Q1. The diagram shows a small part of the structure of silicon dioxide.

(a) Use the diagram above to answer the question.

Draw a ring around the correct answer to complete each sentence.

two

In silicon dioxide, each silicon atom is bonded with three oxygen atoms.

four

ionic.

The bonds in silicon dioxide are covalent.

metallic.
(2)

(b)

© Oleksiy Mark/iStock

Silicon dioxide is used as the inside layer of furnaces.

Suggest why.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(1)

Page 1 of 36
 (c) Nanowires can be made from silicon dioxide.

Draw a ring around the correct answer to complete the sentence.

brittle.

The word ‘nano’ means the wires are very thick.

thin.
(1)
(Total 4 marks)

Q2. The picture shows a student filling in a multiple choice answer sheet using a pencil.

© Cihan Ta?k?n/iStock

The pencil contains graphite. Graphite rubs off the pencil onto the paper.

Diagrams 1 and 2 show how the atoms are arranged in graphite.

(a) Use the diagrams to help you explain why graphite can rub off the pencil onto the paper.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

Page 2 of 36
 ........................................................................................................................
(2)

(b) Draw a ring around the type of bond which holds the atoms together in each layer.

covalent ionic metallic

(1)
(Total 3 marks)

Q3. This question is about lithium and sodium.

(a) Use the Chemistry Data Sheet to help you to answer this question.
In which group of the periodic table are lithium and sodium? Group

(1)

(b) A lithium atom can be represented as

The diagram represents the lithium atom.

(i) Some particles in the nucleus have a positive charge.

What is the name of these particles? ......................................................................

(1)

(ii) Some particles in the nucleus have no charge.

What is the name of these particles? ........................................................................

(1)

(iii) Use the correct answer from the box to complete the sentence.

3 4 7

The mass number of this atom of lithium is

(1)

Page 3 of 36
(c) Sodium reacts with chlorine to produce sodium chloride.

sodium + chlorine sodium chloride

The diagram shows how the reaction happens.

Only the outer electrons are shown.

Draw a ring around the correct answer to complete each sentence.

gaining

(i) A sodium atom changes into a sodium ion by losing an electron.

sharing
(1)

a negative

(ii) A sodium ion has no charge.

a positive
(1)

covalent

(iii) The ions in sodium chloride are held together by strong electrostatic forces.

magnetic
(1)

(d) Sodium chloride is an ionic compound.

Tick ( ) two properties of ionic compounds.

Property Tick ( )

Do not dissolve in water

High melting points

Low boiling points

Strong bonds
(2)

Page 4 of 36
(e) (i) The formula of sodium chloride is NaCl

Calculate the relative formula mass of sodium chloride.

Relative atomic masses: Na = 23; Cl = 35.5

.................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................

Relative formula mass = .............................................

(1)

(ii) Draw a ring around the correct answer to complete each sentence.

ion

The relative formula mass of a substance, in grams, is

isotope of the substance.
one

mole
(1)

(f) Nanoparticles of sodium chloride (salt) are used to flavour crisps.

What are nanoparticles?

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 12 marks)

Page 5 of 36
Q4. Silicon dioxide is used as a lining for furnaces.

Furnaces can be used to melt iron for recycling.

© Oleksiy Mark/iStock

The diagram shows a small part of the structure of silicon dioxide.

Explain why silicon dioxide is a suitable material for lining furnaces.

.................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................
(Total 4 marks)

Page 6 of 36
Q5. Oil rigs are used to drill for crude oil.

© Digital Vision/Photodisc

(a) Drills are made from an alloy of iron.

The diagrams show the particles in the alloy and in pure iron.

Use the diagrams to explain why the alloy is harder than pure iron.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(2)

(b) Drill heads contain diamonds.

Tick ( ) two reasons why diamonds are hard.

Reason Tick ( )

Diamonds have a giant covalent structure.

Diamonds have high melting points.

Diamonds are unreactive.

Diamonds have strong bonds between carbon atoms.

(2)

Page 7 of 36
(c) Methane gas is often found where crude oil is found.
The diagram shows how atoms bond in methane.
Only the outer electrons are shown.

(i) Draw a ring around the correct answer to complete the sentence.

a compound.

