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Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table: OCR A‑Level Chemistry B questions

Every OCR A-Level Chemistry B exam question on EL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table (specification points EL(m)–(s)), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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2,049 questions

  1. Q35(b)

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    6 marksEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 35(b): This question is about halides. (b)* A student wishes to identify three unlabelled salts. The student has been told: • the cations in the three salts are ammoni

  2. Q1(a)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    1 markEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 1(a)(ii): Explain why the Group 2 elements are known as s block elements. [1]

  3. Q1(c)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    1 markEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 1(c)(i): Solutions containing sulfate ions give a white precipitate with barium chloride solution. Write an ionic equation for the formation of this white precipitate. I

  4. Q1(e)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    6 marksEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 1(e): This question is about the properties of some Group 2 alkaline earth metals and their compounds. (e)* A group of students use the apparatus below to show the tr

  5. Q1

    June 2025 · AS Paper 1

    1 markEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 1: What is correct about atomic number? A It is half the mass number for most elements. B It is the number of neutrons in the nucleus. C It determines the position

  6. Q18

    June 2025 · AS Paper 1

    1 markEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 1, question 18: The first ionisation enthalpies of atoms of the elements increase in general across a period. Which trend across a period is a reason for this? A The atoms get

  7. Q3(a)(i)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    1 markEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 3(a)(i): Write an equation for the reaction of calcium with water. [1]

  8. Q3(a)(ii)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    2 marksEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 3(a)(ii): The relative reactivities of the Group 2 elements are related to their ionisation enthalpies. Write an equation for the first ionisation enthalpy of calcium. Sh

  9. Q3(a)(iii)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    4 marksEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 3(a)(iii): Describe and explain, in terms of electrons, the difference between the reactivities of calcium and barium. [4]

  10. Q31(d)(i)

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    1 markEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 31(d)(i): Write the equation for the thermal decomposition of SrCO3. [1]

  11. Q31(d)(ii)

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    4 marksEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 31(d)(ii): There is a trend in the stability of the Group 2 carbonates. A student says: • Barium carbonate decomposes at a higher temperature than strontium carbonate. • T

  12. Q2(b)(ii)

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    4 marksEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 2(b)(ii): The first ionisation enthalpy of silicon is larger than that of magnesium. A student says that this is because silicon atoms are larger than magnesium atoms. Co

  13. Q17

    June 2024 · AS Paper 1

    1 markEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 17: The thermal stability of Group 2 carbonates increases down the group. What is a reason for this? A The anion charge gets smaller down the group. B The anion is

  14. Q22(c)(ii)

    June 2024 · AS Paper 1

    1 markEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 22(c)(ii): Magnesium has similar reactions to calcium. Explain why, in terms of electron configurations. [1]

  15. Q22(c)(iii)

    June 2024 · AS Paper 1

    4 marksEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 22(c)(iii): An element A has the following properties: • It is a silvery metal with a melting point of 29 °C. • Its atoms contain d electrons. • It forms an oxide of formul

  16. Q23(e)(i)

    June 2024 · AS Paper 1

    1 markEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 1, question 23(e)(i): In which block of the Periodic Table are rhodium (Rh) and iridium (Ir) both found? [1]

  17. Q1(d)

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    1 markEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 1(d): Give the formula of another aqueous ion (other than Ag+) that would form a precipitate with chloride ions. Give the colour of this precipitate. Ion Colour of pr

  18. Q5

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    1 markEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 5: Sodium phosphate(V) has the formula Na3PO4. What is the formula of calcium phosphate(V)? A CaPO4 B Ca2(PO4)3 C Ca3PO4 D Ca3(PO4)2 Your answer [1]

  19. Q31(c)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    2 marksEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 31(c): A student has three test tubes, each containing the same volume and concentration of a different solution. • One test tube contains aqueous calcium nitrate. • O

