Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Chemistry)

Exam Questions

3 hours38 questions
1a2 marks

Cobalt is an element in Period 4 of the Periodic Table.

Use your copy of the Periodic Table to help you complete the table below.

particle

number of protons

number of neutrons

number of electrons

Co

 

 

 

Co2+

 

 

 

1b3 marks

Extended Only

60Co is an isotope.

i) Explain the term isotope.

[2]

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

[1]

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2a5 marks

Substances can be classified as:

elements    mixtures     compounds 

Elements can be divided into:

metals       non-metals

Define each of the following terms.

i) element

[2] 

ii) compound

  [2] 

iii)  mixture 

[1] 

2b3 marks

Classify each of the following as either an element, compound or mixture.

i) brass ..........................................................................................................

[1] 

ii) carbon dioxide ..................................................................................................... 

[1] 

iii) copper ..........................................................................................................

[1] 

2c1 mark

Which physical property is used to distinguish between metals and non-metals?

It is possessed by all metals but by only one non-metal.

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3
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8 marks

Complete the following table which gives the number of protons, electrons and neutrons in each of the five particles.

particle

number of protons

number of electrons

number of neutrons

 

19

19

20

begin mathsize 16px style Fe presubscript 26 presuperscript 56 end style

 

 

 

 

3

2

 

begin mathsize 16px style Ga presubscript 31 presuperscript 70 superscript 3 plus end superscript end style

 

 

 

 

34

36

45

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4a2 marks

Define the term isotope.

4b
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7 marks

The table gives information about four particles, A, B, C and D.

Complete the table.

The first line has been done for you.

particle

number of protons

number of electrons

number of neutrons

nucleon number

symbol or formula

A

6

6

6

12

C

B

11

10

12

 

 

C

8

 

8

 

O2-

D

 

10

 

28

Al3+

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5a1 mark

Magnesium, calcium and strontium are Group II elements.

Complete Table 3.1 to show the electronic configuration of a calcium atom.

Table 3.1

shell

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

number of electrons

 

 

 

 

5b1 mark

Describe how the electronic configuration of a strontium atom is similar to the electronic configuration of a calcium atom.

5c1 mark

Describe how the electronic configuration of a strontium atom is different from the electronic configuration of a calcium atom.

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6a4 marks

Complete the table to show the relative charge and approximate relative mass of a proton, a neutron and an electron.

type of particle

relative charge

approximate relative mass

proton

 

1

neutron

 

 

electron

−1

 

6b
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2 marks

Deduce the number of electrons and neutrons in an atom of the isotope of potassium shown.

straight K presubscript 19 presuperscript 41

number of electrons:   number of neutrons: 

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7a1 mark

The diagrams show part of the structures of five substances, A, B, C, D and E.

weQVv1Ct_q1a-0620_s19_qp_31

Answer the following questions about these structures.

Each structure may be used once, more than once or not at all.

Which one of these structures, A, B, C, D or E, is a compound?

7b1 mark

Substance B is an element.

What is meant by the term element ?

7c1 mark

Complete the diagram to show the electron arrangement in an oxygen atom.

q3b-0620_s19_qp_31
7d
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4 marks

Complete the table to show the number of electrons, protons and neutrons in the sulfur atom and copper ion shown.

 

number of electrons

number of neutrons

number of protons

straight S presubscript 16 presuperscript 34

 

 

 

Cu presubscript 29 presuperscript 63 superscript 2 plus end superscript

 

 

29

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1a4 marks

The table gives the composition of three particles.

particle

number of protons

number of electrons

number of neutrons

A

15

15

16

B

15

15

16

C

15

15

17

What is the evidence in the table for each of the following? 

i) Particle A is an atom.

 [1]

 ii) A, B and C are all particles of the same element.

 [1]

iii) Particles A and C are isotopes of the same element.

[2]

1b2 marks

i) What is the electronic structure of particle A?

[1]

 ii) Is element A, a metal or a non-metal? Give a reason for your choice.

[1]

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2a3 marks

Protons, neutrons and electrons are subatomic particles.

