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Chemistry of the p-block: WJEC A‑Level Chemistry questions

Every WJEC A-Level Chemistry exam question on 3.3 Chemistry of the p-block, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,204 questions

  1. Q2

    Summer 2025 · Unit 3

    1 mark3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 Unit 3, question 2: Give a reason why SiCl4 reacts vigorously with water whilst CCl4 does not. [1]

  2. Q7(c)

    Summer 2025 · Unit 3

    2 marks3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 Unit 3, question 7(c): Aqueous lead(II) nitrate forms precipitates when a variety of aqueous solutions are added. Complete the table to give the observations, if any, when the solutio

  3. Q10(a)

    Summer 2025 · Unit 3

    2 marks3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 Unit 3, question 10(a): The class teacher notes that this method would not be suitable for analysing electrum or leaded tin bronze. Suggest how the method could be changed to allow for

  4. Q10(b)

    Summer 2025 · Unit 3

    2 marks3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 Unit 3, question 10(b): Several of the metals added to copper to form these alloys are amphoteric. Identify one amphoteric metal from the table and state what is meant by the term amph

  5. Q5

    Summer 2024 · Unit 3

    2 marks3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 Unit 3, question 5: Bismuth is the heaviest naturally occurring element in Group 5 Suggest which oxidation state of bismuth would be most stable. Give a reason for your answer. [2]

  6. Q6(b)(i)

    Summer 2024 · Unit 3

    1 mark3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 Unit 3, question 6(b)(i): Draw a dot and cross diagram of the compound formed. [1]

  7. Q6(c)

    Summer 2024 · Unit 3

    2 marks3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 Unit 3, question 6(c): Nitrogen forms a range of compounds such as NH3 and NF3 which have three covalent bonds. Phosphorus can form compounds such as PF3 which has three covalent bond

  8. Q7(e)(i)

    Summer 2024 · Unit 3

    1 mark3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 Unit 3, question 7(e)(i): Give the colour of lead(II) iodide. [1]

  9. Q1

    Summer 2023 · Unit 3

    1 mark3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 Unit 3, question 1: Addition of aqueous lead nitrate to aqueous potassium iodide causes a precipitate to form. Write an ionic equation for the formation of the precipitate, includi

  10. Q4

    Summer 2023 · Unit 3

    2 marks3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 Unit 3, question 4: Aluminium chloride forms Al2Cl6 dimers using coordinate bonding. Explain why the coordinate bonds form. [2]

  11. Q9(a)

    Summer 2023 · Unit 3

    6 marks3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 Unit 3, question 9(a): The elements of the p-block show a variety of oxidation states within the same group, whilst some elements of the d-block can show an even wider range of oxidat

  12. Q1(a)

    Summer 2022 · Unit 3

    1 mark3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 Unit 3, question 1(a): Give the colour of the precipitate. [1]

  13. Q1(b)

    Summer 2022 · Unit 3

    1 mark3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 Unit 3, question 1(b): Write an ionic equation for the reaction. [1]

  14. Q5

    Summer 2022 · Unit 3

    1 mark3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 Unit 3, question 5: Phosphorus is able to form two different chlorides, PCl3 and PCl5. Nitrogen is only able to form one chloride, NCl3. Explain this difference. [1]

  15. Q9(f)(i)

    Summer 2022 · Unit 3

    1 mark3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 Unit 3, question 9(f)(i): Write an equation for this process. [1]

  16. Q9(f)(ii)

    Summer 2022 · Unit 3

    1 mark3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 Unit 3, question 9(f)(ii): Explain why CO is a good reducing agent. [1]

  17. Q2

    Summer 2019 · Unit 3

    2 marks3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2019 Unit 3, question 2: The compound AlCl3.NH3 contains both covalent and coordinate bonds. Complete the dot and cross diagram for this compound. [2] Cl Cl Al Cl

  18. Q5

    Summer 2019 · Unit 3

    1 mark3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2019 Unit 3, question 5: When CCl4 is added to water two separate layers are formed and there is no reaction, whilst SiCl4 reacts violently with water. Give the reason for this differen

  19. Q7(a)

    Summer 2019 · Unit 3

    1 mark3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2019 Unit 3, question 7(a): Write an equation for this reaction. [1]

