Skip to content
Try on iPad

Reactivity of metals: AQA GCSE Combined Science questions

Every AQA GCSE Combined Science exam question on 5.4.1 Reactivity of metals, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

Find questions3,069
Calculations

3,069 questions

  1. Q04.1

    June 2025 · Chemistry Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark5.4.1 Reactivity of metals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, question 04.1: Iron is extracted from iron oxide by reduction with carbon. Why can iron be extracted by reduction with carbon? Answer in terms of reactivity. [1 mark]

  2. Q04.4

    June 2025 · Chemistry Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark5.4.1 Reactivity of metals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, question 04.4: Which substance in the equation is reduced? [1 mark]

  3. Q04.5

    June 2025 · Chemistry Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark5.4.1 Reactivity of metals5.4.3 Electrolysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, question 04.5: Give one reason for the difference in the cost of extracting aluminium and iron. Use Table 3. [1 mark]

  4. Q04.6

    June 2025 · Chemistry Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark5.4.1 Reactivity of metals5.4.3 Electrolysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, question 04.6: Give one reason for the difference in the cost of extracting aluminium and chromium. Use Table 3. [1 mark]

  5. Q03.1

    June 2025 · Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark5.4.1 Reactivity of metals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, question 03.1: Complete the word equation for the reaction. [1 mark] magnesium + oxygen →

  6. Q03.2

    June 2025 · Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark5.4.1 Reactivity of metals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, question 03.2: Complete the sentence. Choose the answer from the box. [1 mark] decomposed oxidised reduced When magnesium reacts with oxygen, the magnesium is .

  7. Q04.1

    June 2025 · Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark5.4.1 Reactivity of metals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, question 04.1: Complete the sentence. Choose the answer from the box. [1 mark] compounds elements polymers Most metals are found in the Earth as .

  8. Q04.2

    June 2025 · Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark5.4.1 Reactivity of metals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, question 04.2: Iron is extracted from iron oxide by reduction with carbon. Why is iron extracted by reduction with carbon? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Iron is less reactive tha

  9. Q06.1

    June 2024 · Chemistry Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark5.4.1 Reactivity of metals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, question 06.1: Name one metal that is found in the Earth as the metal itself. [1 mark]

  10. Q06.2

    June 2024 · Chemistry Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark5.4.1 Reactivity of metals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, question 06.2: Suggest the most economical method for extracting metal Z from an oxide of metal Z. [1 mark]

  11. Q03.1

    June 2024 · Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark5.4.1 Reactivity of metals5.5.1 Exothermic and endothermic reactions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, question 03.1: The student varied the mass of zinc. What type of variable is the mass of zinc? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Control Dependent Independent

  12. Q03.2

    June 2024 · Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark5.4.1 Reactivity of metals5.5.1 Exothermic and endothermic reactions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, question 03.2: What is the name of salt A? [1 mark]

  13. Q03.3

    June 2024 · Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks5.4.1 Reactivity of metals5.5.1 Exothermic and endothermic reactions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, question 03.3: The temperature of the solution increases when zinc reacts with copper sulfate solution. Give two other observations that can be made when zinc reacts with copp

  14. Q03.4

    June 2024 · Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks5.4.1 Reactivity of metals5.5.1 Exothermic and endothermic reactions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, question 03.4: Figure 6 shows the highest temperature reached in one experiment. Figure 6 Complete Table 3. Use Figure 6. [2 marks] Table 3 Starting temperature in °C 21 Highe

  15. Q03.5

    June 2024 · Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks5.5.1 Exothermic and endothermic reactions5.4.1 Reactivity of metals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, question 03.5: Calculate value B in Table 4. [2 marks] B = °C

  16. Q03.6

    June 2024 · Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark5.3.1 Chemical measurements, conservation of mass and the quantitative interpretation of chemical equations5.4.1 Reactivity of metals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, question 03.6: The range of the results is the minimum value of temperature increase to the maximum value of temperature increase. What is the range of temperature increase fo