  20. Q31(d)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 1

    1 markEL Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1, question 31(d)(i): Write an equation for the reaction that occurs when the calcium carbonate is heated. Include state symbols. [1]
All 82 questions on Inorganic chemistry and the periodic table, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1, Q35(b) (6 marks): This question is about halides. (b)* A student wishes to identify three unlabelled salts. The student has been told: • the cations in the three salts are ammoni
  2. June 2025, Paper 3, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Explain why the Group 2 elements are known as s block elements. [1]
  3. June 2025, Paper 3, Q1(c)(i) (1 mark): Solutions containing sulfate ions give a white precipitate with barium chloride solution. Write an ionic equation for the formation of this white precipitate. I
  4. June 2025, Paper 3, Q1(e) (6 marks): This question is about the properties of some Group 2 alkaline earth metals and their compounds. (e)* A group of students use the apparatus below to show the tr
  5. June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q1 (1 mark): What is correct about atomic number? A It is half the mass number for most elements. B It is the number of neutrons in the nucleus. C It determines the position
  6. June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q18 (1 mark): The first ionisation enthalpies of atoms of the elements increase in general across a period. Which trend across a period is a reason for this? A The atoms get
  7. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Write an equation for the reaction of calcium with water. [1]
  8. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): The relative reactivities of the Group 2 elements are related to their ionisation enthalpies. Write an equation for the first ionisation enthalpy of calcium. Sh
  9. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q3(a)(iii) (4 marks): Describe and explain, in terms of electrons, the difference between the reactivities of calcium and barium. [4]
  10. June 2024, Paper 1, Q31(d)(i) (1 mark): Write the equation for the thermal decomposition of SrCO3. [1]
  11. June 2024, Paper 1, Q31(d)(ii) (4 marks): There is a trend in the stability of the Group 2 carbonates. A student says: • Barium carbonate decomposes at a higher temperature than strontium carbonate. • T
  12. June 2024, Paper 2, Q2(b)(ii) (4 marks): The first ionisation enthalpy of silicon is larger than that of magnesium. A student says that this is because silicon atoms are larger than magnesium atoms. Co
  13. June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q17 (1 mark): The thermal stability of Group 2 carbonates increases down the group. What is a reason for this? A The anion charge gets smaller down the group. B The anion is
  14. June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q22(c)(ii) (1 mark): Magnesium has similar reactions to calcium. Explain why, in terms of electron configurations. [1]
  15. June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q22(c)(iii) (4 marks): An element A has the following properties: • It is a silvery metal with a melting point of 29 °C. • Its atoms contain d electrons. • It forms an oxide of formul
  16. June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q23(e)(i) (1 mark): In which block of the Periodic Table are rhodium (Rh) and iridium (Ir) both found? [1]
  17. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q1(d) (1 mark): Give the formula of another aqueous ion (other than Ag+) that would form a precipitate with chloride ions. Give the colour of this precipitate. Ion Colour of pr
  18. June 2023, Paper 1, Q5 (1 mark): Sodium phosphate(V) has the formula Na3PO4. What is the formula of calcium phosphate(V)? A CaPO4 B Ca2(PO4)3 C Ca3PO4 D Ca3(PO4)2 Your answer [1]
  19. June 2023, Paper 1, Q31(c) (2 marks): A student has three test tubes, each containing the same volume and concentration of a different solution. • One test tube contains aqueous calcium nitrate. • O
  20. June 2023, Paper 1, Q31(d)(i) (1 mark): Write an equation for the reaction that occurs when the calcium carbonate is heated. Include state symbols. [1]
  21. June 2023, Paper 1, Q31(d)(ii) (3 marks): Carbonates of metals below calcium in Group 2 are heated under the same conditions. The lime water becomes cloudy after different amounts of time. Describe and
  22. June 2023, Paper 1, Q31(e) (2 marks): Barium chloride solution is used as a test for the sulfate ion. Write an ionic equation for the reaction that occurs when this test is done. Include state symbo
  23. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q13 (1 mark): Aluminium melts at 933 K and silicon melts at 1683 K. Which of the following is a reason that silicon has a higher melting point than aluminium? A Aluminium has
  24. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q14 (1 mark): The calcium ion is Ca2+. The phosphate ion is PO4 3–. What is the formula of calcium phosphate? A CaPO4 B Ca2(PO4)3 C Ca3PO4 D Ca3(PO4)2 Your answer [1]
  25. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q21(c) (2 marks): Why do chemists often compare the chemistry of magnesium and calcium? Refer to electronic configurations in your answer. [2]
  26. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q1(c) (2 marks): Barium chloride solution is used to test for the presence of sulfate ions in solution. Write an ionic equation for this test. Include state symbols. [2]
