Cambridge IGCSE · Chemistry 0620
IGCSE Chemistry: Metals — Practice Questions & Answers
Properties of metals and alloys, the reactivity series, metal reactions, displacement, extraction, uses, and rusting.
1086 practice questions available for this topic — here are 10 with full answers and explanations.
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Practice questions with answers
1
Multiple choice · Easy
Which of the following is a typical physical property of most metals?
- Good conductor of electricity
- Brittle when solid
- Low melting point in all cases
- Dull surface that cannot be polished
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WhyMetals are generally good conductors of electricity because of their delocalised (mobile) electrons.
2
Multiple choice · Easy
An alloy is best described as a mixture of:
- A metal with one or more other elements
- Two non-metals only
- A metal and a gas only
- A pure single metal
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WhyAn alloy is a mixture of a metal with one or more other elements, usually other metals or carbon.
3
Multiple choice · Easy
Which metal is the most reactive in the reactivity series shown: potassium, iron, copper, gold?
- Potassium
- Iron
- Copper
- Gold
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WhyPotassium is the most reactive of the listed metals; gold is the least reactive.
4
Multiple choice · Easy
When a reactive metal reacts with a dilute acid, which gas is produced?
- Hydrogen
- Oxygen
- Carbon dioxide
- Chlorine
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WhyReactive metals react with dilute acids to produce a salt and hydrogen gas.
5
Fill in the blank · Easy
The slow process in which iron is oxidised in the presence of both oxygen and water is called .
Answer:
rusting / rust
WhyRusting requires both water and oxygen; it is the oxidation of iron to hydrated iron(III) oxide.
6
Fill in the blank · Easy
When magnesium burns in oxygen it forms a white solid called magnesium .
Answer:
oxide
WhyMagnesium reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide, MgO, a white solid.
7
Multiple choice · Medium
Which equation correctly represents a displacement reaction?
- Zn + CuSO4 -> ZnSO4 + Cu
- Cu + ZnSO4 -> CuSO4 + Zn
- Cu + MgSO4 -> CuSO4 + Mg
- Ag + CuSO4 -> AgSO4 + Cu
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WhyZinc is more reactive than copper, so it displaces copper from copper(II) sulfate solution.
8
Multiple choice · Medium
Steel is harder than pure iron mainly because:
- Different sized atoms stop the layers sliding over each other
- The carbon atoms make the metal lighter
- Steel contains no metal atoms
- The iron atoms become non-metals
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WhyIn an alloy, atoms of different sizes disrupt the regular layers, making it harder for them to slide over each other.
9
Multiple choice · Medium
Which metal reacts with cold water to produce a metal hydroxide and hydrogen?
- Sodium
- Copper
- Gold
- Silver
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WhySodium is reactive enough to react with cold water, forming sodium hydroxide and hydrogen.
10
Multiple choice · Medium
Galvanising protects iron from rusting by coating it with which metal?
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WhyGalvanising coats iron with zinc, which acts as a barrier and as a sacrificial metal.
Key terms in Metals
Metal: An element that typically conducts heat and electricity, is malleable and ductile, and forms positive ions in reactions.
Non-metal: An element that is usually a poor conductor, often brittle when solid, and tends to form negative ions or share electrons.
Physical property: A characteristic of a substance that can be observed or measured without changing its chemical composition.
Chemical property: A characteristic that describes how a substance reacts to form new substances.
Malleable: Able to be hammered or pressed into different shapes without breaking.
Ductile: Able to be drawn out into thin wires without snapping.
Conductor: A material that allows heat or electric current to pass through it easily.
Lustre: The shiny, reflective appearance of a freshly cut or polished metal surface.
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