Covalent bonding: Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry questions

Every Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry exam question on Covalent bonding (specification points 1.44–1.51), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 85 questions on Covalent bonding, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1, Q8(a) (3 marks): Explain, with reference to its bonding, why diamond has a high melting point. (3)
June 2025, Paper 1, Q8(b) (6 marks): Explain why graphite is soft and is a conductor of electricity. Refer to structure and bonding in your answer. (6)
June 2025, Paper 1, Q9(a)(i) (2 marks): Draw a dot‑and‑cross diagram of chloroethene. Show only the outer shell electrons. (2)
June 2025, Paper 1, Q9(a)(ii) (2 marks): Describe, in terms of electrostatic attraction, what is meant by a covalent bond. (2)
June 2025, Paper 2, Q1(a)(iii) (1 mark): Give the name of a diatomic molecule. (1)
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q8(a) (2 marks): Describe the forces of attraction in a covalent bond. (2)
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q8(b)(i) (2 marks): Draw a dot‑and‑cross diagram to show the bonding in a hydrogen chloride molecule. Show only the outer shell electrons in each atom. (2)
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q8(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why the boiling point of hydrogen chloride is low. (2)
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q8(c)(i) (1 mark): Give a reason why particle A represents an oxygen atom. (1)
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q8(c)(iii) (5 marks): Silicon dioxide has the same structure as diamond. Silicon dioxide is very hard and has a very high melting point. Explain these properties. Refer to the struct
November 2024, Paper 1, Q2(c) (1 mark): Why does chlorine have the highest boiling point of the gases in the table? (1) A chlorine has the strongest covalent bonds between its atoms B chlorine has the
November 2024, Paper 1, Q6(c)(i) (2 marks): Complete the dot-and-cross diagram to show the outer shell electrons in a molecule of ammonia. (2) N H H H
November 2024, Paper 1, Q6(c)(ii) (2 marks): Describe the forces of attraction in a covalent bond. (2)
November 2024, Paper 1, Q11(a)(iv) (5 marks): The diagram shows the structures of lead(II) sulfide and sulfur dioxide. Lead(II) sulfide Sulfur dioxide Explain, in terms of bonding and structure, why lead(II
June 2024, Paper 1, Q1(a) (5 marks): Complete the table by choosing a substance from the box that matches each description. Each substance may be used once, more than once or not at all. (5) Descri
June 2024, Paper 1, Q7(b) (2 marks): Complete the dot-and-cross diagram for a molecule of nitrogen. Show outer electrons only. (2) N N
June 2024, Paper 2, Q7(a) (2 marks): State, in terms of electrostatic attraction, what is meant by a covalent bond. (2)
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q9(b)(i) (2 marks): Complete the dot-and-cross diagram to show the outer shell electrons in a molecule of hydrogen chloride. (2) H Cl
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q9(b)(iii) (5 marks): Explain why magnesium chloride has a much higher melting point than hydrogen chloride. Refer to structure and bonding in your answer. (5)
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q11(b) (2 marks): Describe the forces of attraction in a covalent bond. (2)
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q11(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain why graphite conducts electricity. (2)
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q11(c)(ii) (4 marks): Explain why diamond is hard but graphite is soft. (4)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q6(b) (2 marks): Complete the dot‑and‑cross diagram for a molecule of hydrogen peroxide. Show outer electrons only. (2) H O O H
November 2023, Paper 1, Q8(a) (2 marks): State, in terms of electrostatic attractions, what is meant by a covalent bond. (2)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q8(b) (3 marks): Explain why diamond has a high melting point. (3)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q8(c) (2 marks): Explain why graphite is a good conductor of electricity. (2)
June 2023, Paper 1, Q3(a) (4 marks): Complete the table by giving the missing information. (4)
June 2023, Paper 1, Q3(b) (2 marks): Explain why substance X has a low melting point. (2)
June 2023, Paper 1, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): Draw a dot-and-cross diagram to show the bonding in a molecule of ethene. Show outer electrons only. (2)
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q8(a) (2 marks): Explain why graphite conducts electricity. (2)
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q8(b) (2 marks): Explain why diamond is hard but graphite is soft. (2)
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q8(c) (1 mark): Doctors use C60 fullerene to deliver medicines to certain parts of the body, so that the medicine does not damage other parts of the body. Suggest why C60 fulle
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a)(ii) (2 marks): Describe the forces of attraction that hold the atoms together in a molecule of propene. (2)
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q10(d)(ii) (2 marks): Propene and compound X both have simple molecular structures. Explain why compound X has a higher boiling point than propene. (2)
January 2023, Paper 1, Q9(a) (2 marks): The diagram represents a molecule of oxygen. + + Describe the forces of attraction in a covalent bond. (2)
January 2023, Paper 1, Q9(b) (3 marks): The table shows the boiling points of three Group 7 elements. Boiling point in °C fluorine –188 chlorine –34 bromine 59 Explain the trend in the boiling points.
