The Periodic Table (Edexcel International AS Chemistry): Exam Questions

Exam code: XCH11

39 mins6 questions
1a
2 marks

Aluminium is an abundant metal with many uses.

The first four ionisation energies of aluminium are shown.

Ionisation number

Energy / kJ mol−1

1

578

2

1820

3

2750

4

11600

Explain how this information shows that aluminium is in Group 3 of the Periodic Table.

1b
4 marks

The graph shows the first ionisation energies for the elements in Period 3.

q14b-paper-1-oct-2021-edexcel-ial-chemistry

i) Explain the general increase in the first ionisation energy from sodium to argon.

(2)

ii) Explain why the first ionisation energy of aluminium is less than the first ionisation energy of magnesium.

(2)

1c
4 marks

i) Describe the bonding in aluminium metal.

(2)

ii) Give two possible reasons why aluminium is used for overhead power cables.

(2)

1d
3 marks

New uses for waste aluminium cans are being investigated. One possible use is to make nanoparticle alloys to produce hydrogen for fuel.

i) Aluminium nanoparticles react with water to produce aluminium oxide and hydrogen.

Complete the following equation. State symbols are not required.

(1)

.................... Al + ............... H2O → .................. + ..................

ii) Give two possible reasons for producing hydrogen from aluminium rather than from fossil fuels.

(2)

2a
5 marks

This question is about the ionisation energies of the elements in Period 2 of the Periodic Table.

The first ionisation energies of the Period 2 elements are shown.

q23a-paper-1-jan-2022-edexcel-ial-chemistry

i) Give an equation that represents the first ionisation energy of lithium.
Include state symbols. (1)

ii) Explain why there is a general increase in the first ionisation energy across the period.

(2)

iii) Explain why the first ionisation energy of oxygen is lower than that of nitrogen.

(2)

2b
2 marks

All the successive ionisation energies of nitrogen are shown in the table.

Ionisation number

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Ionisation energy / kJ mol–1

1402

2856

4578

7475

9445

53267

64360

Explain the trend in the successive ionisation energies of nitrogen.

3a
3 marks

This question is about atomic structure, mass spectrometry and ionisation energies.

i) State what is meant by the term first ionisation energy.

[2]

ii) Write an equation, including state symbols, to represent the first ionisation energy of sodium.

[1]

3b
2 marks

The mass spectrum of a sample of magnesium shows three peaks with the following relative abundances.

Isotope

²⁴Mg

²⁵Mg

²⁶Mg

Relative abundance / %

79.0

10.0

11.0

Calculate the relative atomic mass, Ar, of magnesium in this sample. Give your answer to two decimal places.

3c
3 marks

i) Give the electronic configuration of an aluminium atom, using the s, p, d notation.

[1]

ii) Explain why the first ionisation energy of aluminium is lower than that of magnesium.

[2]

3d
2 marks

Explain the general increase in first ionisation energy across Period 3 from sodium to argon.

3e
2 marks

The first four successive ionisation energies of an unknown element Z are shown in the table.

Ionisation energy

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Value / kJ mol-1

577

1820

2740

11 580

Deduce which group of the Periodic Table Z belongs to. Justify your answer.

3f
2 marks

i) Write an equation, including state symbols, to represent the second ionisation energy of magnesium.

[1]

ii) Suggest why the relative abundance of ²⁴Mg is much greater than that of 25Mg or 26Mg.

[1]