Chemical bonding: past paper questions

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• Question 5May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which molecule or structure does not contain three atoms bonded at an angle between ${109}^{\circ }$ and ${110}^{\circ }$?

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement explains why sodium and potassium have different melting points?

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Phosphorus forms a compound with hydrogen called phosphine, ${\text{PH}}_3$. This compound can react with a hydrogen ion, ${\text{H}}^{+}$. Which type of interaction occurs between ${\text{PH}}_3$ and ${\text{H}}^{+}$?

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Solid aluminium chloride sublimes at ${178}^{\circ }\mathrm{C}$. Which structure best represents the species in the vapour at this temperature?

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• Question 7May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Elements X, Y and Z are all found in the first two periods of the Periodic Table. Their Pauling electronegativity values are shown.

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  ${\text{NH}}_3$ and $\text{HCN}$ react together to form ${\text{NH}}_4\text{CN}$, an ionic compound. Which row states the number of coordinate bonds and the number of $\pi$ bonds in one formula unit of ${\text{NH}}_4\text{CN}$?

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The graphs show trends in four physical properties of elements in Period 3, excluding argon.

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row is correct?

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• Question 24May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The table gives information about the bonding in different species. Which row is correct?

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• Question 24Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  When dry ammonia and hydrogen chloride gases are mixed, a solid white ionic compound is formed. Two statements are listed. 1 The formation of the ionic compound is a redox reaction.

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• Question 24Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Three statements about ammonia molecules and ammonium ions are given. 1 In aqueous solution, ammonia molecules form coordinate bonds with hydroxide ions. 2 Ammonium ions are Brønsted–Lowry acids.

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Nitrogen, ${\mathrm{N}}_2$, and carbon monoxide, $\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}$, both have $M_r=28$. The boiling point of ${\mathrm{N}}_2$ is $77\text{ K}$. The boiling point of $\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}$ is $82\text{ K}$.

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• Question 5May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  In which substance, when in pure liquid form, are instantaneous dipole-induced dipole forces the only intermolecular force in the substance?

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The bonding between two atoms of nitrogen in an ${\text{N}}_2$ molecule involves the hybridisation of atomic orbitals to form $\text{sp}$ orbitals. Which row is correct?

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  An ion contains 1 nitrogen atom and 2 hydrogen atoms. It has an $\mathrm{H}-\mathrm{N}-\mathrm{H}$ bond angle of approximately ${105}^{\circ }$. Which row is correct?

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Ammonium ions, ${\text{NH}}_4^{+}$, are formed when ammonia gas reacts with hydrogen chloride gas. Which statement about the changes that occur in this reaction is correct?

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• Question 6May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Descriptions of some covalent bonds are given. 1 the overlap of two p orbitals 2 the overlap of two sp hybrid orbitals 3 the overlap of two s orbitals Which bonds are present in the hydrogen cyanide molecule, HCN?

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Three bond angles are labelled on the molecule shown. What is the order of decreasing size of the bond angles $x$, $y$ and $z$?

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Why does $\mathrm{I}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{l}$ have a higher boiling point than ${\mathrm{B}\mathrm{r}}_2$?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Two compounds of boron are sodium borohydride, ${\text{NaBH}}_4$, and boron trifluoride, ${\text{BF}}_3$. What are the shapes of the borohydride ion and the boron trifluoride molecule?

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• Question 22May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The volatility of the halogens decreases down the group. What is the explanation for this trend?

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• Question 8Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about the properties associated with the different types of bonding involved is correct?

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• Question 24Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Iodine has a higher melting point than chlorine. What is the reason for this?

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• Question 24May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Ammonia can be made by a suitable reaction using ammonium chloride as one of the reactants. Two statements are given about this reaction. 1 This reaction takes place when ammonium chloride is heated with $\text{KOH(aq)}$.

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Solid aluminium chloride sublimes at $178{}^{\circ }\text{C}$. Which structure best represents the species in the vapour at this temperature?

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• Question 36May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Ethanenitrile is heated with an excess of sodium hydroxide until the reaction is complete, giving organic compound X. Which row is correct?

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• Question 2May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Which molecule has the greatest bond angle?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 42Structured9 marks

  Ethanal, $\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_3\mathrm{C}\mathrm{H}\mathrm{O}$, reacts with nitrogen dioxide, $\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{O}}_2$. The products of the first step of this reaction are a $\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{H}}_3\dot{\mathrm{C}}=\mathrm{O}$ radical and a molecule of nitrous acid, $\mathrm{H}\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{O}}_2$.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The element tin exists in two forms, grey tin and white tin. Some properties of grey tin and white tin are shown.

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• Question 6May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Some orbital overlaps that occur in molecules are listed.

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