iGCSE Chemistry (0620) Theory (Core):9.1 Properties of metals: Exam Style Questions Paper 3

Question

This question is about iron and iron compounds.
(a) Name the main ore of iron.                   [1]

(b) In a blast furnace used for the extraction of iron, carbon reacts with oxygen from the air to form carbon monoxide.
Complete the chemical equation for this reaction.
$$
….. \rm{C}+\ldots \rightarrow2 \mathrm{CO}
$$           [2]

(c) In the hotter parts of the furnace, carbon reacts with the iron(III) oxide present in the iron ore.

$$
3 \mathrm{C}+\mathrm{Fe}_2 \mathrm{O}_3 \rightarrow 3 \mathrm{CO}+2 \mathrm{Fe}
$$
How does this equation show that carbon is oxidised?          [1]

(d) Limestone is added to the blast furnace. The limestone is converted into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide. The reaction is endothermic.

$$
\mathrm{CaCO}_3 \stackrel{\text { heat }}{\longrightarrow} \mathrm{CaO}+\mathrm{CO}_2
$$

(i) What type of chemical reaction is this?         [1]

(ii) What type of oxide is calcium oxide?
Give a reason for your answer.                  [2]

(e) Iron is a metal.

Give three physical properties that are characteristic of metals.
1……………………………………………
2…………………………………………
3 ………………………………………                             [3]

(f) The structure of a compound of iron is shown.


Deduce the molecular formula of this compound to show the number of iron, carbon and oxygen atoms.            [1]

▶️Answer/Explanation

Ans:

(a) hematite

(b) 2 (C) (1)

O2 (1)

(c) carbon gains oxygen (from Fe 2O3) / oxygen (from Fe 2O3) combines with carbon

(d)(i) thermal decomposition 1
(d)(ii) basic oxide (1)
calcium is a metal (oxide) (1)

(e) any three from:
• conduct electricity
• conduct heat
• malleable
• ductile
• shiny / lustrous

(f) $Fe_{2}C_{9}O_{9}$

Question

This question is about zinc and compounds of zinc.

    (a) Zinc is a metal.

Give three physical properties of metals.[3]

2

    (b) Zinc reacts with phosphorus to form zinc phosphide, Zn3P2.

Complete the equation for this reaction.[2]

Zn + P → Zn3P2

    (c) Molten zinc chloride is electrolyzed.

The incomplete apparatus is shown.

(i) Complete the diagram by:[2]

completing the circuit to show the wires and power pack

labelling the anode.

(ii) Name the products formed at each electrode.[2]

positive electrode 

negative electrode 

    (d) Zinc chloride reacts with water as shown. The solution formed is acidic.

\(ZnCl_{2}+2H_{2}O\rightleftharpoons Zn\left ( OH \right )_{2}+2HCl\)

(i) State the meaning \(\rightleftharpoons\) of the symbol .[1]

(ii) Choose the pH value which is acidic.

Draw a circle around your chosen answer.[1]

pH 3           pH 7            pH 9            pH 14

    (e) A compound of zinc has the formula ZnC4H10.

Complete the table to calculate the relative molecular mass of ZnC4H10.

relative molecular mass = [2] [Total: 13]

Answer/Explanation

Ans:

(a) 1 mark each for any three of:

    • conduct electricity OR conduct heat (1)
    • malleable (1)
    • ductile (1)
    • shiny / lustrous (1)

(b) 3 (Zn) (1)
          2 (P) (1)

(c)(i) wires leading from each side of power pack or battery to the electrodes (1)
              positive electrode labelled anode (1)

(c)(ii) positive electrode: chlorine (1)
                negative electrode: zinc (1)

d)(i) reversible reaction 

(d)(ii) pH 3 

(e) 123 (2)
         if two marks not scored, allow 1 mark for C = 4 x 12 / 48 OR H = 1 x 10 / 10

Question

This question is about metals.

    (a) State three general physical properties common to most metals.[3]



    (b) Metals are often used in the form of alloys.

(i) State the meaning of the term alloy.[1]

(ii) Explain in terms of their properties why alloys are used instead of pure metals.[1]

(iii) Stainless steel is an alloy.

Give one use of stainless steel.[1]

    (c) Place these metals in order of their reactivity with oxygen.

copper
magnesium
potassium
zinc

Put the least reactive metal first.[2]

    (d) When 4.8g of magnesium reacts with excess oxygen, 8.0g of magnesium oxide is formed.

Calculate the minimum mass of magnesium needed to produce 24.0g of magnesium oxide.

minimum mass =  g [1] [Total: 9]

Answer/Explanation

Ans:

a) 1 mark each for any three of:

    • conduct electricity / conduct heat
    • malleable
    • ductile
    • shiny / lustrous
    • sonorous / rings when hit

(b)(i) mixture of metal with another element 

(b)(ii) (alloy is) hard(er) / (more) resistant to corrosion / strong(er) 

(b)(iii) cutlery / chemical plant / surgical equipment 

(c) copper , zinc , magnesium , potassium (2)
         if 2 marks not scored: 1 mark for one consecutive pair reversed

(d) 14.4 (g)

Scroll to Top