Complete the table to show the relative mass and relative charge of a proton, a neutron and an electron.

particle

relative mass

relative charge

proton

 

 

neutron 

 

 

electron

begin mathsize 16px style 1 over 1840 end style

 

[3]

2b4 marks

Extended Only

Bromine has two isotopes. 

i) Define the term isotope.

[2] 

ii) Explain why the two isotopes of bromine have the same chemical properties.

[2]

2c
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5 marks

The table shows the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in some atoms and ions.

Complete the table.

particle

number of protons

number of neutrons

number of electrons

Li presubscript 3 presuperscript 7

 

 

 

straight S presubscript 16 presuperscript 34 superscript 2 minus end superscript

 

 

 

 

19

22

18

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3a3 marks

i) Define the term atomic number.

[1]

 ii) Define the term nucleon number.

[2]

3b
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5 marks

The table shows the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in some atoms or ions.

Complete the table. The first line is given as an example.

particle

number of protons

number of electrons

number of neutrons

symbol or formula

A

6

6

6

begin mathsize 16px style C presubscript 6 presuperscript 12 end style

B

12

12

12

 

C

8

 

 

begin mathsize 16px style O presubscript 8 presuperscript 16 superscript 2 minus sign end superscript end style

D

11

10

13

 

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4a
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4 marks

The table below gives information about particles.

Complete the table. The first line has been done for you.

particle

number of protons

number of electrons

electronic configuration

charge on particle

A

12

10

2,8

2+

B

 

18

2,8,8

1-

C

18

 

2,8,8

0

D

8

10

 

4b1 mark

Gallium is a Group III element.

Define the term element.

4c
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3 marks

The following are gallium atoms.

begin mathsize 16px style Ga presubscript 31 presuperscript 69 end style         begin mathsize 16px style Ga presubscript 31 presuperscript 71 end style

Complete the following table.

atom

number of protons

number of neutrons

number of electrons

begin mathsize 16px style Ga presubscript 31 presuperscript 69 end style

 

 

 

Ga presubscript 31 presuperscript 71

 

 

 

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5a2 marks

The table below gives the composition of six particles which are either atoms or ions.

Particle

number of protons

number of neutrons

number of electrons

A

33

40

33

B

19

20

18

C

34

45

36

D

33

42

33

E

13

14

13

F

24

28

21

Which particles are atoms? Explain your choice.

5b2 marks

Which particle is a negative ion and why has this particle got a negative charge?

5c1 mark

Which particles are positive ions?

5d2 marks

Explain why particle A and particle D are isotopes.

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6a1 mark

Figure 1.1 shows the electronic configurations of five atoms, A, B, C, D and E.

Figure 1.1

~wdLeemf_q1_specimen-paper-0620-03-cie-igcse-chemistry

Each letter may be used once, more than once or not at all.

Give the letter of the atom, A, B, C, D or E, that is in Group III of the Periodic Table.

6b1 mark

Give the letter of the atom, A, B, C, D or E, that  has 13 protons.

6c1 mark

Give the letter of the atom, A, B, C, D or E, that  is a noble gas. 

6d1 mark

Give the letter of the atom, A, B, C, D or E, that forms a stable ion with a single negative charge.

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7a1 mark

Sulfuric acid is a compound.

Define the term compound.

7b
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3 marks

Complete Table 2.1  to show the number of electrons, neutrons and protons in the sulfur atom and oxide ion.

Table 2.1 

 

number of electrons

number of neutrons

number of protons

straight S presubscript 16 presuperscript 34

16

 

 

straight O presubscript 8 presuperscript 18 superscript 2 minus end superscript

 

10

 

7c1 mark

Complete Figure 2.2 to show the electronic configuration of a potassium ion.

Figure 2.2

q2aiii_specimen-paper-0620-03-cie-igcse-chemistry

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8a2 marks

This question is about elements X, Y and Z.

An atom of element X is represented as begin mathsize 16px style straight X presubscript 16 presuperscript 34 end style

Name the different types of particles found in the nucleus of this atom of X.

