Metallic bonding: past paper questions
Real questions on metallic bonding
The newest 10 of 10 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0971/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(i)[3]
Describe the bonding in a metallic element such as copper.
See it on the paper → - 0971/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(ii)[1]
Explain how solid copper conducts electricity. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 0971/41 · May/June 2024 · Q3b(i)[1]
Explain why sodium conducts electricity when it is a solid.
See it on the paper → - 0971/41 · May/June 2022 · Q3a(i)[3]
Describe the bonding in a metallic element such as sodium. You may include a diagram as part of your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0971/41 · May/June 2022 · Q3a(ii)[1]
Describe how solid sodium conducts electricity.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2022 · Q3c(i)[1]
Explain why transition elements and Group I elements conduct electricity.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2021 · Q5a[4]
Iron and potassium have the same type of bonding. Name and describe the type of bonding in these two elements. name description
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2021 · Q5b(ii)[1]
Describe what happens to the particles in iron when it is hammered into a shape.
See it on the paper → - 0971/41 · May/June 2020 · Q2a[4]
Name and describe the bonding in magnesium. name description of bonding
See it on the paper → - 0971/62 · October/November 2019 · Q3b[1]
An excess of aqueous sodium hydroxide was added to the first portion of solution P in a test‑tube. observations
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, 0971/41 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, 0971/41 Q3(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
Candidates found this challenging. Many candidates thought that the question was about bonding between sodium and another element. A common error was to confuse metallic bonding with ionic bonding. Chloride ions were often mentioned instead of, or as well as, a sea of electrons. It was common to see that attraction between particles was missing. Atoms, molecules and intermolecular forces were see...
— Examiner report, May/June 2022, 0971/41 Q3(a)(i) (Cambridge)
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