The atom: past paper questions

Where the questions come from

• Question 36May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  What is the charge on the nucleus of an atom and what is the charge on the electrons in orbit around the nucleus?

  Try this question
• Question 33Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which description of the structure of an atom is correct?

  Try this question
• Question 34Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which diagram represents the structure of a neutral atom?

  Try this question
• Question 34Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Atom P has 6 electrons, 6 protons and 6 neutrons. Atom Q has 6 electrons, 6 protons and 7 neutrons. Which statement is correct?

  Try this question
• Question 37May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  How do atoms form positive ions?

  Try this question
• Question 34Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Multiple choice1 mark

  $\alpha$-particles are directed at a metal foil. Most of the particles pass through the foil with little change in direction.

  Try this question
• Question 34Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagrams represent the protons, neutrons and electrons in different atoms and ions. Which diagram shows a negatively charged ion?

  Try this question
• Question 9Oct/Nov 2025, paper 33Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Table 9.1 shows information about particles in an atom. Complete the table.

  Try this question
• Question 8Oct/Nov 2024, paper 41Structured10 marksHas a diagram

  The nuclide notation for the radioactive isotope carbon-14 is ${}_6^{14}\mathrm{C}$. Using the symbols shown in Fig. 8.1, draw a diagram to show the number of electrons, neutrons and protons in a neutral atom of carbon-14 and how they are arranged.

  Try this question
• Question 34Oct/Nov 2023, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  What are the relative charges on a proton, a neutron and an electron?

  Try this question
• Question 34May/June 2026, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  When a beam of positively charged alpha particles is directed towards a thin sheet of gold in a vacuum, the following observations are made. 1 Most of the alpha particles pass straight through the sheet of gold.

  Try this question
• Question 9Oct/Nov 2025, paper 41Structured9 marks

  Describe the structure of an atom of helium-4, ${}_2^4\text{He}$.

  Try this question
• Question 34Oct/Nov 2023, paper 21Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  In $\alpha$-particle scattering, $\alpha$-particles are incident on a thin metal foil. Which row describes results from the experiment and a conclusion that the results lead to?

  Try this question
• Question 8Oct/Nov 2025, paper 43Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Alpha ($\alpha$) particles are directed at a very thin sheet of gold foil. The following observations provide evidence for the nuclear model of the atom. State what conclusions may be made about the model of the atom from these observations.

  Try this question
• Question 32May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement about the structure of an atom is correct?

  Try this question
• Question 36May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  When they lose electrons, ......1...... form ......2...... charged ......3......

  Try this question
• Question 34Oct/Nov 2023, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The scattering of $\alpha$-particles by a thin gold foil provides evidence for the nuclear model of the atom. Two $\alpha$-particles of the same energy are incident on a nucleus of gold.

  Try this question
• Question 33May/June 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  An ion of the element oxygen is negatively charged. Which change causes the ion to become a neutral oxygen atom?

  Try this question
• Question 33May/June 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A nuclide of strontium is represented by ${}_{38}^{90}\text{Sr}$. Which row gives the number and location of the electrons in an atom of ${}_{38}^{90}\text{Sr}$?

  Try this question
• Question 11Oct/Nov 2023, paper 32Structured6 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 11.1 represents all the particles in a beryllium atom. The symbol for the element beryllium is Be. Give the nuclide notation for the isotope shown in Fig. 11.1.

  Try this question
• Question 10Oct/Nov 2023, paper 33Structured5 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 10.1 represents all the particles in a lithium atom. State the proton number (atomic number) of the lithium atom in Fig. 10.1.

  Try this question
• Question 34May/June 2025, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  When a thin gold foil is bombarded with alpha particles, some alpha particles are deflected through large angles. Which statement explains this deflection?

  Try this question
• Question 33May/June 2024, paper 22Multiple choice1 mark

  The scattering of particles by a thin gold foil provided scientists with evidence for the nuclear atom. Which particles were scattered by the gold nuclei in the thin foil?

  Try this question
• Question 34May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  How are positive and negative ions formed from atoms?

  Try this question
• Question 34May/June 2025, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  Which observation provides evidence for the nuclear atom?

  Try this question
• Question 33May/June 2024, paper 23Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which diagram shows the structure of a neutral atom?

  Try this question
• Question 34May/June 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which diagram represents the positions of the charged particles of an atom?

  Try this question
• Question 33May/June 2023, paper 23Multiple choice1 mark

  The scattering of alpha-particles from a thin gold foil produces the following observations. • Most of the alpha-particles pass through the foil. • Most of the alpha-particles are virtually undeflected.

  Try this question
• Question 11May/June 2023, paper 31Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 11.1 represents all the particles in an atom which is a radioactive isotope of carbon. Table 11.1 gives information about the particles shown in Fig. 11.1. Using the information in Fig. 11.1, write in the empty boxes to complete Table 11.1.

  Try this question
• Question 9May/June 2023, paper 33Structured8 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 9.1 represents an atom of beryllium. The labels A, B and C indicate three types of particle. Complete Table 9.1.

  Try this question