Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter
50 exam-style questions with answers for 4.2 Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter in AQA GCSE Chemistry (spec 8462). Practise with flashcards, a topic quiz, a random quiz across the course, 5 crosswords, or read every question and answer below. Not official AQA material.
All 50 questions and answers
Question 1 · Spec 4.2.1.1 · Bonding
Name the three types of strong chemical bond. [3 marks]
Answer:Ionic (1); covalent (1); metallic (1).Question 2 · Spec 4.2.1.1 · Bonding
Which particles are involved in ionic bonding? [1 mark]
Answer:Oppositely charged ions, formed when a metal reacts with a non-metal.Question 3 · Spec 4.2.1.2 · Ionic bonding
Describe how sodium and chlorine form ionic bonds. [3 marks]
Answer:Sodium transfers its outer electron to chlorine (1); forming Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions, both with full outer shells (1); the oppositely charged ions attract (1).Question 4 · Spec 4.2.1.2 · Ionic bonding
What is the charge on an ion formed by a Group 2 element? [1 mark]
Answer:2+.Question 5 · Spec 4.2.1.3 · Ionic compounds
Describe the structure of an ionic compound. [2 marks]
Answer:A giant lattice of ions (1); held together by strong electrostatic forces between oppositely charged ions in all directions (1).Question 6 · Spec 4.2.1.3 · Ionic compounds
Work out the formula of magnesium chloride. [1 mark]
Answer:MgCl₂ (Mg²⁺ needs two Cl⁻ ions).Question 7 · Spec 4.2.1.3 · Models
State one limitation of a dot and cross diagram. [1 mark]
Answer:It does not show the 3D arrangement or relative sizes of the ions.Question 8 · Spec 4.2.1.4 · Covalent bonding
What is a covalent bond? [1 mark]
Answer:A shared pair of electrons between two non-metal atoms.Question 9 · Spec 4.2.1.4 · Covalent bonding
Describe the bonding in a molecule of water. [2 marks]
Answer:The oxygen atom shares a pair of electrons with each hydrogen atom (1); forming two single covalent bonds (1).Question 10 · Spec 4.2.1.4 · Covalent bonding
Give two examples of substances with giant covalent structures. [2 marks]
Answer:Any two from: diamond (1); graphite (1); silicon dioxide (1).Question 11 · Spec 4.2.1.5 · Metallic bonding
Describe metallic bonding. [2 marks]
Answer:A giant structure of positive metal ions in a regular arrangement (1); with a sea of delocalised electrons that are shared (1).Question 12 · Spec 4.2.2.1 · States of matter
What does the amount of energy needed to change state depend on? [1 mark]
Answer:The strength of the forces between the particles of the substance.Question 13 · Spec 4.2.2.1 · Particle model · Higher only
State two limitations of the simple particle model. [2 marks]
Answer:Any two from: there are no forces shown (1); particles are shown as solid spheres (1); particles are not drawn to scale (1).Question 14 · Spec 4.2.2.2 · State symbols
What do the state symbols (s), (l), (g) and (aq) mean? [2 marks]
Answer:Solid and liquid (1); gas and aqueous (dissolved in water) (1).Question 15 · Spec 4.2.2.3 · Ionic properties
Explain why ionic compounds have high melting points. [2 marks]
Answer:There are many strong electrostatic forces between oppositely charged ions (1); which need a lot of energy to break (1).Question 16 · Spec 4.2.2.3 · Ionic properties
Explain why ionic compounds conduct electricity when melted but not when solid. [2 marks]
Answer:When melted or dissolved, the ions are free to move and carry charge (1); in a solid, the ions are fixed in place (1).Question 17 · Spec 4.2.2.4 · Small molecules
Explain why small molecules have low boiling points. [2 marks]
Answer:The intermolecular forces between molecules are weak (1); so little energy is needed to overcome them (the covalent bonds do not break) (1).Question 18 · Spec 4.2.2.4 · Small molecules
Why do small molecules not conduct electricity? [1 mark]
Answer:They have no overall electric charge and no free electrons or ions.Question 19 · Spec 4.2.2.4 · Small molecules
Why do intermolecular forces increase with the size of molecules? [1 mark]
Answer:Larger molecules have more contact between them, so the forces are stronger and boiling points are higher.Question 20 · Spec 4.2.2.5 · Polymers
Why are polymers solid at room temperature? [2 marks]
Answer:They are very large molecules with atoms linked by strong covalent bonds (1); the intermolecular forces between them are relatively strong (1).Question 21 · Spec 4.2.2.6 · Giant covalent
Explain why diamond has a very high melting point. [2 marks]
Answer:Each carbon atom forms four covalent bonds in a giant structure (1); many strong bonds must be broken, needing lots of energy (1).Question 22 · Spec 4.2.2.7 · Alloys
Explain why alloys are harder than pure metals. [2 marks]
Answer:The different sized atoms distort the layers (1); so the layers cannot slide over each other easily (1).Question 23 · Spec 4.2.2.7 · Metals