  20. Q7(b)

    Summer 2019 · Unit 3

    1 mark3.3 Chemistry of the p-block
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2019 Unit 3, question 7(b): Give a reason why carbon monoxide acts as a reducing agent while the equivalent oxide of lead does not. [1]
All 32 questions on Chemistry of the p-block, as a list
  1. Summer 2025, Unit 3, Q2 (1 mark): Give a reason why SiCl4 reacts vigorously with water whilst CCl4 does not. [1]
  2. Summer 2025, Unit 3, Q7(c) (2 marks): Aqueous lead(II) nitrate forms precipitates when a variety of aqueous solutions are added. Complete the table to give the observations, if any, when the solutio
  3. Summer 2025, Unit 3, Q10(a) (2 marks): The class teacher notes that this method would not be suitable for analysing electrum or leaded tin bronze. Suggest how the method could be changed to allow for
  4. Summer 2025, Unit 3, Q10(b) (2 marks): Several of the metals added to copper to form these alloys are amphoteric. Identify one amphoteric metal from the table and state what is meant by the term amph
  5. Summer 2024, Unit 3, Q5 (2 marks): Bismuth is the heaviest naturally occurring element in Group 5 Suggest which oxidation state of bismuth would be most stable. Give a reason for your answer. [2]
  6. Summer 2024, Unit 3, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): Draw a dot and cross diagram of the compound formed. [1]
  7. Summer 2024, Unit 3, Q6(c) (2 marks): Nitrogen forms a range of compounds such as NH3 and NF3 which have three covalent bonds. Phosphorus can form compounds such as PF3 which has three covalent bond
  8. Summer 2024, Unit 3, Q7(e)(i) (1 mark): Give the colour of lead(II) iodide. [1]
  9. Summer 2023, Unit 3, Q1 (1 mark): Addition of aqueous lead nitrate to aqueous potassium iodide causes a precipitate to form. Write an ionic equation for the formation of the precipitate, includi
  10. Summer 2023, Unit 3, Q4 (2 marks): Aluminium chloride forms Al2Cl6 dimers using coordinate bonding. Explain why the coordinate bonds form. [2]
  11. Summer 2023, Unit 3, Q9(a) (6 marks): The elements of the p-block show a variety of oxidation states within the same group, whilst some elements of the d-block can show an even wider range of oxidat
  12. Summer 2022, Unit 3, Q1(a) (1 mark): Give the colour of the precipitate. [1]
  13. Summer 2022, Unit 3, Q1(b) (1 mark): Write an ionic equation for the reaction. [1]
  14. Summer 2022, Unit 3, Q5 (1 mark): Phosphorus is able to form two different chlorides, PCl3 and PCl5. Nitrogen is only able to form one chloride, NCl3. Explain this difference. [1]
  15. Summer 2022, Unit 3, Q9(f)(i) (1 mark): Write an equation for this process. [1]
  16. Summer 2022, Unit 3, Q9(f)(ii) (1 mark): Explain why CO is a good reducing agent. [1]
  17. Summer 2019, Unit 3, Q2 (2 marks): The compound AlCl3.NH3 contains both covalent and coordinate bonds. Complete the dot and cross diagram for this compound. [2] Cl Cl Al Cl
  18. Summer 2019, Unit 3, Q5 (1 mark): When CCl4 is added to water two separate layers are formed and there is no reaction, whilst SiCl4 reacts violently with water. Give the reason for this differen
  19. Summer 2019, Unit 3, Q7(a) (1 mark): Write an equation for this reaction. [1]
  20. Summer 2019, Unit 3, Q7(b) (1 mark): Give a reason why carbon monoxide acts as a reducing agent while the equivalent oxide of lead does not. [1]
  21. Summer 2019, Unit 3, Q10(b)(iii) (1 mark): A student suggests using gravimetric analysis to measure the amount of iodide ions produced in the reaction by addition of Pb2+(aq) ions to form a precipitate.
  22. Summer 2019, Unit 3, Q12(a)(ii) (2 marks): The student plans to use dilute hydrochloric acid in step 1 His teacher tells him that this is not the correct acid to use. Explain why hydrochloric acid should
  23. Summer 2018, Unit 3, Q4 (1 mark): Give the observation(s) expected when water is added to SiCl4. [1]
  24. Summer 2018, Unit 3, Q10(a)(i) (1 mark): Tin and carbon are both more stable in oxidation state +4 whilst lead is more stable as +2. Explain the difference in the stabilities of these oxidation states.
  25. Summer 2018, Unit 3, Q10(a)(ii) (1 mark): Lead(IV) oxide can act as an oxidising agent when it reacts with concentrated hydrochloric acid. Write an equation for this reaction. [1]
  26. Summer 2018, Unit 3, Q12(b) (6 marks): A student was provided with five ionic solids containing familiar cations and anions. Each solid contains a different cation. The solids were labelled A, B, C,
  27. Summer 2017, Unit 3, Q1(a) (1 mark): Give the colour of the precipitate. [1]
  28. Summer 2017, Unit 3, Q1(b) (1 mark): Write an ionic equation for the reaction that occurs, including state symbols. [1]
  29. Summer 2017, Unit 3, Q8(a)(i) (2 marks): Explain why nitrogen can only form a chloride with eight outer shell electrons, but phosphorus can form a chloride with a different number of outer shell electr
  30. Summer 2017, Unit 3, Q8(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why aluminium forms compounds that are electron deficient. Show how one of these compounds can act to gain a full outer shell. [2] You should give the d
  31. Summer 2017, Unit 3, Q8(b) (6 marks): Below is some information about the oxides of two Group 4 elements. There are two common oxides of carbon. Carbon dioxide is an acidic oxide Carbon and carbon m
  32. Summer 2017, Unit 3, Q11(c) (1 mark): State what the observations with sodium hydroxide indicate about the acidity/basicity of the aluminium ions. [1]

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