Practice Questions | Bonding and Structure [103 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 1]
What is the formula of copper (I) sulfide?

A. CuS

B. Cu2S

C. CuSO3

D. Cu2SO3 [1]

Markscheme

2. [Maximum mark: 1]
Which is the correct equation for the electrolysis of molten sodium
chloride?

A. 2NaCl (l) → 2Na (l) + Cl2 (g)

B. 2NaCl (s) → 2Na (s) + Cl2 (g)

C. 2NaCl (l) → 2Na (s) + Cl2 (g)

D. 2NaCl (aq) → 2Na (s) + Cl2 (g) [1]

Markscheme

A
3. [Maximum mark: 1]
Which molecule can be represented by resonance structures?

A. H2S

B. HNO3

C. H2O2

D. HClO [1]

Markscheme

4. [Maximum mark: 1]
Which molecule is polar?

A. BeH2

B. AlH3

C. PH3

D. SiH4 [1]

Markscheme

5. [Maximum mark: 1]
 Which structure of CF2Cl2 is shown with correct bond and molecular
dipoles?

[1]

Markscheme

6. [Maximum mark: 1]
Alloying a metal with a metal of smaller atomic radius can disrupt the
lattice and make it more difficult for atoms to slide over each other.
Which property will increase as a result?
 A. Electrical conductivity

B. Ductility

C. Malleability

D. Strength
[1]

Markscheme

7. [Maximum mark: 1]
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) contain bonds of the following lengths:

C—C = 1.54 × 10−10 m

C—F = 1.38 × 10−10 m

C—Cl = 1.77 × 10−10 m

What is the order of increasing bond strength in the CFC molecule?

A. C—C < C—F < C—Cl

B. C—C < C—Cl < C—F

C. C—Cl < C—C < C—F

D. C—F < C—C < C—Cl [1]

Markscheme
 C

8. [Maximum mark: 1]
A compound consists of the ions Ca2+ and PO43–. What are the name
and formula of the compound?

[1]

Markscheme

9. [Maximum mark: 1]
What is the explanation for the high melting point of sodium chloride?

A. The covalent bond between sodium and chlorine atoms is strong.

B. Electrostatic attraction between sodium and chloride ions is strong.

C. Intermolecular forces in sodium chloride are strong.

D. Delocalized electrons cause strong bonding in sodium chloride. [1]

Markscheme

B
10. [Maximum mark: 1]
Which molecule is most polar?

A. CF4

B. CCl4

C. CHF3

D. CClF3 [1]

Markscheme

11. [Maximum mark: 1]

For which species can resonance structures be drawn?

A. HCOOH

B. HCOO–

C. CH3OH

D. H2CO3 [1]

Markscheme

12. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which statement best describes the intramolecular bonding in HCN
(l)?
 A. Electrostatic attractions between H+ and CN− ions

B. Hydrogen bonding

C. Van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding

D. Electrostatic attractions between pairs of electrons and positively

charged nuclei [1]

Markscheme

13. [Maximum mark: 1]

What is the type of bonding in a compound that has high boiling and
melting points, poor electrical conductivity, and low solubility in
water?

A. Ionic

B. Molecular covalent

C. Metallic

D. Giant covalent [1]

Markscheme

14. [Maximum mark: 1]

What is the name of the compound with formula Ti3(PO4)2?

A. Titanium phosphate
 B. Titanium(II) phosphate

C. Titanium(III) phosphate

D. Titanium(IV) phosphate [1]

Markscheme

15. [Maximum mark: 1]

What is the main interaction between liquid CH4 molecules?

A. London (dispersion) forces

B. Dipole–dipole forces

C. Hydrogen bonding

D. Covalent bonding [1]

Markscheme

16. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which molecule has the weakest nitrogen to nitrogen bond?

A. N2

B. N2H2

C. N2H4
 D.
[1]

Markscheme

17. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which combination would create the strongest ionic bond?

[1]

Markscheme

18. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which compound contains both ionic and covalent bonds?

A. CH3COONa

B. CH3COOH

C. K2O
 D. CaCl2 [1]

Markscheme

19. [Maximum mark: 1]

The following compounds have similar relative molecular masses.
What is the order of increasing boiling point?

A. CH3CH2CH2OH < CH3CH2CHO < CH3COOH

B. CH3CH2CHO < CH3CH2CH2OH < CH3COOH

C. CH3CH2CHO < CH3COOH < CH3CH2CH2OH

D. CH3COOH < CH3CH2CHO < CH3CH2CH2OH [1]

Markscheme

20. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which alcohol is least soluble in water?