January 2023, Paper 1, Q9(c) (5 marks): Graphite is a naturally-occurring form of carbon. Explain why graphite is soft and conducts electricity. Refer to structure and bonding in your answer. (5)
January 2023, Paper 2, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): Which substance could be diamond? (1) A B C D
January 2023, Paper 2, Q7(a) (2 marks): This is the displayed formula for a molecule of hydrazine. H H N N H H Complete the dot‑and‑cross diagram for hydrazine. (2) H H N N H H
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): State, in terms of electrostatic attractions, what is meant by the term covalent bond. (2)
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q5(b)(ii) (3 marks): Draw a dot‑and‑cross diagram to show the bonding in a molecule of methanoic acid. Show only the outer electrons of each atom. (3)
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q8(c) (6 marks): Silicon dioxide (SiO2) and carbon dioxide both contain covalent bonds. Silicon dioxide is a solid with a high melting point. Carbon dioxide is a gas at room tem
June 2022, Paper 1, Q8(a) (6 marks): Discuss the differences between diamond and graphite. Refer to structure and bonding, electrical conductivity and hardness in your answer. (6)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q8(b) (4 marks): C60 fullerene is a simple molecular substance made of 60 carbon atoms. The diagram shows its structure. The table shows the approximate melting points of diamon
June 2022, Paper 1, Q10(a) (2 marks): Ammonia (NH3) is a simple covalent molecule. Draw a dot-and-cross diagram to show the bonding in a molecule of ammonia. (2)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q6(a) (2 marks): Describe the forces of attraction in a covalent bond. (2)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q6(b) (1 mark): Complete the diagram to show the outer shell electrons in a molecule of silicon hydride (SiH4). (1) H H Si H H
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q6(c)(i) (1 mark): State how the diagram shows that the atom labelled A is oxygen, not silicon. (1)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q6(c)(ii) (4 marks): Silicon hydride has a simple molecular structure. Silicon dioxide has the same type of structure as diamond. Explain why silicon dioxide has a much higher melti
January 2022, Paper 1, Q10(a)(i) (2 marks): Draw a dot and cross diagram to show the outer shell electrons in a molecule of nitrogen, N2 (2)
January 2022, Paper 1, Q10(a)(ii) (2 marks): Describe the forces of attraction in a covalent bond. (2)
January 2022, Paper 1, Q10(b)(i) (1 mark): Name structure A. (1)
January 2022, Paper 1, Q10(b)(ii) (4 marks): Graphite and C60 fullerene contain covalent bonds, but have different structures. Explain why C60 fullerene has a much lower melting point than graphite. Refer
November 2021, Paper 1, Q7(c)(i) (2 marks): Complete the diagram to show the outer shell electrons in ammonia. (2) N H H H
November 2021, Paper 1, Q7(c)(ii) (2 marks): The bonds in ammonia are covalent. Describe the forces of attraction in a covalent bond. (2)
November 2021, Paper 1, Q7(c)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why ammonia has a low boiling point. (2)
June 2021, Paper 1, Q1(a) (5 marks): Complete the table by choosing substances from the box that match the description. Each substance may be used once, more than once or not at all. (5) Descriptio
June 2021, Paper 1, Q8(b)(iii) (2 marks): Draw a dot‑and‑cross diagram to show the bonding in a molecule of ammonia. Show outer electrons only. (2)
January 2021, Paper 1, Q9(c) (2 marks): The diagram represents a molecule of propane. H H H H C C C H H H H Describe the forces of attraction between the atoms in a molecule of propane. (2)
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q7(a) (3 marks): Describe the different roles of electrons in the formation of  ions in lithium chloride  covalent bonds in hydrogen chloride (3)
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q7(b) (5 marks): Explain why lithium chloride has a higher melting point than hydrogen chloride. Refer to structure and bonding in your answer. (5)