Why can pure metals be bent and shaped? [1 mark]
Answer:The layers of atoms can slide over each other.Question 24 · Spec 4.2.2.8 · Metals as conductors
Explain why metals conduct electricity and heat. [2 marks]
Answer:They have delocalised electrons (1); which are free to move through the structure and carry charge and energy (1).Question 25 · Spec 4.2.3.1 · Diamond
Explain why diamond is very hard and does not conduct electricity. [2 marks]
Answer:Each carbon atom is bonded to four others by strong covalent bonds (1); there are no delocalised electrons (1).Question 26 · Spec 4.2.3.2 · Graphite
Describe the structure of graphite. [2 marks]
Answer:Each carbon atom forms three covalent bonds, making layers of hexagonal rings (1); with no covalent bonds between the layers (1).Question 27 · Spec 4.2.3.2 · Graphite
Explain why graphite is soft and slippery. [1 mark]
Answer:There are only weak forces between the layers, so they can slide over each other.Question 28 · Spec 4.2.3.2 · Graphite
Explain why graphite conducts electricity. [1 mark]
Answer:Each carbon atom has one delocalised electron that can move through the layers.Question 29 · Spec 4.2.3.3 · Graphene
What is graphene? [1 mark]
Answer:A single layer of graphite, one atom thick.Question 30 · Spec 4.2.3.3 · Graphene
State two properties of graphene that make it useful. [2 marks]
Answer:Any two from: very strong (1); conducts electricity (1); very light and thin (1).Question 31 · Spec 4.2.3.3 · Fullerenes
What are fullerenes? [2 marks]
Answer:Molecules of carbon atoms with hollow shapes (1); based on rings of five, six or seven carbon atoms, such as buckminsterfullerene, C₆₀ (1).Question 32 · Spec 4.2.3.3 · Nanotubes
State two uses of carbon nanotubes. [2 marks]
Answer:Any two from: nanotechnology (1); electronics (1); reinforcing materials such as tennis rackets (1).Question 33 · Spec 4.2.4.1 · Nanoparticles
What is the size range of nanoparticles? [1 mark]
Answer:1–100 nm (a few hundred atoms).Question 34 · Spec 4.2.4.1 · Nanoparticles
Why do nanoparticles have different properties from the bulk material? [1 mark]
Answer:They have a much higher surface area to volume ratio.Question 35 · Spec 4.2.4.1 · Surface area
A cube's side length decreases by a factor of 10. What happens to its surface area to volume ratio? [1 mark]
Answer:It increases by a factor of 10.Question 36 · Spec 4.2.4.2 · Nanoparticles
State two uses of nanoparticles. [2 marks]
Answer:Any two from: medicine, such as drug delivery (1); sun creams (1); electronics (1); catalysts (1); deodorants and cosmetics (1).Question 37 · Spec 4.2.4.2 · Nanoparticles
State one possible risk of nanoparticles. [1 mark]
Answer:They may enter the body and cells and damage them; their effects are not yet fully known.Question 38 · Spec 4.2.1.2 · Ionic bonding
Describe how magnesium and oxygen form an ionic bond. [2 marks]
Answer:Magnesium transfers two electrons to oxygen (1); forming Mg²⁺ and O²⁻ ions that attract each other (1).Question 39 · Spec 4.2.1.4 · Covalent bonding
How many covalent bonds does carbon form in methane? [1 mark]
Answer:Four.Question 40 · Spec 4.2.1.4 · Covalent bonding
Describe the bonding in an oxygen molecule. [1 mark]
Answer:A double covalent bond: two shared pairs of electrons.Question 41 · Spec 4.2.1.3 · Ionic compounds
Work out the formula of aluminium oxide. [1 mark]
Answer:Al₂O₃ (2 × 3+ balances 3 × 2−).Question 42 · Spec 4.2.2.1 · States of matter
Name the temperature at which a solid turns into a liquid. [1 mark]
Answer:The melting point.Question 43 · Spec 4.2.2.2 · State symbols
Write the state symbol for sodium chloride dissolved in water. [1 mark]
Answer:(aq).Question 44 · Spec 4.2.2.6 · Giant covalent
Why does silicon dioxide have a high melting point? [1 mark]
Answer:It is a giant covalent structure with many strong covalent bonds to break.Question 45 · Spec 4.2.2.5 · Polymers
Name the type of bond that joins atoms in a polymer chain. [1 mark]
Answer:Covalent bonds.Question 46 · Spec 4.2.3.3 · Fullerenes
Why are fullerenes useful for drug delivery? [1 mark]
Answer:They have hollow cages that can carry drug molecules into the body.Question 47 · Spec 4.2.2.3 · Ionic properties
Why do ionic compounds conduct when dissolved in water? [1 mark]
Answer:The ions separate and are free to move, carrying the current.Question 48 · Spec 4.2.1.5 · Metallic bonding
Why do metals have high melting points? [1 mark]
Answer:The strong electrostatic attraction between metal ions and delocalised electrons needs a lot of energy to overcome.Question 49 · Spec 4.2.2.1 · States of matter
Which state of matter has particles that are far apart and move randomly? [1 mark]
Answer:Gas.Question 50 · Spec 4.2.1.1 · Bonding
Which type of bonding occurs between two non-metals? [1 mark]
Answer:Covalent bonding.