Methane is an element.

a mixture.
(1)

(ii) Draw a ring around the correct answer to complete each sentence.

C4H4

The formula of methane is C4H

CH4

(1)

(iii) Name the type of bond between the carbon and hydrogen atoms in methane.

...............................................................................................................................
(1)

(d) Explain why methane is a gas at 20°C.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 9 marks)

Page 8 of 36
Q6. This question is about the planet Mars.

© Tristan3D/Shutterstock

(a) Mars is a red colour in the sky at night.

The red colour of Mars is because of iron oxide.

Iron oxide is an ionic compound.

Draw a ring around the correct answer to complete each sentence.

giant lattices.

Ionic compounds are made of polymer chains.

simple molecules.
(1)

(b) Many spacecraft have been sent to Mars. Parts of these spacecraft are made from
polymers.

(i) Polymers that behave like shape memory alloys are used in spacecraft.

The shape memory polymers are cooled and compressed. These polymers are
stored on the spacecraft until needed.

Suggest how the polymers could be made to return to their original shape.

...............................................................................................................
(1)

Page 9 of 36
 (ii) Thermosetting polymers are used for the tiles on the outside of spacecraft.

The diagram shows the structure of a thermosetting polymer.

Explain, in terms of structure, why some polymers are thermosetting.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(2)

(c) Instrumental methods such as GC−MS are used to analyse substances found on Mars.

In GC−MS, gas chromatography columns are linked to mass spectrometers.

(i) What does gas chromatography do to the substances?

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Give two reasons for using instrumental methods for analysis.

1 ...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

2 ...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Page 10 of 36
Q7. Scientists have recently developed a method to produce large sheets of a substance called
graphene.
Graphene is made from carbon and is a single layer of graphite just one atom thick.

The properties of graphene include:

• it conducts electricity

• it is transparent since it is only one

atom thick

• it is strong and durable.

These properties make it suitable to

overlay a monitor screen to make it a
touchscreen.

The photograph below shows the structure of graphene.

Photographs supplied by iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Use your knowledge of the bonding in graphite and the photograph of the structure to help you to
explain, as fully as you can:

(a) (i) why graphene is strong;

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(3)

Page 11 of 36
 (ii) why graphene conducts electricity.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(2)

(b) Suggest why a sheet of graphite which has a large number of carbon layers would not be
suitable for the touchscreen.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(1)
(Total 6 marks)

Q8. Pure carbon can exist in two forms, diamond and graphite.

(a) Complete the diagram to show the electronic structure of a carbon atom.

A carbon atom has 6 electrons.

Show the electrons as crosses (x).

(1)

Page 12 of 36
(b) A drill bit is used to cut holes through materials. The cutting end of this drill bit is covered with very
small diamonds.

By Wanderlinse [CC By 2.0], via Flickr

(i) What property of diamond makes it suitable for use on the cutting end of a drill bit?

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Explain, as fully as you can, why diamond has this property. Use your knowledge of
the structure and bonding of diamond and the information shown opposite to help
you to answer this question.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(3)

Page 13 of 36
(c) Explain why graphite is a good conductor of electricity and why diamond does not conduct
electricity.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 8 marks)

Page 14 of 36
Q9. The picture shows a copper kettle being heated on a camping stove.

Copper is a good material for making a kettle because:

• it has a high melting point

• it is a very good conductor of heat.

(a) Explain why copper, like many other metals, has a high melting point.

Your answer should describe the structure and bonding of a metal.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(4)

Page 15 of 36
(b) Aeroplanes contain many miles of electrical wiring made from copper. This adds to the
mass of the aeroplane.

It has been suggested that the electrical wiring made from copper could be replaced by
carbon nanotubes which are less dense than copper.

The diagram shows the structure of a carbon nanotube.

(i) What does the term ‘nano’ tell you about the carbon nanotubes?

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) Like graphite, each carbon atom in the carbon nanotube is joined to three other
carbon atoms.

Explain why the carbon nanotube can conduct electricity.

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(2)

(Total 7 marks)

Page 16 of 36
Q10. Spacecraft have been to the planets Venus and Mars. The spacecraft have sent back
information about the atmosphere of each planet.

