0653.C9.3.02 — State that alloys can be harder and stronger than the pure metals and are more useful: past paper questions
Real questions on 0653.c9.3.02 — state that alloys can be harder and stronger than the pure metals and are more useful
The newest 6 of 6 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0653/31 · May/June 2025 · Q5c[1]
Describe what is meant by an alloy. (c) Magnox is an alloy of magnesium.
See it on the paper → - 0653/41 · May/June 2025 · Q4c(i)[1]
Name one of the other elements in stainless steel. (i)
See it on the paper → - 0653/41 · May/June 2025 · Q4c(ii)[2]
Explain in terms of structure why stainless steel is harder and stronger than iron.
See it on the paper → - 0653/32 · February/March 2025 · Q4b(i)[1]
Circle the word that describes a mixture of metals. (i)
See it on the paper → - 0653/32 · February/March 2024 · Q2d[1]
There is an alloy that contains lithium and aluminium only. Tick (3) one box to show which statement describes this alloy. It contains one type of atom only. It is a mixture. It has the chemical properties of aluminium only. It has the physical properties of lithium only.
See it on the paper → - 0653/22 · May/June 2023 · Q24[1]
Why are gold alloys, rather than pure gold, used to make jewellery?
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Candidates found the definition of an alloy challenging. Correct responses had to contain the following points. Firstly, an alloy is a mixture, secondly, it contains a metal, and thirdly it contains one or more other elements. Common errors included stating that the elements in the alloy were chemically combined and that there are compounds in the alloy.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0653/31 Q5(c) (Cambridge)
Only the elements shown in the syllabus, chromium, nickel and carbon were accepted.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0653/41 Q4(c)(i) (Cambridge)
This part of the syllabus was familiar to many candidates and full credit was often awarded. The term ions was accepted as an alternative for atoms, but molecules was not. The suggestion that differently sized atoms can no longer move was not accepted as an alternative for the idea that atoms could not slide past one another.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0653/41 Q4(c)(ii) (Cambridge)
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