O Level Chemistry 5070 · Topic 9

Metals: past paper questions

176 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2025usually: State, Explain, Give, Predict, Suggest

Real questions on metals

The newest 20 of 81 written questions, plus 95 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.

5070/21 · October/November 2025 · Q4b(i)[2]
Suggest two physical properties of potassium fluoride. 1.
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5070/22 · October/November 2025 · Q5c(iii)[1]
Stainless steel is used to make cutlery because it is hard and strong. State one other property that makes stainless steel suitable to make cutlery.
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5070/21 · May/June 2025 · Q7a[1]
Give one other reason why aluminium is used in the manufacture of aircraft.
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5070/21 · May/June 2025 · Q7b[2]
Explain why aluminium is resistant to corrosion by water and oxygen.
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5070/21 · May/June 2025 · Q7d[1]
Aluminium oxide reacts with sulfuric acid and with the alkali aqueous sodium hydroxide. State the name of the type of oxide that reacts with both acids and alkalis.
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5070/22 · May/June 2025 · Q7a[1]
Give one other reason why stainless steel is used to make cutlery.
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5070/22 · May/June 2025 · Q7b[1]
Give the meaning of the term alloy. (b) Stainless steel is an alloy.
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5070/22 · May/June 2025 · Q7c[3]
Iron nails are galvanised with zinc to prevent rusting. Explain two ways in which galvanising iron nails with zinc prevents rusting.
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5070/22 · October/November 2024 · Q1a(ii)[1]
an atom of an element that is used in food containers because of its resistance to corrosion
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5070/22 · October/November 2024 · Q2c[2]
Iron is a transition element. State two other properties that are typical of transition elements but not of Group I metals. Transition elements have high melting and boiling points.
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5070/22 · October/November 2024 · Q2d[3]
Iron is prevented from rusting by galvanising with zinc. Explain two different ways in which zinc prevents rusting.
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5070/21 · May/June 2024 · Q4a[1]
Explain why potassium iodide has a high melting point.
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5070/22 · May/June 2024 · Q1b[1]
is a reducing agent in the blast furnace
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5070/21 · October/November 2023 · Q2c[1]
Table 2.1 shows the observations when four different metals react with cold water. Table 2.1 metal observations cerium bubbles form slowly potassium bubbles form rapidly uranium bubbles form very slowly vanadium no bubbles seen Put the four metals in order of their reactivity. Put the least reactive metal first. least...
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5070/21 · October/November 2023 · Q2g[2]
Give two reasons why copper is used in electrical wiring.
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5070/21 · October/November 2023 · Q5b(ii)[1]
Name the catalyst used.
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5070/21 · October/November 2023 · Q9a(i)[3]
the difference in the melting points of magnesium and phosphorus
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5070/21 · October/November 2023 · Q9a(ii)[2]
the difference in the electrical conductivities of graphite and phosphorus.
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5070/21 · October/November 2023 · Q9b[2]
Diamond and graphite are different forms of carbon. Explain, in terms of its structure and bonding, why diamond is used in cutting tools.
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5070/22 · October/November 2023 · Q2e[1]
Table 2.1 shows the observations made when four different metals are heated in oxygen. Table 2.1 metal observations lanthanum forms a layer of oxide rapidly on the surface but does not burn mercury does not form a layer of oxide on the surface nickel forms a layer of oxide slowly on the surface but does not burn sodium...
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What examiners said

The majority of candidates interpreted the data correctly to achieve a correct order of reactivity. A small number had uranium more reactive than vanadium.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5070/21 Q2(c) (Cambridge)

Good electrical conductivity was well known; a second reason proved more difficult. Malleable, high melting point, non-corrosive, cheap and non-conductor of electricity were common incorrect responses.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5070/21 Q2(g) (Cambridge)

The catalyst was not well known. Common responses included: iron; vanadium pentoxide; phosphoric acid; oxygen; water; hydrogen and potassium permanganate. A significant number omitted the question.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5070/21 Q5(b)(ii) (Cambridge)

Practise this topic

Answer these questions online and get each one marked against the official mark scheme, with what you missed and how to fix it.

Practise metals

In the syllabus

9.1 Properties of metals

Compare the general physical properties of metals and non-metals, including: (a) thermal conductivity (b) electrical conductivity (c) malleability and ductility (d) melting points and boiling points
Describe the general chemical properties of metals, limited to their reactions with: (a) dilute acids (b) cold water and steam (c) oxygen

9.2 Uses of metals

Describe the uses of metals in terms of their physical properties, including: (a) aluminium in the manufacture of aircraft because of its low density (b) aluminium in the manufacture of overhead electrical cables because of its low density and good electrical conductivity (c) aluminium in food containers because of its resistance to corrosion (d) copper in electrical wiring because of its good electrical conductivity and ductility

9.3 Alloys and their properties

Describe an alloy as a mixture of a metal with other elements, including: (a) brass as a mixture of copper and zinc (b) stainless steel as a mixture of iron and other elements such as chromium, nickel and carbon
Explain in terms of structure how alloys can be harder and stronger than the pure metals because the different sized atoms or ions in alloys mean the layers can no longer slide over each other
Describe the uses of alloys in terms of their physical properties, including stainless steel in cutlery because of its hardness and resistance to rusting
Identify representations of alloys from diagrams of structure

9.4 Reactivity series

State the order of the reactivity series as: potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, carbon, zinc, iron, hydrogen, copper, silver, gold
Describe the relative reactivities of metals in terms of their tendency to form positive ions, by displacement reactions, if any, with the aqueous ions of magnesium, zinc, iron, copper and silver
Describe the reactions, if any, of: (a) potassium, sodium and calcium with cold water (b) magnesium with steam (c) magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, silver and gold with dilute hydrochloric acid and explain these reactions in terms of the position of the metals in the reactivity series
Explain the apparent unreactivity of aluminium in terms of its oxide layer
Deduce an order of reactivity from a given set of experimental results

9.5 Corrosion of metals

State the conditions required for the rusting of iron and steel to form hydrated iron(III) oxide
Describe how barrier methods prevent rusting by excluding oxygen or water
State some common barrier methods, including painting, greasing and coating with plastic
Explain sacrificial protection in terms of the reactivity series and in terms of electron loss
Describe the use of zinc in galvanising as an example of a barrier method and sacrificial protection

9.6 Extraction of metals

Describe the ease of obtaining metals from their ores, related to the position of the metal in the reactivity series
Describe the extraction of iron from hematite in the blast furnace, including symbol equations for each step, limited to: (a) the burning of carbon (coke) to provide heat and produce carbon dioxide (b) the reduction of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide (c) the reduction of iron(III) oxide by carbon monoxide (d) the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate / limestone to produce calcium oxide (e) the formation of slag
Describe the extraction of aluminium from purified bauxite / aluminium oxide, including: (a) the role of cryolite (b) why the carbon anodes need to be regularly replaced (c) the reactions at the electrodes, including ionic half-equations Details of the purification of bauxite are not required

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