plumiIonic bonding: Edexcel International A Level Chemistry questions
Every Edexcel International A Level Chemistry exam question on 3A Ionic bonding (specification points 3.1–3.9), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
Paper
All papers
Exam
All years
Calculations
Q23(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q23(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q23(a)(iii)
The whole paper ↗Q23(a)(iv)
The whole paper ↗Q3(a)
The whole paper ↗Q3(c)
The whole paper ↗- Your answer
- Your answer
- Your answer
Q16(c)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q11(a)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ11(b)
The whole paper ↗Your answerQ15(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗- Your answer
- Your answer
Q20(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q20(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q20(c)
The whole paper ↗Q21(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q3(a)
The whole paper ↗Your answer
All 61 questions on Ionic bonding, as a list
- June 2025, AS Unit 1, Q23(a)(i) (1 mark): Describe ionic bonding. (1)
- June 2025, AS Unit 1, Q23(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why the ionic bonding in magnesium fluoride might be expected to be stronger than the ionic bonding in sodium fluoride. (2)
- June 2025, AS Unit 1, Q23(a)(iii) (2 marks): Sodium and oxygen react to form sodium oxide, which is also ionic. Draw the dot-and-cross diagram showing the ions present in sodium oxide. (2)
- June 2025, AS Unit 1, Q23(a)(iv) (2 marks): Draw the ionic lattice for sodium chloride. You should show at least nine ions. (2)
- June 2025, AS Unit 3, Q3(a) (3 marks): Explain what the experiment tells us about the structure of silver nitrate and potassium chromate(VI), including an equation for the reaction which occurs. Stat
- June 2025, AS Unit 3, Q3(c) (2 marks): The experiment was repeated but this time using a spot of copper(II) chromate(VI) in the centre of the filter paper, as shown. + – The central spot of copper(II
- January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q11 (1 mark): Which species are arranged in order of increasing radius? A K+ < Ar < Cl– < Br– B Cl– < Ar < K+ < Br– C Br– < Cl– < Ar < K+ D Cl– < Br– < Ar < K+
- January 2025, AS Unit 1, Q12 (1 mark): Which cation would be the most polarising? Radius Charge A small large B small small C large small D large large
- October 2024, AS Unit 1, Q11 (1 mark): Which row of the table shows properties consistent with the type of bonding shown? Electrical conductivity Bonding Solubility in water Melting temperature of so
- October 2024, AS Unit 2, Q16(c)(i) (2 marks): Draw a labelled diagram showing how both the magnesium ion and the sulfate ion interact with water molecules. (2)
- June 2024, AS Unit 1, Q11(a) (1 mark): Which ions are shown in order of decreasing ionic radius? (1) A Na+ > Mg2+ > Al3+ B Mg2+ > Na+ > Al3+ C Al3+ > Na+ > Mg2+ D Al3+ > Mg2+ > Na+
- June 2024, AS Unit 1, Q11(b) (1 mark): Which ions are shown in order of increasing ionic radius? (1) A F– < O2– < N3– B F– < N3– < O2– C O2– < N3– < F– D N3– < O2– < F– Use this space for any rough w
- June 2024, Unit 4, Q15(a)(i) (2 marks): Complete the table, indicating the type of bonding in the reactants and products of this reaction. (2) Substance SiO2 Mg Mg2Si MgO Bonding type covalent
- January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q9 (1 mark): Which are the correct bonding and structure for one of the substances listed? Substance Bonding Structure A copper(II) sulfate covalent giant B graphene covalen
- January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q11 (1 mark): Which compound shows the greatest degree of polarisation? A sodium chloride B sodium iodide C magnesium chloride D magnesium iodide
