Atomic Structure - Electron Configuration – Questions

Q1.
The values of the first ionisation energies of neon, sodium and magnesium are 2080, 494
and 736 kJ mol–1, respectively.

(a)     Explain the meaning of the term first ionisation of an atom.

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___________________________________________________________________

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(2)

(b)     Write an equation to illustrate the process occurring when the second ionisation
energy of magnesium is measured.

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(2)

(c)     Explain why the value of the first ionisation energy of magnesium is higher than that
of sodium.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(d)     Explain why the value of the first ionisation energy of neon is higher than that of
sodium.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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(2)
(Total 8 marks)

Q2.
There is a general trend in the values of the first ionisation energies of the elements Na to
Ar. The first ionisation energies of the elements Al and S deviate from this trend.

(a)     Write an equation, including state symbols, to represent the process for which the
energy change is the first ionisation energy of Na.

___________________________________________________________________
(2)
 (b)     State and explain the general trend in the values of the first ionisation energies of
the elements Na to Ar.

Trend _____________________________________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(c)     State how, and explain why, the values of the first ionisation energies of the
elements Al and S deviate from the general trend.

How the values deviate from the trend ____________________________________

Explanation for Al ____________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Explanation for S ___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(5)
(Total 10 marks)

Q3.
The diagram below shows the values of the first ionisation energies of some of the
elements in Period 3.

(a)     On the above diagram, use crosses to mark the approximate positions of the values
of the first ionisation energies for the elements Na, P and S. Complete the diagram
by joining the crosses.
(3)

(b)     Explain the general increase in the values of the first ionisation energies of the
elements Na–Ar.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
 ___________________________________________________________________

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(3)

(c)     In terms of the electron sub-levels involved, explain the position of aluminium and
the position of sulphur in the diagram.

Explanation for aluminium ______________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Explanation for sulphur ________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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(4)
(Total 10 marks)

Q4.
(a)     State the meaning of the term electronegativity.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b)     State and explain the trend in electronegativity values across Period 3 from sodium
to chlorine.

Trend ______________________________________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________
(3)

(c)     What is meant by the term first ionisation energy?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(d)     The diagram below shows the variation in first ionisation energy across Period 3.
  

(i)      What is the maximum number of electrons that can be accommodated in an s

sub-level?

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______________________________________________________________

(ii)     What evidence from the diagram supports your answer to part (d)(i)?

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(iii)     What evidence from the diagram supports the fact that the 3p sub-level is
higher in energy than the 3s?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(iv)    What evidence from the diagram supports the fact that no more than three
unpaired electrons can be accommodated in the 3p sub-level?

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

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(5)
(Total 12 marks)

Q5.
Lithium hydride, LiH, is an ionic compound containing the hydride ion, H–
The reaction between LiH and aluminium chloride, AlCl3, produces the ionic compound
LiAlH4

(a)     Balance the equation below which represents the reaction between LiH and AlCl3

LiH +    AlCl3  →      LiAlH4   +     LiCl

(1)
 (b)     Give the electronic configuration of the hydride ion, H–

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c)     Predict the shape of the  ion. Explain why it has this shape.

Shape _____________________________________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(d)     A bond in  can be represented by H → Al

Name this type of bond and explain how it is formed.

Type of bond ________________________________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 8 marks)

Q6.
(a)     One isotope of sodium has a relative mass of 23.

(i)      Define, in terms of the fundamental particles present, the meaning of the term
isotopes.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(ii)     Explain why isotopes of the same element have the same chemical properties.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(iii)     Calculate the mass, in grams, of a single atom of this isotope of sodium.
(The Avogadro constant, L, is 6.023 × 1023 mol –1)

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(5)
 (b)     Give the electronic configuration, showing all sub-levels, for a sodium atom.

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(1)

(c)     Explain why chromium is placed in the d block in the Periodic Table.

___________________________________________________________________

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(1)

(d)     An atom has half as many protons as an atom of 28Si and also has six fewer
neutrons than an atom of 28Si. Give the symbol, including the mass number and the
atomic number, of this atom.

