Unit 2: Structure 2: Models of Bonding and Structure

Topic 2.4: From Models to Materials Questions

Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB Chemistry Topic 2.4. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.

1Draw1 mark
2026
Draw a diagram of the structure of an alloy such as bronze.
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2State1 mark
2026
State the two properties used as the axes of a bonding triangle.
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3explain3 marks
Explain what is meant by an addition polymer and state the repeating unit formed from propene, CH₂=CHCH₃.
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4explain3 marks
Explain, in terms of structure and bonding, why metals conduct electricity but most polymers do not.
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5state2 marks
State one advantage and one disadvantage of using polymers rather than metals for making containers.
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6explain3 marks
Explain what the bonding triangle shows and name the three types of bonding at its corners.
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7explain3 marks
Explain why aluminium chloride is often described as having bonding intermediate between ionic and covalent.
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8predict3 marks
Predict the type of bonding in each of MgO, Cl₂ and brass, and give a reason for each.
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9explain2 marks
Explain why describing bonding as strictly ionic or strictly covalent is a simplification.
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10Outline1 mark
2026
Outline why bonding is described as a continuum rather than three separate types.
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11explain3 marks
State what an alloy is and explain why alloys are generally harder than the pure metal.
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12Explain3 marks
Explain, in terms of how the valence electrons are involved, how ionic bonding differs from covalent bonding, and relate each to its position on the bonding triangle. [3]
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13Deduce1 mark
An addition polymer has the repeating unit (–CH₂–CH(CH₃)–)ₙ.

Deduce the structure of the alkene monomer from which it is made.
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14Explain2 marks
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.

Explain, in terms of structure, why brass is harder than pure copper. [2]
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15Identify1 mark
2026
Which statement about an alloy is correct?
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16Deduce1 mark
2026
Two elements have electronegativities of 1.6 and 1.9, and a high average electronegativity is not involved. What bonding type does the bonding triangle predict?
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17Deduce1 mark
2026
Deduce the type of bonding in sodium chloride and in a C–H bond.
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18Distinguish1 mark
2026
Distinguish between a polar covalent bond and an ionic bond.
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19Outline1 mark
2026
Outline why an alloy is usually harder than the pure metal it is made from.
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20Determine4 marks
Caesium fluoride (CsF) has χ(Cs) = 0.8 and χ(F) = 4.0; tetrachloromethane (CCl₄) has χ(C) = 2.6 and χ(Cl) = 3.2.

Using the bonding triangle, determine χavg and Δχ for each and deduce the dominant bonding type of each compound. [4]
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