Ions and ionic bonds: past paper questions
Real questions on ions and ionic bonds
The newest 20 of 117 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q6b(i)[2]
Nickel(II) chloride is a compound with ionic bonding. State the meaning of the term ionic bond.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q6b(ii)[2]
2-mark question — its maths and diagrams are best seen on the paper.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(i)[7]
(i) Complete Table 2.1 to describe the strong bonding in the substances shown. Table 2.1 sodium bromine magnesium silicon(IV) chloride 9 oxide type of strong ionic covalent bonding symbol of Nat ff eteteetecseteeseee particle .......... attracted Che | tess an type of . ions and particle ions electrons attracted | crre...
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2026 · Q2b(i)[2]
Describe the arrangement of ions in sodium chloride.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2026 · Q3e(iv)[2]
Write the ionic equation for this reaction. Include state symbols.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2026 · Q3e(v)[1]
Name another insoluble sulfate salt that can be prepared by this method.
See it on the paper → - 0971/62 · May/June 2026 · Q3b[1]
Identify the three ions in solid C. Tests on solution D Solution D is aqueous ammonium bromide. The student divides solution D into two approximately equal portions. Record the expected observations.
See it on the paper → - 0971/62 · May/June 2026 · Q3e[1]
(e) To the second portion of solution D, the student adds about 1 cm? of dilute nitric acid followed by a few drops of aqueous silver nitrate. ODSErVALIONS .......... .......... .......... ..........
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2025 · Q1b[1]
forms an ion which is present in every dilute acid
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2025 · Q3a(i)[1]
Name the negative ion that has the highest concentration. (i)
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2025 · Q3a(ii)[1]
State the formula of the ammonium ion.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2025 · Q3a(iv)[1]
Calculate the mass of hydrogencarbonate ions, HCO 3– , in 200 cm 3 of the contaminated water. mass = mg
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2025 · Q5g[3]
Fluorine is in Group VII of the Periodic Table. Fluorine reacts with sodium to form the ionic compound sodium fluoride. Complete the dot-and-cross diagram in Fig. 5.1 for sodium fluoride to show: • • the electronic configuration for each ion the charge on each ion. Na F
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2025 · Q7f[2]
Magnesium chloride, MgCl 2 , exists in different forms. Draw one line from each form of magnesium chloride to its description. form of magnesium chloride description aqueous MgCl 2 solid MgCl 2 chemically combined with water anhydrous MgCl 2 MgCl 2 dissolved in water hydrated MgCl 2 solid MgCl 2 containing no water
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2025 · Q1a[1]
an element which forms an ion with a 1+ charge
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2025 · Q2a(iii)[1]
Magnesium sulfate is soluble in water. Choose one other compound that is soluble in water. Tick (3) one box. lead( II ) chloride magnesium carbonate potassium hydroxide
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2025 · Q2e[1]
Sodium chloride is an ionic compound that dissolves in water. State two other properties of an ionic compound.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2025 · Q1a[1]
an element which forms an ion with a 2– charge
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2025 · Q1b[1]
an ionic compound
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2025 · Q5c[2]
Zinc chloride has ionic bonds. State the meaning of the term ionic bond.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
The link between group number and the ion of the elements or the formation of ionic bonds from Group I elements was not well recalled. Many candidates suggested fluorine or magnesium.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/31 Q1(a) (Cambridge)
The solubility rules are not well known. Although there was a slight preference towards the correct answer, all the other options were frequently chosen.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/31 Q2(a)(iii) (Cambridge)
The general properties of ionic compounds were not well recalled. Candidates should know that ‘high melting point’ and ‘high boiling point’ are not considered as two separate marking points and together or separately would only gain one mark. A few candidates contradicted ‘high melting point’ with ‘low boiling point’ or vice versa. A significant number of candidates misread the question and named...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/31 Q2(e) (Cambridge)
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