Ionic, covalent & metallic bonding

Q1. The atomic number of carbon is 6. The atomic number of hydrogen is 1.

Draw a dot and cross diagram of a molecule of methane, CH4.

Show the outer shell electrons only.

(2)

Q2. Nitrogen and oxygen are present in the air.

Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
Oxygen has a low boiling point because there are
(1)
A weak covalent bonds between the oxygen atoms
B weak covalent bonds between the oxygen molecules
C weak forces of attraction between the oxygen atoms
D weak forces of attraction between the oxygen molecules

Q3. (a) Chlorine has an atomic number of 17.

Chlorine-35 and chlorine-37 are two isotopes of chlorine.

(i) Complete the table to show the numbers of protons, neutrons and electrons in each of the
isotopes.
(2)

(ii) A normal sample of chlorine contains only chlorine-35 and chlorine-37 atoms.
Explain why the relative atomic mass of chlorine is 35.5
(2)
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(b) Tetrachloromethane is a simple molecular, covalent compound. The formula of its molecule is CCl4.
There are four electrons in the outer shell of a carbon atom.
There are seven electrons in the outer shell of a chlorine atom.
Draw a dot and cross diagram to show the bonding in a molecule of tetrachloromethane, CCl4.
Show outer shell electrons only.
(2)

*(c) The diagrams show the arrangements of carbon atoms in diamond and in graphite.

Compare a use of diamond with a use of graphite, explaining each use in terms of the bonding and
structure. In your answer you should use information from the diagrams.
(6)
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Q4. The structures of diamond and graphite are shown.

(i) State the maximum number of covalent bonds formed by a carbon atom in a diamond crystal.
(1)
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(ii) Which of the following statements about diamond and graphite is true?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
A they are both good conductors of electricity

B they are both soluble in water

C they both cut glass

D they both have high melting points

(iii) Explain, in terms of its structure, why graphite is able to be used as a lubricant.
(2)
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Q5. Calcium reacts with oxygen to form calcium oxide, CaO, an ionic compound.
Calcium has an electronic configuration of 2.8.8.2.
Oxygen has an electronic configuration of 2.6.

Describe, in terms of their electronic configurations, how calcium and oxygen atoms react to form calcium
and oxide ions.

You may use diagrams to help your answer.

(4)
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Q6. Chlorine is an element in group 7 of the periodic table.
Chlorine, Cl2, is a simple molecular, covalent substance.

The atoms in a molecule of chlorine are held together by a covalent bond.

(i) Explain what is meant by the term covalent bond.

(2)
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(ii) Phosphorus reacts with chlorine to form phosphorus trichloride, PCl3.

A phosphorus atom has five electrons in its outer shell.
A chlorine atom has seven electrons in its outer shell.
Draw the dot and cross diagram to show the bonding in a molecule of phosphorus trichloride, PCl3.
Show outer electrons only.
(2)
(iii) Aluminium reacts with chlorine to form aluminium chloride, AlCl3.
Write the balanced equation for this reaction.
(2)
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Q7. Oxygen is a simple molecular, covalent substance.

The electronic configuration of an atom of oxygen is 2.6.

Draw the dot and cross diagram of an oxygen molecule, O2 .

Show outer electrons only.
(2)

Q8. Explain, in terms of their structure, how metals conduct electricity.

(2)
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Q9. Chlorine, Cl2, is a simple molecular, covalent substance.

Diamond is a giant molecular, covalent substance.
Sodium chloride is an ionic substance.
Zinc is metallic.

As a result of their different structures these substances have the following different properties.

 Solid chlorine has a very low melting point but diamond, sodium chloride and zinc have high melting
points.
 Diamond and sodium chloride have different solubilities in water.

In terms of the structure and bonding of these substances, explain these properties.
(6)
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Q10. Graphite and diamond are forms of the element carbon.
Diamond is used in cutting tools.
Graphite is used as a lubricant and in electrodes.
Explain, using ideas about their structures, why diamond and graphite are suitable for these uses.

You may use diagrams to help you explain your answer.

(6)
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Q11. Potassium chloride is an ionic substance.

The melting point of potassium chloride is 770 °C.

Explain why potassium chloride has such a high melting point.

(2)
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Q12. Copper nitrate contains copper ions, Cu2+, and nitrate ions, .

(i) Describe, in terms of electrons, how a copper atom, Cu, becomes a copper ion, Cu2+.
(2)
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(ii) Write the formula for copper nitrate.

(1)
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Q13. Sodium chloride and water have very different properties.

Sodium chloride is an ionic substance.

It is a crystalline solid at room temperature.
It has a high melting point.
It conducts electricity when molten or in aqueous solution.

Water is a covalent substance.

It is a liquid at room temperature.
It is a very poor conductor of electricity.

