A Level AQA Chemistry 3 hours 15 questions

Structured Questions

Atomic Structure
Fundamental Particles / Mass Number & Isotopes / Time of Flight Mass
Spectrometry / Shells & Orbitals / Electron Configuration / Ionisation Energy /
Ionisation Energy: Trends & Evidence

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Medium (5 questions) /52

Hard (5 questions) /62

Total Marks /167

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Easy Questions
1 (a) The plum pudding model of an atom was derived by JJ Thompson in the nineteenth
century. He suggested that the atom was a sphere of positive charge which contained
negative electrons like plums in a pudding. This type of model of element A is shown in
Figure 1.

i) Give three differences of the plum pudding model compared to the modern day model
of an atom.

ii) Identify element A and give a reason for your answer.

(5 marks)

(b) Give the electron configuration of element A.

(1 mark)

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(c) Write an equation including state symbols to show the first ionisation energy of element
A.

(2 marks)

(d) Explain why the first ionisation energy of element A is less that the second ionisation
energy of element A.

(2 marks)

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2 (a) Naturally occurring isotopes of Europium are shown in Table 1. Calculate the relative
atomic mass of Europium. Give your answer to 1 d.p.

m/z value 151 153

Abundance 47.8 % 52.2 %

(2 marks)

(b) In terms of particles, explain why Europium - 151 and Europium - 153 have similar
chemical properties.

(2 marks)

(c) Define the term relative atomic mass.

(2 marks)

(d) The main Isotopes of Gadolinium and Dysprosium have relative atomic masses that are
larger than Europium. Use the information Table 2 to calculate the number of neutrons
in Gadolinium and Dysprosium.

Table 2

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 Isotope Atomic Number

Gadolinium - 158 64

Dysprosium - 164 66

(2 marks)

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3 (a) The relative abundance of isotopes of an element can be measured using a mass
spectrometer. Antinomy, Sb, is used in alloys to make Lead, Pb, harder. A sample of
Antinomy was analysed in the mass spectrometer and two main isotopes were found,
121
Sb and 123Sb.

Use your periodic table to help you give the number of protons and neutrons in both
121Sb and 123Sb of Antimony.

(4 marks)

(b) Explain how the gaseous sample of Antimony, Sb, can be ionised in the mass
spectrometer.

(2 marks)

(c) Naming the relevant part of the mass spectrometer, explain how the abundance of the
isotope of antimony is measured.

(2 marks)

(d) State which ion of Antimony that will be deflected more in the mass spectrometer, 121Sb+
or 123Sb+, and give a reason for your answer.

(2 marks)

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4 (a) Figure 1 shows the first ionisation energies of elements in Period 3.

Figure 1

i) Place an ‘X’ on the diagram to show the first ionisation energy of Silicon, Si.

ii) Explain why the first ionisation energy of Magnesium, Mg, is higher than the first
ionisation energy of Aluminium, Al.

iii) Write an equation to show the second ionisation energy of Aluminium, Al.

iv) Give the full electronic configuration of a Sulfide, S2-, ion.

(6 marks)

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(b) State and explain the trend in ionisation energies down Group 2.

(4 marks)

(c) The first ionisation energy for sodium, Na, is 495.8 kJ mol-1. Explain why the energy
change for this reaction is endothermic.

(1 mark)

(d) Use the information in Table 1 to calculate the relative atomic mass of Magnesium, Mg
to 2 d.p.

Table 1

m/z value 24 25 26

Relative abundance (%) 78.99 10.00 11.01

(2 marks)

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5 (a) An isotope of an element X has two more protons than and two more neutrons than an
atom of K41. Use the periodic table to identify element X.

(1 mark)

(b) Give the full electronic configuration of the following species:

i) K+

ii) Ti

iii) Co

(3 marks)

(c) Ionisation energy reactions are endothermic processes.

i) Give the reactions for the first ionisation energy of K and the second ionisation energy
of Sc.

ii) Give the full electronic configuration of the Sc2+ ion.

(3 marks)

(d) Table 1 shows successive ionisation energies of element Z in Period 3.

Table 1

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 Ionisation energy 1 2 3 4 5

(kJ mol-1) 786 1576 3232 4356 16091

i) State why the first ionisation energy generally increases from left to right across the
periodic table.

ii) Using the data of successive ionisation energies in Table 1, state which group of the
periodic table element Z belongs to. Give a reason for your answer.

(5 marks)

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Medium Questions
1 (a) Atoms are made up of three subatomic particles; protons, neutrons and electrons.

Table 1 below shows data about these particles.

Table 1

Particle Proton Neutron Electron

Mass / kg 1.673 × 10-27 1.675 × 10-27 9.000 × 10-31

Use the data from Table 1, and the Periodic Table, to calculate the mass of one atom of
carbon in kg.

(2 marks)

(b) 12C, 13C and 14C are all isotopes of carbon. State the difference between these three
isotopes in terms of subatomic particles.

(1 mark)

(c) A student claims that the different isotopes of carbon will have different chemical
properties.