  17. Q03.7

    June 2024 · Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks5.4.1 Reactivity of metals5.5.1 Exothermic and endothermic reactions
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, question 03.7: One of the results for 3.0 g of zinc is anomalous. Which result is anomalous? Suggest one reason why this result is anomalous. [2 marks] Anomalous result Reason

  18. Q05.1

    June 2024 · Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark5.4.1 Reactivity of metals5.4.2 Reactions of acids
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, question 05.1: Magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce magnesium chloride and a gas. Which gas is produced? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Hydrogen Nitrogen Oxygen

  19. Q05.4

    June 2024 · Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation

    3 marks5.4.1 Reactivity of metals
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, question 05.4: What is the order of reactivity for copper, magnesium and iron? Give two reasons for your answer. Use Table 6. [3 marks] Most reactive Least reactive Reason 1 R

  20. Q05.4

    June 2023 · Chemistry Paper 1 Higher

    2 marks5.4.1 Reactivity of metals5.4.3 Electrolysis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, question 05.4: Complete the half equation for the production of chlorine (Cl2) at the positive electrode. [2 marks] Cl– → +
All 63 questions on Reactivity of metals, as a list
  1. June 2025, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q04.1 (1 mark): Iron is extracted from iron oxide by reduction with carbon. Why can iron be extracted by reduction with carbon? Answer in terms of reactivity. [1 mark]
  2. June 2025, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q04.4 (1 mark): Which substance in the equation is reduced? [1 mark]
  3. June 2025, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q04.5 (1 mark): Give one reason for the difference in the cost of extracting aluminium and iron. Use Table 3. [1 mark]
  4. June 2025, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q04.6 (1 mark): Give one reason for the difference in the cost of extracting aluminium and chromium. Use Table 3. [1 mark]
  5. June 2025, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q03.1 (1 mark): Complete the word equation for the reaction. [1 mark] magnesium + oxygen →
  6. June 2025, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q03.2 (1 mark): Complete the sentence. Choose the answer from the box. [1 mark] decomposed oxidised reduced When magnesium reacts with oxygen, the magnesium is .
  7. June 2025, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q04.1 (1 mark): Complete the sentence. Choose the answer from the box. [1 mark] compounds elements polymers Most metals are found in the Earth as .
  8. June 2025, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q04.2 (1 mark): Iron is extracted from iron oxide by reduction with carbon. Why is iron extracted by reduction with carbon? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Iron is less reactive tha
  9. June 2024, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q06.1 (1 mark): Name one metal that is found in the Earth as the metal itself. [1 mark]
  10. June 2024, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q06.2 (1 mark): Suggest the most economical method for extracting metal Z from an oxide of metal Z. [1 mark]
  11. June 2024, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q03.1 (1 mark): The student varied the mass of zinc. What type of variable is the mass of zinc? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Control Dependent Independent
  12. June 2024, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q03.2 (1 mark): What is the name of salt A? [1 mark]
  13. June 2024, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q03.3 (2 marks): The temperature of the solution increases when zinc reacts with copper sulfate solution. Give two other observations that can be made when zinc reacts with copp
  14. June 2024, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q03.4 (2 marks): Figure 6 shows the highest temperature reached in one experiment. Figure 6 Complete Table 3. Use Figure 6. [2 marks] Table 3 Starting temperature in °C 21 Highe
  15. June 2024, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q03.5 (2 marks): Calculate value B in Table 4. [2 marks] B = °C
  16. June 2024, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q03.6 (1 mark): The range of the results is the minimum value of temperature increase to the maximum value of temperature increase. What is the range of temperature increase fo
  17. June 2024, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q03.7 (2 marks): One of the results for 3.0 g of zinc is anomalous. Which result is anomalous? Suggest one reason why this result is anomalous. [2 marks] Anomalous result Reason