- January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q20(b)(i) (2 marks): Draw a dot‑and‑cross diagram to show the bonding in magnesium oxide, MgO. Show outer electrons only. (2)
- January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q20(b)(ii) (2 marks): The melting temperatures of magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate are 2852°C and 1124°C respectively. Explain why the melting temperature of magnesium oxide is
- January 2024, AS Unit 1, Q20(c) (2 marks): The table gives some data about the electrical conductivity of magnesium and magnesium oxide. Electrical conductivity State Magnesium Magnesium oxide solid high
- January 2024, AS Unit 2, Q21(b)(ii) (3 marks): Complete the table to indicate the type(s) of bonding and structure in the species involved in this reaction. (3) Species Bonding Structure Ca(s) covalent giant
- October 2023, AS Unit 1, Q3(a) (1 mark): What is the formula of the carbide ion? (1) A C2 – B C2 + C C2 2– D C2 2+
- October 2023, AS Unit 1, Q4 (1 mark): Which diagram best represents the electron density map of sodium chloride? A B C D Use this space for any rough working. Anything you write in this space will g
- October 2023, AS Unit 1, Q7 (1 mark): A direct electrical current was passed through a green solution of copper(II) chromate(VI) in the apparatus shown. Negative electrode Positive electrode Copper(
- January 2023, AS Unit 1, Q11 (1 mark): Which combination of ions would be expected to form the compound with the highest melting temperature? A Li+ and Br– B Mg2+ and O2– C Sr2+ and S2– D Rb+ and Cl–
- January 2023, AS Unit 1, Q24(a)(i) (2 marks): Plot a graph of the data. (2) N3– O2– F– (Ne) Na+ Mg2+ Al3+
- January 2023, AS Unit 1, Q24(a)(ii) (2 marks): Predict the radius of the magnesium ion using a straight line of best fit on your graph. (2)
- January 2023, AS Unit 1, Q24(a)(iii) (3 marks): Explain the trend in the ionic radii from the nitride ion to the aluminium ion. (3)
- January 2023, AS Unit 1, Q24(b)(i) (1 mark): State the structure and bonding of sodium fluoride. (1)
- January 2023, AS Unit 1, Q24(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain how the electrical conductivity of sodium fluoride provides evidence for the existence of ions. (3)
- January 2023, AS Unit 1, Q24(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why the fluoride ion is difficult to polarise. (2)
- October 2022, AS Unit 1, Q14(b)(i) (2 marks): Draw a dot‑and‑cross diagram for barium chloride. Show the outer electrons only. (2)
- October 2022, AS Unit 1, Q14(c) (1 mark): Give a reason why solid barium chloride does not conduct electricity. (1)
- June 2022, AS Unit 1, Q10 (1 mark): Which row in the table shows the correct forces in a crystal of lithium iodide? Attractive forces Repulsive forces Some covalent between ions with between ions
- June 2022, AS Unit 1, Q11(a) (1 mark): Which of these substances could be metals? (1) A N only B L and M only C M and N only D L, M and N only
- June 2022, AS Unit 1, Q11(b) (1 mark): Which substance has properties showing that it changes from a molecular structure to ions when it dissolves in water? (1) A L B M C P D Q
- January 2022, AS Unit 1, Q1(a) (1 mark): What is the formula of the compound formed from X and Y? (1) A XY B X2Y C XY2 D X2Y2
- January 2022, AS Unit 1, Q1(b) (1 mark): Under what conditions does the compound formed from X and Y conduct electricity? (1) A in the solid state and in the liquid state and in aqueous solution B in t
- January 2022, AS Unit 1, Q2 (1 mark): Which of these compounds would you expect to have the highest melting temperature? A NaCl B NaF C KCl D KF Use this space for any rough working. Anything you wr
