Reactivity series: past paper questions
Real questions on reactivity series
The newest 20 of 58 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0620/33 · May/June 2026 · Q2b(iii)[1]
Explain why aqueous iodine does not react with aqueous sodium bromide.
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · May/June 2026 · Q8b[2]
Five metals are shown. copper gold iron magnesium zinc Put these metals in order of their reactivity. Put the most reactive metal at the top. most reactive least reactive
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · May/June 2026 · Q8c(i)[1]
Name the ore used in the blast furnace to extract iron. (i)
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · May/June 2026 · Q8c(ii)[1]
State one reason why coke is added to the blast furnace during the extraction process.
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · May/June 2026 · Q8c(iii)[1]
Name the compound used to reduce iron( III ) oxide in the blast furnace.
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · February/March 2026 · Q1e[1]
is the most reactive metal
See it on the paper → - 0620/42 · February/March 2026 · Q1c[1]
has a blue anhydrous chloride used to detect the presence of water
See it on the paper → - 0620/31 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(i)[2]
Name two metals most commonly used in stainless steel, other than iron.
See it on the paper → - 0620/31 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(ii)[1]
State one use of stainless steel.
See it on the paper → - 0620/31 · October/November 2025 · Q6c(i)[2]
Put the four metals in order of their reactivity. Put the least reactive metal first. least reactive most reactive
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(ii)[1]
Explain why aluminium is not extracted from its ore by reduction with carbon. Give your answer in terms of the reactivity series.
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · October/November 2025 · Q6c(i)[2]
Put the four metals in order of their reactivity. Put the least reactive metal first. most reactive least reactive
See it on the paper → - 0620/31 · May/June 2025 · Q1c[1]
a soft metal that is more reactive than sodium
See it on the paper → - 0620/31 · May/June 2025 · Q5a(i)[1]
Put the metals, A, B, C and D, in their order of reactivity. most reactive
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · May/June 2025 · Q1f[1]
the most reactive metal in the list
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(i)[1]
A student investigates the reaction of four different metals, A, B, C and D, with dilute hydrochloric acid. All other conditions are the same in each test‑tube. The results of the experiment are shown in Fig. 6.1. bubbles B C D A Fig. 6.1 Put the metals, A, B, C and D, in order of their reactivity. most reactive least...
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · May/June 2025 · Q1f[1]
the least reactive metal in the list
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · May/June 2025 · Q1f[2]
react together to form slag in the blast furnace and
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · May/June 2025 · Q6c(i)[2]
Give two observations when lithium is added to water. (i)
See it on the paper → - 0620/43 · May/June 2025 · Q6c(ii)[2]
Write a symbol equation for this reaction. (ii)
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Comprehensive responses • Many candidates knew which element was the most reactive. Limited responses • A few candidates did not know the reactivity series of metals and so could not give the correct answer.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0620/32 Q1(e) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • Most candidates correctly identified Co. Limited responses • Some candidates wrote Cu.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0620/42 Q1(c) (Cambridge)
Although the majority of candidates answered this question correctly, magnesium was a very common incorrect answer. Although magnesium is relatively soft it is not more reactive than sodium.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0620/31 Q1(c) (Cambridge)
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