Explain these properties of sodium chloride and water in terms of the particles present and the forces
between them.
(6)
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Q14. (a) Sodium chloride is a metal chloride which is soluble in cold water.
(i) Give the name of a metal chloride which is insoluble in cold water.
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
A copper chloride
B lead chloride
C magnesium chloride
D potassium chloride

(ii) Sodium chloride has a melting point of 801 °C.

Explain why the melting point of sodium chloride is high.
(2)
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*(b) Magnesium has an electronic configuration of 2.8.2.

Oxygen has an electronic configuration of 2.6.
Explain, in terms of their electronic configurations, how magnesium and oxygen atoms react to form the
ionic compound magnesium oxide, MgO, and include a description of the structure of solid magnesium
oxide.
(6)
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Q15. Metals are malleable.

Explain, in terms of their structures, why metals are malleable.
(2)
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Q16. Nitrogen and oxygen are present in the air.

Another gas present in air is carbon dioxide, CO2.
There are covalent bonds between the atoms in a molecule of carbon dioxide.
(i) Describe what is meant by a covalent bond.
(2)
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(ii) The electronic configuration of oxygen (atomic number 8) is 2.6.

Give the electronic configuration of carbon (atomic number 6).
(1)
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(iii) Draw a dot and cross diagram of a molecule of carbon dioxide.

Show outer electrons only.
(2)

Q17. Sodium sulfate is an ionic solid which is soluble in water.

Which row of the table shows the likely properties of sodium sulfate?

Put a cross ( ) in the box to show your answer.

(1)
 Mark Scheme
Q1.

Q2.
Answer Acceptable Mark
answers
D weak forces of attraction between the oxygen molecules (1)
Q3.
Q4.
Q5.

Q6.
Q7.

Q8.
Q9.
Q10.
Q11.

Q12.
Q13.
Q14.
Answer Acceptable answers Mark

(a) B lead chloride (1)

(i)
(a) An explanation linking two of Any reference to
(ii)  strong (electrostatic) forces of attraction molecules/molecular/intermolecular/
covalent scores 0 marks strong (ionic)
 between oppositely charged ions bonds positive and negative ions reject
 so requires lot of heat/energy to charged atoms for this mark ignore hard
overcome forces/break bonds to melt/high temperature needed
(2)

Indicative Content Mark

QWC *(b) A description including some of the following points ion formation
 magnesium atoms lose electrons
 each magnesium atom loses two electrons
 to acquire full outer shell
 magnesium (configuration) becomes 2.8
 forms Mg2+ ion
 electrons transferred to oxygen atoms
 oxygen atoms gain electrons
 each oxygen atom gains two electrons
 oxygen (configuration) becomes 2.8
 to acquire full outer shell
 forms O2- ionstructure
 magnesium ions attract oxide ions
 due to opposite charges
 ions pack close together
 ratio of ions 1: 1
 ions arranged in lattice
 giant (ionic) (structure)diagram can be credited for any points (6)
Level 0 No rewardable content
1 1-2
 a limited description e.g. magnesium atoms lose electrons and oxygen atoms gain
electrons e.g. magnesium oxide is a giant structure
 the answer communicates ideas using simple language and uses limited scientific
terminology
 spelling, punctuation and grammar are used with limited accuracy
2 3-4
 a simple description e.g. magnesium atoms lose two electrons to form positive ions
and oxygen atoms gain two electrons to form negative ions
 e.g. magnesium atoms lose electrons and oxygen atoms gain electrons and
magnesium oxide is a giant structure
 the answer communicates ideas showing some evidence of clarity and
organisation and uses scientific terminology appropriately
 spelling, punctuation and grammar are used with some accuracy
3 5-6
 a detailed description e.g. each magnesium atom transfers two electrons to an
oxygen atom and the opposite charged ions (Mg2+ /O 2-) formed attract each other to
form a giant (ionic) lattice
 the answer communicates ideas clearly and coherently uses a range of scientific
terminology accurately
 spelling, punctuation and grammar are used with few errors

Q15.
Q16.

Answer Acceptable answers Mark

(i) An description including Ignore reference to complete/full

 shared (electrons) (1) shells
 pair(s) of electrons (between Ignore reference to between two
atoms) (1) metals
Ignore reference to between metal
and non-metal
Ignore reference to between
molecules
Any reference to between ions
scores 0 (2)
(ii) 2.4 (1)
(iii) diagram showing Must have O C O arrangement If
 any shared pair of electrons any atom labelled must be correct
between a carbon and oxygen atom Ignore inner electrons even if wrong
in CO2 molecule (1) electrons can be on/in ring or no
 rest of molecule correct (1) ring
Ignore intersecting circles Accept
all permutations of dots and crosses (2)

Q17.