  27. June 2022, Paper 1, Q2 (1 mark): Which row gives the correct trends for the following properties of Group 2 elements and compounds going down the Group? First ionisation enthalpy Thermal stabil
  28. June 2022, Paper 1, Q3 (1 mark): The bar chart shows the melting points of the elements in Periods 2 and 3. What is the correct reason for the large decrease in melting point after Group 14 in
  29. June 2022, Paper 1, Q12 (1 mark): Which equation represents the first ionisation enthalpy of phosphorus? P+(g) + e– A P(l) P+(s) + e– B P(s) P+(g) + e– C P(s) P+(g) + e– D P(g) Your answer [1]
  30. June 2022, Paper 1, Q13 (1 mark): Predict which row is correct for selenium, Se. melting Structure Bonding point / °C A 217 Simple molecular Covalent B 1026 Giant Metallic C –101 Simple molecula
  31. June 2022, Paper 2, Q1(d)(i) (1 mark): In which ‘blocks’ of the periodic table are these elements found? Ca Fe [1]
  32. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q2 (1 mark): Sodium has a lower melting point than magnesium. What is a reason for this? A Magnesium has more delocalised electrons per atom. B Magnesium is more ionic. C Me
  33. June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q10 (1 mark): What is a correct formula for an iron salt? A FeCO3 B Fe2(NO3)3 C FeNO3 D Fe2SO4 Your answer [1]
  34. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Write an equation for the reaction that represents the first ionisation enthalpy of magnesium. Include state symbols. [2]
  35. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q1(b)(ii) (3 marks): The first ionisation enthalpies of the elements of Period 3 show a general increase across the period. Explain this increase. [3]
  36. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q1(f) (2 marks): Calcium and barium are two other Group 2 elements. A student places a small piece of calcium into 100 cm3 of cold water in a beaker. A steady fizzing occurs, th
  37. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q1(g) (3 marks): Another student is provided with samples of magnesium carbonate and strontium carbonate and asked to identify which is which. The student heats equal amounts of
  38. November 2021, Paper 1, Q13 (1 mark): The first ionisation enthalpies of magnesium and silicon are shown in the table below. 1st IE / kJ mol–1 Element Mg +738 Si +789 What explains this difference?
  39. November 2021, Paper 1, Q31(c)(i) (1 mark): Explain why one mole of sulfate ions reacts with one mole of barium ions in the titration. [1]
  40. November 2021, Paper 2, Q5(a) (1 mark): Lanthanide elements are important in smartphones. The lanthanides can be described as being in a ‘block’ of the Periodic Table. Use the electronic configuration
  41. November 2021, Paper 2, Q5(e) (2 marks): Explain why potassium ions can replace sodium ions in the structure of ‘gorilla glass’ and why potassium ions are larger. [2]
  42. November 2021, Paper 2, Q5(g)(i) (2 marks): Predict the charge on the indium ion from its position in the Periodic Table. Use this to explain the formula In2O3. [2]
  43. November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q21(a)(i) (1 mark): Why is it valid for chemists to compare the chemistry of calcium and barium? [1]
  44. November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q21(a)(ii) (1 mark): How does the first ionisation enthalpy of calcium compare with that of barium? Give a reason for your answer. [1]
  45. November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q21(a)(iii) (2 marks): Barium and calcium both react with water. Complete the equation for the reaction of barium with water. Ba(s) + H2O(l) [2]
  46. November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q21(b)(ii) (2 marks): Barium salts are toxic but BaSO4 is insoluble and this is why BaSO4 can be used as a barium meal. The insolubility of barium sulfate is used as a test in qualit
  47. November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q21(c) (4 marks): Barium carbonate decomposes when heated. A student says that it decomposes more readily than calcium carbonate because the Ba2+ ion is larger than the Ca2+ ion
  48. November 2020, Paper 1, Q19 (1 mark): A solution of lead nitrate is added to sodium sulfate and potassium iodide solutions. What is observed? Observation with: Sodium sulfate Potassium iodide A Yell
  49. November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q4 (1 mark): Which equation represents the first ionisation enthalpy of magnesium? Mg+(g) + e− A Mg(s) Mg2+(g) + 2e− B Mg(s) Mg+(g) + e− C Mg(g) Mg+(g) Mg(g) + e− D Your ans
  50. November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q5 (1 mark): Why is calcium carbonate more thermally stable than magnesium carbonate? Mg2+ ions distort carbonate ions more than Ca2+ ions do. A The charge density of Mg2+ i
  51. November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q2(b)(i) (4 marks): Barium carbonate produces carbon dioxide gas when heated strongly. Calcium carbonate is less thermally stable. Describe an experiment, using limewater, that you
  52. November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q2(b)(ii) (3 marks): A student attempts to explain why the thermal stability of the Group 2 carbonates increases down the Group. The student says it is because the Group 2 metals in
  53. November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q2(e) (1 mark): The titration described in part (d) is repeated with 25.0 cm3 of saturated barium hydroxide solution. Suggest how the mean titre of 0.100 mol dm−3 hydrochloric
