Properties of metals: past paper questions
Real questions on properties of metals
The newest 20 of 55 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(i)[1]
Predict the melting point of sodium.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(iii)[95]
(iii) Deduce the physical state of lithium at 95°C. Give a reason for your answer. Physical State .......... reason
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2025 · Q1c[1]
is a metal which does not react with steam
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2025 · Q1g[1]
an element used in food containers because of its resistance to corrosion
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2025 · Q5b(i)[1]
State the meaning of the term alloy.
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2025 · Q5b(ii)[1]
State one property of stainless steel that makes it suitable for cutlery.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2025 · Q6c(iii)[1]
Magnalium is a mixture of magnesium and aluminium. Suggest one property of magnalium that makes it more useful than pure magnesium metal.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2025 · Q5b(ii)[1]
has the highest density
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2025 · Q5b(iii)[1]
has the lowest reactivity
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2025 · Q5b(iv)[1]
burns with a lilac flame
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2024 · Q6a[3]
Many metals have high melting points and boiling points. State three other typical physical properties of metals.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2024 · Q6c[1]
State one difference in the physical properties of silver and sodium. (c) Silver is a transition element. Sodium is in Group I of the Periodic Table.
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2024 · Q3c[2]
State two physical properties that explain why aluminium is used in overhead electrical cables.
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2024 · Q7a[3]
State three other physical properties of iron.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2024 · Q7a[3]
State three other physical properties of iron.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2024 · Q7c[1]
Copper is used in electrical wiring because of its good electrical conductivity. State one other reason why copper is used in electrical wiring.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2024 · Q2a(iii)[1]
Suggest one of the five metals in the list which is not likely to show catalytic properties.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2023 · Q1f[1]
an atom of an element which is a good conductor of electricity
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2023 · Q2b[2]
One physical property of transition elements such as copper and cobalt is that they are hard. Other metals such as lithium are softer. State two other physical properties of copper and cobalt which are significantly different from lithium.
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2023 · Q5a[2]
Iron is a transition element. Potassium is an element in Group I of the Periodic Table. State two differences in the physical properties of iron compared to potassium.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Most candidates identified aluminium as the element used in food containers.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/31 Q1(g) (Cambridge)
Candidates confused mixtures with compounds or molecules. Candidates should include the words, ‘mixture’ ‘metal’ and ‘element’ in their answer.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/31 Q5(b)(i) (Cambridge)
Most candidates recalled that stainless steel resists corrosion/rusting. A small number suggested properties of metals but not one which would be useful in the manufacture of cutlery for example, some candidates suggested ‘ductile’ or ‘electrical/thermal conduction’.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/31 Q5(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
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