8b1 mark

What is the term for the total number of particles in the nucleus of an atom?

8c1 mark

What is the total number of particles in the nucleus of an atom of begin mathsize 16px style X presubscript 16 presuperscript 34 end style ?

8d1 mark

What is the electronic structure of the ion X2–?

8e1 mark

What term is used to describe atoms of the same element with different numbers of particles in the nucleus?

8f
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3 marks

Separate: Chemistry and Extended Only

Part of the definition of relative atomic mass is ‘the average mass of naturally occurring atoms of an element’. Some relative atomic masses are not whole numbers. Element Y has only two different types of atom, 69Y and 71Y The ratio of atoms present in element Y is shown.

69Y : 71Y = 3 : 2

  • Calculate the relative atomic mass of element Y to one decimal place.

relative atomic mass: ..........

  • Identify element Y.   

  • element Y: ..........

8g2 marks

Element Z is in Period 3 and Group V.

Explain in terms of electron transfer why Z behaves chemically as a non-metal.

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9a2 marks

Extended Only

Chlorine is in Group VII of the Periodic Table. Two isotopes of chlorine are chlorine‑35 and chlorine‑37

State why these two isotopes of chlorine have the same chemical properties.

9b
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3 marks

Chlorine is in Group VII of the Periodic Table. Two isotopes of chlorine are chlorine‑35 and chlorine‑37.

Complete the table to show the number of electrons, neutrons and protons in each atom and ion.

 

number of electrons

number of neutrons

number of protons

begin mathsize 16px style Cl presubscript 17 presuperscript 35 end style

 

 

 

begin mathsize 16px style Cl presubscript 17 presuperscript 37 superscript minus sign end style

 

 

 

9c3 marks

begin mathsize 16px style Na presubscript 11 presuperscript 22 end style, Na presubscript 11 presuperscript 23 and begin mathsize 16px style Na presubscript 11 presuperscript 24 end style are isotopes of sodium.

Describe how these sodium isotopes are the same and how they are different in terms of the total number of protons, neutrons and electrons in each.

same:

different:

9d1 mark

begin mathsize 16px style Na presubscript 11 presuperscript 22 end style, Na presubscript 11 presuperscript 23 and  Na presubscript 11 presuperscript 24 are isotopes of sodium.

Why do all three isotopes have an overall charge of zero?

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10a2 marks

The diagram shows part of the structures of five substances, A, B, C, D and E.

xewDNp~1_q1-0620_s19_qp_33

Answer the following questions about these structures. Each structure may be used once, more than once or not at all.

Which two of these structures, A, B, C, D or E, are compounds?

10b2 marks

Substance E is present in air. Air is a mixture of different gases. Describe two characteristics of a mixture.

10c
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4 marks

Complete the table to show the number of electrons, protons and neutrons in the sulfur atom and zinc ion shown.

 

number of electrons

number of neutrons

number of protons

straight S presubscript 16 presuperscript 36

 

 

 

Zn presubscript 30 presuperscript 67 superscript 2 plus end superscript

 

 

30

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11a2 marks

This question is about the structures of atoms and ions.

Define the term proton number.

11b
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2 marks

Complete the table to show the number of protons, neutrons and electrons present in atoms of begin mathsize 16px style Mg presubscript 12 presuperscript 24 end style and begin mathsize 16px style Mg presubscript 12 presuperscript 26 end style.

 

number of protons

number of neutrons

number of electrons

Mg presubscript 12 presuperscript 24

 

 

 

Mg presubscript 12 presuperscript 26

 

 

 

11c1 mark

What term is used to describe atoms of the same element, such as begin mathsize 16px style Mg presubscript 12 presuperscript 24 end style and Mg presubscript 12 presuperscript 26?

11d2 marks

Extended Only

Explain why the chemical properties of begin mathsize 16px style Mg presubscript 12 presuperscript 24 end style and begin mathsize 16px style Mg presubscript 12 presuperscript 26 end style are the same.

11e
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4 marks

Complete the table to identify the atoms and ions which have the following numbers of protons, neutrons and electrons.

