Elements, compounds and mixtures: past paper questions
Real questions on elements, compounds and mixtures
The newest 20 of 26 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0973/31 · May/June 2026 · Q6f[1]
(f) Carbon and hydrogen are elements. Methane is a compound. Using only words elements compounds, complete .......... .......... made from just type atom. .......... .......... made when more different .......... .......... .......... chemically bonded together.
See it on the paper → - 0973/41 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[2]
Different substances can be elements, compounds, or mixtures. Draw a line from each substance to the definition. substance definition element contains atoms of two or more elements joined together chemically compound contains two or more substances that are joined together physically mixture contains only one type of a...
See it on the paper → - 0973/42 · May/June 2025 · Q5d(i)[3]
Complete the labels on Fig. 5.2. Use phrases from the list. weak forces ionic bond metallic bond covalent bond Each phrase can be used once, more than once, or not at all.
See it on the paper → - 0973/42 · May/June 2025 · Q8b(ii)[1]
The student repeats the experiment with larger pieces of calcium carbonate. The student uses the same volume and concentration of hydrochloric acid and the same mass of calcium carbonate. Draw on Fig. 8.1 the line for the student’s results.
See it on the paper → - 0973/42 · May/June 2025 · Q8c[2]
The student predicts the reaction will be faster with a higher concentration of hydrochloric acid. Explain why the student is correct.
See it on the paper → - 0973/42 · May/June 2025 · Q8d[3]
Calculate the mass of calcium chloride, CaCl 2 , made when 0.2 moles of hydrochloric acid react with excess calcium carbonate. 2HCl + CaCO 3 CaCl 2 + CO 2 + H 2 O [A r : Ca, 40; Cl, 35.5; H, 1] mass of calcium chloride = g
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · October/November 2023 · Q8b(i)[1]
Identify one substance which is a compound.
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · October/November 2023 · Q8b(ii)[2]
Identify two substances which are solvents.
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · October/November 2023 · Q8b(iii)[1]
Identify one substance which is a transition element.
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · October/November 2023 · Q8b(iv)[1]
Identify one substance which is a halogen.
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · October/November 2023 · Q8b(v)[1]
Identify one substance which consists of diatomic molecules.
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · May/June 2023 · Q5c(i)[1]
Describe the difference between an element and a compound.
See it on the paper → - 0973/41 · May/June 2023 · Q2c[2]
Table 2.1 shows the melting points of tin, silver and the alloy solder. Table 2.1 substance melting point / °C tin 232 silver 962 solder 220–229 Explain how the melting points show that solder is a mixture, but tin and silver are not.
See it on the paper → - 0973/41 · May/June 2023 · Q11a(i)[1]
State which compound is made by the catalytic addition of steam to compound A. Choose from B, C, D or E.
See it on the paper → - 0973/41 · May/June 2023 · Q11a(ii)[1]
State which compound is made when compound A reacts with hydrogen gas, H 2 . Choose from B, C, D or E.
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · October/November 2022 · Q1c[1]
Olive oil is a liquid fat used for cooking food. Tick (3) the boxes to show the three chemical elements present in all cooking oils. calcium carbon hydrogen iron magnesium oxygen
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · October/November 2022 · Q11a[2]
Sodium and chlorine are elements. Sodium chloride is a compound. Describe what is meant by an element and a compound. element compound
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · May/June 2022 · Q11b[2]
Potassium, K, is an element. Potassium hydroxide, KOH, is a compound. Explain the difference between an element and a compound. element compound
See it on the paper → - 0973/31 · October/November 2021 · Q2b(i)[2]
Carbon dioxide is a compound but carbon is an element. State the difference between an element and a compound.
See it on the paper → - 0973/32 · May/June 2021 · Q5c(iii)[2]
Potassium and chlorine are elements. Potassium chloride is a compound. Describe the difference between an element and a compound.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Some candidates seemed reluctant to enter the response of covalent bond twice, often giving ionic bond in place of one of the covalent bonds.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0973/42 Q5(d)(i) (Cambridge)
Some candidates did not interpret the question correctly and suggested that a larger piece of calcium carbonate would result in a faster reaction time. Some candidates also suggested that reaction would result in a smaller or higher total volume of carbon dioxide.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0973/42 Q8(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
This question was generally well answered. Some candidates tried unsuccessfully to explain this in terms of increased kinetic energy rather than increased density of particles.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0973/42 Q8(c) (Cambridge)
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