Reactivity series: Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry questions

Every Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry exam question on Reactivity series (specification points 2.15–2.21), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 137 questions on Reactivity series, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1, Q6(a) (2 marks): When iron rusts, iron(III) oxide forms. State two conditions needed for iron to rust. (2) 1 2
June 2025, Paper 1, Q6(b) (1 mark): What is the name of the process used to coat iron with zinc? (1) A galvanisation B oxidation C reduction D sacrificial protection
June 2025, Paper 1, Q6(c) (1 mark): What is the correct order of reactivity of these four metals? (1) most reactive least reactive A aluminium copper iron zinc B aluminium iron zinc copper C alumi
June 2025, Paper 1, Q6(e)(i) (2 marks): Explain why this is a redox reaction. (2)
June 2025, Paper 2, Q2(b) (1 mark): Complete the chemical equation for the reaction. (1) Mg + 2HCl → +
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Name one other substance needed for iron to rust. (1)
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): Give the chemical name for rust. (1)
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe how method A prevents iron from rusting. (2)
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): Name method B. (1)
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q2(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain how method B prevents iron from rusting even when the zinc layer is damaged. (2)
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a)(iii) (1 mark): State the colour change in the solution. (1) from to
June 2025 (R), Paper 2, Q3(d) (1 mark): Potassium permanganate is an oxidising agent. Give a reason why potassium permanganate is an oxidising agent. (1)
November 2024, Paper 1, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Name the two substances needed for iron to rust. (2) 1 2
November 2024, Paper 1, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Give the chemical name for rust. (1)
November 2024, Paper 1, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain how method A prevents iron from rusting. (2)
November 2024, Paper 1, Q3(b)(ii) (1 mark): Give the name of method B. (1)
November 2024, Paper 1, Q3(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain how method B prevents iron from rusting even when the zinc coating is scratched. (2)
June 2024, Paper 1, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Deduce the order of reactivity of the metals. (1) most reactive least reactive
June 2024, Paper 1, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): Give the letter of the metal that could be zinc. (1)
June 2024, Paper 1, Q2(a)(iii) (1 mark): Give a word equation for the reaction between aluminium and hydrochloric acid. (1)
June 2024, Paper 1, Q2(a)(iv) (1 mark): Give the name of a metal that could be P. (1)
June 2024, Paper 1, Q2(a)(v) (1 mark): Give a reason why the reaction of Q with dilute hydrochloric acid is not done. (1)
June 2024, Paper 1, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): State why aluminium displaces iron. (1)
June 2024, Paper 1, Q2(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why this reaction is a redox reaction. (2)
June 2024, Paper 1, Q10(a) (1 mark): Complete the chemical equation for this reaction. (1) Mg + 2HNO3 → +
June 2024, Paper 2, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Name the two substances that cause iron to rust. (2) 1 2
June 2024, Paper 2, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): State a barrier method that prevents rusting. (1)
June 2024, Paper 2, Q2(b) (2 marks): Explain how sacrificial protection prevents the rusting of iron. (2)
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q12(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain why this is a redox reaction. (2)
June 2024 (R), Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (1 mark): Give a reason why magnesium is oxidised in this reaction. (1)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q9(a)(i) (1 mark): State why the reaction of the metal oxide to form a metal is described as a reduction reaction. (1)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q9(a)(ii) (1 mark): State why it is important to relight the hydrogen at the end of the tube if the flame goes out. (1)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q9(a)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why it is important to continue passing hydrogen into the tube and burning the hydrogen at the end of the tube until the contents have cooled. (2)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q9(a)(iv) (2 marks): Describe what should be done next to ensure that all the metal oxide has been converted into the metal. (2)
June 2023, Paper 1, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Give the chemical name of the compound that forms when iron rusts. (1)
