Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) topic quiz
3.1 The Periodic Table
Instructions and answers for teachers
These instructions cover the learner activity section which can be found on page 7. This
Lesson Element supports OCR AS and A Level Chemistry A.
When distributing the activity section to the learners either as a printed copy or as a
Word file you will need to remove the teacher instructions section.
The Activity
This Lesson Element is a teaching and learning resource containing 10 multiple choice
questions (MCQs) on the theme of the periodic table. Some questions might require synoptic
thinking, using knowledge and ideas from various topics across the full A Level content.
This resource can be used to test and consolidate understanding at the end of a topic or to
revisit and refresh knowledge at a later point in the course.
Learning Outcomes
This lesson element relates to the specification learning outcomes 3.1.1(a), 3.1.1(b),
3.1.1(c), 3.1.1(g), 3.1.2(a), 3.1.2(b), 3.1.2(d), 3.1.3(c), 3.1.4(a).
Introduction
Multiple choice questions allow rapid coverage of a wide range of sub-topics.
Contrary to a widespread belief among students, multiple choice questions are not
necessarily easy – they can be easy, moderate or difficult.
The questions are written so that the incorrect answers are plausible distractors based on
common errors or misconceptions.
The questions in this quiz cover topics mainly from specification sections:
3.1 The Periodic Table.
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Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) topic quiz - answers
1.
Which of the statement(s) below is/are true?
1)
Elements in the same group have the same number of electrons.
2)
Elements in the same group have similar chemical reactions.
3)
Elements in the same group have different mass and proton numbers.
A
1, 2 and 3
Incorrect, it is the OUTER electrons which are
the same.
B
only 1 and 2
Incorrect, it is the OUTER electrons which are
the same.
C
only 2 and 3
Correct answer. Reactions are similar within a
group and proton number is different for all
elements.
D
only 1
Incorrect, it is the OUTER electrons which are
the same.
Your answer
2.
What causes the trend in first ionisation energy from left to right across the periodic
table?
A
greater number of electrons
Incorrect, number of electrons simply increases
with number of protons.
B
greater shielding
Incorrect, number of electron shells is constant
across a period.
C
increased nuclear charge
Correct answer. More protons means greater
attraction to the nucleus.
D
larger atomic radii
Incorrect, radii decrease as nuclear charge has
greater effect on outer electrons.
Your answer
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C
2
C
© OCR 2016
3.
What causes the largest changes in melting point across period 2 elements?
A
change in bonding structure
Correct answer. The jump in melting point
between giant and simple covalent compounds
is huge.
B
greater electronegativity
Incorrect, electronegativity does not have an
effect on the melting point of elements.
C
greater number of electrons
Incorrect, this will affect the melting point down a
group (e.g. group 17) when there are no other
factors.
D
increase in nuclear charge
Incorrect, this has little effect on intermolecular
forces and melting points.
Your answer
4.
When group 2 ions form, the outer electrons are found in:
A
s orbitals
Incorrect, group 2 atoms have their electrons in
s orbitals.
B
p orbitals
Correct answer, once the outer 2 electrons are
removed, the outer electrons are in p orbitals.
C
d orbitals
Incorrect.
D
f orbitals
Incorrect.
Your answer
5.
B
Which reaction does not involve the oxidation of magnesium?
A
magnesium reacting with
hydrochloric acid
Incorrect, it changes from elemental magnesium
to ionic, Mg  Mg2+
B
MgCO3 + HNO3
Correct answer, the magnesium is a 2+ ion as a
reactant and product.
C
Mg + O2
Incorrect, it changes from elemental magnesium
to ionic, Mg  Mg2+
D
magnesium reacting with
water (steam)
Incorrect, it changes from elemental magnesium
to ionic, Mg  Mg2+
Your answer
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A
3
B
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6.
Which is the most soluble in water?
A
Mg(OH)2
Incorrect, they have remembered the trend
upside down.
B
Ca(OH)2
Incorrect, probably a guess.
C
Sr(OH)2
Incorrect, probably a guess.
D
Ba(OH)2
Correct answer, solubility increases down the
group, an explanation is not needed.
Your answer
7.
D
Which will not result in a reaction?
A
potassium bromide with
aqueous iodine
Correct answer. Iodine is less reactive than
bromine and cannot displace it.
