Chemistry Past Paper Ch 1.

Atomic structure and the periodic table

Jan2009
4 The first five ionization energies of an element, Z, are: 790, 1600, 3200, 4400, 16100 kJ mol1
In which group of the Periodic Table is Z found?
A2
B3
C4
D5
19 (a) (i) Complete the electronic configuration of the magnesium atom. (1)
1s2 ........................................................................................................................................................................................
(ii) Complete the electronic configuration of the chlorine atom. (1)
1s2 ........................................................................................................................................................................................
(b) (i) Write the equation, including state symbols, for the reaction of magnesium with chlorine. (2)
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(ii) Name the type of bonding present in magnesium chloride. (1)
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(iii) Draw a diagram (using dots or crosses) to show the bonding in magnesium chloride. Include ALL the electrons in
each species and the charges present. (3)

(c) State the type of bonding that exists in solid magnesium. (1)
Type .....................................................................................................................................................................................
(d) Explain fully why the melting temperature of magnesium is higher than that of sodium. (3)
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20 (a) A gaseous sample of an element can be analysed using a mass spectrometer.
(i) Describe briefly how positive ions are formed from gaseous atoms in a mass spectrometer. (2)
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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 1.3

Atomic structure and periodic table

(ii) What is used to accelerate the positive ions in a mass spectrometer? (1)
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(iii) What is used to deflect the positive ions in a mass spectrometer? (1)
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(b) The following data were obtained from the mass spectrum of a sample of chromium.
Mass/charge ratio

% abundance

50.0

4.3

52.0

83.8

53.0

9.5

54.0

2.4

Calculate the relative atomic mass of chromium in this sample. Give your answer to three significant figures. (2)

(c) Explain why the four isotopes of chromium behave identically in chemical reactions. (1)
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(d) In which block of the Periodic Table is chromium found? (1)
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21 (a) Define the term first ionization energy.(3)
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(b) Write an equation, with state symbols, to illustrate the process occurring when the second ionization energy of
sodium is measured. (2)
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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 1.3

Atomic structure and periodic table

(c) The graph below shows the variation in the first ionization energies of some of the elements in Period 3.

(i)

On the graph, use crosses to show the approximate values of the first ionization energies for the elements Na,
P and S. Join the crosses to complete your graph.

(3)

(ii)
* (ii) Explain why the first ionization energies generally increase across the period from sodium to argon.

(3)

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(iii) Explain why the first ionization energy of aluminium is less than that of magnesium. (2)
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(d) Place the following species S+ , S , S in order of increasing first ionization energy, starting with the lowest. (1)
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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 1.3

Atomic structure and periodic table

May 2009
2 The mass spectrum for a sample of a metal is shown below.

The relative atomic mass of the metal is

A 63.2
B 63.4
C 63.6
D 64.0
7 The first five successive ionization energies of an element, X, are shown in the table below.
ionization energy

first

second

third

fourth

fifth

Value / kJ mol-1

590

1100

4900

6500

8100

Which ion is X most likely to form when it reacts with chlorine?

A X+
B X2+
C X3+
D X4+
12 Which of the following ions would undergo the greatest deflection in a mass spectrometer?
A 35Cl2+
B 35Cl+
C 37Cl+
D 35Cl37Cl+
13 Which pair of atomic numbers represents elements which are both in the p-block of the Periodic Table?
A 4, 8
B 6, 12
C 8, 16
D 10, 20
14 The electronic structure of an atom of an element in Group 6 of the Periodic Table could be
A 1s2 2s2 2p2
B 1s2 2s2 2p4
C 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d6 4s2
D 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6
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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 1.3

Atomic structure and periodic table

16 The electronic configurations of the atoms of four different elements are given below. For which element would
you expect the value of the first ionization energy to be the largest?
A 1s1
B 1s2
C 1s2 2s1
D 1s2 2s2
19 Which of the following does not have exactly 10 electrons?
A An ion of fluorine, F
B A molecule of methane, CH4
C A molecule of nitrogen, N2
D An ion of sodium, Na+
23 The graph shows the variation in melting temperatures of the elements across Period 3 (Na to Ar) of the Periodic
Table.
(a)

Complete the table below to show the type of structure and

bonding for the elements shown. (3)

Element

Structure

Bonding

Sodium
Silicon
Sulphur

(b) Explain why silicon has a much higher melting temperature than sulfur. (2)
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*(c) Explain why the melting temperature increases from sodium to aluminium. (2)
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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 1.3

Atomic structure and periodic table

January 2010
1 The isotopes of magnesium,

24

12Mg

and

25

12Mg,

both form ions with charge 2+. Which of the following statements

about these ions is true?

A Both ions have electronic configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2.
B

25

2+
12Mg

has more protons than 2412Mg2+.

