able to correctly name positive ions and electrons, although a common misunderstanding was to give examples of other metals. Those candidates that incorrectly named ionic bonding in (a)(i) were able to gain credit for naming negative ions as one of the particles but examples of ionic compounds were often given inst...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0620/43 Q3(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
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