A. CH3OH

B. CH3CH2OH

C. CH3CH2CH2OH

D. CH3CH2CH2CH2OH [1]
 Markscheme

21. [Maximum mark: 1]

The Lewis structure of methylamine is shown.

What is the molecular geometry around N?

A. Square planar

B. Tetrahedral

C. Trigonal planar

D. Trigonal pyramidal [1]

Markscheme

22. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which compound contains both ionic and covalent bonds?

A. MgO

B. CH2Cl2
 C. CH3COOH

D. NaOH
[1]

Markscheme

23. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which substance is most likely to be ionic?

[1]

Markscheme

24. [Maximum mark: 1]

Along which series is the bond angle increasing?

A. NH3 H2O CH4

B. CH4 NH3 H2O

C. H2O NH3 CH4

D. H2O CH4 NH3

[1]
 Markscheme

25. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which series is in order of increasing boiling point?

A. CH2CH2CH3OH CH3COCH3 CH3CH2CH3

B. CH3CH2CH3 CH3COCH3 CH2CH2CH3OH

C. CH3COCH3 CH2CH2CH3OH CH3CH2CH3

D. CH3CH2CH3 CH2CH2CH3OH CH3COCH3 [1]

Markscheme

26. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which compound has the greatest volatility under the same
conditions?

A. SO2

B. SiO2

C. SnO2

D. SrO [1]

Markscheme
 A

27. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which compound has the shortest C to N bond?

A. HCN

B. CH3CH2NH2

C. CH3CHNH

D. (CH3)2NH [1]

Markscheme

28. [Maximum mark: 1]

What is the formula of the compound formed from Ca2+ and PO43−?

A. CaPO4

B. Ca3(PO4)2

C. Ca2(PO4)3

D. Ca(PO4)2 [1]

Markscheme

B
29. [Maximum mark: 1]
Which is the correct order based on increasing strength?

A. covalent bonds < hydrogen bonds < dipole–dipole forces <

dispersion forces

B. dipole–dipole forces < dispersion forces < hydrogen bonds <

covalent bonds

C. dispersion forces < dipole–dipole forces < hydrogen bonds <

covalent bonds

D. dispersion forces < dipole–dipole forces < covalent bonds <

hydrogen bonds [1]

Markscheme

30. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which formula is correct?

A. NH4 PO4

B. (NH4)
2
PO4

C. (NH4)3 PO4

D. (NH4) (PO4)
3 2
[1]

Markscheme

C
31. [Maximum mark: 1]
Which molecule is most polar?

A. CHF3

B. CF4

C. CClF3

D. CCl4 [1]

Markscheme

32. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which combination correctly describes the geometry of the carbonate
2−
ion, CO3 ?

[1]

Markscheme

33. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which series shows the correct order of metallic bond strength from
strongest to weakest?
 A. Na > K > Rb > Mg

B. Mg > Rb > K > Na

C. Rb > K > Na > Mg

[1]
D. Mg > Na > K > Rb

Markscheme

34. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which is correct for all solid ionic compounds?

A. High volatility

B. Poor electrical conductivity

C. Low melting point

D. Good solubility in water [1]

Markscheme

35. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which compound has the shortest C to O bond?

A. CH3CHO

B. CO

C. CO2
 D. C2H5OC2H5 [1]

Markscheme

36. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which describes a resonance structure?

A. Double bond can be drawn in alternative positions.

B. Bonds vibrate by absorbing IR radiation.

C. A double and a single bond in the molecule

D. A Lewis structure [1]

Markscheme

37. [Maximum mark: 1]

What is the structure and bonding in SiO2 (s)?

[1]
 Markscheme

38. [Maximum mark: 1]

What is the order of increasing boiling point?

A. CH3CH2CH2CH3 < CH3CH(OH)CH3 < CH3COCH3 < CH3CO2H

B. CH3CH2CH2CH3 < CH3COCH3 < CH3CH(OH)CH3 < CH3CO2H

C. CH3CO2H < CH3COCH3 < CH3CH(OH)CH3 < CH3CH2CH2CH3

D. CH3CH2CH2CH3 < CH3COCH3 < CH3CO2H < CH3CH(OH)CH3 [1]

Markscheme

39. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which species does not have resonance structures?

A. C6H6

B. NH4+

C. CO32−

D. O3 [1]

Markscheme

B
40. [Maximum mark: 1]
Which describes an ionic compound?