Is the student correct? Explain your answer.

(2 marks)

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(d) Table 2 shown below contains data on the relative isotopic abundance of a chemical
element, E.

Table 2

Relative m/z 46 47 48 49 50

% abundance 8.02 7.31 73.81 X 5.32

i) Complete Table 2 by calculating ‘X’.

ii) Use the data from Table 2 to calculate the relative atomic mass, Ar, to 1 decimal place
and use the Periodic Table to identify the element, E.

(4 marks)

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2 (a) A and B are different chemical elements, from different groups in the Periodic Table.

State why mA and nA have identical chemical properties, but mA and pB have different
chemical properties.

(3 marks)

(b) An atom has twice as many protons, and twice as many neutrons, as an atom of
19F. Determine the chemical symbol for this atom, including the mass number, and
deduce the number of electrons.

(3 marks)

(c) Elements exist as a mixture of isotopes.

i) Name an instrument which would be used to measure the relative abundances of

isotopes of an element.

ii) Explain the graph which would be produced, and how that graph and the data
obtained would be used to calculate the relative atomic mass of the element in
question.

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 (6 marks)

(d) Helium has been found to react with sodium and form a stable compound.

This discovery by scientists was very unexpected. Explain why.

(1 mark)

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3 (a) This question is about atomic structure.

Write the full electron configuration for Ca and Ca2+.

(2 marks)

(b) All elements have a value for a first ionisation energy.

i) Define the term first ionisation energy of an element.

ii) Write the equation for the first ionisation energy of calcium.

(3 marks)

(c) Table 1 below gives the successive ionisation energies of a Period 3 element.

Table 1

Ionisation number 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th

Ionisation energy (kJ 738 1450 7734 10543 13630 18020 21711 25661
-1
mol )

Identify the element, justifying your choice.

(2 marks)

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

(3 marks)

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4 (a) TOF (time of flight) mass spectrometry is a powerful instrumental method of analysis.

Describe how ions are formed in a TOF (time of flight) mass spectrometer.

(2 marks)

(b) In a TOF (time of flight) mass spectrometer, the ions formed are accelerated, detected
and their abundance is determined. Explain how these three steps occur.

(3 marks)

(c) An element, Z, has 4 isotopes, 82Z, 83Z, 84Z and 86Z.

i) Write an equation, including state symbols, to show how an atom of element Z is

ionised by electron impact.

ii) Give the m/z value of the ion that would reach the detector first.

(2 marks)

(d) In a TOF mass spectrometer, the time of flight, t, of an ion is shown by the equation

m
t=d
2KE

Where d is the length of the flight tube in metres, m is the mass of an ion in kg and KE is
the kinetic energy of the ions in the mass spectrometer.

The time of flight of a 82Z+ ion is 1.243 × 10−5 s

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KE of an ion in the flight tube is 1.029 × 10−15 J

The Avogadro constant, L, is 6.022 x 1023 mol-1

Calculate the time of flight of the 84Z+ ion.

(4 marks)

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5 (a) The Bohr model of an atom represents a central nucleus, consisting of protons and
neutrons, with electrons surrounding it moving in circular orbits. This model was
proposed by Niels Bohr in 1913 and after some further research, energy levels and
sublevels were recognised, and the model was refined.

Using your knowledge of atomic structure, complete Table 1 below for the particles
found in an atom.

Table 1

Particle Relative charge Relative mass

Proton

Neutron

Electron

(3 marks)

(b) State the block in the Periodic Table in which silicon is placed and explain your answer.

(2 marks)

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(c) A mass spectrometer can be used to detect isotopes of an element, such as silicon. For
these to be detected in the mass spectrometer, a sample containing the isotopes must
first be vapourised and then ionised.

State the sample must be ionised.

(1 mark)

(d) The graph below in Figure 1 shows the mass spectrum of a sample of silicon.

i) Using Figure 1, calculate the relative atomic mass, Ar, of this sample of silicon to 1
decimal place.

ii) Suggest why the relative atomic mass on the Periodic Table might be different to the
relative atomic mass of a sample analysed using a mass spectrometer.

(3 marks)

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Hard Questions
1 (a) Successive ionisation energies provide the evidence for the arrangement of electrons in
atoms. In Table 1, the successive ionisation energies of oxygen are given.

Table 1

Ionisation number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Ionisation energy (kJ 1314 3388 5301 7469 10989 13327 71337 84080
-1
mol )

i) Give the equation, including state symbols for the third ionisation energy of oxygen.

ii) Explain how this data shows evidence of two energy shells in oxygen.

(4 marks)

(b) Give the full electron configuration of the following atoms and ions.

i) Tellurium, Te

ii) Zinc(II) ion, Zn2+

iii) Copper(I) ion, Cu2+

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 (3 marks)

(c) Chlorine has two naturally occurring isotopes. 35Cl with a mass of 34.969 and 37Cl with a
mass of 36.966. The relative atomic mass of Cl is 35.5. Calculate the abundance of each
isotope to 2 d.p.

