Free Properties & uses of metals questions for IGCSE Chemistry (0620), part of Metals. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.
Generate a full Properties & Uses of Metals worksheet →All Metals questionsWhich row matches a metal with a use and the property that makes it suitable?
| metal | use | property | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | aluminium | aircraft bodies | low density and resists corrosion |
| B | aluminium | food containers | high density |
| C | copper | electrical wiring | high density |
| D | iron | overhead power cables | low density |
Answer: A
Why is aluminium used for overhead power cables?
Answer: B
Which statement describes malleable?
Answer: D
Metals react with water, steam and acids.
Describe what is seen when magnesium ribbon is placed in dilute hydrochloric acid.
Name the products of the reaction of zinc with steam.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | fizzing; magnesium dissolves; gets warm Any 2 of: bubbles/effervescence; magnesium dissolves/gets smaller; solution gets warm B2 | 2 |
| (b) | zinc oxide and hydrogen zinc oxide B1 hydrogen B1 | 2 |
This question is about metals and alloys.
Give three physical properties of typical metals.
State what is meant by an alloy, and name the metals in brass.
Explain, in terms of the arrangement of particles, why brass is harder than the pure metals in it.
Describe metallic bonding and explain why metals conduct electricity.
Magnesium, zinc and copper are added to dilute hydrochloric acid. Describe what is seen with each metal.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | good conductors; malleable; ductile; high melting point; shiny Any 3 of: good conductors of heat and electricity; malleable; ductile; high melting / boiling point; shiny B3 | 3 |
| (b) | mixture of a metal with other elements; copper and zinc a mixture of a metal with other elements (metals or carbon) B1 copper and zinc B1 | 2 |
| (c) | atoms of different sizes; disrupt the regular layers; layers cannot slide easily the alloy contains atoms of different sizes B1 which disrupt the regular arrangement of layers B1 so the layers cannot slide over each other easily B1 | 3 |
| (d) | positive ions in sea of delocalised electrons; electrons free to move and carry charge a lattice of positive ions B1 surrounded by a sea of delocalised electrons B1 the electrons are free to move and carry charge through the metal B1 | 3 |
| (e) | Mg rapid fizzing; Zn slow fizzing; Cu no reaction magnesium: rapid fizzing / dissolves quickly B1 zinc: slow fizzing B1 copper: no reaction B1 | 3 |
Aluminium, copper and iron have many uses.
Give one use of aluminium and the property that makes it suitable.
Give one use of copper and the property that makes it suitable.
State two general physical properties of metals.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | aircraft – low density / food cans – resists corrosion e.g. aircraft bodies B1 low density and strong (or cans/overhead cables with matching property) B1 | 2 |
| (b) | wires – good conductor electrical wiring B1 good electrical conductor and ductile B1 | 2 |
| (c) | conduct; malleable; shiny; high melting point Any 2 of: good conductors of heat/electricity; malleable/ductile; shiny; high melting point B2 | 2 |
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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