June 2023, Paper 1, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): What type of reaction occurs when iron rusts? (1) A combustion B decomposition C neutralisation D oxidation
June 2023, Paper 1, Q2(a)(iii) (1 mark): Galvanising is a method used to prevent iron from rusting. Give the name of the metal used to galvanise iron. (1)
June 2023, Paper 1, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): Give a chemical equation for the reaction between iron and sulfuric acid. (1)
June 2023, Paper 1, Q2(c)(i) (1 mark): Name the type of reaction that occurs. (1)
June 2023, Paper 1, Q2(c)(ii) (1 mark): State the appearance of the solid that forms in the reaction. (1)
June 2023, Paper 1, Q2(d) (1 mark): Give the reason why no reaction occurs when iron is added to magnesium sulfate solution. (1)
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q5(a)(i) (2 marks): Name the two substances that iron reacts with when it rusts. (2) 1 2
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): State what type of reaction occurs when iron rusts. (1)
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain how painting prevents iron from rusting. (2)
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q5(b)(ii) (1 mark): Name the process used to coat iron with zinc. (1)
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q5(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why a layer of zinc protects iron from rusting, even if the layer of zinc is scratched. (2)
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q5(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain what this reaction shows about the relative reactivities of aluminium and iron. (2)
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q5(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain which substance acts as an oxidising agent in this reaction. (2)
June 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Identify the metal that burns with a bright white flame. (1)
January 2023, Paper 1, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Some of the iron wool rusts. Give the chemical name for rust. (1)
January 2023, Paper 1, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the substance that causes the brown coating on the magnesium. (1)
January 2023, Paper 1, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): State why there is no change with magnesium sulfate solution. (1)
January 2023, Paper 1, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Use the information from both tables to deduce the order of reactivity of aluminium, magnesium, copper and metal X. (2) most reactive least reactive
January 2023, Paper 1, Q5(b)(ii) (1 mark): Give a possible identity for metal X. (1)
January 2023, Paper 1, Q5(c) (2 marks): This ionic equation represents the reaction between magnesium and aluminium nitrate. 3Mg(s) + 2Al3+(aq) → 3Mg2+(aq) + 2Al(s) Explain, in terms of electrons, whi
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q7(b)(ii) (1 mark): Give a chemical equation for the reaction between aluminium and iron(III) oxide. (1)
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q7(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why this reaction is a redox reaction. (2)
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q9(a)(ii) (1 mark): State what the student would observe during this reaction. (1)
January 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q5(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the role of carbon in the reaction. (2)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): State why the iron powder needs to be wet. (1)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): State the colour of the compound formed in the reaction between iron and oxygen. (1)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q4(a)(iii) (1 mark): Give the formula of the compound formed. (1)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): Complete the chemical equation for this reaction. (1) Mg + 2HCl → +
June 2022, Paper 1, Q9(a)(i) (1 mark): Complete the equation for the reaction by adding the missing state symbols. (1) PbO(s) + H2( ) → Pb( ) + H2O( )
June 2022, Paper 1, Q9(a)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why the reaction of yellow lead oxide with hydrogen is a redox reaction. (2)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q8(a)(i) (1 mark): Complete the word equation for the reaction. (1) zinc + copper(II) sulfate → +
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q8(a)(iii) (1 mark): State why zinc reacts with copper(II) sulfate solution. (1)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q8(b)(ii) (2 marks): This is the ionic equation for the reaction between zinc and silver nitrate solution. Zn(s) + 2Ag+(aq) → Zn2+(aq) + 2Ag(s) Explain, in terms of electrons, why t
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q11(a)(i) (2 marks): Complete the equation by adding the state symbols. (2) WO3(…………..) + 3H2(…………..) → W(…………..) + 3H2O(…………..)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q11(a)(ii) (1 mark): Give an addition to the method to check that the tungsten oxide has been completely reduced. (1)
