Reactivity series: past paper questions
Real questions on reactivity series
The newest 20 of 38 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0971/32 · October/November 2025 · Q6a(ii)[1]
Explain why aluminium is not extracted from its ore by reduction with carbon. Give your answer in terms of the reactivity series.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2025 · Q6c(i)[2]
Put the four metals in order of their reactivity. Put the least reactive metal first. most reactive least reactive
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2025 · Q1c[1]
a soft metal that is more reactive than sodium
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2025 · Q5a(i)[1]
Put the metals, A, B, C and D, in their order of reactivity. most reactive
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2025 · Q1f[1]
the most reactive metal in the list
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(i)[1]
A student investigates the reaction of four different metals, A, B, C and D, with dilute hydrochloric acid. All other conditions are the same in each test‑tube. The results of the experiment are shown in Fig. 6.1. bubbles B C D A Fig. 6.1 Put the metals, A, B, C and D, in order of their reactivity. most reactive least...
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2024 · Q1a(vi)[1]
is the metal with the lowest reactivity.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2024 · Q6d[2]
Table 6.2 shows the observations when four different metals are heated in oxygen. Table 6.2 metal observations when heated in oxygen cerium burns rapidly and forms an oxide copper forms an oxide layer very slowly and does not burn lanthanum forms an oxide layer rapidly and does not burn silver does not form an oxide lay...
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2024 · Q7c[2]
The list shows five metals. calcium copper iron silver sodium Put these metals in order of their reactivity. Put the most reactive metal at the top. most reactive least reactive
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2024 · Q7f[2]
The list shows five metals. aluminium copper gold magnesium potassium Put these metals in order of their reactivity. Put the most reactive metal at the top. most reactive least reactive [Total: 11]
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2024 · Q2a(ii)[1]
State which of the five metals in the list has the greatest tendency to form positive ions.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2024 · Q2b[3]
A student adds a sample of a metal to an aqueous metal salt in a beaker to see if a displacement reaction takes place. Complete Table 2.1 to show the colour of the solution in the beaker at the start and at the end of the experiment. Table 2.1 metal aqueous solution colour at the start magnesium iron( II ) sulfate gree...
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2024 · Q2c(i)[1]
Name the gas formed when strontium is added to cold water.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2024 · Q2c(ii)[1]
Name the alkaline solution formed when strontium is added to cold water.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2024 · Q2c(iii)[2]
One Group II metal reacts very slowly when placed in cold water. When heated, the metal reacts with steam to form a white solid. Identify this metal and name the white solid formed. metal white solid
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2023 · Q5d[2]
Table 5.2 gives the observations when four different metals react with dilute hydrochloric acid. Table 5.2 metal observations iron bubbles form slowly mercury no bubbles seen strontium bubbles form very quickly tin bubbles form very slowly Put the four metals in order of their reactivity. Put the least reactive metal f...
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2023 · Q2b(ii)[1]
Explain why aqueous iodine does not react with aqueous potassium chloride.
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2023 · Q5d[2]
Table 5.1 shows the observations made when four different metals react with dilute hydrochloric acid of the same concentration. Table 5.1 metal observations iron bubbles form slowly lead no bubbles formed magnesium bubbles form rapidly nickel bubbles form very slowly Put the four metals in order of their reactivity. Pu...
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2023 · Q5c[2]
Table 5.1 shows some information about the reaction of four metals with steam. Table 5.1 metal reaction with steam when metal is cold beryllium reacts slowly chromium reacts slowly only when the metal is very hot magnesium reacts rapidly silver no reaction Put the four metals in order of their reactivity. Put the least...
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2022 · Q8e[2]
The table shows the rates of reaction of four metals with air. metal rate of reaction chromium reacts very slowly only when heated strongly silver does not react at room temperature or when heated strongly sodium reacts quickly at room temperature uranium reacts slowly at room temperature Put the four metals in order o...
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Although the majority of candidates answered this question correctly, magnesium was a very common incorrect answer. Although magnesium is relatively soft it is not more reactive than sodium.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/31 Q1(c) (Cambridge)
This question was not so well answered. Many candidates incorrectly described the relative reactivity of iodine and potassium or iodine and potassium chloride. Some were not clear which substances they were comparing, giving an answer such as ‘it is less reactive’. The comparison must be clearly made between the reactivity of iodine and of chlorine (not chloride).
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 0971/31 Q2(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
Most candidates gave the correct order of reactivity for these metals. Only a few gave the reverse order or an incorrect order. A few candidates confused the information given and used the word ‘metal’ in their answers.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 0971/31 Q5(d) (Cambridge)
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