Alkanes: past paper questions
Real questions on alkanes
The newest 20 of 26 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 5070/21 · October/November 2025 · Q1a(iv)[1]
is a saturated hydrocarbon
See it on the paper → - 5070/21 · October/November 2025 · Q8a[1]
Deduce the molecular formula of tetradecane.
See it on the paper → - 5070/21 · October/November 2025 · Q8b[1]
State the name of the alkane in Table 8.1 that has the highest viscosity.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · October/November 2024 · Q4a[2]
Butane belongs to the alkane homologous series. Members of the same homologous series have the same functional group and the same general formula. State two other characteristics of a homologous series.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · October/November 2024 · Q4b(i)[1]
Explain how Fig. 4.1 shows that butane is a saturated compound.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · October/November 2024 · Q4b(ii)[1]
Give the structural formula of butane.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · October/November 2024 · Q4c(ii)[2]
When nonane is cracked, shorter hydrocarbon molecules are formed. Construct the symbol equation for a reaction in which nonane is cracked and the only products are propane and ethene.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · October/November 2024 · Q4d(i)[1]
Name the type of chemical reaction that takes place.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · October/November 2024 · Q4d(ii)[1]
State the purpose of the ultraviolet light in this reaction.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · May/June 2023 · Q7b(ii)[1]
Draw the displayed formula for but-2-ene.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · October/November 2022 · Q3a[1]
Give the general formula for the alkanes.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · October/November 2022 · Q3b(i)[1]
Name this alkane.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · October/November 2022 · Q3b(ii)[1]
Draw the structure of a different isomer of this alkane. Show all of the atoms and all of the bonds.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · May/June 2022 · Q9a[2]
Draw the structures of two different alkanes with the molecular formula C 4 H 10 . Show all of the atoms and all of the bonds in each structure.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · May/June 2022 · Q9b[1]
State, using the general formula of alkanes, the molecular formula of an alkane which has only 12 carbon atoms in its molecule.
See it on the paper → - 5070/21 · October/November 2021 · Q4a[2]
Alkenes are produced by cracking. State the meaning of the term cracking.
See it on the paper → - 5070/42 · October/November 2021 · Q1d[1]
Name the first alkane collected in the conical flask. Explain your answer. alkane explanation
See it on the paper → - 5070/21 · May/June 2021 · Q3b(v)[1]
Chloroethene reacts with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. Suggest the structure of the product of this reaction.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · May/June 2021 · Q1a(iv)[1]
reacts with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to make an alkane
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · May/June 2021 · Q5b(i)[1]
Explain how the molecular formula C 11 H 24 shows the compound is an alkane.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Candidates found this question quite difficult and often drew structures with either five bonds around a carbon atom or only three bonds around a carbon atom.
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 5070/22 Q7(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
The general formula for the homologous series of alkanes was well known.
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 5070/22 Q3(a) (Cambridge)
Most candidates drew structures that had all the atoms and all the bonds. However, a significant proportion of the candidates missed out one or two hydrogen atoms. A common misconception was to draw butane again but as a ‘bent’ chain.
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 5070/22 Q3(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
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