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Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · CHEMISTRY · Section

Explaining the increase in reactivity

19 practice questions

Practice questions

1–8 of 8 · Easy

  1. Question 1

    1 mark · Easy

    State how the number of electron shells changes as you move down Group 1 in the Periodic Table.

    Answer and see the solution →
  2. Question 2

    3 marks · Easy

    (a)

    State the electronic configuration of a sodium atom (Na).

    [1 mark]
    (b)

    Explain how the electronic configuration of sodium affects its reactivity compared to lithium.

    [2 marks]
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  3. Question 3

    2 marks · Easy

    A potassium atom has 19 electrons. How many electron shells does it have? Show your working.

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  4. Question 4

    2 marks · Easy

    Explain why the outer electron in a caesium atom is lost more easily than the outer electron in a lithium atom.

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  5. Question 5

    3 marks · Easy

    (a)
    Alkali metals: electronic configuration and reaction speed with water
    MetalNumber of electron shellsRelative reaction speed
    Lithium2slow
    Sodium3medium
    Potassium4fast

    State the trend in reactivity as you go down Group 1 based on this table.

    [1 mark]
    (b)

    Describe how the number of electron shells changes across the metals in the table.

    [1 mark]
    (c)

    Explain, using the data, why potassium reacts faster than sodium.

    [1 mark]
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  6. Question 6

    1 mark · Easy

    Which Group 1 element has its outer electron closest to the nucleus? Give the element's name.

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  7. Question 7

    3 marks · Easy

    (a)

    Fill in the table below for the first three Group 1 metals.

    MetalElectronic configuration
    Lithium
    Sodium
    Potassium
    [2 marks]
    (b)

    State which of these metals is most reactive.

    [1 mark]
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  8. Question 8

    2 marks · Easy

    A sodium atom has 11 electrons. Calculate the number of electrons in its outer shell.

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