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(2)
(Total 9 marks)

Q7.
This question is about the elements in Group 2 and their compounds.

(a)     Use the Periodic Table to deduce the full electron configuration of calcium.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b)     Write an ionic equation, with state symbols, to show the reaction of calcium with an
excess of water.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c)     State the role of water in the reaction with calcium.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(d)     Write an equation to show the process that occurs when the first ionisation energy
of calcium is measured.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(e)     State and explain the trend in the first ionisation energies of the elements in Group 2
from magnesium to barium.

Trend ______________________________________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
 ___________________________________________________________________

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(3)
(Total 7 marks)

Q8.
The table below shows some successive ionisation energy data for atoms of three
different elements X, Y and Z.

Elements X, Y and Z are Ca, Sc and V but not in that order.

 
  First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth

X 648 1370 2870 4600 6280 12 400

Y 590 1150 4940 6480 8120 10 496

Z 632 1240 2390 7110 8870 10 720

(a)     Which element is calcium?

X       

Y       

Z       
(1)

(b)     Which element is vanadium?

X       

Y       

Z       
(1)

(c)     Justify your choice of vanadium in part (b)

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___________________________________________________________________

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(1)

(d)     An acidified solution of NH4VO3 reacts with zinc.

Explain how observations from this reaction show that vanadium exists in at least
two different oxidation states.
 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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(2)

(e)     The vanadium in 50.0 cm3 of a 0.800 mol dm−3 solution of NH4VO3 reacts with 506
cm3 of sulfur(IV) oxide gas measured at 20.0 °C and 98.0 kPa.

Use this information to calculate the oxidation state of the vanadium in the solution
after the reduction reaction with sulfur(IV) oxide.
Explain your working.
The gas constant R = 8.31 J K−1 mol−1.

Oxidation state = _______________

(6)
(Total 11 marks)

Q9.
This question is about the first ionisation energies of some elements in the Periodic Table.

(a)     Write an equation, including state symbols, to show the reaction that occurs when
the first ionisation energy of lithium is measured.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b)     State and explain the general trend in first ionisation energies for the Period 3
elements aluminium to argon.

Trend _____________________________________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________
 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

(Extra space) ________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(c)     There is a similar general trend in first ionisation energies for the Period 4 elements
gallium to krypton.

State how selenium deviates from this general trend and explain your answer.

How selenium deviates from this trend ____________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

(Extra space) ________________________________________________________

(3)

(d)     Suggest why the first ionisation energy of krypton is lower than the first ionisation
energy of argon.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(e)     The table below gives the successive ionisation energies of an element.
 
  First Second Third Fourth Fifth

Ionisation energy / kJ mol–1 590 1150 4940 6480 8120

Deduce the group in the Periodic Table that contains this element.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(f)      Identify the element that has a 5+ ion with an electron configuration of
1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10

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(1)
(Total 10 marks)

Q10.
This question is about electron configuration.
 (a)     Give the full electron configuration of an Al atom and of a Cr3+ ion.

Al atom ____________________________________________________________

Cr3+ ion ____________________________________________________________

(2)

(b)     Deduce the formula of the ion that has a charge of 2+ with the same electron
configuration as krypton.

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(1)

(c)     Deduce the formula of the compound that contains 2+ ions and 3− ions that both
have the same electron configuration as argon.

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(1)
(Total 4 marks)

Q11.
The following diagram shows the first ionisation energies of some Period 3 elements.

(a)     Draw a cross on the diagram to show the first ionisation energy of aluminium.
(1)

(b)     Write an equation to show the process that occurs when the first ionisation energy
of aluminium is measured.

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c)     State which of the first, second or third ionisations of aluminium would produce an
ion with the electron configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(d)     Explain why the value of the first ionisation energy of sulfur is less than the value of
the first ionisation energy of phosphorus.

___________________________________________________________________
 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(e)     Identify the element in Period 2 that has the highest first ionisation energy and give
its electron configuration.

Element ____________________________________________________________

Electron configuration _________________________________________________

(2)

(f)      State the trend in first ionisation energies in Group 2 from beryllium to barium.
Explain your answer in terms of a suitable model of atomic structure.

