A Level Official Exam Material
FREE Past Paper Questions by Topic
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Unit 1: Structure, Bonding and Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Topic 3: Bonding and Structure
For both AS and A Level students
Q1. Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct .
If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .
Which statement is not true for sodium chloride?
A sodium chloride conducts electricity in aqueous solution
B sodium chloride conducts electricity when molten
C sodium chloride has a molecular structure
D sodium chloride has a giant structure
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q2. Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct .
If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .
A p-block element in Period 3 of the Periodic Table reacts to form an ionic compound.
What could be the electronic configuration of the ion formed by this element?
A 1s22s22p63s2
B 1s22s22p63s23p6
C 1s22s22p63s23p63d10
D 1s22s22p63s23p63d104s24p6
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q3. Which is the dot-and-cross diagram for magnesium chloride? Only outer shell electrons are shown.
Q4. Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct .
If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .
Which of these isoelectronic ions has the largest radius?
A Na+
B Mg2+
C O2−
D F −
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q5. Which ion has the greatest polarising power?
A Cl–
B Mg2+
C Na+
D S 2–
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q6. Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct .
If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .
Which ion is the most polarisable?
A Mg2+
B Ca2+
C Cl−
D I −
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q7. Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct .
If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .
Which of these ions has the greatest polarising power?
A S 2-
B Cl-
C K +
D Ca2+
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q8. Magnesium is a metal in Group 2 of the Periodic Table.
It reacts with chlorine to form the salt magnesium chloride, MgCl2.
(a) Draw a dot-and-cross diagram for magnesium chloride. Show outer shell electrons only. (1)
(b) Magnesium conducts electricity when it is in the solid state.
Magnesium chloride conducts electricity when it is molten or dissolved in water but not when it is in the solid state.
Explain these observations. (3)
............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................
(Total for question = 4 marks)
Q9. Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct .
If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .
Which pair of ions gives the strongest ionic bonding?
A Na+ and F−
B K + and Br−
C Mg2+ and O2−
D Ca2+ and S2−
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q10. Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct .
If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .
Which of these ions has the greatest ionic radius?
A N3-
B F -
C Na+
D Al3+
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q11. Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct .
If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .
Which of these ions has the smallest ionic radius? (1)
A Al3+
B Ga3+
C Mg2+
D F –
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q12. The ionic radius of Al3+ is smaller than that of N3– .
This is because Al3+ has
A fewer protons but more electrons than N3–
B more protons but fewer electrons than N3–
C more protons than N3– but the same number of electrons as N3–
D the same number of protons as N3– but fewer electrons
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q13. Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct .
If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .
In which series are the ions in order of decreasing ionic radius?
A Al3+ > Mg2+ > Na+
B Li+ > Na+ > K+
C N3− > O2− > F−
D O2− > S2− > Se2−
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q14. Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct .
If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .
Covalent bonding is best described as the electrostatic attraction between
A oppositely charged ions
B positive ions and delocalised electrons
C a shared pair of electrons
D two nuclei and a shared pair of electrons
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q15. This question is about the compound ammonium dichromate(VI), (NH4)2Cr2O7.
(c) (i) Draw a dot-and-cross diagram of the ammonium ion.
Use dots for the nitrogen electrons and crosses (X) for the hydrogen electrons. (2)
(ii) Explain the shape of the ammonium ion using electron-pair repulsion theory. (2) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................
(Total for question = 4 marks)
Q16. This question is about nitrogen.
(b) Nitrogen gas consists of nitrogen molecules.
(i) Draw a dot-and-cross diagram to show the bonding in a molecule of nitrogen. (1)
(Total for question = 1 marks)
Q17. This question is about atomic structure and gases.
(b) Fluorine has one naturally occurring isotope with mass number 19.
Chlorine and fluorine react to form chlorine trifluoride, ClF3 .
(i) Draw a dot-and-cross diagram to show the bonding in a molecule of chlorine trifluoride.
Show the outer shell electrons only. (2)
(ii) State, in terms of electrons, what is unusual about the dot-and-cross diagram you have drawn. (1) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................
(Total for question = 3 marks)
Q18. Water reacts with H+ ions to form H3O+ ions.
Identify the bonding within the H3O+ ion. (1)
A covalent bonding only
B covalent and dative covalent bonding only
C covalent, dative covalent and ionic bonding
D ionic bonding only
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q19. Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct .
If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .
Which of these does not have a structure formed by a giant lattice of carbon atoms?
