plumiExtraction and uses of metals: Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry questions
Every Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry exam question on Extraction and uses of metals (specification points 2.22–2.27), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
Paper
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Exam
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Calculations
Q5(a)
The whole paper ↗Q2(b)
The whole paper ↗Q3(a)
The whole paper ↗Q3(b)
The whole paper ↗Q3(c)
The whole paper ↗Q3(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q3(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q3(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q6(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q6(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q4(c)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q6(b)
The whole paper ↗Q6(c)
The whole paper ↗Q5(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q5(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q5(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q5(b)(ii)
The whole paper ↗Q5(b)
The whole paper ↗Q5(c)(i)
The whole paper ↗Q5(c)(ii)
The whole paper ↗
All 31 questions on Extraction and uses of metals, as a list
- June 2025 (R), Paper 2, Q5(a) (2 marks): The method used to extract a metal depends on the reactivity of the metal. Explain which method is used to extract sodium metal from sodium chloride. (2)
- November 2024, Paper 2, Q2(b) (2 marks): Two methods of obtaining a metal from a compound are electrolysis and extraction using carbon. Explain, without giving practical details, which method is most s
- November 2023, Paper 2, Q3(a) (1 mark): State why aluminium cannot be extracted by heating aluminium oxide with carbon. (1)
- November 2023, Paper 2, Q3(b) (4 marks): Aluminium is a metal with many uses. Aluminium is malleable, a good conductor of heat and electricity, and has a low density compared to most other metals. Expl
- November 2023, Paper 2, Q3(c) (3 marks): The diagram represents the structure of pure aluminium, and the structure of an alloy of aluminium. Pure aluminium Alloy of aluminium Use the diagram to explain
- June 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain which metal is most likely to be found in the Earth as an uncombined element. (2)
- June 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): State what is meant by the term alloy. (1)
- June 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why an alloy is less malleable than a pure metal. (2)
- January 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q6(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain, using the reactivity series, why carbon can be used to extract iron from iron(III) oxide. (2)
- January 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q6(a)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest why sodium was not discovered until 1807. (1)
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q4(c)(i) (1 mark): State why magnesium cannot be produced by heating magnesium oxide with carbon. (1)
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q6(b) (2 marks): In stage 2, titanium(IV) chloride vapour is passed through molten magnesium in a container filled with argon. This is the equation for the reaction in stage 2.
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q6(c) (3 marks): Aeroplanes are made of an alloy containing aluminium and titanium. Explain why the alloy is stronger than pure titanium metal. You may include diagrams in your
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): State the name given to rocks that contain metal compounds used in the extraction of metals. (1)
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): Name a metal that is found as an uncombined element in the Earth’s crust. (1)
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain, without giving practical details, which method is most suitable to obtain calcium from calcium chloride. (2)
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain, without giving practical details, which method is most suitable to obtain lead from lead oxide. (2)
- January 2021, Paper 2, Q5(b) (1 mark): Aluminium cannot be extracted by heating a mixture of carbon and aluminium oxide. Give a reason why heating a mixture of aluminium oxide and carbon does not pro
- January 2021, Paper 2, Q5(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain how aluminium metal forms at the negative electrode. (2)
- January 2021, Paper 2, Q5(c)(ii) (1 mark): Write an ionic half-equation for the formation of oxygen gas at the positive electrode. (1) →
- January 2021, Paper 2, Q5(c)(iii) (2 marks): Suggest why carbon dioxide gas is also produced at the positive electrode. (2)
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): In the Earth, metals are found either in ores or as uncombined elements. Explain which metal from the box is most likely to be found as an uncombined element. (
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q3(b) (3 marks): This is the order of reactivity of four metals. most reactive aluminium iron lead least reactive copper The method used to obtain a metal from its oxide depends
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q3(c) (4 marks): The diagram shows the arrangement of the particles in a pure metal. Metals are often made into alloys to make them harder. Explain why alloys are harder than pu
- November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q5(b) (2 marks): Aluminium is used to make cans for drinks. Give two properties of aluminium that make it suitable for this use. (2) 1 . 2
- November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q5(c)(i) (1 mark): State why aluminium cannot be extracted by heating aluminium oxide with carbon. (1)
- November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q5(c)(ii) (1 mark): Aluminium is produced at the negative electrode. The ionic half-equation for the reaction is Al3+ + 3e− → Al State why this is a reduction reaction. (1)
- November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q5(c)(iii) (2 marks): Complete the ionic half-equation for the reaction at the positive electrode. (2) O2− → +
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q4(b) (2 marks): Aluminium is malleable and can be easily shaped to make saucepans used for cooking food. State two other properties of aluminium that make it suitable for sauce
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q4(c)(i) (1 mark): State what is meant by the term alloy. (1)
- June 2019, Paper 2, Q4(c)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why magnalium is harder than aluminium. (3)
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