[1]

Markscheme

41. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which combination corresponds to a strong metallic bond?

[1]

Markscheme
 B

42. [Maximum mark: 1]

How does a lithium atom form the most stable ion?

A. The atom gains a proton to form a positive ion.

B. The atom loses a proton to form a negative ion.

C. The atom loses an electron to form a positive ion.

D. The atom gains an electron to form a negative ion. [1]

Markscheme

43. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which combination causes the strength of metallic bonding to
increase?

[1]

Markscheme
 D

44. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which molecule contains an incomplete octet of electrons?

A. NF3

B. BF3

C. BrF

D. SF2 [1]

Markscheme

45. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which compound has hydrogen bonds between its molecules?

A. CH4

B. CH4O

C. CH3Cl

D. CH2O [1]

Markscheme

B
46. [Maximum mark: 1]
Which species has the same molecular geometry as SO32−?

A. BF3

B. SO3

C. PF3

D. CO32− [1]

Markscheme

47. [Maximum mark: 1]

How many lone pairs and bonding pairs of electrons surround the
central chlorine atom in ClF2+?

[1]

Markscheme
 D

48. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which compound has the highest boiling point?

A. CH3CHO

B. CH3CH2F

C. CH3OCH3

D. CH3CH2NH2 [1]

Markscheme

49. [Maximum mark: 1]

Which molecule is polar?

A. BeCl2

B. BCl3

C. NCl3

D. CCl4 [1]

Markscheme

C
50. [Maximum mark: 1]
Alkanes form a homologous series.

(a.i) But-2-ene can be polymerized. Draw a section of the resulting

polymer showing two repeating units. [1]

Markscheme

Allow any orientation of methyl groups.

Ignore square brackets and “n”.
Continuation lines must be shown.

51. [Maximum mark: 3]

Nitrogen (IV) oxide, NO2, is a brown gas found in photochemical smog and has a
pollutant causing acid deposition.
(a) Deduce the Lewis structure of N2O4. [1]

Markscheme

Accept any combination of dots, crosses or lines to represent electron pairs.

(b) The NO bond lengths in N2O4 are all 1.19 × 10−10m.

(b.i) Suggest what the bond lengths indicate about the structure of
N2O4. [1]

Markscheme

it has resonance structures ✓

Accept bond order = 1.5.

 Accept delocalized electrons «in NO bonds».

(b.ii) Predict the ONN bond angle in N2O4. [1]

Markscheme

110–120° ✓

Accept any value in the range given.

(Bond angle is actually 112.3°.)

52. [Maximum mark: 3]

The periodic table provides information about electron configuration, and
physical and chemical properties of elements.

(a) Aluminium has atomic number 13. Deduce two pieces of

information about the electron configuration of Aluminium
from its position on the periodic table. [2]

Markscheme

Any two of the following:

«group 13 so Al has» 3 valence electrons ✓
 «period 3 so Al has» 3 «occupied» electron shells/energy levels ✓
«in p-block so» p orbitals are highest occupied ✓
occupied p orbitals ✓
has unpaired electrons ✓
has incomplete shell(p)/subshell(p) ✓

Award [1] for full or condensed electron configuration

Accept other valid statements about the electron configuration.

(b) Outline why aluminium is malleable. [1]

Markscheme

«layers of» cations slide over each other without disrupting bonding
OR
attraction between metal ions and delocalized electrons/metallic bonding
is not disrupted by changing position of metal ions
OR
metallic bonds are non-directional
OR
changing the shape does not disrupt the bonding ✓
53. [Maximum mark: 3]
Ammonium nitrate, NH4NO3, is used as a high nitrogen fertilizer.

(a) Deduce the Lewis (electron dot) structure for the nitrate anion. [1]

Markscheme

Negative charge must be included on square bracket or singly-bonded oxygen atom.

Accept .

Accept any combination of dots/crosses or lines to represent electron pairs.

Solid ammonium nitrate can decompose to gaseous dinitrogen monoxide and

liquid water.
(b) Deduce the Lewis (electron dot) structure and shape for
dinitrogen monoxide showing nitrogen as the central atom.

[2]

Markscheme

Lewis structure:

Shape: linear ✔

Accept

OR

Only award M2 if the shape corresponds to that expected for the Lewis structure given.
54. [Maximum mark: 4]
When heated in air, magnesium ribbon reacts with oxygen to form magnesium
oxide.

(a(i)) State the types of bonding in magnesium, oxygen and

magnesium oxide, and how the valence electrons produce
these types of bonding.

