IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

31 2 – Atomic Structure Mostafa Barakat (0100 165 44 62)

IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

May 2009 TZ1 Q (4, 5, 6)

1) 4. Which is correct for the following regions of the electromagnetic spectrum?

UV IR

A. high energy short wavelength low energy low frequency

B. high energy low frequency low energy long wavelength

C. high frequency short wavelength high energy long wavelength

D. high frequency long wavelength low frequency low energy

2) 5. Which species possesses only two unpaired electrons?

A. Zn
B. Mg
C. Ti2+
D. Fe2+
3) 6. Which is the best definition of electronegativity?
A. Electronegativity is the energy required for a gaseous atom to gain an
electron.
B. Electronegativity is the attraction of an atom for a bonding pair of electrons.
C. Electronegativity is the attraction between the nucleus and the valence
electrons of an atom.
D. Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract electrons from another
atom.
May 2009 TZ2 Q (5, 6, 7)
4) 5. The table below shows the number of protons, neutrons and electrons
present in five species.

Number of Number of Number of

Species
protons neutrons electrons

X 6 8 6

Y 7 7 7

Z 7 7 8

W 8 8 8

Q 8 10 8

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

Which two species are isotopes of the same element?

A. X and W
B. Y and Z
C. Z and W
D. W and Q
5) 6. What is the order of increasing energy of the orbitals within a single
energy level?
A. d < s < f < p
B. s < p < d < f
C. p < s < f < d
D. f < d < p < s
6) 7. What is the electron configuration of the Cr2+ ion?
A. [Ar] 3d5 4s1
B. [Ar] 3d3 4s1
C. [Ar] 3d6 4s1
D. [Ar] 3d4 4s0
Nov 2009 TZ0 Q (6)
7) 6. Between which ionization energies of boron will there be the greatest
difference?
A. Between 1st and 2nd ionization energies
B. Between 2nd and 3rd ionization energies
C. Between 3rd and 4th ionization energies
D. Between 4th and 5th ionization energies
May 2010 TZ1 Q (4, 5, 6)
8) 4. Which describes the visible emission spectrum of hydrogen?
A. A series of lines converging at longer wavelength
B. A series of regularly spaced lines
C. A series of lines converging at lower energy
D. A series of lines converging at higher frequency

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

9) 5. The graph represents the energy needed to remove nine electrons, one
at a time, from an atom of an element. Not all of the electrons have been
removed.

Which element could this be?

A. C
B. Si
C. P
D. S
10) 6. An ion has the electron configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10. Which
ion could it be?
A. Ni2+
B. Cu+
C. Cu2+
D. Co3+
May 2010 TZ2 Q (4, 5)
11) 4. A sample of element X contains 69 % of 63X and 31 % of 65X. What is
the relative atomic mass of X in this sample?
A. 63.0
B. 63.6
C. 65.0
D. 69.0
12) 5. What is the electron configuration of Fe3+?
A. [Ar] 4s2 3d6
B. [Ar] 3d5
C. [Ar] 4s2 3d5
D. [Ar] 4s2 3d3

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

Nov 2010 TZ0 Q (4, 5)

13) 4. Which statement about the species 63Cu2+ and 65Cu+ is correct?
A. Both species have the same number of protons.
B. Both species have the same number of electrons.
C. Both species have the same number of neutrons.
D. Both species have the same electron arrangement.
14) 5. The graph below shows the first four ionization energies of four
elements A, B, C and D (the letters are not their chemical symbols). Which
element is magnesium?

May 2011 TZ1 Q (5, 6)

15) 5. What is the electron configuration of vanadium?
A. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d2 4s3
B. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d3 4s2
C. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d4 4s1
D. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d5
16) 6. Which quantities are the same for all atoms of chlorine?
I. Number of protons
II. Number of neutrons
III. Number of electrons
A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

May 2011 TZ2 Q (4, 5, 6)

17) 4. Consider the relative abundance of the isotopes of element X.

Isotope Relative abundance (%)

24
X 80
25
X 10
26
X 10

What is the relative atomic mass of X?

A. 24
B. 25
C. Between 24 and 25
D. Between 25 and 26
18) 5. In the emission spectrum of hydrogen, which electronic transition would
produce a line in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum?
A. n = 2 
→ n=1
B. n = 3 
→ n=2
C. n = 2 
→ n=3
D. n = ∞ 
→ n=1
19) 6. Values for the successive ionization energies for an unknown element
are given in the table below.