© Tristan3D/Shutterstock

(a) The main gas in the atmosphere of Mars is carbon dioxide.

Explain why, in terms of structure, carbon dioxide is a gas, even at low temperatures.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(3)

(b) Gas chromatography linked to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS) is used to identify

substances found on Mars.

(i) What is the purpose of gas chromatography?

...............................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(ii) What information do the molecular ion peaks from the mass spectrometer give about
the substances?

...............................................................................................................
(1)

Page 17 of 36
(c) The atmosphere on Venus contains droplets of sulfuric acid solution.

(i) Suggest a pH value for sulfuric acid solution.

pH = ...........................
(1)

(ii) Name the ion which makes sulfuric acid solution acidic.

...............................................................................................................
(1)

(d) The atmosphere of Venus contains the isotopes and

Describe the similarities and the differences in the isotopes and

You should refer to the sub-atomic particles in each isotope.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 10 marks)

Page 18 of 36
Q11. Read the article and then answer the questions.

Nanotennis!
Tennis balls contain air under pressure, which gives them their bounce. Normal
tennis balls are changed at regular intervals during tennis matches because they
slowly lose some of the air. This means that a large number of balls are needed for a
tennis tournament.

© Feng Yu/iStock

‘Nanocoated’ tennis balls have a ‘nanosize’ layer of butyl rubber. This layer slows
down the escape of air so that the ball does not lose its pressure as quickly. The
‘nanocoated’ tennis balls last much longer and do not need to be replaced as often.

(a) Tick ( ) the best description of a ‘nanosize’ layer.

Description Tick ( )

A layer one atom thick.

A layer a few hundred atoms thick.

A layer millions of atoms thick.

(1)

(b) Suggest two ways in which using ‘nanocoated’ tennis balls would be good for the
environment.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 3 marks)

Page 19 of 36
Q12. Graphite and diamond are different forms of the element carbon.
Graphite and diamond have different properties.

The structures of graphite and diamond are shown below.

Graphite Diamond

(a) Graphite is softer than diamond.

Explain why.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(4)

(b) Graphite conducts electricity, but diamond does not.

Explain why.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

Page 20 of 36
Q13. Read the information

Graphene

Scientists have made a new substance called graphene.

The bonding and structure of graphene are similar to graphite.

Graphene is made of a single layer of the same atoms as graphite.

Graphene Graphite

Use the information above and your knowledge of graphite to answer the questions.

(a) This part of the question is about graphene.

Choose the correct answer to complete each sentence.

(i) ionic covalent metallic

The bonds between the atoms in graphene are .............................................

(1)

(ii) chromium carbon chlorine

Graphene is made of .................................................... atoms.

(1)

(iii)
2 3 4

In graphene each atom bonds to ...................... other atoms.

(1)

Page 21 of 36
 (b) This part of the question is about graphite.

Graphite is used in pencils.

Explain why. Use the diagrams to help you.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

Q14. This drinks bottle is made of thermosoftening plastic.

Drinks bottles of this type can be recycled.

Describe and explain how the bottles can be changed into new plastic objects.

.................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................
(Total 4 marks)

Page 22 of 36
Q15. Oil rigs are used to drill for crude oil.

© Digital Vision/Photodisc

(a) Drill heads are made from steel. Steel is an alloy.

Explain why alloys are harder than pure metals.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(3)

(b) Drill heads also contain diamonds.

Describe, as fully as you can, the structure and bonding in diamond.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(4)

Page 23 of 36
(c) Polymers are produced from crude oil.

Describe the structure and bonding in a thermosoftening polymer and explain why
thermosoftening polymers melt when heated.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 11 marks)

Page 24 of 36
M1. (a) four
1

covalent
1

(b) because it has a high melting point

accept it won’t melt
accept it won’t decompose or react
allow withstand high temperatures
ignore boiling point
1

(c) thin
1
[4]

M2. (a) layers

which have weak forces / attractions / bonds between them

second mark must be linked to layers
1

or

which can slide over each other or separate

ignore references to rubbing
1

(b) covalent
1
[3]

M3. (a) 1 / one

1

(b) (i) protons

1

(ii) neutrons
1

(iii) 7
1

(c) (i) losing

1

(ii) a positive
1

(iii) electrostatic
1

Page 25 of 36
 (d) high melting points
1

strong bonds
1

(e) (i) 58.5

1

(ii) mole
1

(f) very small (particles) or

ignore tiny / small / smaller / microscopic etc.