[4]

Markscheme
 Award [1] for all bonding types correct.

Award [1] for each correct description.

Apply ECF for M2 only once.

55. [Maximum mark: 3]

Carbon forms many compounds.

C60 and diamond are allotropes of carbon.

(a(i)) Outline one difference between the bonding of carbon atoms

in C60 and diamond. [1]

Markscheme

C60 fullerene: «each carbon is» bonded to 3 C AND diamond: bonded to 4 C

OR
C60 fullerene: delocalized/resonance AND diamond: not delocalized/no
resonance
OR
C60 fullerene: single and double bonds AND diamond: single bonds ✔

Accept “C60 fullerene: sp2 AND diamond: sp3”.

Accept “C60 fullerene: trigonal planar geometry / bond angles between 109.5°/109°/108°–120° AND
diamond: tetrahedral geometry / bond angle 109.5°/109°”.
 Accept "bonds in fullerene are shorter/stronger/have higher bond order".

(a(ii)) Explain why C60 and diamond sublime at different temperatures

and pressures. [2]

Markscheme

diamond giant/network covalent AND sublimes at higher temperature ✔

C60 molecular/London/dispersion/intermolecular «forces» ✔

Accept “diamond has strong covalent bonds AND require more energy to break «than intermolecular
forces»” for M1.

56. [Maximum mark: 6]

White phosphorus is an allotrope of phosphorus and exists as P 4.
(a(i)) Sketch the Lewis (electron dot) structure of the P 4 molecule,
containing only single bonds.

[1]

Markscheme

Accept any diagram with each P joined to the other three.

Accept any combination of dots, crosses and lines.

(a(ii)) Write an equation for the reaction of white phosphorus (P 4)

with chlorine gas to form phosphorus trichloride (PCl3). [1]

Markscheme

P 4 (s) + 6Cl2 (g) → 4PCl3 (l) ✔

(a(iii)) Deduce the electron domain and molecular geometry using
VSEPR theory, and estimate the Cl–P–Cl bond angle in PCl3.

[3]

Markscheme

Electron domain geometry: tetrahedral ✔

Molecular geometry: trigonal pyramidal ✔

Bond angle: 100«°» ✔

Accept any value or range within the range 91−108«°» for M3.

(a(iiii)) Explain the polarity of PCl3. [1]

Markscheme

polar AND unsymmetrical distribution of charge

OR
polar AND dipoles do not cancel
OR
«polar as» dipoles «add to» give a «partial» positive «charge» at P and a
«partial» negative «charge» at the opposite/Cl side of the molecule ✔
 Accept “polar AND unsymmetrical molecule”.

57. [Maximum mark: 10]

Iron may be extracted from iron (II) sulfide, FeS.

(a) Outline why metals, like iron, can conduct electricity. [1]

Markscheme

mobile/delocalized «sea of» electrons

(b) Justify why sulfur is classified as a non-metal by giving two of

its chemical properties. [2]

Markscheme

Any two of:

forms acidic oxides «rather than basic oxides» ✔

forms covalent/bonds compounds «with other non-metals» ✔

forms anions «rather than cations» ✔

behaves as an oxidizing agent «rather than a reducing agent» ✔

 Award [1 max] for 2 correct non-chemical properties such as non-conductor, high ionisation energy, high
electronegativity, low electron affinity if no marks for chemical properties are awarded.

Iron (II) sulfide, FeS, is ionically bonded.

(c) Describe the bonding in this type of solid. [2]

Markscheme

electrostatic attraction ✔

between oppositely charged ions/between Fe2+ and S2− ✔

(d) State the full electron configuration of the sulfide ion. [1]

Markscheme
 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 ✔

Do not accept “[Ne] 3s 2 3p6”.

(e) Outline, in terms of their electronic structures, why the ionic

radius of the sulfide ion is greater than that of the oxide ion. [1]

Markscheme

«valence» electrons further from nucleus/extra electron shell/ electrons in

third/3s/3p level «not second/2s/2p»✔

Accept 2,8 (for O2–) and 2,8,8 (for S2–)

(f ) Suggest why chemists find it convenient to classify bonding

into ionic, covalent and metallic. [1]

Markscheme

allows them to explain the properties of different compounds/substances

OR
enables them to generalise about substances
OR
enables them to make predictions ✔
 Accept other valid answers.