- January 2022, AS Unit 1, Q3 (1 mark): A drop of an aqueous solution of green copper(II) chromate(VI) is placed in the centre of a strip of damp filter paper. The ends of the filter paper are connect
- January 2022, AS Unit 1, Q4 (1 mark): Which of these isoelectronic ions has the smallest ionic radius? A N3− B F− C Na+ D Al3+
- January 2022, AS Unit 1, Q5 (1 mark): Which properties of a cation result in the greatest polarising power? A large radius and large charge B large radius and small charge C small radius and small c
- January 2022, AS Unit 1, Q6 (1 mark): Which properties of an anion result in it being most easily polarised? A large radius and large charge B large radius and small charge C small radius and small
- October 2021, AS Unit 1, Q5 (1 mark): In which series are the ions in order of decreasing ionic radius? A Al3+ > Mg2+ > Na+ B Li+ > Na+ > K+ C N3− > O2− > F− D O2− > S2− > Se2−
- October 2021, AS Unit 1, Q12(e) (2 marks): Anhydrous calcium chloride is a crystalline, ionic solid which melts at 772 °C. Draw a dot-and-cross diagram for calcium chloride. Show the outer electrons only
- October 2021, AS Unit 1, Q12(f) (3 marks): Explain why gaseous beryllium chloride and solid calcium chloride have different types of bonding. (3)
- June 2021, AS Unit 1, Q8 (1 mark): Which of these isoelectronic ions has the largest radius? A Na+ B Mg2+ C O2− D F−
- June 2021, AS Unit 1, Q9 (1 mark): Which ion is the most polarisable? A Mg2+ B Ca2+ C Cl− D I−
- June 2021, AS Unit 1, Q22(b) (6 marks): The melting temperatures of sodium, sodium chloride and chlorine are given in the table. Complete the table to show the type of structure, the type of bond or f
- January 2021, AS Unit 1, Q9 (1 mark): Which of these ions has the greatest ionic radius? A N3- B F- C Na+ D Al3+
- January 2021, AS Unit 1, Q10 (1 mark): Which of these ions has the greatest polarising power? A S2- B Cl- C K+ D Ca2+
- October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q11 (1 mark): Which of these ions has the smallest ionic radius? A Al3+ B Ga3+ C Mg2+ D F–
- October 2020, AS Unit 1, Q16 (1 mark): Which pair of ions will form the compound with the most covalent character? A Li+ and I– B Na+ and Br– C K+ and Cl– D Rb+ and F–
- January 2020, AS Unit 1, Q8 (1 mark): Which of these ionic compounds would be expected to have the highest melting temperature? A NaF B MgO C KCl D CaS
- January 2020, AS Unit 1, Q9 (1 mark): Which of these compounds has the greatest covalent character? A MgF2 B MgI2 C BaF2 D BaI2 Use this space for any rough working. Anything you write in this space
- January 2020, AS Unit 1, Q19(c)(i) (3 marks): Draw a dot-and-cross diagram to show the bonding in aluminium oxide. Show outer shell electrons only. (3)
- January 2020, AS Unit 1, Q19(c)(ii) (1 mark): Give a reason why aluminium oxide must be in the liquid state before electrolysis can occur. (1)
- June 2019, AS Unit 1, Q1 (1 mark): Which statement is not true for sodium chloride? A sodium chloride conducts electricity in aqueous solution B sodium chloride conducts electricity when molten C
- June 2019, AS Unit 1, Q5 (1 mark): Which pair of ions gives the strongest ionic bonding? A Na+ and F− B K+ and Br− C Mg2+ and O2− D Ca2+ and S2− Use this space for any rough working. Anything you
- January 2019, AS Unit 1, Q8 (1 mark): Metallic bonding is the strong electrostatic attraction between A anions and cations B atoms and delocalised electrons C ions and delocalised electrons D two nu
- January 2019, AS Unit 1, Q10 (1 mark): Which ion has the greatest polarising power? A Cl− B Mg2+ C Na+ D S2−
- January 2019, AS Unit 1, Q11 (1 mark): Which species is not tetrahedral? A CCl4 B CH4 C ICl4 − + D NH4
- January 2019, AS Unit 1, Q24(d)(i) (2 marks): Explain why aluminium chloride in the solid state has significant covalent character. (2)
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