Reactivity series: past paper questions

Where the questions come from

• Question 25May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement is correct?

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• Question 26Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagrams show two methods in which metal X is used to prevent the rusting of iron.

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• Question 26Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Group I elements and transition elements are metals. Student X suggests that the Group I elements are above hydrogen in the reactivity series but that not all transition elements are above hydrogen.

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• Question 27Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Most metals react with oxygen in the air to form a metal oxide. Which metal forms a metal oxide layer that reduces its apparent reactivity?

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• Question 26May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows how an underwater iron pipe can be protected from rusting. Metal Z can be ......1...... because it is ......2......

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• Question 25Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  When a piece of aluminium is placed in cold, dilute hydrochloric acid, no reaction is observed initially. What is the reason for this?

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• Question 29Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The oxide of Z is reduced by heating with carbon. What is Z?

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• Question 27May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  When element X is added to aqueous copper(II) sulfate, no effervescence is observed. The blue solution turns colourless. What is element X?

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• Question 25May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  M is a metal that forms coloured compounds. M is extracted from its oxide either by heating with carbon or by electrolysis. M reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid.

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• Question 30May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The table shows the reactions of four metals, P, Q, R and S, and their oxides.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 21Structured13 marksHas a diagram

  This question is about metals. Potassium is an element in Group I of the Periodic Table. Copper is a transition element.

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• Question 1May/June 2025, paper 21Structured5 marks

  Choose from the following salts to answer the questions.

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• Question 6May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  When a strip of copper is placed in aqueous silver nitrate, a displacement reaction takes place. What is the ionic equation for the reaction which takes place?

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• Question 2May/June 2024, paper 41Structured14 marksHas a diagram

  A student investigates the reaction of four metals, $\mathbf{\text{A}}$, $\mathbf{\text{B}}$, $\mathbf{\text{C}}$ and $\mathbf{\text{D}}$, with aqueous copper(II) sulfate. The four metals are all grey solids.

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• Question 27May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The equations for some of the reactions of metals Q, R and T are shown.

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• Question 28May/June 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which equation is correct?

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• Question 29May/June 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Metal X reacts with cold water to form a gas. Zinc displaces metal Y from solutions of its salts. The carbonate of metal Z is insoluble.

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