C The ions have the same number of electrons but different numbers of neutrons.
D The ions have the same number of neutrons but different numbers of protons.
2 Chlorine has two isotopes with relative isotopic mass 35 and 37. Four m/z values are given below. Which will
occur in a mass spectrum of chlorine gas, Cl2, from an ion with a single positive charge?
A 35.5
B 36
C 71
D 72
6 The first ionization energies, in kJ mol1, of four elements with consecutive atomic numbers are shown below.
A 1680

B 2080

C 496

D 738

(a) Which element could be an inert gas?

A

(b) Which element could be X in a covalent compound with formula HX?

A

(c) Which element could be Y in an ionic compound with formula YH2?

A

7 The graph below shows the second ionization energy of a series of elements with consecutive atomic numbers.

Which element could be lithium?

8 The first five ionization energies, in kJ mol1, of aluminium are

578

1817

2745

11578

14831

The orbitals from which the first five electrons are removed during ionization, starting with the first electron, are
A 1s 2s 2p 3s 3p
B 1s 1s 2s 2s 2p
C 3p 3s 2p 2s 1s
D 3p 3s 3s 2p 2p
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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 1.3

Atomic structure and periodic table

May 2010
3 Which of these equations represents the second ionization of magnesium?
A Mg+(g) Mg2+(g) + e
B Mg(g) Mg2+(g) + 2e
C Mg+(g) + e Mg2+(g)
D Mg(g) + 2e Mg2+(g)
4 The sketch graph below shows the trend in first ionization energies for some elements in Periods two and three.
Select, from the elements A to D, the one that
(a) has atoms with five p electrons.
A

(b) is a member of Group 3.

A

(c) is likely to be very unreactive.

A

(d) normally forms four covalent bonds per atom.

A

16 The diagram below shows a mass spectrometer, which can be used to determine the percentage abundances of
isotopes in an element.

(a) Explain, in terms of sub-atomic particles, what is meant by the term isotopes.

(2)

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(b) Describe the role of the following parts of the mass spectrometer.
(i) Electric field

(1)

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(ii) Magnetic field (1)
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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 1.3

Atomic structure and periodic table

(b) A sample of the element barium is made up of four isotopes. The data below were taken from a mass spectrum of
this sample.
Mass / charge ratio

% abundance

135

9.01

136

10.81

137

12.32

138

67.86

Calculate the relative atomic mass of the sample, giving your answer to one decimal place. (2)

(d) The element bromine has two stable isotopes,79Br and 81Br. How many peaks corresponding to Br2+ ions would be
seen in the mass spectrum of bromine? Justify your answer. (2)
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(e) Suggest another application of mass spectrometry, other than to determine the relative atomic mass of an element.
(1)
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January 2011
15 The relative atomic mass of an element is determined using a mass spectrometer.
(a) Define the term relative atomic mass. (2)
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(b) The mass spectrum of rubidium is shown below.

(i) Explain why there are two peaks in the spectrum. (1)
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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 1.3

Atomic structure and periodic table

(ii) Use the spectrum to calculate the relative atomic mass of rubidium. (2)
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17 This question is about the element chlorine (atomic number = 17).
(a) Complete the electronic structure of chlorine.
2

(1)

1s 2s ............................................................................................................. ......................................................

May 2011
1 In the following outline of the Periodic Table, the letters A to D are not the symbols of the elements.

Select from A to D the element which

(a) is a non-metal with a high melting temperature and boiling temperature.
(b) is in the d block of the Periodic Table.
(c) has a very stable electronic structure.
(d) is a metal with a high melting temperature and boiling temperature.
2 The elements in Group 1 of the Periodic Table have very similar chemical properties. This is because
A they have the same number of outer electrons.
B they have the same number of filled shells of electrons.
C their outer electrons are in the s sub-shell.
D their outer electrons have very similar shielding.
16 The first ionization energy of each of the elements from neon to argon is shown on the graph below. The first
ionization energy of potassium has been omitted.
(a) Define the term first ionization energy.(3)
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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 1.3

Atomic structure and periodic table

(b) Explain why, in moving from Na to Ar, the general trend is for the first ionization energy to increase. (3)
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(c) Explain why the first ionization energy decreases from P to S. (2)
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(d) Estimate the value of the first ionization energy of potassium, K, and write your answer below.
................................................... kJ mol1

(1)

January 2012
10The first eight ionization energies of an element are (in kJ mol-1 )
789, 1577, 3232, 4356, 16091, 19785, 23787, 29253.
The element is in
A Group 1
B Group 2
C Group 3
D Group 4
22 (a) State how the following processes are achieved in a mass spectrometer.
(i) Ionization of the sample. (1)
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(ii) Acceleration of the ions. (1)
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(iii) Deflection of the ions. (1)
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(b) State how you could find the molecular mass of a substance from its mass spectrum. (1)
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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 1.3

Atomic structure and periodic table

(c)Living things take up the radioactive isotope carbon-14 from the atmosphere. In recent years a particular linen cloth
was shown, using mass spectrometry, to have been made from flax grown in the early 14th century. Suggest how mass
spectrometry can be used to estimate the age of the cloth.