(g) Explain why the addition of small amounts of carbon to iron

makes the metal harder. [2]

Markscheme

disrupts the regular arrangement «of iron atoms/ions»

OR
carbon different size «to iron atoms/ions» ✔

prevents layers/atoms sliding over each other ✔

58. [Maximum mark: 2]

Iron (II) sulfide reacts with hydrochloric acid to form hydrogen sulfide, H2S.
 (a(i)) Draw the Lewis (electron dot) structure of hydrogen sulfide. [1]

Markscheme

OR ✔

Accept any combination of lines, dots or crosses to represent electrons.

(a(ii)) Predict the shape of the hydrogen sulfide molecule. [1]

Markscheme

bent/non-linear/angular/v-shaped✔

59. [Maximum mark: 5]

The properties of elements can be predicted from their position in the periodic
table.
(a(i)) Deduce the Lewis (electron dot) structure and molecular
geometry of sulfur dichloride, SCl2.

[2]

Markscheme

(a(ii)) Suggest, giving reasons, the relative volatilities of SCl2 and H2O. [3]

Markscheme

H2O forms hydrogen bonding «while SCl2 does not» ✓

SCl2 «much» stronger London/dispersion/«instantaneous» induced dipole-

induced dipole forces ✓

Alternative 1:
 H2O less volatile AND hydrogen bonding stronger «than dipole–dipole and
dispersion forces» ✓

Alternative 2:
SCl2 less volatile AND effect of dispersion forces «could be» greater than
hydrogen bonding ✓\

Ignore reference to Van der Waals.

Accept “SCl2 has «much» larger molar mass/electron density” for M2.

60. [Maximum mark: 2]

Compound A is in equilibrium with compound B.
 (a) Predict the electron domain and molecular geometries around
the oxygen atom of molecule A using VSEPR.

[2]

Markscheme

Electron domain geometry: tetrahedral ✔

Molecular geometry: bent/V-shaped ✔

61. [Maximum mark: 5]

Bromine can form the bromate(V) ion, BrO3−.

(a.i) State the electron configuration of a bromine atom. [1]

Markscheme

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p5

OR

[Ar] 4s2 3d10 4p5 ✔

Accept 3d before 4s.

(a.ii) Draw the Lewis (electron dot) structure for BrO3− that obeys the
octet rule. [1]

Markscheme

Accept dots, crosses or lines to represent electron pairs.

(a.iii) Predict, using the VSEPR theory, the geometry of the BrO3− ion
and the O−Br−O bond angles.

[3]
 Markscheme

Geometry:
trigonal/pyramidal ✔

Reason:
three bonds AND one lone pair
OR
four electron domains ✔

O−Br−O angle:
107° ✔

Accept “charge centres” for “electron domains”.

Accept answers in the range 104–109°.

62. [Maximum mark: 1]

(a(i)) Proteins are polymers of amino acids. A paper chromatogram of
two amino acids, A1 and A2, is obtained using a non-polar
solvent.
 [1]

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2020.

Determine the Rf value of A1.

Markscheme

0. 70 ✔

Accept any value within the range “0 . 6 7 − 0 . 7 3 ”.

63. [Maximum mark: 2]

 Metals are extracted from their ores by various means.

Aluminium is produced by the electrolysis of alumina (aluminium oxide)

dissolved in cryolite.

(a(i)) Determine the percentage of ionic bonding in alumina using

sections 8 and 29 of the data booklet. [2]

Markscheme

electronegativity difference = 1.8 «and average electronegativity = 2.5» ✔

57 «%» ✔

NOTE: Accept any value in the range 52−65 %.

Award [2] for correct final answer.

64. [Maximum mark: 2]

The structure of aspirin is shown in section 37 of the data booklet.
 (a) Predict, with reason, the solubility of Aspirin in water. [2]

Markscheme

It will be soluble in water as it can form hydrogen bonds.

65. [Maximum mark: 2]

Stearic acid (Mr = 284.47) and oleic acid (Mr = 282.46) have the same number of
carbon atoms. The structures of both lipids are shown in section 34 of the data
booklet.

(a) Explain why stearic acid has a higher melting point than oleic
acid. [2]

Markscheme

no kinks in chain/more regular structure

OR
straight chain
OR
no C=C/carbon to carbon double bonds
OR
saturated
OR
chains pack more closely together ✔

NOTE: Accept “greater surface area/electron density” for M1.

stronger London/dispersion/instantaneous induced dipole-induced dipole

forces «between molecules» ✔

NOTE: Accept “stronger intermolecular/van der Waals’/vdW forces” for M2.

© International Baccalaureate Organization, 2024