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q2(c) (1 mark): Potassium permanganate can be used as an oxidising agent. State what is meant by the term oxidising agent. (1)
January 2022, Paper 1, Q2(a)(i) (2 marks): Name the two substances needed for iron to rust. (2) 1 2
January 2022, Paper 1, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): Give the chemical name for rust. (1)
January 2022, Paper 1, Q2(a)(iii) (1 mark): What type of reaction occurs in the rusting of iron? (1) A combustion B neutralisation C oxidation D thermal decomposition
January 2022, Paper 1, Q2(b)(i) (1 mark): Name this type of rust prevention. (1)
January 2022, Paper 1, Q2(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how this type of rust prevention continues to protect iron when the layer of zinc is damaged. (2)
January 2022, Paper 1, Q2(b)(iii) (2 marks): Give two other methods used to prevent iron from rusting. (2) 1 2
January 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q11(d) (2 marks): The ionic equation for the reaction is Zn (s) + Cu2+ (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cu (s) Explain what is oxidised and what is reduced in this reaction. (2)
January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q1(a) (2 marks): Two substances are needed to cause iron to rust. Name these two substances. (2) 1 2
January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q1(b)(iii) (1 mark): Give the name of the metal that is lowest in the reactivity series. (1)
November 2021, Paper 1, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Name one other substance needed for iron to rust. (1)
November 2021, Paper 1, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Give the chemical name for rust. (1)
November 2021, Paper 1, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain how method A prevents iron from rusting. (2)
November 2021, Paper 1, Q3(b)(ii) (1 mark): Give the name of method B. (1)
November 2021, Paper 1, Q3(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain how method B prevents iron from rusting even when the zinc coating is damaged. (2)
November 2021, Paper 1, Q11(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the type of reaction that occurs between manganese and chromium sulfate. (1)
November 2021, Paper 1, Q11(a)(ii) (1 mark): Use the information in Table 1 to complete the order of reactivity. (1) most reactive manganese least reactive
November 2021, Paper 1, Q11(b) (5 marks): Table 2 shows the colours of four metals and the colours of their metal sulfate solutions. Metal Colour of metal Colour of metal sulfate solution copper brown b
November 2021, Paper 1, Q11(c)(i) (2 marks): Give two variables that should be controlled in this experiment. (2) 1 2
November 2021, Paper 1, Q11(c)(ii) (1 mark): A small piece of calcium is added to some dilute sulfuric acid in a beaker. One of the products of the reaction, calcium sulfate, is insoluble in water. Suggest
November 2021, Paper 2, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): State why the sulfur dioxide is reduced in the reaction. (1)
June 2021, Paper 1, Q7(a) (1 mark): Complete the word equation for the reaction. (1) magnesium + hydrochloric acid → +
June 2021, Paper 1, Q10(a)(i) (1 mark): Give a reason why hydrogen is passed through the reduction tube until the tube and contents are cool. (1)
June 2021, Paper 1, Q10(a)(ii) (2 marks): Describe what the teacher should do next to make sure all the lead oxide has been reduced to lead. . (2)
June 2021, Paper 2, Q2(a)(i) (1 mark): Predict the appearance of the iron nail after several days. (1)
June 2021, Paper 2, Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): Name the main compound in rust. (1)
June 2021, Paper 2, Q2(b) (4 marks): The student then sets up two more test tubes containing iron nails. drying agent oil boiled air water tube 1 tube 2 Explain why the iron nail in tube 1 and the
January 2021, Paper 1, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): Cars are painted to prevent the iron in car bodies from rusting. Explain how painting prevents the iron in car bodies from rusting. (2)
January 2021, Paper 1, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): Some car manufacturers use paint containing tiny particles of zinc. Explain how particles of zinc prevent iron in car bodies from rusting even when this paint i
January 2021, Paper 2, Q5(d)(i) (1 mark): State how the equation shows that iron(III) oxide is reduced. (1)
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): State the chemical name for rust. (1)
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how a barrier method prevents rusting. (2)
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q5(f)(i) (2 marks): There is a relationship between the position of a metal in the reactivity series and how easily the metal carbonate reacts when heated. Use the student’s result