Trend ______________________________________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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(3)
(Total 11 marks)

Q12.
(a)     State the meaning of the term first ionisation energy of an atom.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b)     Complete the electron arrangement for the Mg2+ ion.

1s2 ________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c)     Identify the block in the Periodic Table to which magnesium belongs.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(d)     Write an equation to illustrate the process occurring when the second ionisation
energy of magnesium is measured.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(e)     The Ne atom and the Mg2+ ion have the same number of electrons. Give two
reasons why the first ionisation energy of neon is lower than the third ionisation
energy of magnesium.
 Reason 1 ___________________________________________________________

Reason 2 ___________________________________________________________
(2)

(f)      There is a general trend in the first ionisation energies of the Period 3 elements, Na
– Ar

(i)      State and explain this general trend.

Trend ________________________________________________________

Explanation ____________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

(ii)     Explain why the first ionisation energy of sulphur is lower than would be
predicted from the general trend.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(5)
(Total 12 marks)

Q13.
(a)     Complete the electronic configuration for the sodium ion, Na+

ls2 ________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b)     (i)      Write an equation, including state symbols, to represent the process for which
the energy change is the second ionisation energy of sodium.

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii)     Explain why the second ionisation energy of sodium is greater than the second
ionisation energy of magnesium.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)

(iii)     An element X in Period 3 of the Periodic Table has the following successive
ionisation energies.
 
  First Second Third Fourth
 Ionisation energies / kJ mol –1
577 1820 2740 11600

Deduce the identity of element X.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(c)     State and explain the trend in atomic radius of the Period 3 elements from sodium to
chlorine.

Trend ______________________________________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(d)     Explain why sodium has a lower melting point than magnesium.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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(3)

(e)     Sodium reacts with ammonia to form the compound NaNH2 which contains the NH2–
ion. Draw the shape of the NH2– ion, including any lone pairs of electrons.
Name the shape made by the three atoms in the NH2– ion.

Shape of NH2–

Name of shape ______________________________________________________

(2)

(f)      In terms of its electronic configuration, give one reason why neon does not form
compounds with sodium.

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(1)
(Total 16 marks)
Q14.
This question is about the elements in Period 3 of the Periodic Table.

(a)     State the element in Period 3 that has the highest melting point.
Explain your answer.

Element ____________________________________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(b)     State the element in Period 3 that has the highest first ionisation energy.
Explain your answer.

Element ____________________________________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(c)     Suggest the element in Period 3 that has the highest electronegativity value.

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(1)

(d)     Chlorine is a Period 3 element.

Chlorine forms the molecules ClF3 and CCl2

(i)      Use your understanding of electron pair repulsion to draw the shape of ClF3
and the shape of CCl2
Include any lone pairs of electrons that influence the shape.

Shape of ClF3                                                     Shape of CCl2

(2)

(ii)     Name the shape of CCl2

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(iii)    Write an equation to show the formation of one mole of ClF3 from its elements.

______________________________________________________________
(1)
 (Total 11 marks)

Q15.
The element nitrogen forms compounds with metals and non-metals.

(a)     Nitrogen forms a nitride ion with the electron configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6
Write the formula of the nitride ion.

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(1)

(b)     An element forms an ion Q with a single negative charge that has the same electron
configuration as the nitride ion.
Identify the ion Q.

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(1)

(c)     Use the Periodic Table and your knowledge of electron arrangement to write the
formula of lithium nitride.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(d)     Calcium nitride contains 81.1% by mass of the metal.

Calculate the empirical formula of calcium nitride.
Show your working.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(e)     Write an equation for the reaction between silicon and nitrogen to form silicon
nitride, Si3N4

___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 7 marks)

Q16.
 (a)     When aluminium is added to an aqueous solution of copper(II) chloride, CuCl2,
copper metal and aluminium chloride, AlCl3, are formed. Write an equation to
represent this reaction.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b)     (i)      State the general trend in the first ionisation energy of the Period 3 elements
from
Na to Ar.