B
potassium bromide with silver
nitrate
Incorrect, all halides react with silver nitrates
making coloured precipitates.
C
potassium iodide with
chlorine water
Incorrect, chlorine is more reactive and
displaces the iodide.
D
potassium iodide with silver
nitrate
Incorrect, all halides react with silver nitrates
making coloured precipitates.
Your answer
8.
A
What colour change will be seen in the following reaction?
2NaI(aq) + Cl2(aq)  I2(aq) + NaCl (aq)
A
brown  clear
Incorrect, they may be mixing up whether the
ionic or elemental iodine causes the colour.
B
clear  brown
Correct answer, the iodine formed in the
reaction is brown in aqueous solution.
C
clear  purple
Incorrect, they may be thinking of the purple
colour iodine gives in organic solvents.
D
orange  clear
Incorrect, they are mixing up whether the ionic
or elemental iodine cases the colour, and have
misremembered the colour.
Your answer
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B
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9.
Which test will identify Na2SO4?
A
Reaction with acid causing
effervescence.
Incorrect, this tests for carbonates.
B
Reaction with BaCl2 forming
a white precipitate.
Correct answer, this is the test for sulfates.
C
Reaction with silver nitrate
forming a precipitate.
Incorrect, this is the test for halides.
D
Reaction with sodium
hydroxide forming a
characteristic gas which turns
blue litmus red.
Incorrect, this is the test for ammonium cations.
Your answer
10.
Which test will identify NH4NO3?
A
Reaction with acid causing
effervescence.
Incorrect, this tests for carbonates.
B
Reaction with BaCl2 forming
a white precipitate.
Incorrect, this is the test for sulfates.
C
Reaction with silver nitrate
forming a precipitate.
Incorrect, this is the test for halides.
D
Reaction with sodium
hydroxide forming a
characteristic gas which turns
blue litmus red.
Correct answer, this is the test for ammonium
cations, forming ammonium gas.
Your answer
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B
5
D
© OCR 2016
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Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) topic quiz
3.1 The Periodic Table
Learner Activity
1.
Which of the statement(s) below is/are true?
1)
Elements in the same group have the same number of electrons.
2)
Elements in the same group have similar chemical reactions.
3)
Elements in the same group have different mass and proton numbers.
A
1, 2 and 3
B
only 1 and 2
C
only 2 and 3
D
only 1
Your answer
2.
What causes the trend in first ionisation energy from left to right across the periodic
table?
A
greater number of electrons
B
greater shielding
C
increased nuclear charge
D
larger atomic radii
Your answer
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© OCR 2016
3.
What causes the largest changes in melting point across period 2 elements?
A
change in bonding structure
B
greater electronegativity
C
greater number of electrons
D
increase in nuclear charge
Your answer
4.
When group 2 ions form, the outer electrons are found in:
A
s orbitals
B
p orbitals
C
d orbitals
D
f orbitals
Your answer
5.
Which reaction does not involve the oxidation of magnesium?
A
magnesium reacting with hydrochloric acid
B
MgCO3 + HNO3
C
Mg + O2
D
magnesium reacting with water (steam)
Your answer
6.
Which is the most soluble in water?
A
Mg(OH)2
B
Ca(OH)2
C
Sr(OH)2
D
Ba(OH)2
Your answer
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© OCR 2016
7.
Which will not result in a reaction?
A
potassium bromide with aqueous iodine
B
potassium bromide with silver nitrate
C
potassium iodide with chlorine water
D
potassium iodide with silver nitrate
Your answer
8.
What colour change will be seen in the following reaction?
2NaI(aq) + Cl2(aq)  I2(aq) + NaCl (aq)
A
brown  clear
B
clear  brown
C
clear  purple
D
orange  clear
Your answer
9.
Which test will identify Na2SO4?
A
Reaction with acid causing effervescence.
B
Reaction with BaCl2 forming a white precipitate.
C
Reaction with silver nitrate forming a precipitate.
D
Reaction with sodium hydroxide forming a
characteristic gas which turns blue litmus red.
Your answer
10.
Which test will identify NH4NO3?
A
Reaction with acid causing effervescence.
B
Reaction with BaCl2 forming a white precipitate.
C
Reaction with silver nitrate forming a precipitate.
D
Reaction with sodium hydroxide forming a
characteristic gas which turns blue litmus red.
Your answer
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© OCR 2016