Questions
Q1.
Metal atoms
The table shows some information about four metals.
metal
atomic number
lithium
3
sodium
11
magnesium
12
calcium
20
(a) State the electronic configuration of sodium.
electronic configuration
2.1
2.8.2
2.8.8.2
(1)
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(b) Magnesium and calcium are in the same group of the periodic table.
Explain why they are both in the same group.
(2)
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(c) Complete the sentence by putting a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of
(1)
A neutrons in the nucleus of its atom
B electrons in the nucleus of its atom
C protons in the nucleus of its atom
D protons and neutrons in the nucleus of its atom
(d) Which of these statements is correct about the particles in atoms?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
A a proton has the same mass as an electron
B an electron is heavier than a proton
C a neutron is lighter than an electron
D a neutron has the same mass as a proton
(e) A lithium atom contains charged particles and yet the atom has no overall charge.
Explain why.
(2)
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Q2.
Nitrogen and oxygen are present in the air.
Another gas present in air is carbon dioxide, CO2.
There are covalent bonds between the atoms in a molecule of carbon dioxide.
(i) Describe what is meant by a covalent bond.
(2)
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(ii) The electronic configuration of oxygen (atomic number 8) is 2.6.
Give the electronic configuration of carbon (atomic number 6).
(1)
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(iii) Draw a dot and cross diagram of a molecule of carbon dioxide.
Show outer electrons only.
(2)
Q3.
Particles and formulae
(a) Atoms contain protons, neutrons and electrons.
Complete the table to show the relative mass and relative charge of each particle and its position in an
atom.
(3)
(b) Complete the sentence by putting a cross (
) in the box next to your answer.
An atom of an element always contains
(1)
A
more protons than neutrons
B
equal numbers of protons and neutrons
C
more electrons than protons
D
equal numbers of protons and electrons
(c) The symbols for some atoms are given in the box
From the box, choose the symbol of
(i) an atom in group 2 of the periodic table
(1)
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(ii) an atom that readily forms an ion with a charge of 2−
(1)
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(d) The formula of aluminium nitrate is Al(NO3)3
(i) State the total number of atoms in the formula Al(NO3)3
(1)
...........................................................
(ii) What is the most likely formula of aluminium nitride?
Put a cross ( ) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
A
B
C
D
Al(NO3)2
AlNO3
AlNO2
AlN
(Total for question = 8 marks)
Q4.
The table shows the number of electrons, neutrons and protons in particles P, Q, R, S, T and V.
(i) Which particle is a negatively charged ion?
Put a cross (
) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
A P
B S
C T
D V
(ii) Which particles are atoms of metals?
Put a cross (
) in the box next to your answer.
(1)
A
B
C
D
P and R
Q and R
Q and S
Q, S and V
Q5.
Boron exists as two isotopes.
These are boron-10, 105B, and boron-11, 115B.
* A sample of boron contains 20% boron-10 and 80% boron-11.
In part (a) you were given the structure of a boron-10 atom.
Describe the structure of a boron-11 atom and explain why, in this sample, boron has a relative atomic
mass of 10.8.
(6)
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Q6.
A lithium atom contains charged particles and yet the atom has no overall charge.
Explain why.
(2)
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Q7.
Magnesium and calcium are in the same group of the periodic table.
Explain why they are both in the same group.
(2)
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Q8.
* Magnesium has an electronic configuration of 2.8.2.
Oxygen has an electronic configuration of 2.6.
Explain, in terms of their electronic configurations, how magnesium and oxygen atoms react to form the
ionic compound magnesium oxide, MgO, and include a description of the structure of solid magnesium
oxide.
(6)
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Q9.
(a) The table shows the names and formulae of three ions.
name of ion
calcium
nitrate
phosphate
What is the formula of calcium nitrate?
Put a cross (
) in the box next to your answer.
formula of ion
Ca2+
NO3–
PO43–
(1)
A Ca2NO3
B CaNO3
C Ca3NO2
D Ca(NO3)2
(b) Complete the sentence by putting a cross (
) in the box next to your answer.
