IGCSE · Chemistry 0620 · States of matter

Solids, liquids & gases: IGCSE Chemistry questions with answers

Free Solids, liquids & gases questions for IGCSE Chemistry (0620), part of States of matter. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.

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Solids, liquids & gases practice questions

Question 1Multiple choice · 1 markA* challenge

A gas syringe of gas is heated at constant pressure.
What happens to the gas?

  1. A Its particles get larger.
  2. B Its mass increases.
  3. C Its volume decreases.
  4. D Its volume increases.
Show answer

Answer: D

Question 2Multiple choice · 1 mark

Which change of state needs energy to be taken in?

  1. A boiling
  2. B none of these
  3. C freezing
  4. D condensing
Show answer

Answer: A

Question 3Multiple choice · 1 mark

Which statement describes sublimation?

  1. A The liquid that passes through the filter paper
  2. B A change in which no new substance is formed, such as a change of state
  3. C The change of state from gas to liquid
  4. D The change of state directly from solid to gas
Show answer

Answer: D

Question 4Structured · 5 marksA* challenge

A sample of a substance is cooled from 120 °C to 20 °C. Its melting point is 80 °C and its boiling point is 110 °C.

(a)

State the physical state of the substance at 120 °C, at 95 °C and at 20 °C.

[3]
(b)

Explain why the temperature stays constant while the substance freezes.

[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)gas, liquid, solid
120 °C gas B1
95 °C liquid B1
20 °C solid B1
3
(b)energy released as forces form
energy is released as attractive forces form between particles B1
this balances the energy lost to the surroundings B1
2
Question 5Structured · 3 marks

Ice cubes melt in a glass of water on a warm day.

(a)

Describe what happens to the particles of ice as it melts.

[2]
(b)

State the term for a solid changing directly into a gas.

[1]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)vibrate more, break from fixed positions
particles gain energy and vibrate more B1
they break free from their fixed positions and can move past each other B1
2
(b)sublimation
sublimation B1
1
Question 6Structured · 12 marks

A student heats a sample of salol until it melts, then lets it cool, recording its temperature every minute. Fig. 6.1 shows the cooling curve.

0123456782025303540455055606570time / mintemperature / °C
Fig. 6.1
(a)

Use Fig. 6.1 to find the melting point of the substance.

[1]
(b)

State what is happening to the substance between 2 and 6 minutes.

[1]
(c)

Explain why the temperature stays constant between 2 and 6 minutes.

[3]
(d)

Describe the changes in the arrangement and motion of the particles as the liquid freezes.

[3]
(e)

Explain why a gas can be compressed easily but a liquid cannot.

[2]
(f)

Suggest why the student uses a water bath rather than a Bunsen burner to heat the substance.

[2]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)43 °C
43 °C B1
1
(b)freezing / solidifying
it is freezing (changing from liquid to solid) B1
1
(c)energy released as bonds/forces form between particles; balances energy lost to surroundings
attractive forces form between the particles as the solid forms B1
energy is released B1
this balances the energy lost to the surroundings, so the temperature does not fall B1
3
(d)liquid: random, moving past each other; solid: regular lattice, vibrate in fixed positions; particles slow down
in the liquid the particles are randomly arranged and slide past each other B1
in the solid they are in a regular arrangement B1
they only vibrate about fixed positions (less kinetic energy) B1
3
(e)gas particles far apart; liquid particles touching
gas particles are far apart with large spaces between them B1
liquid particles are close together / touching B1
2
(f)even, controlled heating; substance is flammable / below 100 °C
gives gentle, even heating B1
the substance is flammable / melts below 100 °C B1
2

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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