______________________________________________________________

(ii)     State how, and explain why, the first ionisation energy of aluminium does not
follow this general trend.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(4)

(c)     Give the equation, including state symbols, for the process which represents the
second ionisation energy of aluminium.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(d)     State and explain the trend in the melting points of the Period 3 metals Na, Mg and
Al.

Trend  _____________________________________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 9 marks)

Q17.
Ionisation energies provide evidence for the arrangement of electrons in atoms.

(a)     Complete the electron configuration of the Mg+ ion.

1s2 _______________________________________________________________
(1)

(b)     (i)      State the meaning of the term first ionisation energy.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
 ______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii)     Write an equation, including state symbols, to show the reaction that occurs
when the second ionisation energy of magnesium is measured.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(iii)     Explain why the second ionisation energy of magnesium is greater than the
first ionisation energy of magnesium.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(iv)    Use your understanding of electron arrangement to complete the table by

suggesting a value for the third ionisation energy of magnesium.
 
  First Second Third Fourth Fifth

Ionisation energies of  
736 1450 10 500 13 629
magnesium / kJ mol–1

(1)

(c)     State and explain the general trend in the first ionisation energies of the Period 3
elements sodium to chlorine.

Trend ______________________________________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(d)     State how the element sulfur deviates from the general trend in first ionisation
energies across Period 3. Explain your answer.

How sulfur deviates from the trend _______________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(e)     A general trend exists in the first ionisation energies of the Period 2 elements lithium
 to fluorine. Identify one element which deviates from this general trend.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 13 marks)

Q18.
(a)     Use your knowledge of electron configuration and ionisation energies to answer this
question. The following diagram shows the second ionisation energies of some
Period 3 elements.

(i)      Draw an ‘X’ on the diagram to show the second ionisation energy of sulfur.
(1)

(ii)     Write the full electron configuration of the Al2+ ion.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(iii)    Write an equation to show the process that occurs when the second ionisation
energy of aluminium is measured.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(iv)    Give one reason why the second ionisation energy of silicon is lower than the
second ionisation energy of aluminium.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(b)     Predict the element in Period 3 that has the highest second ionisation energy.
Give a reason for your answer.

Element ____________________________________________________________

Reason ____________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
 ___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c)     The following table gives the successive ionisation energies of an element in Period
3.
 
  First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth

Ionisation energy /
786 1580 3230 4360 16100 19800
kJ mol−1

Identify this element.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(d)     Explain why the ionisation energy of every element is endothermic.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

(Extra space) ________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 8 marks)

Q19.
(a)    Table 1 shows some data about fundamental particles in an atom.
Table 1

Particle proton neutron electron

Mass / g 1.6725 × 10–24 1.6748 × 10–24 0.0009 × 10–24

(i)      An atom of hydrogen can be represented as 1H

Use data from Table 1 to calculate the mass of this hydrogen atom.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii)     Which one of the following is a fundamental particle that would not be

deflected by an electric field?

A     electron

B     neutron

C     proton

Write the correct letter, A, B or C, in the box.

  
(1)

(b)     A naturally occurring sample of the element boron has a relative atomic mass of
10.8.
In this sample, boron exists as two isotopes, 10B and 11B

(i)      Calculate the percentage abundance of 10B in this naturally occurring sample

of boron.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii)     State, in terms of fundamental particles, why the isotopes 10B and 11B have
similar chemical reactions.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(c)    Complete Table 2 by suggesting a value for the third ionisation energy of boron.
Table 2

  First Second Third Fourth Fifth

Ionisation energy / kJ mol–

1 799 2420   25 000 32 800

(1)

(d)     Write an equation to show the process that occurs when the second ionisation
energy of boron is measured. Include state symbols in your equation.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(e)     Explain why the second ionisation energy of boron is higher than the first ionisation
energy of boron.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 8 marks)
 Q20.
The element rubidium exists as the isotopes 85Rb and 87Rb

(a)     State the number of protons and the number of neutrons in an atom of the isotope
85
Rb

Number of protons ___________________________________________________

Number of neutrons __________________________________________________

(2)

(b)     (i)      Explain how the gaseous atoms of rubidium are ionised in a mass
spectrometer

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(ii)     Write an equation, including state symbols, to show the process that occurs
when the first ionisation energy of rubidium is measured.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(c)     The table shows the first ionisation energies of rubidium and some other elements in
the same group.
 