  18. June 2024, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.1 (1 mark): Magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce magnesium chloride and a gas. Which gas is produced? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Hydrogen Nitrogen Oxygen
  19. June 2024, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.4 (3 marks): What is the order of reactivity for copper, magnesium and iron? Give two reasons for your answer. Use Table 6. [3 marks] Most reactive Least reactive Reason 1 R
  20. June 2023, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q05.4 (2 marks): Complete the half equation for the production of chlorine (Cl2) at the positive electrode. [2 marks] Cl– → +
  21. June 2023, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q06.2 (2 marks): The reaction between magnesium and hydrochloric acid is a redox reaction. Explain what happens to the magnesium atoms in this reaction. [2 marks]
  22. June 2023, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.1 (1 mark): Which piece of equipment is labelled X? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Beaker Ruler Thermometer
  23. June 2023, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.2 (1 mark): Which piece of equipment is the best to use to measure volumes of solution? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Conical flask Evaporating basin Measuring cylinder
  24. June 2023, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.3 (2 marks): Calculate value Y in Table 1. [2 marks] Y = °C
  25. June 2023, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.6 (1 mark): The student repeated the experiment with 1.2 g of copper and 50 cm3 of zinc sulfate solution. The temperature did not increase. Give one reason why. [1 mark]
  26. June 2023, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.3 (1 mark): Suggest why the reaction is carried out in an inert atmosphere. [1 mark]
  27. June 2023, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.5 (1 mark): Balance the equation for the reaction. [1 mark] TiCl4 + 4 Na → Ti + NaCl
  28. June 2023, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.8 (2 marks): What happens to copper oxide in the reaction? Give one reason for your answer. Use the equation for the reaction. [2 marks] Tick () one box. The copper oxide i
  29. June 2022, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q03 (6 marks): Plan an investigation to find the order of reactivity of three metals. You should use the temperature change when each metal reacts with hydrochloric acid. [6 m
  30. June 2022, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q07.1 (2 marks): Figure 8 shows a reactivity series. Figure 8 Most reactive Potassium Magnesium Metal Y Carbon Iron Hydrogen Copper Least reactive Give the method and conditions
  31. June 2022, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q07.3 (2 marks): The reaction between sodium and titanium chloride is a redox reaction. Write a half-equation to show that sodium is oxidised in this reaction. [2 marks]
  32. June 2022, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q04.2 (1 mark): Suggest one safety precaution that should be taken when heating magnesium and oxygen. [1 mark]
  33. June 2022, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q04.5 (2 marks): Figure 10 shows a reactivity series. Figure 10 Most reactive Metal D Sodium Magnesium Carbon Metal E Iron Hydrogen Copper Least reactive Draw one line from each
  34. June 2022, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q07 (6 marks): Plan an investigation to find the order of reactivity of three metals. You should use the temperature change when each metal reacts with hydrochloric acid. [6 m
  35. November 2021, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q05.1 (2 marks): Hydrogen ions (H+) are attracted to the negative electrode. The half equation for the reaction at the negative electrode is: 2 H+ + 2 e– → H2 What type of react
  36. November 2021, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q05.3 (4 marks): Hydrogen gas and oxygen gas are produced when sodium sulfate solution is electrolysed. Explain how oxygen gas is produced in the electrolysis of sodium sulfate
  37. November 2021, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q06.2 (2 marks): The student repeated the experiment without a lid on the crucible. Suggest why the mass of magnesium oxide produced would be different without a lid on the cruc
  38. November 2021, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.4 (1 mark): What mass of magnesium chloride was produced? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Less than 1.0 g 1.0 g More than 1.0 g
  39. November 2020, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q01.2 (1 mark): Aluminium is produced by the reduction of aluminium oxide (Al2O3). What is meant by the term reduction? [1 mark]
  40. November 2020, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q05.1 (1 mark): What is the dependent variable in this investigation? [1 mark]
  41. November 2020, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q05.2 (1 mark): Suggest why the copper sulfate solution was left for four minutes before adding the magnesium. [1 mark]
