Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · CHEMISTRY · Chapter
The Periodic Table
103 practice questions
Topics covered
- The arrangement of the electrons in an atom19 practice questions
- Drawing diagrams of electronic configurations19 practice questions
- Electronic configurations and the periodic table19 practice questions
- Metals and non-metals in the periodic table18 practice questions
- Differences between the properties of metals and non-metals19 practice questions
Practice questions
11–20 of 43 · Normal
Question 11
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →An element has atomic number 8. Calculate how its electrons fill the shells. Show the number of electrons in each shell. State the rules used for filling shells.
Question 12
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Explain why the electronic configuration of neon is considered stable. Refer to its atomic number and how electrons are arranged in its shells.
Question 13
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →The table below shows the electronic configurations of four elements, labelled A, B, C and D.
Element Number of electrons in each shell A 2, 8, 1 B 2, 6 C 2, 8 D 2, 5 (a)[1 mark]Which element has the largest number of shells?
(b)[1 mark]Which element has a full outer shell?
(c)[1 mark]Which element is likely to be chemically unreactive? Give a reason for your answer.
(d)[1 mark]How many electrons are in the outer shell of element D?
Question 14
1 mark · Normal
Answer and check →Which statement correctly describes the rule for filling electron shells up to the third shell?
- A.First shell can hold up to 2 electrons, second and third shells can each hold up to 8 electrons.
- B.Each shell can hold up to 8 electrons.
- C.First and second shells can each hold up to 2 electrons, third shell holds up to 8.
- D.First shell can hold up to 8 electrons, second and third up to 2.
Question 15
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →State the electronic configuration (number of electrons in each shell) for the element nitrogen (atomic number 7).
Question 16
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Below is the electronic configuration diagram for an atom of carbon.
Diagram: Carbon atom – two shells; 2 electrons in first shell, 4 electrons in second shell (dots shown). (a)[1 mark]How many electrons are there in total in this atom?
(b)[1 mark]How many shells are in this atom?
(c)[1 mark]How many electrons are in the outer shell?
(d)[1 mark]Write the electronic configuration (number of electrons in each shell) for this atom.
Question 17
2 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →State the number of electron shells and the number of electrons in the outer shell for an atom of phosphorus (atomic number 15).
Question 18
4 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →(a)[1 mark]Complete the electronic configuration for calcium (atomic number 20).
(b)[1 mark]State the group and period of calcium in the Periodic Table.
(c)[2 marks]Explain what the group and period numbers tell you about calcium’s electron arrangement.
Question 19
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Argon is a noble gas with atomic number 18. Calculate the number of electrons in its outer shell and state which group and period it belongs to.
Question 20
3 marks · Normal
Answer and see the solution →Barium is in Group 2 and Period 6 of the Periodic Table. Explain how you can tell, from its position, the number of electrons in its outer shell and the number of electron shells it has.