States of matter: past paper questions
Real questions on states of matter
The newest 20 of 92 written questions, plus 32 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 5070/21 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(i)[2]
Describe the arrangement and motion of molecules in liquid bromine.
See it on the paper → - 5070/21 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(ii)[1]
Explain why bromine has a low boiling point. Use ideas about structure and bonding.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[1]
Describe a chemical test for hydrogen. test observation if hydrogen present
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(i)[2]
Describe the arrangement and motion of molecules in fluorine gas.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · October/November 2025 · Q4a(ii)[1]
Explain why fluorine is a gas at room temperature. Use ideas about structure and bonding.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · October/November 2025 · Q7b(ii)[2]
Draw the structure of PET. Your structure should show two repeat units.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · October/November 2025 · Q7c[1]
Name one condensation polymer that is a polyamide.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · October/November 2025 · Q10d[1]
Explain how the purity of water is tested by measuring its boiling point.
See it on the paper → - 5070/21 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(i)[1]
Explain why chlorine is a liquid at –50 °C.
See it on the paper → - 5070/21 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(ii)[3]
Describe the arrangement and motion of chlorine molecules at –50 °C.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(i)[1]
Explain why bromine is a solid at –50 °C.
See it on the paper → - 5070/22 · May/June 2025 · Q6a(ii)[3]
Describe the arrangement and motion of bromine molecules at –50 °C.
See it on the paper → - 5070/41 · May/June 2025 · Q1a(i)[1]
State one extra measurement the student must make to calculate the solubility.
See it on the paper → - 5070/41 · May/June 2025 · Q1a(ii)[2]
The student’s results are shown in Table 1.1. final mass in step 7 / g 115.5 Use the results to calculate the solubility of ammonium chloride at 60 °C in g / dm 3 . solubility g / dm 3 173.7 initial mass in step 3 / g Table 1.1
See it on the paper → - 5070/41 · May/June 2025 · Q1a(iii)[1]
Explain why the method the student uses gives a higher value for the solubility than the true value.
See it on the paper → - 5070/41 · May/June 2025 · Q1b[1]
The student repeats the experiment at different temperatures. The results are shown in Table 1.2. Table 1.2 ammonium chloride temperature in °C solubility in g / dm 3 0 300 40 480 80 660 Estimate the solubility of ammonium chloride at 20 °C. solubility g / dm 3
See it on the paper → - 5070/41 · May/June 2025 · Q1c[1]
The student also wants to measure the solubility of ammonia. Suggest why the method used for ammonium chloride is not suitable for determining the solubility of ammonia.
See it on the paper → - 5070/42 · May/June 2025 · Q1a(i)[1]
The student does not make an important measurement. State the measurement that the student needs to make.
See it on the paper → - 5070/42 · May/June 2025 · Q1a(ii)[1]
The student’s results are shown in Table 1.1. mass of potassium nitrate dissolved in 100 cm 3 of water / g 15 26.4 room temperature 31.7 35 54.9 55 75 152.4 95 225.3 Estimate the mass of potassium nitrate dissolved in 100 cm 3 of water at 55 °C. mass g temperature / °C Table 1.1
See it on the paper → - 5070/42 · May/June 2025 · Q1a(iii)[2]
The student observes that when the solution made at 75 °C is left at room temperature a solid appears in the beaker. Explain why.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Candidates found this very difficult. Many thought the particles would gain kinetic energy or discussed pressure being proportional to volume or an increased number of collisions with the wall of the container.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5070/21 Q3(d) (Cambridge)
Many candidates described the motion of the particles as vibrating. Common incorrect responses included no movement or description of a liquid. The arrangement proved more difficult with many describing the proximity of the particles rather than their ordered or regular nature.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5070/21 Q5(a)(iii) (Cambridge)
Candidates were often able to identify at least one state symbols. Common errors were HCl (l) instead of HCl (aq) and H2O(aq) rather than H2O(l). Some candidates wrote the state symbols using upper case rather than lower case.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5070/22 Q3(a) (Cambridge)
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