(3 marks)

(d) In order to ionise the sample of chlorine atoms in the Time of Flight (TOF) mass
spectrometer, the sample must be ionised.

i) Suggest why electron bombardment would be a more suitable method for a sample of
chlorine, rather than electrospray ionisation.

ii) Predict whether the atomic radius of 35Cl or 37Cl would be the greatest and give a
reason for your answer.

(3 marks)

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2 (a) A sample of Cerium, Ce, was analysed in a Time of Flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. The
relative abundances of three of the four main isotopes that were identified are shown in
Table 1.

A sample of Cerium, Ce, has four isotopes that have a known relative abundance. This
sample has an Ar of 140.12.

Table 1

136 138 140 m

Isotope Ce Ce Ce Ce

Abundance (%) 0.19 0.25 88.45 To be calculated

Use the data from Table 1 to calculate m, the mass number and the abundance of
isotope mCe.

(4 marks)

(b) A time of flight (TOF) mass spectrum for a sample of Cerium, Ce, was obtained. The
sample analysed was ionised by electron impact. Identify the ion of Cerium, Ce, in Table
1 with the shortest time of flight and justify your answer.

(1 mark)

(c) An 86Sr+ ion travels through the TOF mass spectrometer with a kinetic energy of 1.921 x
10-15 J.

The ion takes 1.09 x 10-5 s to reach the detector.

Calculate the length of the flight tube in meters. Give your answer to 3 significant figures.

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 1 d
KE = mv2 v= L = 6.02 x 1023
2 t

(5 marks)

(d) A 79Se+ ion travels through the flight tube with an energy of 6.27 x 10-16 J.

Calculate the velocity of the ion.

(4 marks)

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3 (a) A sample of element Z was extracted from a meteorite. Table 1 shows the relative
abundance of each isotope in a mass spectrum of this sample of Z. Calculate the relative
atomic mass of Z and suggest an identity of Z. Give your answer to 1 d.p.

Table 1

m/z value 64 66 67 68

Relative abundance (%) 38.9 27.8 14.7 18.6

(3 marks)

(b) TOF (time of flight) mass spectrometry is a powerful instrumental method of analysis. In
order to obtain a mass spectrum of Z, a gaseous sample must first be ionised. Describe
how ionisation takes place and give two reasons why ionisation is necessary. Include an
equation to show the process of ionisation.

(5 marks)

(c) Sometimes in the mass spectrum on Z a very small peak with an m/z value of 32 is
present. Explain the occurrence of this peak.

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 (2 marks)

(d) Calculate the mass of a single 68Z+ ion in kg. Assume the mass of the 68Z+ is the same as
the 68Z atom. Give your answer to 3 significant figures.

(The Avogadro Constant L = 6.02 x 1023)

(2 marks)

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4 (a) Amorphous, unorganised solid form, boron is used as a rocket fuel igniter and in
pyrotechnic flares.

i) Write an equation, including state symbols to show the process that occurs when the
first ionisation of boron, B, is measured.

ii) Suggest why the ionisation energy of boron is lower than that of beryllium going
against the general trend in ionisation energies across the period.

(3 marks)

(b) A naturally occurring sample of the element boron, B, has two isotopes and a relative
atomic mass of 10.8.

i) Give the definition of relative isotopic mass.

ii) Calculate the relative abundances of both isotopes in the sample of boron, B.

(5 marks)

(c) Ions of boron, B, are deflected in a TOF mass spectrometer. Give one reason why
isotopes of the same mass and velocity are deflected by different amounts in the same
magnetic field.

(1 mark)

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(d) A sample of another group three element Aluminum, Al, is analysed in a TOF mass
spectrometer. The 27Al+ ion travelled down a 5 m flight tube with a kinetic energy of 1.45
x 10-13 J.

1 d
KE = mv2 v= L = 6.02 x 1023
2 t

i) Calculate the mass of 1 aluminium atom in kg.

ii) Calculate the velocity of the Al+ ion travelling through the flight tube and give your
answer to 3 significant figures.

iii) Calculate its time of flight and give your answer to 3 significant figures.

(6 marks)

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5 (a) Give the full electron configuration of the Cu+ ion.

(1 mark)

(b) A sample of copper atoms were placed through a TOF mass spectrometer. Two isotopes
of copper were detected, one of them being 63Cu and the other being 65Cu.

d
v=
t

Calculate the velocity of the 63Cu if it travels down a 5 m flight tube in 4.200 x 10-6 s. Give
your answer to 3 significant figures.

(2 marks)

(c) Calculate the percentage relative abundance of 63Cu with a mass of 62.9296 and 65Cu
with a mass of 64.9278, when the average mass of the Cu isotope is 63.546. Give your
answer to 3 significant figures.

(3 marks)

(d) Palladium is another transition metal that is primarily used in a catalytic converter in
cars.

i) Give the electron configuration for the Zirconium 2+ ion, Zr2+, starting with [Kr].

ii) Give the equation including state symbols to represent the third ionisation energy of
Zirconium, Zr.

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 (2 marks)

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