First ionization Second ionization third ionization Fourth ionization

–1 –1 –1
energy / kJ mol energy / kJ mol energy / kJ mol energy / kJ mol–1

240 3600 4400 5900

In which group of the periodic table would the unknown element be found?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Nov 2011 TZ0 Q (6)
20) 6. Which shows the sub-levels in order of increasing energy in the fourth
energy level of an atom?
A. f < d < p < s
B. p < d < f < s

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

C. d < f < p < s

D. s < p < d < f
May 2012 TZ1 Q (4, 5, 8)
21) 4. Which isotope has an atomic number of 9 and a mass number of 19?
A. 9F
B. 19K
C. 19F
D. 28Si
22) 5. What is the order in which the energy sub-levels are occupied
according to the Auf bau principle?
A. 5s, 5p, 4d
B. 4d, 5s, 5p
C. 5s, 4d, 5p
D. 5s, 5d, 5p
23) 8. What are the electron configurations of Cu, Cu+ and Cu2+?

May 2012 TZ2 Q (5, 6)

24) 5. In the electromagnetic spectrum, which will have the shortest
wavelength and the greatest energy?

Shortest wavelength Greatest energy

A. ultraviolet ultraviolet

B. infrared Infrared

C. ultraviolet infrared

D. infrared ultraviolet

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

25) 6. What is the electron configuration of Sn2+?

Nov 2012 TZ0 Q (5)

26) 5. Which of the graphs below shows the successive logarithmic ionization
energies of phosphorus?

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

May 2013 TZ1 Q (4, 5)

27) 4. Which diagram shows a pattern similar to the emission spectrum of
hydrogen?

28) 5. What is the correct electron configuration of the Cu+ ion?

A. [Ar] 3d9 4s1
B. [Ar] 3d7 4s2
C. [Ar] 3d10
D. [Ar] 3d8 4s1
May 2013 TZ2 Q (5, 6)
29) 5. Which species has the electron configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6
3d8?
A. Ni
B. Ni2+
C. Fe
D. Cu2+
30) 6. Element X is in group 5 and period 4 of the periodic table. Which
statement is correct?
A. X has 5 occupied energy levels.
B. X can form ions with 3– charge.
C. X is a transition element.
D. X has 4 valence electrons.

39 2 – Atomic Structure Mostafa Barakat (0100 165 44 62)

IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

Nov 2013 TZ0 Q (4, 5)

31) 4. What are the numbers of neutrons and electrons in the iodine ion, 125I+?

Neutrons Electrons

A. 53 53

B. 72 52

C. 72 53

D. 125 52

32) 5. What is the abbreviated electron configuration of the telluride ion, Te2–?
A. [Kr] 5s2 5d10 5p6
B. [Kr] 5s2 4d10 5p2
C. [Kr] 5s2 4d10 5p4
D. [Kr] 5s2 4d10 5p6
May 2014 TZ1 Q (4, 5)
33) 4. The diagram represents the emission spectrum of hydrogen. Groups of
arrows are labelled W, X and Y.

Which statement is correct?

A. The arrows represent the transition of electrons to different energy levels
when heat is supplied.
B. The arrows of W represent emission in the UV region.
C. The smallest arrow of X represents a violet line in the emission spectrum.
D. The arrows of Y represent emission of electromagnetic waves with higher
energy than those represented by X and W.

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

34) 5. Which electron configurations do not follow the Hund's rule?

A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III
May 2014 TZ2 Q (4, 5, 6)
35) 4. What is the abbreviated electron configuration of the cobalt(II) ion,
Co2+?
A. [Ar] 3d7

B. [Ar] 4s2 , 3d5

C. [Ar] 4s2 , 3d7

D. [Ar] 4s1, 3d6

36) 5. Which statement correctly describes the atomic emission spectrum of
hydrogen?
A. It is a continuous spectrum converging at high frequency.
B. It is a line spectrum converging at high frequency.
C. It is a continuous spectrum converging at low frequency.
D. It is a line spectrum converging at low frequency.
37) 6. Which equation represents the second ionization energy of potassium?

41 2 – Atomic Structure Mostafa Barakat (0100 165 44 62)

IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

Nov 2014 TZ0 Q (4, 5)

38) 4. Some possible electron transitions in a hydrogen atom are shown
below. Which letter represents the electron transition with the highest
energy in the emission spectrum of a hydrogen atom?

