Q1.

Read this passage about metals.

Metals are crystalline materials. The metal crystals are normally about 20 000 nm
(nanometres) in diameter. The atoms inside these crystals are arranged in layers.

A new nanoscience process produces nanocrystalline metals. Nanocrystalline metals are

stronger and harder than normal metals.

It is hoped that nanocrystalline metals can be used in hip replacements.

The use of nanocrystalline metals should give people better hip replacements which last
longer.

(a) State why metals can be bent and hammered into different shapes.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) How is the size of the crystals in nanocrystalline metals different from the size of the
crystals in normal metals?

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 ___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c) Hip joints are constantly moving when people walk.

Suggest and explain why the hip replacement made of nanocrystalline metal should
last longer than one made of normal metals.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 4 marks)

Q2.
The diagrams show the structures of diamond and graphite.

Diamond Graphite

(a) Diamond and graphite both contain the same element.

What is the name of this element? ______________________________________

(1)

(b) Use the diagrams above and your knowledge of structure and bonding to explain
why:

(i) graphite is very soft

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______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii) diamond is very hard

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 ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(iii) graphite conducts electricity.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

Q3.
In this question you will be assessed on using good English, organising
information clearly and using specialist terms where appropriate.

Explain why chlorine (Cl2) is a gas at room temperature, but sodium chloride (NaCl) is a
solid at room temperature.

Chlorine Sodium chloride

Include a description of the bonding and structure of chlorine and sodium chloride in your
answer.

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_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

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_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

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 _______________________________________________________________________

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Extra space _____________________________________________________________

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_______________________________________________________________________

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_______________________________________________________________________
(Total 6 marks)

Q4.
Sulphur hexafluoride is a colourless, odourless, non-flammable gas, which is insoluble in
water and extremely unreactive. It is used as an insulator in high voltage transformers
and switchgear.

The diagram below represents a molecule of sulphur hexafluoride.

(a) What type of chemical bond holds the sulphur and fluorine atoms together in sulphur
hexafluoride molecules?

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Explain why sulphur hexafluoride has a low boiling point.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Explain how three of the properties of sulphur hexafluoride make it suitable for use
as an insulator inside electrical transformers.

Property 1: _________________________________________________________

Explanation: ________________________________________________________

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 Property 2: _________________________________________________________

Explanation: ________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Property 3: _________________________________________________________

Explanation: ________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

Q5.
Glass is made from silicon dioxide.

© Velirina/iStock/Thinkstock

(a) Silicon dioxide has a very high melting point.

Other substances are added to silicon dioxide to make glass. Glass melts at a lower
temperature than silicon dioxide.

Suggest why.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Sodium oxide is one of the substances added to silicon dioxide to make glass.

(i) Sodium oxide contains Na+ ions and O2– ions.

Give the formula of sodium oxide.

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 (1)

(ii) Sodium oxide is made by heating sodium metal in oxygen gas.

Complete the diagram to show the outer electrons in an oxygen molecule (O2).

(2)

(c) Glass can be coloured using tiny particles of gold. Gold is a metal.

Describe the structure of a metal.

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___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

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Mark schemes

Q1.
(a) any one from:

• they are made of layers

do not accept line / rows / lattice

• atoms / ions / particles / layers (of atoms) can slide over each other
1

(b) any one from:

• smaller / tiny or very small

do not allow small alone

• correct size range 1 to 100 nanometres

• a few hundred atoms in size

if they state smaller and give a size outside range ignore size
if it is less than 20,000
1

(c) harder
1

plus one from:

• so does not wear as quickly / erode as quickly

ignore corrode

• less vulnerable to damage owtte

harder to wear down = 1 mark

• because they have a high surface area to volume ratio

or

stronger (1)

plus one from: (1)

• less likely to break / do not break

accept withstand pressure

• not as vulnerable to damage owtte

harder and stronger alone gains 1 mark

• do not bend out of shape

• because they have a high surface area to volume ratio

1

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 [4]

Q2.
(a) carbon
allow C
1

(b) (i) (atoms are in) layers (that) can slide over each other
1

because between the layers there are only weak forces

accept because there are no (covalent) bonds between the
layers
accept Van der Waals forces between the layers
do not allow intermolecular bonds between the layers
if no other marks are awarded allow weak intermolecular
forces for 1 mark
1

(ii) because each atom forms four (covalent) bonds or (diamond is a) giant
(covalent) structure or lattice or macromolecular
any reference to ionic / metallic bonding or intermolecular
forces scores a maximum of 1 mark
accept carbon forms a tetrahedral shape
1

(and) covalent bonds are strong

accept covalent bonds need a lot of energy / difficult to break
1

(iii) because graphite has delocalised electrons

allow sea of electrons
allow each carbon atom has one free electron
1

which can move through the whole structure (and carry the current /
charge / electricity)
1
[7]

Q3.
Marks awarded for this answer will be determined by the Quality of Written
Communication (QWC) as well as the standard of the scientific response.

0 marks
No relevant content

Level 1 (1–2 marks)

There is a statement about the bonding and / or structure or melting / boiling point of
chlorine or sodium chloride.

Level 2 (3–4 marks)

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 There are statements about the bonding and / or structure of chlorine or sodium
chloride.

Level 3 (5–6 marks)

There are statements about the bonding and / or structure of chlorine and sodium
chloride.

There is an explanation of why chlorine is a gas or sodium chloride is a solid.

Examples of chemistry points made in response:

Chlorine:

covalent bonds between atoms

forming (simple) molecules

no / weak attraction / bonds between molecules

low boiling point

Sodium chloride:

ionic bonds or electrostatic attraction

strong bonds

in all directions

between oppositely charged ions

forming giant lattice

large amounts of energy needed to break bonds

high melting point

[6]

Q4.
(a) covalent/description of covalent
for 1 mark
1

(b) forces/bonds between the molecules/particles (not atoms) are weak

for 1 mark each
2

(c) non-flammable so it will not burn etc.

extremely unreactive so it will not react with materials in the transformer,
does not conduct electricity so it can insulate the transformer
gas so it has freedom to move and insulate whole area
for 1 mark each
3
[6]

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Q5.
(a) weaker bonds
allow (other substances) react with the silicon dioxide

or

fewer bonds
ignore weaker / fewer forces

or

disruption to lattice
do not accept reference to intermolecular forces / bonds
1

(b) (i) Na2O

do not accept brackets or charges in the formula
1

(ii)

electrons can be shown as dots, crosses, e or any

combination

2 bonding pairs
accept 4 electrons within the overlap
1

2 lone pairs on each oxygen

accept 4 non-bonding electrons on each oxygen
1

(c) lattice / regular pattern / layers / giant structure / close-packed arrangement

1

(of) positive ions or (of) atoms

1

(with) delocalised / free electrons

reference to incorrect particles or incorrect bonding or
incorrect structure = max 2
1
[7]

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