States of matter: past paper questions
Real questions on states of matter
The newest 12 of 12 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0972/32 · May/June 2026 · Q4a(i)[1]
Name the process by which a solid becomes a liquid.
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2026 · Q4a(ii)[3]
(ii) A craftsman pours the liquid metal into a mould, as shown in Figure 4.1. The metal cools until it is solid. liquid metal Figure 4.1 Describe the arrangement, separation and motion of the particles in a solid. doce .......... .......... .......... [3]
See it on the paper → - 0972/62 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(ii)[1]
The student: ° records, in Table 2.1, the temperature shown by each thermometer at time t = 0 * switches on the lamp, and at the same time starts a stopwatch * waits for 4.0 minutes * switches off the lam p * takes the reading on each thermometer. The readings shown by the thermometers at t = 4.0min are shown in Figure...
See it on the paper → - 0972/61 · October/November 2024 · Q2d[1]
A student states that the average rate of cooling of the water decreases as the temperature of the water approaches room temperature. State whether your graph line supports this suggestion. Explain your answer by reference to the shape of the graph line. statement explanation
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2024 · Q4b(i)[1]
Determine the temperature of the liquid oxygen in K. temperature = K
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2023 · Q3b[3]
Describe the arrangement, separation and motion of particles in a solid.
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2022 · Q6a(ii)[1]
Fig. 6.1 shows how the temperature of the wax changes as it is heated. 200 temperature of wax / °C 100 0 0 10 20 30 40 time / min Fig. 6.1 Using the graph in Fig. 6.1, determine: 1. the melting point of the wax °C 2. the boiling point of the wax °C 3. the time at which the wax starts to boil. min
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · October/November 2020 · Q6a[3]
Fig. 6.1 represents three changes of state. Each pair of diagrams A, B and C shows the arrangement of molecules in a substance before and after it changes state. after before A B C Fig. 6.1 Give the term used for each change of state. A B C
See it on the paper → - 0972/31 · May/June 2020 · Q3b[1]
The gas in Fig. 3.1 is cooled. The gas turns into a liquid then into a solid. State how the average separation of molecules in the gas is different from the average separation of molecules in the solid.
See it on the paper → - 0972/32 · May/June 2020 · Q4a[2]
Match each description with the correct state of matter in Table 4.1. Write the correct letter in Table 4.1. A – Molecules move around freely and are far apart from each other. B – Molecules vibrate about fixed positions. C – Molecules move around randomly and are close to each other. Table 4.1 state of matter descript...
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2020 · Q4a[4]
Describe simple experiments to mark the positions of the fixed points on this liquid-in-glass thermometer.
See it on the paper → - 0972/42 · May/June 2020 · Q4b[1]
A scientist is measuring temperatures at the South Pole. These temperatures have a minimum value of –90 °C. State why the liquid used in the thermometer in Fig. 4.1 would not be suitable for this scientist.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Many candidates correctly converted the temperature from °C to K. Candidates needed to understand that absolute zero is a minimum temperature. Weaker candidates gave a negative answer. The most common incorrect answer was –433 K. The value given for absolute zero on the syllabus is –273 °C so candidates were expected to give their answer to 3 significant figures in this question.
— Examiner report, May/June 2024, 0972/42 Q4(b)(i) (Cambridge)
Candidates were usually able to apply their knowledge of the simple kinetic particle model of matter to the particles in a solid.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 0972/31 Q3(b) (Cambridge)
Stronger candidates scored full credit but weaker candidates often confused the melting and boiling points of wax.
— Examiner report, May/June 2022, 0972/31 Q6(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
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