(2)

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*23 The melting temperatures of the elements of Period 3 are given in the table below. Use these values to answer the
questions that follow.

(a) Explain why the melting temperature of sodium is very much less than that of magnesium.

(3)

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(b) Explain why the melting temperature of silicon is very much greater than that of white phosphorus.

(3)

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(c) Explain why the melting temperature of argon is the lowest of all the elements of Period 3.

(1)

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(d) Explain why magnesium is a good conductor of electricity whereas sulfur is a non-conductor.

(2)

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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 1.3

Atomic structure and periodic table

May 2012
19 Which of the following represents the electronic structure of a nitrogen atom?

20 The electronic structures of four elements are given below. Which of these elements has the highest first ionization
energy?

21 (a) Define the term relative isotopic mass.

(2)

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(b) Naturally occurring chlorine contains 75.53% of 35Cl and 24.47% of 37Cl.
(i) Calculate the relative atomic mass of chlorine to four significant figures.

(2)

(ii) Two of the peaks in the mass spectrum of chlorine, Cl2, are at m/e 70 and 74. (2)
Identify the species giving rise to these peaks.
70 .........................................................................................................................................................................
74 .........................................................................................................................................................................
(iii) What is the m/e value of the other peak that you would expect to see in this region of the mass spectrum and the
identity of the species giving rise to it?

(2)

Value ....................................................................................................................................................................
Species .................................................................................................................................................................
22(a) Define the term first ionization energy.

(2)

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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 1.3

Atomic structure and periodic table

*(b) Explain why the first ionization energy of the elements down Group 1 decreases even though the atomic number
increases. (2)
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(c) The eleven successive ionization energies for sodium are given below

(i)

Explain why the successive ionization energies increase.

(1)

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*(ii) Explain how these ionization energies give evidence for the electronic structure of sodium. You may use a sketch
graph if you wish. (2)
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(d) The first ionization energy of aluminium (element 13) is lower than that of magnesium (element 12).
(i) Give the electronic structures of magnesium and of aluminium in s, p and d notation. (1)
Magnesium ......................................................................................................................................................................
Aluminium ......................................................................................................................................................................
*(ii) Explain the difference in the first ionization energies of the two metals. (1)
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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 1.3

Atomic structure and periodic table

Jan 2013
10 An isotope of an element, atomic number z, has mass number 2z + 4. How many neutrons are in the nucleus of the
element?
Az+4
Bz+2
Cz
D4
11 When an Al4+ ion is formed from an Al atom, the fourth electron is lost from the
A 1s sub-shell.
B 2s sub-shell.
C 2p sub-shell.
D 3s sub-shell.
19 Hydrogen has three isotopes, 1H, known as protium, 2H, deuterium, and 3H, tritium.
(a) In terms of sub-atomic particles, give the similarities and differences between atoms of these three isotopes of
hydrogen. (3)
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(b) When a nitrogen atom collides with a high energy neutron, one atom of tritium and one atom of another element
are formed. Complete the equation below.(1)

(c) Tritium-deuterium gas, consisting of molecules each containing one deuterium atom and one tritium atom, is used
in some nuclear warheads. Typically, each warhead has about 4.0 g of the gas added.
(i) Calculate the number of moles of tritium-deuterium in 4.0 g. (2)

(ii) Calculate the volume, in cm3, of 4.0 g of tritium-deuterium gas.

[Molar volume of a gas under these conditions = 24 000 cm3 mol1] (1)

(d) Tritium is not usually included in calculations of the relative atomic mass of hydrogen, because it is radioactive
and has a relatively short half-life.
Calculate the relative atomic mass of hydrogen with the following isotopic composition. Give your answer to four
decimal places. (2)
Isotope

Mass number

Relative abundance

1.0078

99.9850

2.0141

0.0150

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Chemistry Past Paper Ch 1.3

Atomic structure and periodic table

(e) The electronic energy levels in hydrogen are shown below.

(i) Mark on the energy level diagram, with an arrow, the transition that represents the ionization energy of hydrogen.

(ii) In some versions of the Periodic Table, hydrogen is placed in the same group as sodium. Give the electronic
configurations for both a hydrogen atom and a sodium atom, using the s and p notation.
Use these electronic configurations to suggest why this is a reasonable grouping. (2)
H ..........................................................................................................................................................................................
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Na ........................................................................................................................................................................................
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*(f ) Which element in the Periodic Table has the highest first ionization energy? Justify your answer. (3)
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