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1.3 Atomic Structure

Question Paper

Course Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry

Section 1. Principles of Chemistry
Topic 1.3 Atomic Structure
Difficulty Hard

Time Allowed 60
Score /44
Percentage /100

Page 1 of 11

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Question 1a
The diagram shows the electronic configuration of an atom of an element.

Complete the table by giving the missing information about this atom.

name of the part of this atom labelled Z

number of protons in this atom
number of the group that contains this element
number of the period that contains this element
the charge on the ion formed from this atom
[5 marks]

Page 2 of 11

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Question 1b
This element has three isotopes.

The table shows the mass number and percentage abundance of each isotope in a sample of this element.

Mass number Percentage abundance (%)

24 79.2
25 10.0
26 10.8
Calculate the relative atomic mass (Ar) of this element.

Give your answer to one decimal place.

[3 marks]

Question 2a
Complete the table to show the relative mass and relative charge of a proton and a neutron.

Proton Electron Neutron

Relative mass 1/2000
Relative charge –1
[2 marks]

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Question 2b
Magnesium has three isotopes.

i) State the meaning of the term isotopes.

(2)

ii) The symbol for an atom of one isotope of magnesium is

26
12 Mg

Give the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in one atom of this isotope.

(2)

number of protons ..............................

number of neutrons ..............................

number of electrons ..............................

iii) A sample of magnesium contains these percentages of the three isotopes.

Mg‐24 = 79.00% Mg‐25 = 10.00% Mg‐26 = 11.00%

Use this information to show that the relative atomic mass of magnesium is 24.32

(2)

iv) One mole of magnesium has a mass of 24.32 g.

There are 6.022 × 1023 atoms in one mole.

Calculate the mass, in grams, of one atom of magnesium.

Give your answer to 4 significant figures.

Page 4 of 11

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(2)

mass = .............................................................. g
[8 marks]

Question 2c
The equation for the reaction between magnesium and oxygen is
2Mg + O2 → 2MgO
Determine the maximum amount, in moles, of magnesium oxide that can be produced from 0.50 mol of magnesium and
0.20 mol of oxygen.

amount = .............................................................. mol

[1 mark]

Page 5 of 11

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Question 3a
State the meaning of the term atomic number.
[1 mark]

Question 3b
An atom of element X contains 14 protons, 14 electrons and 15 neutrons.

i) Which of these is the mass number of this atom?

(1)
☐ A 14
☐ B 15
☐ C 28
☐ D 29

ii) Explain which group of the Periodic Table element X belongs to.

(2)
[3 marks]

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Question 3c
The table shows the composition of a sample of a different element, Y, containing three isotopes.
Mass number of isotope Percentage of isotope in sample
32 95.0
33 0.75
34 4.25

Using information from the table, calculate the relative atomic mass (Ar) of this sample of element Y.
Give your answer to one decimal place.

Ar = ..............................
[3 marks]

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Question 4a
The diagram represents an atom of boron.

Use information from the diagram to complete the table.

The first row has been done for you.

atomic number 5
mass number
number of neutrons
group in the Periodic Table that contains boron
period in the Periodic Table that contains boron
electronic configuration of an atom of boron
[5 marks]

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Question 4b
Boron has two isotopes, boron-10 and boron-11.

A sample of boron contains 18.7% of boron-10 and 81.3% of boron-11.

Calculate the relative atomic mass of this sample of boron.

[2 marks]

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Question 5a
This question is about atomic structure.
A group of students looks at the diagram below showing the arrangement of electrons in a chemical substance.

The students make the following incorrect or incomplete conclusions:

Student 1 states that the substance is fluorine, neon or sodium
Student 2 states that it is not possible to determine which atom or ion the diagram represents
Student 3 states that the mass number is 10
Explain how students 1 and 2 could combine their ideas to produce one possible correct conclusion with an appropriate
justification.

[3 marks]

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Question 5b
Evaluate student 1's suggestions of fluorine and sodium.

[2 marks]

Question 5c
Correct student 3's statement. Explain your reasoning.
[3 marks]

Question 5d
The students are told that the diagram represents 25
12 Mg
2+
.

Describe the additions that should be made to the diagram to show this.
[3 marks]

Page 11 of 11

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