Element sodium potassium rubidium

First ionisation 494 418 402

energy / kJ mol–1

State one reason why the first ionisation energy of rubidium is lower than the first
ionisation energy of sodium.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(d)     (i)      State the block of elements in the Periodic Table that contains rubidium.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii)     Deduce the full electron configuration of a rubidium atom.

______________________________________________________________
 (1)

(e)     A sample of rubidium contains the isotopes 85Rb and 87Rb only.
The isotope 85Rb has an abundance 2.5 times greater than that of 87Rb

Calculate the relative atomic mass of rubidium in this sample.

Give your answer to one decimal place.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(f)      By reference to the relevant part of the mass spectrometer, explain how the
abundance of an isotope in a sample of rubidium is determined.

Name of relevant part _________________________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(g)     Predict whether an atom of 88Sr will have an atomic radius that is larger than, smaller
than or the same as the atomic radius of 87Rb. Explain your answer.

Atomic radius of 88Sr compared to 87Rb ___________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 16 marks)

Q21.
(a)     Nickel is a metal with a high melting point.

(i)      State the block in the Periodic Table that contains nickel.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii)     Explain, in terms of its structure and bonding, why nickel has a high melting
point.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
 ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)

(iii)     Draw a labelled diagram to show the arrangement of particles in a crystal of

nickel.
In your answer, include at least six particles of each type.

 
(2)

(iv)     Explain why nickel is ductile (can be stretched into wires).

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(b)     Nickel forms the compound nickel(II) chloride (NiCl2).

(i)      Give the full electron configuration of the Ni2+ ion.

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(ii)     Balance the following equation to show how anhydrous nickel(II) chloride can
be obtained from the hydrated salt using SOCl2
Identify one substance that could react with both gaseous products.
 

......NiCl2.6H2O(s) + ...... SOCl2(g) ......NiCl2(s) + ......SO2(g) + ......HCl(g)

 

Substance ____________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 9 marks)

Q22.
Aluminium and thallium are elements in Group 3 of the Periodic Table.
Both elements form compounds and ions containing chlorine and bromine.

(a)     Write an equation for the formation of aluminium chloride from its elements.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b)     An aluminium chloride molecule reacts with a chloride ion to form the AlCl4− ion.
 Name the type of bond formed in this reaction. Explain how this type of bond is
formed in the AlCl4− ion.

Type of bond ________________________________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c)     Aluminium chloride has a relative molecular mass of 267 in the gas phase.

Deduce the formula of the aluminium compound that has a relative molecular mass
of 267

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(d)     Deduce the name or formula of a compound that has the same number of atoms,
the same number of electrons and the same shape as the AlCl4− ion.

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(e)     Draw and name the shape of the TlBr52− ion.

Shape of the TlBr52− ion.

Name of shape ______________________________________________________

(2)

(f)      (i)      Draw the shape of the TlCl2+ ion.

 
(1)

(ii)     Explain why the TlCl2+ ion has the shape that you have drawn in part (f)(i).

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(g)     Which one of the first, second or third ionisations of thallium produces an ion with
the electron configuration [Xe] 5d106s1?

Tick (  ) one box.

 
 First
 

Second
 

Third
 
(1)
(Total 10 marks)

Q23.
This question is about the periodicity of the Period 3 elements.

(a)     State and explain the general trend in first ionisation energy across Period 3.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)

(b)     Give one example of an element which deviates from the general trend in first
ionisation energy across Period 3.

Explain why this deviation occurs.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)
 (c)    The table shows successive ionisation energies of an element Y in Period 3.
 
Ionisation number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Ionisation energy /
1000 2260 3390 4540 6990 8490 27 100 31 700
kJ mol–1

Identify element Y.

Explain your answer using data from the table.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(d)     Identify the Period 3 element that has the highest melting point.

