Atoms, elements and compounds: past paper questions

Where the questions come from

• Question 3May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row about elements, mixtures and compounds is correct?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The atomic number and nucleon number of a potassium atom are shown.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  One atom of an element contains 12 electrons, 12 protons and 13 neutrons. How many nucleons does this atom contain?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which substance is a pure compound?

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• Question 4May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The table gives information about some atoms and ions. Which row describes the ion with the largest mass?

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Magnesium is in Group II and Period 3 of the Periodic Table. Which row shows the charge on a magnesium ion and the electronic configuration of a magnesium ion?

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The Group I element potassium forms an ionic bond with the Group VII element fluorine. Which two ions are produced?

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

  Which statement defines atomic number?

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Sodium is in Group I of the Periodic Table. Chlorine is in Group VII of the Periodic Table. Sodium and chlorine combine to form a compound.

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

  Chlorine reacts with sodium to form sodium chloride. What happens to the sodium atoms during this reaction?

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  An isotope of lithium has the symbol ${}_3^7\text{Li}$. What is the arrangement of electrons in one atom of this isotope of lithium?

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• Question 6May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which symbol represents an isotope of the main element present in stainless steel?

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

  Strontium nitrate is an ionic compound. Cyclohexane is a covalent compound. Which row describes a property of each compound?

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Nitrogen monoxide, NO, is a simple molecular compound. Which row shows the properties of nitrogen monoxide?

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

  Fluorine, ${\text{F}}_2$, is in the same group of the Periodic Table as chlorine, ${\text{Cl}}_2$. Which diagram represents the arrangement of the outer-shell electrons in a molecule of fluorine?

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• Question 7May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement describes the bonding in potassium chloride?

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which element forms covalent bonds with hydrogen?

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which statement about the boxes P, Q and R is correct?

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which use of graphite depends on the layers of carbon atoms being able to slide over each other?

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• Question 8May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row describes the hardness and a use of graphite?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about graphite and diamond is correct?

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which information about an element is given by its atomic number?

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• Question 19Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Element X forms ions with the formula ${\text{X}}^{2-}$. Which row describes element X? | | group number | type of element | |---|---|---| | A | II | metal | | B | II | non-metal | | C | VI | metal | | D | VI | non-metal |

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• Question 9May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  What is the formula of potassium oxide?

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Solid Y is added to an excess of hot water.

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

  The symbols represent four atoms. The letters used are not the usual atomic symbols. $${}_{20}^{40}\text{W}{}_{19}^{40}\text{X}{}_{20}^{46}\text{Y}{}_{22}^{46}\text{Z}$$ Which atoms are isotopes of the same element?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statements about clean, dry air are correct?

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• Question 27May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which substances have a high melting point and conduct electricity when solid?

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about the structure of an atom is correct?

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Covalent bonds are formed when electrons are ......1...... . Most covalent compounds have ......2......

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