A C60 fullerene
B diamond
C graphene
D graphite
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q20. Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct .
If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .
Which substance has a giant lattice of atoms?
A diamond
B ice
C poly(ethene)
D sodium chloride
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q21. Which is correct for tetrafluoromethane (CF4)?
Q22. This question is about silicon and carbon.
(b) Silicon dioxide, SiO2, is the main constituent of sand and has a giant lattice structure similar to that of diamond.
Crystalline silicon dioxide is used on the surface of semiconductor devices to provide a heat-resistant, electrically insulating layer.
Explain how the structure and bonding of silicon dioxide make it useful for this application. (3) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................
(Total for question = 3 marks)
Q23. Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct .
If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .
Which compound has bonds that are the most polar?
A H2O
B H2S
C NH3
D PH3
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q24. Which of these molecules is the most polar?
A H—H
B H—F
C H—Cl
D H—Br
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q25. Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct .
If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .
Which of these molecules is the most polar?
A HF
B OF2
C BF3
D CF4
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q26. Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct .
If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross . Ammonium iron(II) sulfate, (NH4)2Fe(SO4)2·6H2O, is a double salt that is used as a source of iron(II) ions. (b) Ammonium sulfate is used in the preparation of the double salt.
What types of bond are present in ammonium sulfate? (1)
A ionic only
B covalent and ionic only
C dative covalent and ionic only
D ionic, covalent and dative covalent
(Total for question = 3 marks)
Q27. Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct .
If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .
How many lone pairs of electrons are there in the outer shell of the sulfur atom in a molecule of H2S?
A zero
B one
C two
D four
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q28. Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct .
If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .
In which sequence are the molecules in order of decreasing bond angle?
A BeCl2 >
BCl3 > CH4
B BeCl2 > NH3 > CH4
C CH4 > BCl3 > BeCl2
D CH4 > NH3 > BeCl2
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q29. Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct .
If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .
Which molecule is planar? A CF4 B C2F4 C PF5 D SF6 (Total for question = 1 mark)
Q30. This question is about bonding.
(a) Draw an electron density map for a molecule of oxygen. (1)
(b) Draw a diagram to show the shape of a water molecule. Give the bond angle. (2)
Bond angle ...........................................................
(c) The compound POCl3 has a simple molecular structure.
(i) Complete the dot-and-cross diagram for the POCl3 molecule.
Use crosses for the phosphorus electrons, dots for the chlorine electrons and circles ( ) for the oxygen electrons
(ii) Explain the shape of this molecule using the electron-pair repulsion theory. (3) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................
(d) The properties of metals depend on their structure and bonding.
(i) Draw a labelled diagram to show the metallic bonding in calcium. (2)
(ii) Explain how the electrical conductivity, high melting temperature and malleability of metals depend on their structure and bonding. (3)
Electrical conductivity....................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................
High melting temperature .................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................
Malleability ............................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................
(e) Diamond, graphite and graphene are all forms of carbon.
(i) Explain two ways in which the physical properties of diamond and graphite differ.
Refer to their structure and bonding in your answer.
(ii) State how the structure of graphene is related to the structure of graphite. (1) ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................
(iii) State a use for graphene, identifying the property that makes it suitable for that use. (2) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................
(Total for question = 20 marks)
Q31. Metallic bonding is the strong electrostatic attraction between
A anions and cations
B atoms and delocalised electrons
C ions and delocalised electrons
D two nuclei and a shared pair of electrons
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q32. Answer the question with a cross in the box you think is correct .
If you change your mind about an answer, put a line through the box and then mark your new answer with a cross .
Which of these has the greatest electrical conductivity?
A SF6(g)
B H2O(l)
C Hg(l)
D Na2O(s)
(Total for question = 1 mark)
Q33. Aluminium is an abundant metal with many uses.
(c) (i) Describe the bonding in aluminium metal. (2) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................
(ii) Give two possible reasons why aluminium is used for overhead power cables. (2) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................
(d) New uses for waste aluminium cans are being investigated. One possible use is to make nanoparticle alloys to produce hydrogen for fuel.
(i) Aluminium nanoparticles react with water to produce aluminium oxide and hydrogen. Complete the following equation. State symbols are not required.
(ii) Give two possible reasons for producing hydrogen from aluminium rather than from fossil fuels. (2) ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................
(Total for question = 7 marks)
If you need the markscheme, including the examiners' reports for each question, and more exam and teaching materials on this topic, contact me through the contact page