Alkanes: past paper questions
Real questions on alkanes
The newest 20 of 50 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q1a(iv)[1]
a hydrocarbon (vi) a gas that turns limewater milky (vii) apale yellow-green gas at room temperature and pressure.
See it on the paper → - 0971/62 · May/June 2026 · Q1d[1]
(d) State which alkane is collected first. Give a reason for your answer. FOASON ..........
See it on the paper → - 0971/62 · May/June 2026 · Q1e[1]
(e) State what, if anything, is left in the flask at the end of the experiment. Explain your answer. left FASK .......... .......... .......... .......... EOXPlAMAtiON .......... ..........
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2025 · Q4e(i)[1]
have the longest chain length (i)
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2025 · Q4e(ii)[1]
have the highest volatility (ii)
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[2]
Describe two other general characteristics of the homologous series of alkanes.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q5b(i)[1]
State the trend in the boiling points of the alkanes as the carbon chain length increases.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q5b(ii)[2]
Name one other physical property of alkanes that shows a trend, other than melting points and boiling points. Describe this trend as the carbon chain length of alkanes increases. name
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q5c[1]
State why alkanes are described as saturated.
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2025 · Q4a(iii)[1]
Natural gas is a fossil fuel. Draw a circle around one compound that is the main constituent of natural gas. carbon dioxide ethane ethanol methane
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2025 · Q4b(i)[1]
Describe how long chain hydrocarbon molecules can be made into short chain molecules. • • • the name of this process the conditions needed for this process to take place the products of this process. Include in your
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2025 · Q4b(ii)[1]
State one reason why long chain hydrocarbon molecules are made into short chain hydrocarbon molecules.
See it on the paper → - 0971/41 · May/June 2025 · Q1d[1]
is produced by the decomposition of vegetation
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2025 · Q1f[1]
number of unbranched structural isomers of C 4 H 8 which decolourise aqueous bromine
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2025 · Q1h[1]
number of carbon atoms in one molecule of propyl butanoate.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2024 · Q1c[1]
is used as a fuel
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2024 · Q5b[2]
State two conditions needed for cracking large alkane molecules.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2024 · Q5c(i)[2]
Use molecular formulae to complete the symbol equation for this reaction. (i)
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2024 · Q8a(ii)[2]
Explain why compound V is an alkane.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2024 · Q8c(iii)[2]
State two types of reaction of the alkanes. [Total: 10]
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
It was anticipated that most candidates would be able to recall the main constituent of natural gas, but the most common answer was carbon dioxide. Ethane and ethanol were not commonly chosen.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/31 Q4(a)(iii) (Cambridge)
When describing reaction conditions, candidates should note that ‘temperature’ unqualified or ‘pressure’ unqualified are ambiguous. We do not know whether this means high temperature or low temperature or a specific value. Similarly to Question 4(a)(i), there was significant confusion between cracking and fractional distillation and some candidates described polymerisation.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/31 Q4(b)(i) (Cambridge)
Many candidates confused the breaking up of solids and reaction rate with the production of more useful compounds.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/31 Q4(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
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