About Metals and reactivity in O Level Chemistry
Metals and reactivity is one of the 12 main topics in our O Level Chemistry (Cambridge (CAIE) 5070) question bank, and about 6% of its real questions come from it. Tayyari Karo has 38 real questions on this topic from 2021 to 2026, from Paper 1, Paper 2; 28 are multiple choice and marked instantly, and the rest are structured questions with a model answer. By difficulty: 32 medium, 4 easy, 2 hard.
Work through the questions below, then open the explanation for each one. Redo the ones you missed a few days later.
Try 7 real questions
These are real past-paper questions. Think of your answer first, then open the explanation.
May/June 2026 · Paper 1 · Metals and reactivity
Which statement about aluminium is correct?
- It is used in the electrical wiring of houses because of its high resistance to corrosion and poor electrical conductivity.
- It is used in the manufacture of aircraft because of its high ductility and high density.
- It is used in overhead electrical cables because of its good electrical conductivity and poor resistance to corrosion.
- It is used in food containers because of its high malleability and high resistance to corrosion.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. It is used in food containers because of its high malleability and high resistance to corrosion.
Aluminium is malleable and its protective oxide layer makes it resistant to corrosion, so it is used for food containers.
May/June 2025 · Paper 1 · Metals and reactivity
Extracted by carbon?
- sodium
- aluminium
- iron
- calcium
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. iron
Fe reduced by carbon.
May/June 2024 · Paper 1 · Metals and reactivity
Tin extraction (between Fe and Pb)?
- electrolysis
- carbon
- heat alone
- hydrogen
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Answer: B. carbon
Reduction with carbon.
May/June 2023 · Paper 1 · Metals and reactivity
Iron + CuSO₄ →
- no reaction
- FeSO₄ + Cu
- Fe + Cu + SO₄
- Fe₂(SO₄)₃
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. FeSO₄ + Cu
Fe displaces Cu.
May/June 2022 · Paper 1 · Metals and reactivity
Zinc displaces which metal from its salt?
- magnesium
- iron
- copper
- calcium
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Answer: C. copper
Zn is above Cu, displaces it.
May/June 2021 · Paper 1 · Metals and reactivity
Tin more reactive than lead, less than iron. Extract tin from ore by?
- electrolysis
- heating alone
- heating with carbon
- reacting with hydrogen
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. heating with carbon
Between C and H in series → reduce with carbon.
May/June 2021 · Paper 2 · Metals and reactivity
Iron pyrite, FeS2, is an ore of iron. (a) Balance: FeS2 + O2 -> Fe2O3 + SO2. (b) Describe one environmental problem from sulfur dioxide. (c) Describe how SO2 is converted to sulfuric acid in the contact process. (d) State one other use of SO2. (e) In a blast furnace, describe the function of: (i) coke; (ii) limestone.
Show model answer
(a) 4 FeS2 + 11 O2 -> 2 Fe2O3 + 8 SO2. (b) acid rain damages buildings, lakes and trees. (c) SO2 oxidised to SO3 (with O2, V2O5 catalyst, ~450 C); SO3 dissolved in concentrated H2SO4 (oleum) then diluted to H2SO4. (d) preservative in dried fruit / bleach / making sulfur. (e)(i) coke is fuel (heat) and reduces the ore (forms CO). (ii) limestone removes acidic impurities as slag (with silica).
Contact process: SO2 -> SO3 -> H2SO4; blast furnace chemistry.
