States of matter: past paper questions
Real questions on states of matter
The newest 20 of 70 written questions, plus 58 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q3a(i)[1]
State the meaning of the symbol (s) in this equation. (iii) Name the piece of apparatus used to collect and measure the volume of carbon dioxide produced in this reaction.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q5a[2]
State two general properties of a liquid.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q5b[4]
Complete Table 5.1 to show the motion and separation of particles in a solid and a liquid. Table 5.1 physical state motion of particles separation of particles solid liquid
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q5c[2]
Draw a line from each statement to the correct change of state. statement change of state liquid nitrogen turns into solid nitrogen evaporating liquid cobalt changes into cobalt gas freezing steam changes into liquid water condensing
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q5d[1]
Name the process in which gas particles spread out from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.
See it on the paper → - 0971/62 · May/June 2026 · Q3a[1]
State the conclusion that can be made from the observation made in test 2.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2025 · Q2b[2]
Krypton is a gas at room temperature and pressure. A sample of krypton is placed in a sealed syringe with a freely moving plunger. Complete Table 2.2 to show the effect, if any, on the volume of krypton when: • • the temperature of the krypton is decreased the pressure of the krypton is increased. Use the words increas...
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2025 · Q2c[2]
When krypton is cooled, it becomes a liquid. Describe the arrangement of the particles in liquid krypton. Give your answer in terms of particle separation and motion. particle separation particle motion
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2025 · Q5b[2]
Table 5.1 shows the melting point and the boiling point of tellurium. Table 5.1 melting point / °C 450 boiling point / °C 988 Use Table 5.1 to deduce the physical state of tellurium at 650 °C. (b) Tellurium is in Group VI of the Periodic Table. physical state reason Give a reason for your answer.
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q1a[3]
Complete Table 1.1 to describe the structures of solids, liquids and gases in terms of particle separation, particle arrangement and particle motion. Table 1.1 state of matter particle separation solid particle arrangement particle motion random random touching liquid gas
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q1c(i)[1]
Describe, in terms of particles, why gases diffuse. (i)
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q1c(ii)[1]
State what determines the relative rate of diffusion of gases at constant temperature.
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2025 · Q2d[1]
Sodium chloride forms a liquid when heated. arrangement motion Describe the arrangement and motion of the particles in a liquid.
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2025 · Q7b[1]
Fig. 7.2 shows the changes of state of copper. G solid H liquid gas Fig. 7.2 G Name the changes of state labelled G and H.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2025 · Q2d[2]
Sodium chloride is a solid at room temperature. Describe the arrangement and motion of the particles in a solid. arrangement motion
See it on the paper → - 0971/41 · May/June 2025 · Q6c[2]
Give the physical state and colour of iodine at room temperature and pressure. state
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2024 · Q1a(i)[1]
is 78% of clean, dry air
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2024 · Q8c[2]
Carbon dioxide is a gas at room temperature. Describe the motion and separation of the particles in carbon dioxide gas. motion separation
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2024 · Q1d[1]
turns limewater milky
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2024 · Q1h[1]
is 21% of clean, dry air
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Candidates frequently confused the individual particle behaviour with bulk properties of liquids. Particles of a substance in the liquid state will slide over each other but only in bulk do liquids have a variable shape and fixed volume. Candidates should take care to identify whether they are answering a particle question or general bulk properties of a substance.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/31 Q2(d) (Cambridge)
This was answered quite well. Although the question specified that the colour and state of iodine are those at room temperature and pressure, many candidates described the appearance of iodine as an aqueous solution or in the vapour state. Yellow, blue and brown were often seen as incorrect colours.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/41 Q6(c) (Cambridge)
Candidates often gave well-written and clear descriptions to describe diffusion. Many candidates gained full credit and covered all the possible marking points. Most candidates identified that the process was diffusion and that there was movement from higher concentration to lower concentrations of ammonia. Those that did not gain all three marks often gave an answer that did not use particles or...
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 0971/31 Q8(c)(iv) (Cambridge)
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