39) 5. Successive ionization energies for an element, Z, are shown in the

table below.

Electrons removed 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Ionization energy / kJ mol–1 736 1450 7740 10 500 13 600

What is the most likely formula for the ion of Z?

A. Z+
B. Z 2+
C. Z3+
D. Z 4+
May 2015 TZ1 Q (4, 5, 7)
40) 4. Ultraviolet radiation has a shorter wavelength than infrared radiation.
How does the frequency and energy of ultraviolet radiation compare with
infrared radiation?

Frequency Energy

A. higher higher

B. higher lower

C. lower higher

D. lower lower

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

41) 5. The first ionization energies (in kJ mol−1) of five successive elements
in the periodic table are:
1314, 1681, 2081, 496 and 738
What could these elements be?
A. d-block elements
B. The last two elements of one period and the first three elements of the next
period
C. The last three elements of one period and the first two elements of the next
period
D. The last five elements of a period
42) 7. What is the definition of the term first ionization energy?
A. The energy released when one mole of electrons is removed from one
mole of gaseous atoms.
B. The energy required to remove one mole of electrons from one mole of
gaseous atoms.
C. The energy released when one mole of gaseous atoms gains one mole of
electrons.
D. The energy required to add one mole of electrons to one mole of gaseous
atoms.
May 2015 TZ2 Q (5)
43) 5. What is the electron configuration of the copper(I) ion, Cu+?
A. 1s2, 2s2, 2p6, 3s2, 3p6, 4s1, 3d9
B. 1s2, 2s2, 2p6, 3s2, 3p6, 4s2, 3d8
C. 1s2, 2s2, 2p6, 3s2, 3p6, 4s1, 3d10
D. 1s2, 2s2, 2p6, 3s2, 3p6, 3d10

43 2 – Atomic Structure Mostafa Barakat (0100 165 44 62)

IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

Nov 2015 TZ0 Q (5)

44) 5. Which statement is correct about the first ionization energies of
consecutive elements shown in the graph?

A. The graph falls between Be and B because there is an electron in the third
energy level.
B. The graph increases from B to N because the atomic radius is increasing.
C. The graph increases from Li to Ne because the number of electrons is
increasing.
D. The graph falls between Be and B because the outer electron in B is in a p
sub-level.
SPECIMEN 2016 Q (4, 5, 6, 7)
45) 4. Which electronic transition would absorb the radiation of the shortest
wavelength?

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

46) 5. Which is the electron configuration of the ion Fe2+?

47) 6. Which element is in group 2?

48) 7. Which element is in the f-block of the periodic table?

A. Be
B. Ce
C. Ge
D. Re
May 2016 TZ0 Q (4, 5, 6, 7)
53
49) 4. Which is correct for the chromium isotope 24 Cr ?
A. 24 neutrons and 53 nucleons
B. 24 protons and 29 nucleons
C. 24 protons and 29 neutrons
D. 24 electrons and 53 neutrons
50) 5. Which electron configuration is correct for the selenide ion, Se2−?
A. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 4d10 4p4
B. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 4d10 4p6
C. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p4
D. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p6

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

51) 6. The diagram shows the first ionization energies of four consecutive
elements in the periodic table.
Which element is in Group 14?

52) 7. Which element is a metalloid?

A. Co
B. As
C. Cs
D. Es
Nov 2016 TZ0 Q (4, 5)
53) 4. Which is correct for the line emission spectrum for hydrogen?

A. Line M has a higher energy than line N.

B. Line N has a lower frequency than line M.
C. Line M has a longer wavelength than line N.
D. Lines converge at lower energy.

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

54) 5. Which representation would be correct for a species, Z, which has 31

protons, 40 neutrons and 28 electrons?

May 2017 TZ1 Q (4, 5)

55) 4. Which electron transition in the hydrogen atom emission spectrum
emits radiation with the longest wavelength?
A. n = 2 → n = 1
B. n = 1 → n = 2
C. n = 4 → n = 1
D. n = 3 → n = 2
56) 5. Which statement explains one of the decreases in first ionization
energy (I.E.) across period 3?

A. The nuclear charge of element Al is greater than element Mg.

B. The electron-electron repulsion is greater, for the electron with the opposite
spin, in element S than in element P.
C. A new sub-level is being filled at element S.
D. The p orbital being filled in element Al is at a lower energy than the s orbital
in element Mg.