Explain your answer by reference to structure and bonding.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)
(Total 13 marks)

Q24.
This question is about Period 3 of the Periodic Table.

(a)     Deduce which of Na+ and Mg2+ is the smaller ion.

Explain your answer.

Smaller ion _________________________________________________________

Explanation _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
 ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b)     Write an equation to represent the process that occurs when the first ionisation
energy for sodium is measured.

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(1)

(c)     The first ionisation energies of some Period 3 elements are shown in the following
graph.

Complete the graph by plotting the approximate first ionisation energy values for
magnesium and sulfur.

Explain why the first ionisation energy of sulfur is different from that of phosphorus.

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 (4)
(Total 7 marks)

Q25.
Photochromic glass contains silver ions and copper ions. A simplified version of a redox
equilibrium is shown below. In bright sunlight the high energy u.v. light causes silver
atoms to form and the glass darkens. When the intensity of the light is reduced the
reaction is reversed and the glass lightens.

Cu+(s) + Ag+(s) Cu2+(s) + Ag(s)

clear glass          dark glass

Which one of the following is a correct electron arrangement?

A       Cu+ is [Ar]3d94s1

B       Cu is [Ar]3d104s2

C       Cu2+ is [Ar]3d84s1

D       Cu+ is [Ar]3d10
(Total 1 mark)

Q26.
Which one of the following is the electronic configuration of the strongest reducing agent?

A       1s2 2s2 2p5

B       1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2

C       1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p5

D       1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2

(Total 1 mark)

Q27.
Which one of the following is the electronic configuration of an element with a maximum
oxidation state of +5?

A       1s2 2s2 2p5

B       1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p1

C       1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p3

D       1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d7 4s2

(Total 1 mark)

Q28.
Bromine exists as two isotopes 79Br and 81Br, which are found in almost equal abundance.

Which of the statements is correct?

 
 The first ionisation energy of 79Br is less than the first
A
ionisation energy of 81Br
The atomic radius of 79Br is less than the atomic radius
B
of 81Br
The mass spectrum of C3H7Br has two molecular ion
C
peaks at 122 and 124

D 79
Br is more reactive than 81Br
(Total 1 mark)

Q29.
Which one of the following lists the first ionisation energies (in kJ mol−1) of the elements
Mg, Al, Si, P and S in this order?
 
A 577 786 1060 1000 1260

B 736 577 786 1060 1000

C 786 1060 1000 1260 1520

D 1060 1000 1260 1520 418

(Total 1 mark)

Q30.
Which atom has an incomplete sub-shell?

A       Be

B       Ca

C       Ge

D       Zn
(Total 1 mark)

Q31.
In which one of the following pairs is the first ionisation energy of element Y greater than
that of element X?
 
electronic
electronic configuration
  configuration
of element X
of element Y

A 1s1 ls2

B 1s2 2s2 ls22s2 2p1

C 1s2 2s22p3 ls22s22p4

D 1s2 2s22p6 ls22s22p6 3s1

(Total 1 mark)
Q32.
Which one of the following statements is not correct?

A       The first ionisation energy of iron is greater than its second ionisation energy.

B       The magnitude of the lattice enthalpy of magnesium oxide is greater than that of
barium oxide.

C       The oxidation state of iron in [Fe(CN)6]3− is greater than the oxidation state of copper
in [CuCl2]−

D       The boiling point of C3H8 is lower than that of CH3CH2OH

(Total 1 mark)

Q33.
Which one of the following ionisations requires less energy than the first ionisation energy
of oxygen?

A       S(g) → S+(g) + e−

B       O+(g) → O2+(g) + e−

C       N(g) → N+(g) + e−

D       F(g) → F+(g) + e−
(Total 1 mark)

Q34.
Which one of the following atoms has only two unpaired electrons in its ground (lowest
energy) state?

A       helium

B       beryllium

C       nitrogen

D       oxygen
(Total 1 mark)

Q35.
Which one of the following does not have a pair of s electrons in its highest filled electron
energy sub-level?

A       H−

B       Mg

C       P3+

D       Ar
(Total 1 mark)