  42. November 2020, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q05.3 (2 marks): Complete Figure 4 by: • drawing a line of best fit through all the points after 7 minutes • extending the line back to 4 minutes. [2 marks]
  43. November 2020, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q05.4 (2 marks): The temperature change for the reaction is the temperature difference between the two graph lines at 4 minutes. Determine the temperature change for the reactio
  44. November 2020, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q05.5 (2 marks): Explain why the temperature of the mixture decreases after 7 minutes. [2 marks]
  45. November 2020, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q05.6 (2 marks): The student repeated the experiment with an unknown metal Q instead of magnesium. All the other variables were kept the same. The student recorded a smaller tem
  46. November 2020, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q05.7 (4 marks): A copper sulfate solution contained 0.100 moles of copper sulfate dissolved in 0.500 dm3 of water. Calculate the mass of copper sulfate in 30.0 cm3 of this solu
  47. November 2020, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.1 (2 marks): The highest temperature reached when metal X was added to copper sulfate solution was 35.5 °C Determine the temperature change when metal X is added to copper s
  48. November 2020, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.2 (2 marks): Give two variables the student should keep the same in this investigation. [2 marks] 1 2
  49. November 2020, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.3 (2 marks): The student repeated the experiment with metal Y. Table 1 shows four results for metal Y. Table 1 Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Test 4 Temperature change in °C 9.2 7.3 9
  50. November 2020, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.4 (1 mark): The student repeated the experiment. The student added: • magnesium to copper sulfate solution • an unknown metal A to copper sulfate solution. Table 2 shows th
  51. November 2020, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.5 (1 mark): The student did the experiment with silver and copper sulfate solution. What happens to the temperature of the mixture? Use Figure 3. [1 mark] Tick () one box.
  52. November 2020, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.6 (1 mark): Suggest one reason why the student should not add potassium metal to copper sulfate solution. [1 mark]
  53. November 2020, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.2 (1 mark): Aluminium is produced by the reduction of aluminium oxide (Al2O3). What is meant by the term reduction? [1 mark]
  54. June 2019, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q01.1 (1 mark): What is the order of decreasing reactivity of these four metals? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Zn Ca Cu Mg Ca Cu Mg Zn Cu Zn Ca Mg Ca Mg Zn Cu
  55. June 2019, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q01.2 (2 marks): Name two variables that must be kept constant. [2 marks] 1 2
  56. June 2019, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q01.3 (1 mark): What is the independent variable in this reaction? [1 mark]
  57. June 2019, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q01.4 (2 marks): Predict the reactivity of beryllium compared with magnesium. Give a reason for your answer. Use the periodic table. [2 marks] Reason
  58. June 2019, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.1 (1 mark): What is the order of decreasing reactivity of these four metals? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Zn Ca Cu Mg Ca Cu Mg Zn Cu Zn Ca Mg Ca Mg Zn Cu
  59. June 2019, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.2 (2 marks): Name two variables that must be kept constant. [2 marks] 1 2
  60. June 2019, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.3 (1 mark): What is the independent variable in this reaction? [1 mark]
  61. June 2019, Chemistry Paper 1 Foundation, Q06.4 (2 marks): Predict the reactivity of beryllium compared with magnesium. Give a reason for your answer. Use the periodic table. [2 marks] Reason
  62. June 2019, Chemistry Paper 2 Higher, Q05.2 (1 mark): What happens in the reaction between magnesium and hydrochloric acid? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Electron sharing Electron transfer Proton transfer
  63. June 2018, Chemistry Paper 1 Higher, Q08.4 (3 marks): Explain which species is reduced in the reaction between magnesium and iron chloride. 3 Mg + 2 FeCl3  2 Fe + 3 MgCl2 Your answer should include the half equati

Questions, mark schemes and examiner’s reports are © AQA, from their published past papers. Plumi isn’t affiliated with any exam board. Want whole papers? Full past papers.

Rather write your answers by hand on iPad? Plumi marks them against the same mark schemes.