 

number of protons

number of neutrons

number of electrons

begin mathsize 16px style Na presubscript 11 presuperscript 23 superscript plus end style

11

12

10

 

4

5

4

 

17

20

18

11f2 marks

State the electronic structure of the following atom and ion.

Al:

S2–:

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1a4 marks

The symbols of six particles are shown below.

Na+

Ca2+

Kr

P

Si

O2-

Select from the list of particles to answer the following questions. A particle may be selected once, more than once or not at all.

i) Which two ions have the same electronic structure?

[1]

ii) Which ion has the same electronic structure as an atom of argon?

[1]

iii) Which atom can form an ion of the type X3–

[1]

iv) Which atom can form a hydride which has a formula of the type XH4?

[1]

1b
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4 marks

i) How many protons, neutrons and electrons are there in one copper(II) ion Cu presubscript 29 presuperscript 64 superscript 2 plus end superscript

[2]

ii) begin mathsize 16px style Sc presubscript 21 presuperscript 45 end style represents an atom of scandium. How many nucleons and how many charged particles are there in one atom of scandium?

[2]

1c3 marks

Two different atoms of sodium are Na presubscript 11 presuperscript 23 and begin mathsize 16px style Na presubscript 11 presuperscript 24 end style.

i) Explain why these two atoms are isotopes.

 [2]

ii) Na presubscript 11 presuperscript 24 is radioactive. It changes into an atom of a different element which has one more proton. Identify this element.

 [1]

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2a6 marks

The table gives the composition of three particles.

particle

number of protons

number of electrons 

number of neutrons

A

15

15

16

B

15

18

16

C

15

15

17

What is the evidence in the table for each of the following?

i) Particle A is an atom.

[1]

ii) They are all particles of the same element.

[1]

iii) Particle B is a negative ion.

[2]

iv) Particles A and C are isotopes.

[2]

2b3 marks

i) What is the electronic structure of particle A?

[1]

ii) What is the valency of the element?

[1]

iii) Is the element a metal or a non-metal? Give a reason for your choice.

[1]

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3a3 marks

Complete the table which gives the names, symbols, relative masses and relative charges of the three subatomic particles.

name

symbol

relative mass

relative charge

electron

 

 

 

proton

 

1

 

 

n

 

0

 

3b7 marks

Use the information in the table to explain the following.

i) Atoms contain charged particles but they are electrically neutral because they have no overall charge.

[2]

ii) Atoms can form positive ions.

[2]

iii) Atoms of the same element can have different masses.

[2]

iv) Scientists are certain that there are no undiscovered elements missing from the Periodic Table from hydrogen to lawrencium.

[1]

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4a
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6 marks

The table below gives the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in atoms or ions.

particle

number of protons

number of electrons

number of neutrons

symbol or formula

A

9

10

10

straight F presubscript 9 presuperscript 19 superscript minus

B

11

11

12

 

C

18

18

22

 

D

15

18

16

 

E

13

10

14

 

Complete the table. The first line is given as an example.

4b2 marks

Which atom in the table is an isotope of the atom which has the composition 11p, 11e and 14n?

Give a reason for your choice.

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5a5 marks

This question is concerned with the elements in Period 5, Rb to Xe.

The electron distributions of some of these elements are given in the following list.

  • element A    2 + 8 + 18 + 10

  • element B    2 + 8 + 18 + 18 + 8

  • element C    2 + 8 + 18 + 18 + 5

  • element D    2 + 8 + 18 + 18 + 6

  • element E    2 + 8 + 18 + 18 + 4

  • element F    2 + 8 + 18 + 18 + 7

i) Identify element C.

[1]

ii) Which element in the list does not form any compounds?

[1]

iii) Which element in the list forms a chloride of the type XCl2?

 [1]

iv) Which two elements would react together to form a compound of the type XY4?

[1]

v) Which element in the list would react with cold water to form an alkaline solution and hydrogen?

[1]

5b4 marks

Predict two differences in physical properties and two differences in chemical properties between rubidium and the transition metal niobium.

physical .............................................................................................

chemical ............................................................................................

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