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q5(f)(ii) (1 mark): State how you should extend the investigation to see if your deduction is correct. (1)
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q6(a)(i) (2 marks): Give a chemical equation for this reaction. (2)
November 2020, Paper 1, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Identify which of the metals P, Q, R or S could be gold. (1)
November 2020, Paper 1, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest why the reaction between metal R and dilute hydrochloric acid was not done. (1)
November 2020, Paper 1, Q3(a)(iii) (1 mark): Use the information in the table to place the metals in order of reactivity from most reactive to least reactive. (1) most reactive least reactive
November 2020, Paper 1, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): State the name of this method of preventing iron from rusting. (1)
November 2020, Paper 1, Q3(b)(ii) (1 mark): State another method of preventing iron from rusting. (1)
November 2020, Paper 1, Q3(c)(i) (1 mark): State how the reaction shows that zinc is more reactive than copper. (1)
November 2020, Paper 1, Q3(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain which substance is the oxidising agent. (2)
November 2020, Paper 2, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Identify the metal from the box that burns with a bright white flame. (1)
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q8(a)(ii) (1 mark): State why this is an oxidation reaction. (1)
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q8(b)(ii) (1 mark): Give the chemical equation for this reaction. (1)
November 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q8(b)(iii) (1 mark): A fire starts in a warehouse where magnesium is stored. Suggest why it would not be suitable to use a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher to put out this fire. (1)
January 2020, Paper 1, Q3(a) (1 mark): Name the process used to coat iron with zinc. (1)
January 2020, Paper 1, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Give the common name for the brown solid. (1)
January 2020, Paper 1, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Give the names of the two substances that react with the iron to form the brown solid. (2) 1 2
January 2020, Paper 1, Q3(c)(ii) (2 marks): The equation for the reaction between aluminium and iron(III) oxide is 2Al + Fe2O3 → 2Fe + Al2O3 Explain what this reaction shows about the relative reactivitie
January 2020, Paper 1, Q3(c)(iii) (3 marks): Explain why the reaction between aluminium and iron(III) oxide is a redox reaction. (3)
January 2020, Paper 1, Q6(a) (1 mark): Write a word equation for the reaction of dilute hydrochloric acid with zinc. (1)
January 2020, Paper 1, Q6(d)(i) (1 mark): State why there is no temperature change for copper. (1)
January 2020, Paper 1, Q6(d)(ii) (1 mark): Predict the temperature change for iron. (1) temperature change = °C
January 2020, Paper 1, Q6(d)(iii) (1 mark): Deduce the order of reactivity of the five metals. (1) most reactive least reactive
January 2020, Paper 2, Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): Give the word equation for this reaction. (1)
January 2020, Paper 2, Q7(a)(ii) (2 marks): State two observations that would be made during this reaction. (2) 1 2
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q6(a)(i) (1 mark): State why a reaction occurs when magnesium is added to copper(II) sulfate solution. (1)
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q6(a)(ii) (1 mark): Complete the word equation for this reaction. (1) magnesium + copper(II) sulfate o +
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q6(c)(ii) (3 marks): The ionic equation for the reaction between zinc and copper(II) sulfate is Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) o Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s) Explain why this is a redox reaction. (3)
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q11(c)(i) (1 mark): State how the equation shows that iron(III) oxide is reduced. (1)
June 2019, Paper 1, Q6(a) (1 mark): What is the order of reactivity of these metals? (1) most reactive least reactive A W X Y Z B Z X Y W C W Y X Z D Z Y X W
June 2019, Paper 1, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): State which metal, W, X, Y or Z, could be copper. (1)
June 2019, Paper 1, Q6(b)(ii) (1 mark): State which metal, W, X, Y or Z, could be magnesium. (1)
June 2019, Paper 1, Q6(c) (2 marks): A displacement reaction can also be used to decide the order of reactivity of two metals. State two observations made when an excess of magnesium powder is adde
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a)(i) (1 mark): Suggest why it is not important to add an exact mass of zinc powder. (1)
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q10(a)(ii) (2 marks): State the colour change of the solution. (2) from to

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