Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry 1 Principles of chemistry Question Bank

Build confidence with particle diagrams, state changes, mixtures, formulae and calculation methods used across Principles of Chemistry papers.

Covered syllabus points

(a) States of matter (b) Elements, compounds and mixtures (c) Atomic structure (d) The Periodic Table (e) Chemical formulae, equations and calculations (f) Ionic bonding (g) Covalent bonding (h) Metallic bonding (i) Electrolysis

[Maximum number: 12]

This is a question about metals and their compounds.

(a)

State one property of metals.

[ 1 ]

(b)

Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature.

Describe the difference in the movement of particles in liquid mercury and in a solid metal.

[ 2 ]

(c)

Magnesium is a metal that burns in air.

[ 1 ]

(i)

State one chemical property of the product of combustion that can be used to classify magnesium as a metal.

[ 1 ]

(d)

In the absence of air, magnesium reacts with sulfur to form the ionic compound magnesium sulfide, MgS

[ 8 ]

(i)

Describe, in terms of electrons, the formation of the ions in magnesium sulfide.

Give the charges on the ions.

[ 3 ]

M1 magnesium (atom) loses two electrons

M2 sulfur (atom) gains two electrons (from magnesium)

M3 charge on magnesium (ion) $2^{+} / \mathrm{Mg}^{2+}$ AND charge on sulfur/sulfide (ion) $\quad 2^{-} / \mathrm{S}^{2-}$

two electrons
transferred from
magnesium (atom) to
sulfur (atom) scores M1
and M2

(ii)

Explain why magnesium sulfide has a very high melting point.

[ 3 ]

M1 strong (electrostatic) force of attraction

M2 between magnesium ions $/ \mathrm{Mg}^{2+}$ and sulfide ions $/ \mathrm{S}^{2-}$ ions

M3 large amount/lot of (heat/thermal) energy needed to overcome forces/attraction

ALLOW strong ionic bonds but No M1 or M2 if between atoms/molecules or any reference to intermolecular forces / covalent bonds

ACCEPT between oppositely charged ions

ACCEPT between positive and negative ions

ACCEPT large amount/lot of (heat/thermal) energy needed to break the bonds

IGNORE more energy

No M3 if reference to overcoming / breaking intermolecular forces / covalent bonds

(iii)

Magnesium sulfide reacts with hydrochloric acid to form magnesium chloride and hydrogen sulfide gas, H2S.

Give the chemical equation for this reaction.

[ 2 ]

$\ce{MgS + 2HCl -> MgCl2 + H2S}$

Marking guidance:
- 1 mark for all formulae correct.
- 1 mark for balancing.
- Ignore state symbols.
- The balancing mark depends on the formulae mark.

Accept:
- multiples or fractions.

[Maximum number: 5]

This question is about gases.

(a)

The table gives information about five gases.

Table for Question (a) — Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry

Use information from the table to answer these questions.
Each gas may be used once, more than once or not at all.

[ 4 ]

(i)

Give the name of the gas that is a compound.

[ 1 ]

carbon dioxide

ALLOW $\ce{CO2}$

(ii)

Give the name of the least reactive gas.

[ 1 ]

(iii)

Calculate the $M_{r}$ for carbon dioxide.

[ 1 ]

$(12+2 \times 16=) 44$

(iv)

Give a reason why it is not possible to give information for air in the table.

[ 1 ]

air is a mixture (of gases) / does not have a formula / does not have an $M_{\mathrm{r}}$ OWTTE

(b)

When copper(II) carbonate is heated, the products are copper(II) oxide and carbon dioxide.

[ 1 ]

(i)

Give a chemical equation for this reaction.

[ 1 ]

$\ce{CuCO3 -> CuO + CO2}$

Allow:
- multiples and fractions

Ignore:
- state symbols, even if incorrect

[Maximum number: 4]

This question is about elements, compounds and mixtures.

(a)

The box gives the names of some substances.

Choose a substance from the box to answer each of these questions.

[ 4 ]

(i)

Give the name of a compound.

[ 1 ]

water

Allow:
- $\ce{H2O}$

(ii)

Give the name of a mixture.

[ 1 ]

(iii)

Give the name of a diatomic molecule.

[ 1 ]

(iv)

Give the name of a metal element.

[ 1 ]

[Maximum number: 4]

The diagram shows part of the Periodic Table, with elements represented by the letters L, M, Q, R and T.

The letters in the diagram represent elements but are not their chemical symbols.

Figure for Question 1 Principles of chemistry question 4 — Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry

(a)

Give the letter from the diagram that represents a noble gas.

[ 1 ]

(b)

Elements L and M are in the same group.

State why they have similar chemical reactions.

[ 1 ]

(c)

An atom of element Q has 31 protons.

Use this information to explain how you can determine the number of protons in an atom of element R.

[ 2 ]

All question bank results loaded

Covered syllabus points

1 Principles of chemistry question 1

Question (a)

Question (b)

Question (c)

Question (i)

Question (d)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

Question (iii)

1 Principles of chemistry question 2

Question (a)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

Question (iii)

Question (iv)

Question (b)

Question (i)

1 Principles of chemistry question 3

Question (a)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

Question (iii)

Question (iv)

1 Principles of chemistry question 4

Question (a)

Question (b)

Question (c)