Alloys and their properties: past paper questions
Real questions on alloys and their properties
The newest 20 of 25 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q6f(i)[1]
(i) State the meaning of the term alloy. dace .......... .......... .......... [1]
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q6f(ii)[2]
(ii) Name two elements in stainless steel, other than nickel .......... .......... .......... eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeteetettetsttetteeeeee [2]
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2026 · Q4d(i)[1]
Name the alloy which is made by mixing copper with zinc.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2026 · Q4d(ii)[2]
(ii) Mixing chromium and nickel with iron and a non-metallic element makes a type of steel. Name this type of steel and the non-metallic element used. type StC\l .......... .......... .......... Non-metallic ClEMENE ..........
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(i)[2]
State what is meant by the term alloy. (i)
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2025 · Q6c(i)[1]
State the name given to a mixture of metals such as brass.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2025 · Q6c(ii)[2]
Name the two metals in brass. and
See it on the paper → - 0971/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(i)[1]
State one reason why alloys are more useful than pure metals. (i)
See it on the paper → - 0971/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(ii)[1]
Name the substance that is present in brass, other than copper.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2025 · Q4b[1]
Chromium can be mixed with nickel and other elements to form stainless steel. Name the type of substance formed when a metal is mixed with other elements.
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2024 · Q1a(i)[1]
an alloy
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2024 · Q3c[1]
Alloys of magnesium and aluminium are used to make aircraft. State the meaning of the term alloy.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2024 · Q2a(iv)[1]
State which of the five metals in the list is a major component of stainless steel.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2023 · Q5c(i)[1]
Choose the diagram, A, B, C or D, in Fig. 5.1 that best shows the structure of an alloy. A B C D Fig. 5.1 diagram
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2023 · Q3d(i)[1]
State the term given to a substance which is a mixture of a metal and other elements.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2023 · Q3d(ii)[1]
Name one element, other than carbon, mixed with iron in the making of stainless steel.
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2023 · Q5c(i)[1]
State the meaning of the term alloy.
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2023 · Q5c(ii)[1]
State why alloys are more useful than pure metals.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2022 · Q2d(iii)[1]
Steel is an alloy. Choose the diagram, J, K, L or M, which best represents an alloy. J K L M [Total: 15]
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2021 · Q8g[1]
Steel is an alloy of iron. State the meaning of the term alloy. . [Total: 11]
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
This was answered quite well. Some candidates would benefit from familiarising themselves with syllabus statements about why alloys are more useful than pure metals.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/41 Q3(b)(i) (Cambridge)
This was answered quite well. Nickel, tin and iron were common wrong answers.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/41 Q3(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
Most candidates recalled that a metal was required, although many did not use the word ‘mixture’ or thought that an alloy was a metal compound. Some candidates gave an answer which was too vague such as ‘usually contains a metal’, which may incorrectly suggest that a metal is not required or that the metal is mixed with a ‘substance’ rather than another element.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 0971/31 Q5(c)(i) (Cambridge)
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