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Edexcel GCSE Combined Science

Topic questions Atomic structure and the periodic table Metals and non-metals

Metals and non-metals

7 questions · 72 marks · about 1.5 hours

Metals and non-metals questions

Edexcel 1SC0 Metals and non-metals 7 questions

Paper 3: Chemistry 1 June 2025 Foundation tier, Question 3 9 marks

This question is about metals and their reactions with acids.

(a)

Place ticks () in boxes to show which elements in the table are metals.

Use the periodic table to help you answer this question.

Figure for question 3
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)
(b)

Three equal sized pieces of the metals E, F, G and H are put into separate test tubes containing equal volumes of dilute sulfuric acid.

The results in Figure 6 show the test tubes after half a minute.

Figure for question 3
(b)(i)

Arrange the metals E, F, G and H in order of reactivity.

Figure for question 3
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

The bubbles that form are hydrogen.

Which row of the table shows the test and result that confirm the gas is hydrogen?

Figure for question 3
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(b)(ii)
(c)

When zinc reacts with very dilute nitric acid, zinc nitrate is formed.

(c)(i)

The formula of zinc nitrate is Zn(NO3)2

Calculate the relative formula mass of zinc nitrate, Zn(NO3)2

(relative atomic masses: Zn = 65, N = 14, O = 16)

relative formula mass =........

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(c)(i)
(c)(ii)

A student investigates the reaction between a metal and a dilute acid using the apparatus shown in Figure 7.

Cotton wool is placed in the top of the apparatus as shown, to stop any acid from spraying out.

The total mass of the apparatus is shown at the start of the reaction and after the reaction has ended.

Figure for question 3

start of reaction end of reaction

Figure 7

State two ways the student would know that the reaction has ended.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(c)(ii)

Paper 4: Chemistry 2 June 2024 Foundation tier, Question 1 8 marks

This question is about the metals and non-metals in period 3 of the periodic table.

(a)

Figure 1 shows some data about some of the elements in period 3.

Figure for question 1

Use the periodic table to answer these questions.

(a)(i)

Give the name of the element in period 3 that is not shown in Figure 1.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Give the relative atomic mass of silicon.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

State which metal and which non-metal in Figure 1 have the lowest melting points.

metal with lowest melting point

non-metal with lowest melting point

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)(iii)
(b)

Alkali metals react with water to produce an alkaline solution and hydrogen gas.

A test tube of gas can be tested to see if the gas is hydrogen by putting a lighted splint at the top of the test tube.

A student suggests the following method to show that an alkaline solution and hydrogen gas are produced in this reaction.

step 1pour 150 cm3 water into the container shown in Figure 2

step 2 add a small piece of lithium to the water in the container shown in Figure 2

step 3 hold a lighted splint above the container

step 4 hold some damp red litmus paper above the mixture in the container

Figure for question 1
(b)(i)

Give the name of the container shown in Figure 2.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

A teacher says that step 3 and step 4 will not work to show that hydrogen gas and an alkaline solution are produced in the reaction.

Explain one change that could be made in each step to make the method work.

step 3........

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(b)(ii)

Paper 3: Chemistry 1 June 2023 Foundation tier, Question 4 12 marks

(a)

Magnesium is a metal.

(a)(i)

State one physical property of magnesium.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Which element is in the same group of the periodic table as magnesium? Use the periodic table to help you answer this question.

Question 4, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(ii)
(b)
(b)(i)

Magnesium atoms have 12 electrons.

Complete the electronic configuration of a magnesium atom.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

The electronic configuration of a chlorine atom is 2.8.7

Explain how the electronic configuration of chlorine is linked to its period in the periodic table.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)(ii)
(c)

1.20 g of magnesium reacts completely with 3.55 g of chlorine to form magnesium chloride.

Calculate the empirical formula of the magnesium chloride.

(relative atomic masses: Mg = 24.0, C l = 35.5)

You must show your working.

empirical formula =........

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)
(d)

Sodium reacts with chlorine to form sodium chloride, which contains ionic bonds.

Hydrogen reacts with chlorine to form hydrogen chloride, which contains covalent bonds.

Figure 6 shows dot and cross diagrams of these compounds.

Figure for question 4

Describe the differences between an ionic bond and a covalent bond.

[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(d)

Paper 3: Chemistry 1 November 2021 Foundation tier, Question 1 9 marks

If liquid water is cooled below 0 ยฐC it turns into the solid, ice.

