IGCSE · Chemistry 0620 · Atoms, elements & compounds

Metallic bonding: IGCSE Chemistry questions with answers

Free Metallic bonding questions for IGCSE Chemistry (0620), Extended tier (Supplement content), part of Atoms, elements & compounds. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.

Generate a full Metallic Bonding worksheet →All Atoms, elements & compounds questions

Metallic bonding practice questions

Question 1Multiple choice · 1 mark

Which property is NOT typical of metals?

  1. A low density and brittle
  2. B high melting point
  3. C good conductor of heat
  4. D malleable
Show answer

Answer: A

Question 2Multiple choice · 1 mark

Which term is described by this statement?
“The electrostatic attraction between positive metal ions and a sea of delocalised electrons.”

  1. A metallic bonding
  2. B hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell
  3. C greenhouse gases
  4. D mixture
Show answer

Answer: A

Question 3Multiple choice · 1 markA* challenge

Which row explains why metals conduct electricity and why they are malleable?

conduct electricitymalleable
Apositive ions can movelayers of positive ions can slide
Bdelocalised electrons can movelayers of positive ions can slide
Cions can move when solidattraction between ions is weak
Ddelocalised electrons can moveelectrons are shared in covalent bonds
Show answer

Answer: B

Question 4Structured · 3 marksA* challenge

Copper is used for electrical wiring and saucepan bases.

(a)

Explain why copper has a high melting point.

[2]
(b)

Suggest why copper is a good conductor of thermal energy.

[1]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)strong attraction between ions and electrons
strong electrostatic attraction between the positive ions and the delocalised electrons B1
much energy needed to overcome B1
2
(b)delocalised electrons carry energy
delocalised electrons move and carry energy through the metal B1
1
Question 5Structured · 4 marksA* challenge

Aluminium is used for cooking pans and overhead cables.

(a)

Explain, in terms of structure, why aluminium is a good electrical conductor.

[2]
(b)

Suggest why aluminium has a higher melting point than sodium.

[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)delocalised electrons move
it has delocalised electrons B1
which can move through the lattice and carry charge B1
2
(b)more delocalised electrons, higher charge ions
aluminium ions have a 3+ charge and there are more delocalised electrons B1
stronger metallic bonding B1
2
Question 6Structured · 5 marks

Metals have a giant metallic lattice.

(a)

Describe metallic bonding.

[2]
(b)

Explain why metals conduct electricity.

[1]
(c)

Explain why metals are malleable.

[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)positive ions in sea of delocalised electrons
a lattice of positive ions B1
in a sea of delocalised electrons B1
2
(b)delocalised electrons move
the delocalised electrons can move through the structure B1
1
(c)layers of ions slide
layers of positive ions can slide over each other B1
the metallic bonding is not broken B1
2

More Atoms, elements & compounds questions

Want a mentor, not just a paper?

Riyaz Shaikh has mentored IGCSE, IB and A Level students for 15+ years, one-on-one, online and in Mumbai. The hardest questions on this site are the ones he uses to find a student's weak points.

Meet Riyaz →

Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in