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Metal or non-metal?

Six original Cambridge-style questions on the physical and chemical properties of metals.

Original questions All questions on this page are original work, written in the Cambridge IGCSE style. They are not from past papers. They test the same concepts and skills the syllabus rewards.
Keep these straight

Conduct, bend, react.

01
Recall
[4 marks]

Give four physical properties that are typical of metals.

  • Good conductors of electricity. ✓
  • Good conductors of heat. ✓
  • Malleable and ductile. ✓
  • High melting and boiling points (and shiny when freshly cut). ✓
02
Recall
[2 marks]

Write a word equation and a balanced symbol equation for the reaction of magnesium with dilute hydrochloric acid.

  • magnesium + hydrochloric acid → magnesium chloride + hydrogen ✓
  • Mg + 2HCl → MgCl2 + H2 ✓
03
Analysis
[3 marks]

A student has samples of two solid elements. P is shiny, bends when hammered and conducts electricity. Q is yellow, shatters when hit and does not conduct. Identify each as a metal or non-metal and suggest what each could be.

  • P is a metal (for example copper or iron). ✓
  • Q is a non-metal (for example sulfur). ✓
  • Reason: conductivity and malleability are metallic; brittleness and poor conductivity are non-metallic. ✓
04
Recall
[2 marks]

State the products when (a) sodium reacts with cold water and (b) zinc reacts with steam.

  • (a) sodium hydroxide and hydrogen. ✓
  • (b) zinc oxide and hydrogen. ✓
05
Recall
[2 marks]

Write the balanced equation for magnesium burning in oxygen and describe what is seen.

  • 2Mg + O2 → 2MgO ✓
  • A bright white flame; a white powder (magnesium oxide) is left. ✓
06
Explain
[2 marks]

Explain why metals are malleable, in terms of their structure.

  • Metals consist of layers of positive ions in a sea of delocalised electrons. ✓
  • The layers can slide over each other without the metallic bonding breaking. ✓

Mark this once you have attempted all six and checked your working. It records a Practiced badge on the topic and adds a one-time bonus. Revealing the solutions alone does not count.