Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

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Periodicity of Physical Properties of the Elements in Period 3 (CIE AS Chemistry)

Exam Questions

54 mins13 questions
11 mark

Sodium sulfide, Na2S, is a reactive yellow solid, produced when sodium and sulfur react together.

Use of the periodic table is relevant to this question.

How do the ionic radius and atomic radius of sodium compare with those of sulfur?

 

Ionic radius

Atomic radius

A

B

C

D

Sodium < Sulfur

Sodium < Sulfur

Sodium > Sulfur 

Sodium > Sulfur 

Sodium < Sulfur

Sodium > Sulfur

Sodium > Sulfur

Sodium < Sulfur

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    21 mark

    The trends in three physical properties of the elements of period 3 are shown in the graphs.

    2-1-e-5
    Which physical property is not illustrated?

    • Electrical conductivity

    • Atomic radius

    • Melting point

    • First ionisation energy

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    31 mark

    Use of the periodic table is relevant to this question.

    Which graph correctly shows the Electronegativity of the elements Na, Mg, Al and Si, from period 3, plotted against their first ionisation energies?

    • 2-1-e-10a

    • 2-1-e-10b

    • 2-1-e-10c

    • 2-1-e-10d

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    11 mark

    Consecutive elements X, Y and Z, are in the third period of the Periodic Table. Element Y has the highest first ionisation energy and the lowest melting point of these three elements.

    What could be the identities of X, Y and Z?

    • Silicon, Phosphorus, Sulfur

    • Sodium, Magnesium, Aluminium

    • Aluminium, Silicon, Phosphorus

    • Magnesium, Aluminium, Silicon

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    21 mark

    A table of four substances and their physical properties is shown.

     

    Electrical conductivity of aqueous solution

    Electrical conductivity of molten substance

    Electrical conductivity of solid

    Melting point

    / °C

    Boiling point

    / °C

    SiO2

    NaCl

    Al

    SO3

    Insoluble

    Insoluble

    Good 

    Good

    Poor

    Good

    Good

    Poor

    Poor

    Good 

    Good

    Poor

    1610

    801

    100

    -72

    2230

    1465

    340

    -10

    Which substances have the correct properties?

    • SiO2 and Al

    • NaCl and Al

    • SiO2 and SO3

    • All

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    31 mark

    Which of the following metals would have the highest melting point?

    • Na

    • Mg

    • K

    • Al

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    11 mark

    A student investigated the chloride of a Period 3 element. Below is a cutting from their lab book describing experiments and observations. 

    The compound was a white crystalline solid. It dissolved easily in water to give a solution of pH 12. When placed in a test-tube and heated in a roaring Bunsen flame, the compound melted after several minutes of heating.

    What can be deduced from this record?

    • At least one of the recorded observations is incorrect.

    • The compound was sodium chloride, NaCl.

    • The compound was silicon tetrachloride, SiCl4.

    • The compound was phosphorus pentachloride, PCl5.

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    21 mark

    Use of the periodic table is relevant to this question.

    Sir Humphrey Davy discovered the elements magnesium, boron, sodium and calcium.

    Which of the elements Sir Davy discovered has the third lowest first ionisation energy in its period and the third smallest atomic radius in its group?

    • Magnesium

    • Boron

    • Sodium

    • Calcium

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    31 mark

    Which row describes a ceramic material?

     

    Conductivity of solid

    Boiling point / K

    Melting point / K

    A

    B

    C

    D

    None

    Good

    Good

    None

    352

    1380

    2943

    3873

    156

    922

    2130

    3125

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