IBChemistrySLTopic QuestionsModels of the Particulate Nature of MatterThe Nuclear Atom

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

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The Nuclear Atom (SL IB Chemistry)

Topic Questions

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11 mark

The reaction shown occurs in gas clouds throughout the Universe.

H2 (g) + H2+ (g) → H (g) + H3+ (g)

Which is the correct atomic structure of the H3+ ion?

             

     protons        

     neutrons          

           electrons            

A

B

C

D

3

3

2

2

0

0

1

1

1

2

1

2

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21 mark

Which row is correct regarding atomic structure?

       

     The atomic number is the number of

    The proton number is the number of

     The mass number is the number of

A

B

C

D

atoms

electrons

electrons

protons

protons

neutrons

neutrons

protons

protons

nucleons

protons

nucleons

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31 mark

The phosphide ion,  straight P presubscript 15 space end presubscript presuperscript 32 space end presuperscript superscript 3 minus end superscript, is used in medicine as a radiotherapy treatment for some forms of cancer. 

What is the composition of the phosphide ion?

           

      protons     

    neutrons     

   electrons   

A

B

C

D

15

15

17

17

17

17

15

15

32

18

15

32

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41 mark

Which option correctly describes the relative charges and masses of the subatomic particles?

          

      proton    

   neutron   

    electron    

    the relative mass of an electron    

A


B


C


D

+1


0


+1


0

0


+1


0


+1

-1


+1


-1


-1

1


begin mathsize 16px style 1 over 1840 end style

begin mathsize 16px style 1 over 1840 end style


1

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51 mark

Which row correctly describes the characteristics of the nucleus and surrounding space?

        

               nucleus                         

 surrounding space          

A

B

C

D

small, dense and neutral

large, dense and positive

large, dense and neutral

small, dense and positive

mainly empty space

densely populated with electrons

densely populated with electrons

mainly empty space

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61 mark

X is a particle with 19 electrons and 20 neutrons. 

Three species are shown below:

         I         

    40Ca+

         II

    39K+

         III

    38Ar

Which of the three species could particle X be?

  • I only

  • I and II only 

  • II and III only 

  • I, II and III

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71 mark

The elements of the periodic table have different isotopes.

What is different about the nuclei of stable isotopes?

  • the same number of protons, but different number of neutrons

  • the same number of protons, and the same number of neutrons

  • a different number of protons, and a different number of neutrons

  • a different number of protons, and the same number of neutrons

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81 mark

Iron has many different naturally occurring isotopes.

              Isotope            

       % Abundance        

      Isotopic mass      

   54Fe

5.845

53.9396

   56Fe

91.754

55.9349

   57Fe

2.119

56.9354

   58Fe

0.282

57.9333



Using the information given, what is the average atomic mass of iron?

  • 56.1858 amu

  • 54.200 amu

  • 59.270 amu

  • 55.845 amu

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11 mark

Which statement explains the similarity in chemical behaviour for isotopes of the same element?

  • they may have the same electronic configuration, depending on the reaction

  • they have the same electronic configuration

  • their mass numbers are different

  • they have different numbers of neutrons

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21 mark

What is the total number of protons and electrons in two moles of hydrogen gas?

  • 4

  • 8

  • 2.4 x 1024

  • 4.8 x 1024

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11 mark

In which of the following species are the numbers of protons, neutrons and electrons all different?

  • 23Na+

  • 27Al

  • 19F-

  • 32S2-

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21 mark

The atomic number of an element gives the number of protons in the nucleus which is also equal to the number of electrons. Which statement explains why atoms are neutral?

  • one proton has a mass 1840 times greater than one electron

  • the charge on an electron is equal and opposite to the charge on a proton

  • the difference in charge between electrons and protons is balanced by the neutrons

  • electrons are spread out in shells around the nucleus while protons are concentrated inside the nucleus

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31 mark

Which statements correctly describe the distribution of mass and charge in the atom?

     I   

   the negative charge is concentrated in one area outside the nucleus        

     II

   the mass is concentrated inside the nucleus

     III

   the negative charge is spread around outside the nucleus

  • I and III

  • I and II

  • II and III

  • I, II and III

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41 mark

The isotope  space presubscript 27 presuperscript 60 C o is used in the treatment of cancer cells in the body. 

Which statements about this isotope are correct?

     I     

the charge on the nucleus is +27                                                    

     II

there are 33 neutrons in the nucleus

     III 

it has the same number of neutrons as other isotopes of cobalt

  • I and II only 

  • I and III only 

  • II only

  • I, II and III

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51 mark

Which row correctly describes the subatomic particles found in 26Mg2+?

             

     protons        

     neutrons      

     electrons       

A

10

14

12

B

12

14

10

C

12

26

10

D

14

12

12

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