1-100nm in size or

(particle with a) few hundred atoms

1
[12]

M4. high melting point

reference to incorrect bonding or incorrect particles or incorrect
structure = max 3
accept will not melt (at high temperatures)
ignore withstand high temperatures
1

because a lot of energy needed to break bonds

1

because it is covalent or has strong bonds

accept bonds are hard to break
1

and because it is a giant structure or a macromolecule or a lattice

ignore many bonds
1
[4]

M5. (a) (alloy) atoms / ions / particles not in layers

accept layers are distorted
accept different (size) particles / atoms
1

so, (alloy) layers / atoms / ions / particles can’t slide

if no other mark awarded allow (an alloy) is a mixture of metals for
1 mark
1

(b) diamonds have a giant covalent structure

1

Page 26 of 36
 diamonds have strong bonds between carbon atoms
1

(c) (i) a compound

1

(ii) CH4
1

(iii) covalent
1

(d) methane has a low boiling point

or boiling point less than 20°C molecules
1

because it has small molecules

accept it has forces between molecules
accept weak forces between molecules for 2 marks
1
[9]

M6. (a) giant lattices

1

(b) (i) heat / warm / increase the temperature

allow reduce pressure
do not accept melt
1

(ii) (polymer) chains cannot slide

1

because they have cross-links

if no other mark awarded allow
polymers do not melt for 1 mark
1

(c) (i) separates (substances)

1

(ii) any two from:

ignore reliable / precise / efficient
ignore references to cost

• quick / rapid

• accurate

• can detect small quantities / sensitive

2
[7]

Page 27 of 36
M7. (a) (i) ionic / molecules / metallic / (inter)molecular = max 2

because graphene / it has a giant structure / lattice / macromolecular

accept all / every / each atom is bonded to 3 other atoms
1

because graphene / it has covalent bonds / is covalent

1

because in graphene / the bonds are strong or

a lot of energy needed / hard to break the bonds
1

(ii) there are delocalised / free electrons

1

because one (delocalised / free) electron per atom linked to first marking point
accept because three electrons per atom used (in bonding)
accept because one electron per atom not used (in bonding)
1

(b) opaque (owtte)

eg could not see through them

or layers slide
or layers not aligned
ignore thick
1
[6]

M8. (a) 2,4 (drawn as crosses) on shells

accept dots / e / - etc.
1

(b) (i) hard

allow rigid / high melting point
do not allow references to bonding
ignore strong
ignore unreactive
ignore structure
1

Page 28 of 36
(ii) any three from
max 2 if ionic / metallic / molecule / intermolecular bonds or
incorrect number of bonds

• giant structure / lattice / macromolecular

allow many bonds

• covalent (bonds)

• (covalent) bonds are strong

accept needs lots of energy to break bonds (owtte)

• (each) carbon / atom forms four bonds

or

(each) carbon / atom bonded to four other atoms

3

Page 29 of 36
 (c) any three from:
max 2 if ionic / ions / metallic / molecule
‘it’ needs to be qualified

graphite

• has delocalised / free electrons

do not accept the electrons move unless qualified (around
structure etc)

or

electrons that can move through / around the structure

• each carbon is joined to three other carbon atoms

allow graphite has three bonds

or

one electron from each atom is free / delocalised

diamond

• has no free / delocalised electrons

do not accept the electrons do not move

or

no electrons that move around the structure

• all the electrons are used for bonding

allow diamond has 4 bonds

or

each carbon joined to four other carbon atoms

3
[8]

M9. (a) reference to incorrect bonding or incorrect structure

or incorrect particles = max 3

giant structure / lattice

ignore many bonds
1

made up of positive ions surrounded by delocalized / free electrons

allow positive ions surrounded by a sea of electons
1

with strong bonds / attractions

allow hard to break for strong
1

Page 30 of 36
 so a lot of energy is needed to break these bonds / attractions / forces
ignore high temperature
ignore heat
1

