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Solid structures: WJEC A‑Level Chemistry questions

Every WJEC A-Level Chemistry exam question on 1.5 Solid structures, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,204 questions

  1. Q2

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 1

    1 mark1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 1, question 2: State why the coordination number of Na+ in NaCl is different to that of Cs+ in CsCl. 2 [1]

  2. Q12(a)

    Summer 2025 · AS Unit 1

    2 marks1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2025 AS Unit 1, question 12(a): When lithium and hydrogen are heated together, lithium hydride is formed as colourless crystals. Lithium hydride conducts electricity when molten but not when s

  3. Q6(b)(ii)

    Summer 2024 · Unit 3

    2 marks1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 Unit 3, question 6(b)(ii): Boron-nitrogen bonds are also present in boron nitride. One form of boron nitride (hexagonal boron nitride) is sometimes called white graphite. Complete the tab

  4. Q9(a)(i)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 1

    6 marks1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 1, question 9(a)(i): Diamond and graphite are allotropes of carbon. I. Describe the structure and bonding in diamond and in graphite. Diagrams may be used as part of your answer. [2

  5. Q9(a)(ii)

    Summer 2024 · AS Unit 1

    3 marks1.4 Bonding1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2024 AS Unit 1, question 9(a)(ii): I. Draw a dot and cross diagram to show the formation of the bonding in sodium chloride. [2] II. State why the crystal structures of sodium chloride and caesium

  6. Q7

    Summer 2023 · Unit 3

    1 mark1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 Unit 3, question 7: Hexagonal boron nitride is sometimes called white graphite. Give one difference between the physical properties of hexagonal boron nitride and graphite. [1]

  7. Q2

    Summer 2023 · AS Unit 1

    2 marks1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 AS Unit 1, question 2: Complete the table below to show the type or types of bonding present in the following solids. [2] Solid Type or types of bonding calcium iodine

  8. Q10(c)

    Summer 2023 · AS Unit 1

    3 marks1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2023 AS Unit 1, question 10(c): State the conditions necessary for each of barium oxide and barium metal to conduct electricity. Explain this property in terms of structure and bonding in each

  9. Q8(a)

    Summer 2022 · Unit 3

    2 marks1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 Unit 3, question 8(a): The hardness value of graphite is approximately 1.5. Describe the structure of graphite and explain why it is soft. [2]

  10. Q8(a)(i)

    Summer 2022 · AS Unit 1

    2 marks1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 AS Unit 1, question 8(a)(i): Label the remaining structures in the spaces provided. [2]

  11. Q8(a)(ii)

    Summer 2022 · AS Unit 1

    2 marks1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 AS Unit 1, question 8(a)(ii): Complete the table showing the trend in melting temperatures of the six substances. [2] Substance Melting temperature Lowest caesium chloride sodium chloride Hi

  12. Q8(a)(iii)

    Summer 2022 · AS Unit 1

    1 mark1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 AS Unit 1, question 8(a)(iii): For structure B, name the type of bond or force represented by the letter X. [1]

  13. Q8(a)(iv)

    Summer 2022 · AS Unit 1

    1 mark1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 AS Unit 1, question 8(a)(iv): Name the two substances which are good electrical conductors in the solid state. [1]

  14. Q8(a)(v)

    Summer 2022 · AS Unit 1

    2 marks1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 AS Unit 1, question 8(a)(v): Explain why graphite is suitable for use in pencils. [2]

  15. Q8(a)(vi)

    Summer 2022 · AS Unit 1

    3 marks1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2022 AS Unit 1, question 8(a)(vi): Cadmium is a typical metal. Give a brief description of metallic bonding. [3] You may include a diagram to support your answer.

  16. Q9(d)

    Summer 2019 · AS Unit 1

    3 marks1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2019 AS Unit 1, question 9(d): Magnesium is a typical metal. Describe the bonding in magnesium and explain why it is ductile. You may include a diagram as part of your answer. [3]

  17. Q13(b)(ii)

    Summer 2019 · AS Unit 1

    1 mark1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2019 AS Unit 1, question 13(b)(ii): The melting temperature of sodium chloride is 1074 K but sodium iodide has a melting temperature of 934 K. Suggest why the melting temperature of sodium iodide

  18. Q1

    Summer 2018 · AS Unit 1

    1 mark1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2018 AS Unit 1, question 1: For the ionic compound caesium chloride, state the coordination number of the chloride ion. [1]

  19. Q7(a)(i)

    Summer 2018 · AS Unit 1

    3 marks1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2018 AS Unit 1, question 7(a)(i): Explain why chlorine is a gas but iodine is a solid at room temperature and pressure. [3]