  54. June 2019, Paper 2, Q2(b)(ii) (4 marks): A student says ‘Strontium ions are larger than calcium ions, so the attraction to carbonate ions is weaker. This means that strontium carbonate has a lower ther
  55. June 2019, Paper 2, Q2(f)(i) (1 mark): To which block of the Periodic Table do these elements belong? [1]
  56. June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q22(b)(i) (4 marks): How does the thermal stability of barium carbonate compare with the thermal stability of calcium carbonate? Explain your answer. [4]
  57. June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q22(b)(ii) (1 mark): Why is it valid to compare barium carbonate with calcium carbonate? [1]
  58. June 2018, Paper 1, Q2 (1 mark): Which solutions when mixed would give a solution of a salt? A barium hydroxide and sulfuric acid B lead nitrate and sulfuric acid C silver nitrate and hydrochlo
  59. June 2018, Paper 2, Q1(d)(i) (1 mark): Write an equation for the reaction for the first ionisation enthalpy of magnesium. Include state symbols. [1]
  60. June 2018, Paper 2, Q1(d)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why magnesium has a higher first ionisation enthalpy than calcium. [2]
  61. June 2018, Paper 2, Q1(e)(i) (1 mark): Name the acid that the students used to dissolve the mixture of carbonates. [1]
  62. June 2018, Paper 2, Q1(e)(ii) (1 mark): Name the other Group 2 carbonate that was mixed with the magnesium carbonate. [1]
  63. June 2018, Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Give the systematic name for HCO3 [1]
  64. June 2018, Paper 2, Q5(g) (3 marks): Summarise the evidence that Napoleon was killed by his wallpaper. [3]
  65. June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q20 (1 mark): Which row is correct? Name Formula A sodium nitride Na3N B aluminium sulfate AlSO4 C copper(I) oxide CuO D calcium hydroxide CaOH2 [1] Your answer
  66. June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q22(b)(iii) (1 mark): Give the charge on the cation of gallium predicted by its position in the Periodic Table. [1]
  67. June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): Write an equation representing the first ionisation enthalpy of sodium. Show state symbols. [2]
  68. June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the general increase in first ionisation enthalpy across Period 3 (sodium to argon). [2]
  69. June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q1(b) (1 mark): Elements in a group often show similar properties. The Group 2 element calcium reacts with water to produce a solution of calcium hydroxide and bubbles of hydro
  70. June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q1(c) (2 marks): Mendeleev first proposed his Periodic Table in 1869. He left gaps for elements which he predicted would be discovered later. One such element was in a gap immed
  71. June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q1(d) (6 marks): Chemists have arranged the elements into a Periodic Table which allows them to make predictions about the behaviour of the elements and their compounds. (d)* A
  72. June 2017, Paper 1, Q32(a) (1 mark): Dolomite contains both calcium and magnesium compounds. A student says that magnesium and calcium have similar chemistry because they are close in the Periodic
  73. June 2017, Paper 1, Q32(b) (2 marks): A student finds that magnesium carbonate decomposes at a lower temperature than calcium carbonate. Suggest the reason for this in terms of the ions present. [2]
  74. June 2017, Paper 1, Q32(e) (3 marks): Strontianite may also contain small amounts of barium carbonate, lead carbonate or iron(II) carbonate. Some students took separate samples of barium carbonate,
  75. June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q22(e)(i) (1 mark): Describe a test they can do on this solution to identify the cation. Test and its result [1]
  76. June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q22(e)(ii) (1 mark): Write an ionic equation, with state symbols, for the reaction that occurs in this test. [1]
  77. June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (4 marks): The teacher asks the student to explain this observation using the following data. First ionisation enthalpy / kJ mol–1 Element Calcium +590 Barium +502 The stu
  78. June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q4(b) (6 marks): A student investigates the relative reactivities of calcium and barium with water and observes that barium is more vigorous than calcium. (b)* The student then
  79. June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q4(e) (1 mark): The bar chart below shows the pattern of melting points in a series of elements. The elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number with no gaps. Th
  80. June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q3 (1 mark): Which pair would give a bright yellow precipitate when mixed? hydrochloric acid and copper(II) sulfate solution A sodium hydroxide solution and iron(III) sulfat
  81. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q2(f)(i) (2 marks): Write an ionic equation, with state symbols, to represent this precipitation reaction. [2]
  82. June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q2(f)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest why this would be a less effective method for preparing Ba(OH)2 from BaCl 2. [1]

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