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

May 2017 TZ2 Q (4, 5)

57) 4. Which electron transition emits radiation of the longest wavelength?

58) 5. X, Y and Z represent the successive elements, Ne, Na and Mg, but not
necessarily in that order.

First ionization energy / kJ mol–1

X 2081

Y 496

Z 738

What is the order of increasing atomic number?

A. X < Y < Z
B. X < Z < Y
C. Y < Z < X
D. Y < X < Z
Nov 2017 TZ0 Q (5, 6, 7)
59) 5. What is the number of protons and the number of neutrons in 131I?

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

60) 6. The graph represents the first ten ionisation energies (IE) of an
element.

What is the element?

A. O
B. S
C. Ne
D. Cl
61) 7. Which electron configuration is that of a transition metal atom in the
ground state?
A. [Ne] 3s2 3p6 4s1
B. [Ar] 3d9
C. 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p2
D. [Ar] 4s1 3d5
May 2018 TZ1 Q (4, 5)
62) 4. Which are correct statements about the emission spectrum of hydrogen
in the visible region?
I. The red line has a lower energy than the blue line.
II. The lines converge at longer wavelength.
III. The frequency of the blue line is greater than the frequency of the red
line.
A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

63) 5. Which transition on the diagram corresponds to the ionization of

hydrogen in the ground state?

May 2018 TZ2 Q (4, 5)

64) 4. Which electron transition emits energy of the longest wavelength?

65) 5. The graph shows the first ionization energies of some consecutive
elements.

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

Which statement is correct?

A. Y is in group 3
B. Y is in group 10
C. X is in group 5
D. X is in group 18
Nov 2018 TZ0 Q (4, 5)
66) 4. Which statements are correct for the emission spectrum of hydrogen?
I. The lines converge at higher frequencies.
II. Electron transitions to n = 2 are responsible for lines in the visible region.
III. Lines are produced when electrons move from lower to higher energy
levels.
A. I and II only
B. I and III only
C. II and III only
D. I, II and III
67) 5. The values for the first three successive ionization energies for two
elements X and Z are given.

Element First ionization Second ionization Third ionization

energy I kJ mol–1 energy I kJ mol–1 energy I kJ mol–1

X 520 7300 11800

Y 1090 2350 4610

Which pair of elements represents X and Z?

X Y

A. Li Be

B. Li C

C. Be Li

D. Be C

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

May 2019 TZ1 Q (4, 5)

68) 4. What is the ground state electron configuration of an atom of
chromium, Cr (Z = 24)?

69) 5. Which element is represented by the first eight successive ionization

energies on the graph?

A. Mg
B. S
C. Cl
D. Ar
May 2019 TZ2 Q (4, 5)
70) 4. Which is correct for 34
16 S2−

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

71) 5. Which of the following transitions in the hydrogen atom emits the least
energy?
A. n = 2 to n = 1
B. n = 3 to n = 1
C. n = 4 to n = 2
D. n = 4 to n = 3
Nov 2019 TZ0 Q (4, 5)
72) 4. Which represents the shape of an s atomic orbital?

73) 5. Which shows the first ionization energies of successive elements

across period 2, from left to right?

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

Nov 2020 TZ0 Q (4, 5)

74) 4. What is the relative atomic mass, Ar, of an element with this mass
spectrum?

A. 24.0
B. 24.3
C. 24.9
D. 25.0
75) 5. Which element is in group 13?

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

May 2021 TZ1 Q (4, 5, 6)

76) 4. What is the relative molecular mass of bromine, according to the
following mass spectrum?

77) 5. Which represents a p orbital?

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

78) 6. The diagram shows the first ionisation energies of consecutive

elements in the same period of the periodic table.

Which factor explains why element X has a higher first ionisation energy than
element Y?
A. Element Y loses an electron from a different sub-level.
B. Element Y has a smaller atomic radius.
C. Element X has a full octet.
D. Element Y has a greater nuclear charge.
May 2021 TZ2 Q (4, 5)
79) 4. What is represented by “2–" in AZ X 2−
A. loss of electron
B. gain of electron
C. loss of proton
D. gain of proton

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IB Chemistry HL Classified Paper_1 Chapter_2

80) 5. The first eight successive ionization energies for an element are shown.
In which group is the element?

A. 6
B. 7
C. 8
D. 17

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