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Elements, compounds and mixtures

2.1

What the syllabus asks of you

  • Describe the differences between elements, compounds and mixtures

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Chapter 2: Elements, compounds and mixtures

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15 questions

1May / June 2026 · Paper 11 · Q2
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Adiagram A
Bdiagram B
Cdiagram C
Ddiagram D

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2May / June 2026 · Paper 12 · Q2
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AAir is a mixture because it is made up entirely of different compounds.
BChlorine is an element because all of its atoms have the same atomic number and mass number.
CLead(II) bromide is a compound because it is impossible to separate it into its elements.
DStainless steel is a mixture because it can have a variable composition of different elements.

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3Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 11 · Q3
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Astatement 1: X is a compound; statement 2: X contains exactly four different elements
Bstatement 1: X is a compound; statement 2: X contains exactly five different elements
Cstatement 1: X is a mixture; statement 2: X contains exactly four different elements
Dstatement 1: X is a mixture; statement 2: X contains exactly five different elements

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4May / June 2025 · Paper 11 · Q2
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Ahydrogen | water and sodium | aqueous sodium hydroxide
Bhydrogen and sodium | water | aqueous sodium hydroxide
Caqueous sodium hydroxide | hydrogen and sodium | water
Dsodium and water | aqueous sodium hydroxide | hydrogen

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5May / June 2025 · Paper 12 · Q3
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AAll compounds are ionic.
BAll compounds conduct electricity when molten.
CEach atom of an element contains the same number of protons.
DIn a mixture of substances, the proportions of the substances are always the same.

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6Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 11 · Q3
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A1 and 3
B1 only
C2 and 3
D2 only

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7May / June 2024 · Paper 11 · Q2
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Astatement 1: X is a mixture with the ratio 4 : 7 by mass of iron and sulfur; statement 2: X is a compound with the ratio 4 : 7 by mass of iron and sulfur
Bstatement 1: X is a mixture with the ratio 7 : 4 by mass of iron and sulfur; statement 2: X is a compound with the ratio 7 : 4 by mass of iron and sulfur
Cstatement 1: X is a mixture with the formula FeS; statement 2: X is a compound with the formula FeS
Dstatement 1: X is a mixture with the formula FeSO4; statement 2: X is a compound with the formula FeSO4

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8May / June 2024 · Paper 12 · Q2
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Aa compound
Ba mixture of compounds and elements
Ca mixture of elements
Dan element

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9Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 11 · Q3
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Acopper; brass; zinc
Bmethane; carbon; petroleum
Cnitrogen; carbon dioxide; water vapour
Doxygen; glucose; air

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10Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 12 · Q3
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AW | Z | X and Y
BW | Y | X and Z
CY | W and Z | X
DY | W | X and Z

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11May / June 2022 · Paper 12 · Q8
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Agraphite, iron | methane, water | air, copper
Bgraphite, iron | sand, water | air, brass
Ciron, water | methane, graphite | air, brass
Dwater, methane | air, graphite | iron, brass

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12Oct / Nov 2021 · Paper 11 · Q26
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A0 elements, 3 compounds, 0 mixtures
B1 element, 2 compounds, 0 mixtures
C1 element, 1 compound, 1 mixture
D2 elements, 0 compounds, 1 mixture

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13Oct / Nov 2019 · Paper 12 · Q5
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Adry air
Bethanol
Csteel
Dpetrol (gasoline)

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14May / June 2018 · Paper 11 · Q9
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AAll compounds are ionic.
BAll compounds conduct electricity when molten.
CEach element only contains one type of atom.
DIn a mixture of substances, the proportions of the substances are always the same.

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15Oct / Nov 2017 · Paper 11 · Q7
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AEqual masses of the elements must be used.
BThe compound shows similar chemical properties to those of the elements.
CThe elements must both be non-metals.
DWhen the elements react together, ionic or covalent compounds form.

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