(b) (i) that they are very small

or

1-100 nanometres or a few(hundred) atoms

accept tiny / really small / a lot smaller / any indication of very
small eg. microscopic, smaller than the eye can see
ignore incorrect numerical values if very small is given
1

(ii) delocalised / free electrons

allow sea of electrons
1

one non-bonded electron from each atom

accept electron(s) moving through the structure / nanotube
allow electron(s) carry / form / pass current / charge
1
[7]

M10. (a) has simple / small molecules

accept molecular covalent
1

the intermolecular forces / intermolecular bonds (are weak)

do not accept weak covalent bonds or reference to incorrect
bonding
1

only need a small amount of energy to be overcome

accept only need a small amount of energy to separate the
molecules
if no other mark awarded, allow it has a low boiling point for 1 mark
1

(b) (i) to separate

1

(ii) (relative) molecular mass

allow M r / (R)MM / relative mass / mass of molecule / (R)FM
1

(c) (i) any pH value from 0 to 6.9

1

Page 31 of 36
 (ii) hydrogen
allow H+
ignore H / H2 / H–
1

(d) any three from:

• same number of protons

accept same atomic number
numbers if given must be correct

2
• H has one neutron

1
• H has no neutrons
accept different mass number or different number of neutrons for 1
mark
ignore relative atomic mass

• same number of electrons

numbers if given must be correct
3
[10]

M11. (a) a layer a few hundred atoms thick

1

(b) any two from:

any two ideas

• less materials or save resources

• less energy

• less fuel

• less pollution / greenhouse effect / global warming

• less waste
ignore references to cost / recycling
2
[3]

M12. (a) Graphite:

because the layers (of carbon atoms) in graphite can move / slide
it = graphite
1

this is because there are only weak intermolecular forces or weak forces between layers
accept Van der Waals’ forces allow no covalent bonds between
layers
1

Page 32 of 36
 Diamond:

however, in diamond, each carbon atom is (strongly / covalently) bonded to 4 others

allow diamond has three dimensional / tetrahedral structure
1

so no carbon / atoms able to move / slide

allow so no layers to slide or so diamond is rigid
1

(b) because graphite has delocalised electrons / sea of electrons

allow free / mobile / roaming electrons
1

which can carry charge / current or move through the structure

1

however, diamond has no delocalised electrons

accept however, diamond has all (outer) electrons used in bonding
1
[7]

M13. (a) (i) covalent

two different answers indicated gains 0 marks
1

(ii) carbon
two different answers indicated gains 0 marks
1

(iii) 3
two different answers indicated gains 0 marks
1

(b) layers can slide / slip

1

because there are no bonds between layers

accept because weak forces / bonds between layers

or so (pieces of) graphite rubs / breaks off

or graphite left on the paper

1
[5]

Page 33 of 36
M14. heat
1

then mould / extrude into a new shape / object

1

plastic made of polymer chains that can move (when heated)

1

because plastic / polymer has weak intermolecular forces

1
[4]

M15. (a) because atoms / ions / particles in alloy are different (sizes)
do not allow reference to molecules
ignore reference to compounds
1

so layers distorted

(and layers / atoms / ions / particles) don’t slide or slide less easily
accept all marking points in a suitably labelled or annotated
diagram
1

if no other mark awarded accept an alloy is a mixture or contains

different metals / elements for 1 mark
1

(b) giant structure or lattice or macromolecule

max 3 marks if incorrect bonding
1

strong bonds (between carbon / atoms)

1

covalent (bonds)
1

each carbon / atom forms 4 bonds

accept tetrahedral
if no other marks awarded, allow carbon (atoms) for 1 mark
1

(c) reference to incorrect bonding = max 3

reference to ‘weak covalent bonds’ = max 2
allow correctly drawn diagram for first two marking points eg.
(tangled) lines with no cross-links

chains or large molecules

ignore layers
1

Page 34 of 36
with intermolecular forces or forces between chains
allow bonds for forces accept no cross-links
1

that are weak

must relate to 2 nd marking point
1

and are easily overcome/ broken (when heated)

accept molecules / chains can flow / move
1
[11]

Page 35 of 36
Page 36 of 36