November 2020, Paper 1, Q5(b)(iii) (2 marks): The bonds in a molecule of CH3Cl are covalent. Explain, in terms of electrostatic attractions, what is meant by a covalent bond. (2)
November 2020, Paper 1, Q5(b)(iv) (2 marks): Draw a dot‑and‑cross diagram for a molecule of CH3Cl Show only the outer electrons of the atoms. (2) H H C Cl H
November 2020, Paper 1, Q5(b)(v) (2 marks): CH3Cl has a simple molecular structure. Explain why CH3Cl has a low boiling point. (2)
November 2020, Paper 1, Q5(c) (2 marks): Graphite is another substance that contains covalent bonds. The diagram shows the structure of graphite. Most covalent substances do not conduct electricity. Ex
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): State what is meant by the term covalent bond. (2)
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): Draw a dot-and-cross diagram to show the bonding in a molecule of methanol. Show only the outer electrons of each atom. (2)
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q9(c)(i) (1 mark): Complete the table by giving the physical state of silicon(IV) chloride at room temperature. (1)
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q9(c)(ii) (6 marks): Explain, in terms of structure and bonding, why silicon dioxide has a much higher melting point than silicon(IV) chloride. (6)
January 2020, Paper 1, Q8(b) (2 marks): Carbon dioxide is a simple molecular covalent substance. Explain why carbon dioxide turns from a solid to a gas at a very low temperature. (2)
January 2020, Paper 1, Q8(c) (6 marks): Diamond and graphite are both giant covalent substances made up of carbon atoms. ● diamonds are used in cutting tools ● graphite is used in pencils to make mark
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a)(i) (2 marks): Draw a dot-and-cross diagram to show the outer shell electrons in a molecule of carbon dioxide, CO2 (2)
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a)(ii) (2 marks): The atoms in carbon dioxide are held together by covalent bonds. Describe the forces of attraction in a covalent bond. (2)
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q10(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why graphite conducts electricity. (2)
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q10(b)(ii) (5 marks): Explain why diamond has a much higher melting point than C60 fullerene. Refer to structure and bonding in your answer. (5)
June 2019, Paper 1, Q7(a) (2 marks): Explain why silicon dioxide has a high melting point. (2)
June 2019, Paper 1, Q7(b) (2 marks): Explain why graphite conducts electricity. (2)
June 2019, Paper 1, Q7(c) (2 marks): State why diamond is hard but graphite is soft. (2) 12
June 2019, Paper 1, Q9(b) (2 marks): The diagram shows the displayed formula of a molecule of Halon 1301. F Br C F F Draw a dot-and-cross diagram to show all the outer electrons in this molecule. (
June 2019, Paper 1, Q9(c) (2 marks): The boiling point of Halon 1301 is −58 °C. Explain why Halon 1301 has a low boiling point. (2)
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q6(c)(ii) (2 marks): Draw a dot‑and‑cross diagram to represent a molecule of chloroethene. Show only the outer electrons of each atom. (2)
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q9(a) (3 marks): Diamond is a naturally‑occurring form of carbon. It has a giant molecular structure. Explain, with reference to its structure and bonding, why diamond has a hig
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q9(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why C60 fullerene has a much lower melting point than diamond. (2)
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q9(b)(ii) (1 mark): C60 fullerene is used by doctors when injecting medicines into their patients. C60 fullerene allows medicines, which might damage some parts of the body, to rea
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q9(c) (5 marks): Graphite is another naturally‑occurring form of carbon. Graphite can be used in pencils because it is soft and can leave marks on paper. Graphite can also be us

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