(a)(i)

Give the name for the change of state from liquid to solid.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Here are five statements about ice and water.

Place ticks in boxes by the two statements that are correct.

Figure for question 1
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)(ii)
(b)

Figure 1 shows a label from a bottle of drinking water.

Figure for question 1
(b)(i)

Explain why this drinking water should not be described as pure water.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

State the information from Figure 1 that shows that the drinking water is neutral.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(b)(ii)
(b)(iii)

Calculate the mass of calcium ions in 250 cm3 of this drinking water.

mass =........ mg

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(b)(iii)
(c)

State how you know that calcium is a metal from its position in the periodic table.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(c)

Paper 3: Chemistry 1 June 2019 Foundation tier, Question 5 12 marks

In Figure 5, the letters A, E, G, J, X and Z show the positions of six elements in the periodic table.

These letters are not the symbols of the atoms of these elements.

Figure for question 5
(a)

Using the letters A, E, G, J, X and Z

(a)(i)

give the letters of the two elements that are non-metals

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

give the letters of two elements in period 2

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

give the letter of an element that normally forms an ion with a charge of +1.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(iii)
(b)

Element E has an atomic number of 5. In a sample of E there are two isotopes. One isotope has a mass number of 10 and the other isotope has a mass number of 11.

(b)(i)

Explain, in terms of subatomic particles, what is meant by the term isotopes.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

All atoms of element E in this sample contain

Question 5, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)(ii)
(c)

Element X has an atomic number of 18.

State the electronic configuration of an atom of element X.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(c)
(d)

In an experiment, 3.5 g of element A reacted with 4.0 g of element G to form a compound.

Calculate the empirical formula of this compound. (relative atomic masses: A = 7, G = 16)

You must show your working.

empirical formula of this compound =........

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(d)
(e)

An oxygen atom has six electrons in its outer shell.

A hydrogen atom has one electron in its outer shell.

Complete the dot and cross diagram of a molecule of water, H2O.

Show outer shell electrons only.

Figure for question 5
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(e)

Paper 3: Chemistry 1 June 2019 Higher tier, Question 1 10 marks

In Figure 1, the letters A, E, G, J, X and Z show the positions of six elements in the periodic table.

These letters are not the symbols of the atoms of these elements.

Figure for question 1
(a)

Using the letters A, E, G, J, X and Z

(a)(i)

give the letters of the two elements that are non-metals

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

give the letters of two elements in period 2

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

give the letter of an element that normally forms an ion with a charge of +1.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)(iii)
(b)

Element E has an atomic number of 5. In a sample of E there are two isotopes. One isotope has a mass number of 10 and the other isotope has a mass number of 11.

(b)(i)

Explain, in terms of subatomic particles, what is meant by the term isotopes.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

All atoms of element E in this sample contain

Question 1, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(b)(ii)
(c)

Element X has an atomic number of 18.

State the electronic configuration of an atom of element X.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(c)
(d)

In an experiment, 3.5 g of element A reacted with 4.0 g of element G to form a compound.

Calculate the empirical formula of this compound. (relative atomic masses: A = 7, G = 16)

You must show your working.

empirical formula of this compound =........

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(d)

Paper 3: Chemistry 1 June 2018 Foundation tier, Question 5 12 marks

(a)

State two characteristic properties of metals.

property 1........

property 2........

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)
(b)

Acids are used to make salts.

Give the name of the acid used to make chlorides.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)
(c)

Salts of metals can be prepared by reacting the metal with an acid to produce the salt and hydrogen.

(c)(i)

Describe the test to show that the gas is hydrogen.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(c)(i)
(c)(ii)

Nickel is a metal.

Explain how the structure of a nickel atom, Ni, changes when it forms a nickel ion, Ni2+

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(c)(ii)
(d)

A nickel sulfate solution is made by dissolving 23.5 g of nickel sulfate to make 250 cm3 of solution.

Calculate the concentration of the solution in g dmโ€“3.

concentration =........ g dm

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(d)
(e)

Excess solid nickel carbonate is added to dilute sulfuric acid in a beaker.

nickel sulfuric nickel carbon

Question 5, shown as an image

Nickel sulfate is formed in solution.

Describe how a sample of pure, dry nickel sulfate crystals can be obtained from the mixture of nickel sulfate solution and excess solid nickel carbonate in the beaker.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(e)

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