  20. Q7(a)(ii)

    Summer 2018 · AS Unit 1

    1 mark1.5 Solid structures
    The whole paper ↗
    Summer 2018 AS Unit 1, question 7(a)(ii): Explain why sodium has a lower melting temperature than aluminium. [1]
All 31 questions on Solid structures, as a list
  1. Summer 2025, AS Unit 1, Q2 (1 mark): State why the coordination number of Na+ in NaCl is different to that of Cs+ in CsCl. 2 [1]
  2. Summer 2025, AS Unit 1, Q12(a) (2 marks): When lithium and hydrogen are heated together, lithium hydride is formed as colourless crystals. Lithium hydride conducts electricity when molten but not when s
  3. Summer 2024, Unit 3, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Boron-nitrogen bonds are also present in boron nitride. One form of boron nitride (hexagonal boron nitride) is sometimes called white graphite. Complete the tab
  4. Summer 2024, AS Unit 1, Q9(a)(i) (6 marks): Diamond and graphite are allotropes of carbon. I. Describe the structure and bonding in diamond and in graphite. Diagrams may be used as part of your answer. [2
  5. Summer 2024, AS Unit 1, Q9(a)(ii) (3 marks): I. Draw a dot and cross diagram to show the formation of the bonding in sodium chloride. [2] II. State why the crystal structures of sodium chloride and caesium
  6. Summer 2023, Unit 3, Q7 (1 mark): Hexagonal boron nitride is sometimes called white graphite. Give one difference between the physical properties of hexagonal boron nitride and graphite. [1]
  7. Summer 2023, AS Unit 1, Q2 (2 marks): Complete the table below to show the type or types of bonding present in the following solids. [2] Solid Type or types of bonding calcium iodine
  8. Summer 2023, AS Unit 1, Q10(c) (3 marks): State the conditions necessary for each of barium oxide and barium metal to conduct electricity. Explain this property in terms of structure and bonding in each
  9. Summer 2022, Unit 3, Q8(a) (2 marks): The hardness value of graphite is approximately 1.5. Describe the structure of graphite and explain why it is soft. [2]
  10. Summer 2022, AS Unit 1, Q8(a)(i) (2 marks): Label the remaining structures in the spaces provided. [2]
  11. Summer 2022, AS Unit 1, Q8(a)(ii) (2 marks): Complete the table showing the trend in melting temperatures of the six substances. [2] Substance Melting temperature Lowest caesium chloride sodium chloride Hi
  12. Summer 2022, AS Unit 1, Q8(a)(iii) (1 mark): For structure B, name the type of bond or force represented by the letter X. [1]
  13. Summer 2022, AS Unit 1, Q8(a)(iv) (1 mark): Name the two substances which are good electrical conductors in the solid state. [1]
  14. Summer 2022, AS Unit 1, Q8(a)(v) (2 marks): Explain why graphite is suitable for use in pencils. [2]
  15. Summer 2022, AS Unit 1, Q8(a)(vi) (3 marks): Cadmium is a typical metal. Give a brief description of metallic bonding. [3] You may include a diagram to support your answer.
  16. Summer 2019, AS Unit 1, Q9(d) (3 marks): Magnesium is a typical metal. Describe the bonding in magnesium and explain why it is ductile. You may include a diagram as part of your answer. [3]
  17. Summer 2019, AS Unit 1, Q13(b)(ii) (1 mark): The melting temperature of sodium chloride is 1074 K but sodium iodide has a melting temperature of 934 K. Suggest why the melting temperature of sodium iodide
  18. Summer 2018, AS Unit 1, Q1 (1 mark): For the ionic compound caesium chloride, state the coordination number of the chloride ion. [1]
  19. Summer 2018, AS Unit 1, Q7(a)(i) (3 marks): Explain why chlorine is a gas but iodine is a solid at room temperature and pressure. [3]
  20. Summer 2018, AS Unit 1, Q7(a)(ii) (1 mark): Explain why sodium has a lower melting temperature than aluminium. [1]
  21. Summer 2018, AS Unit 1, Q7(a)(iii) (1 mark): Explain why silicon has a higher melting temperature than phosphorus. [1]
  22. Summer 2018, AS Unit 1, Q11(b)(i) (4 marks): Use the information in the table to identify each type of structure. Where a definite conclusion cannot be reached explain your reasoning. [4] QUESTION CONTINUE
  23. Summer 2018, AS Unit 1, Q11(b)(ii) (2 marks): For one of the materials where the type of structure could not be identified, suggest what further test(s) are needed to identify the type of structure. [2]
  24. Summer 2018, AS Unit 1, Q11(b)(iii) (1 mark): Suggest why it is difficult to identify a material as a metal when it is in powdered form. [1]
  25. Summer 2017, AS Unit 1, Q6(e)(i) (2 marks): density of ice at 0 °C. [2] Density = g cm−3
  26. Summer 2017, AS Unit 1, Q6(e)(ii) (1 mark): Explain why ice and water have different densities at 0 °C. [1]
  27. Summer 2017, AS Unit 1, Q9(e)(i) (2 marks): Ionic substances such as calcium chloride can conduct electricity under certain circumstances. [2]
  28. Summer 2017, AS Unit 1, Q9(e)(ii) (2 marks): Iodine is a solid which vaporises on gentle warming. [2]
  29. Summer 2017, AS Unit 1, Q9(e)(iii) (2 marks): A metal such as magnesium is malleable. [2]
  30. Summer 2016, AS Unit 1, Q8(c) (2 marks): Magnesium sulfide has the same crystal structure as sodium chloride. Use the diagram below to show the crystal structure of magnesium sulfide, clearly labelling
  31. Summer 2016, AS Unit 1, Q10(b)(ii) (1 mark): Explain why solid silicon is a very poor electrical conductor. [1]

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