The number of oxygen atoms in the formula Ca3(PO4)2 is
(1)
A 2
B 4
C 8
D 12
(c) The table gives some information about the elements sodium and sulfur.
Sodium sulfide is an ionic compound.
Describe, in terms of electron transfer, how sodium atoms react with sulfur atoms to form sodium sulfide.
Your description should include the charges on the ions formed.
(4)
*(d) Explain the difference in the ability of solid sodium chloride and molten sodium chloride to conduct
electricity in terms
of their structures.
(6)
(Total for Question is 12 marks)
Mark Scheme
Q1.
Question
Number
(a)
Answer
2.8.1
Question
Number
(b)
any separation
allowed
Answer
(c)
Answer
(d)
Mark
Acceptable answers
Mark
(1)
Answer
Acceptable answers
Mark
(1)
D
Question
Number
(1)
(2)
C
Question
Number
Mark
Acceptable answers
An explanation
linking two of the
following points
• both have two
electrons (1) • in
outer shell (1)
• (therefore) in
group 2 (1)
Question
Number
(e)
Acceptable answers
Answer
An explanation
linking the following
Acceptable answers
Mark
(2)
points • equal
numbers of / three
protons and
electrons (in atoms)
(1) • proton
(charge) +1 and
electron (charge) -1
(1)
Answer
(i)
An description
including
 shared
(electrons) (1)
 pair(s) of
electrons (between
atoms) (1)
(ii)
(iii)
2.4
diagram showing
 any shared pair
of electrons between
a carbon and oxygen
atom in CO2
molecule (1)
 rest of molecule
correct (1)
Acceptable
answers
Ignore reference to
complete/full shells
Ignore reference to
between two metals
Ignore reference to
between metal and
non-metal
Ignore reference to
between molecules
Any reference to
between ions scores
0
Must have O C O
arrangement If any
atom labelled must
be correct Ignore
inner electrons even
if wrong electrons
can be on/in ring or
no ring
Ignore intersecting
circles Accept all
permutations of dots
and crosses
Mark
(2)
(1)
(2)
Answer
Acceptable
answers
Mark
(i)
(ii)
QWC
Level
1
CT
C Q and S
*
0
1-2
(1)
(1)
Indicative Content
Mark
(6)
An explanation
linking some of the
following Structure
of boron-11
boron-11 atom has
 5 /same number
of protons
 5 /same number
of electrons
 6 neutrons / one
more neutron than
boron 10 Working
out RAM
relative atomic mass
is 10.8 because
 weighted mean
 more boron-11
than boron-10
 boron-11 atoms
are heavier
 (therefore)
relative atomic mass
nearer 11 than 10
OR
 in sample given
20/100 of the atoms
have a mass of 10
 in sample given
80/100 of the atoms
have a mass of 11
 20/100*10=2
 80/100*11=8.8
 2+8.8=10.8 NB
the diagram in part
(a) gives the
structure for boron10 so do not give
credit for this (even if
claimed to be
structure of boron-11
by referring to it as
'it')
No rewardable content
 a limited description e.g. boron-11 has 5
protons and 6 neutrons
 the answer communicates ideas using
simple language and uses limited scientific
terminology
 spelling, puncuation and grammar are
used with limited accuracy
2
3-4
 a simple explanation e.g. boron-11 has
5 protons, 5 electrons and 6 neutrons and is
heavier than boron-10.
 the answer communicates ideas
showing some evidence of clarity and
organisation and uses scientific terminology
appropriately
 spelling, punctuation and grammar are
used with some accuracy
3
5-6
 a detailed explanation e.g. boron-11 has
5 protons, 5 electrons and 6 neutrons, is
heavier than boron-10 and there is more of
boron-11 therefore relative atomic mass
nearer to 11 than 10.
 the answer communicates ideas clearly
and coherently uses a range of scientific
terminology accurately
 spelling, puncuation and grammar are
used with few errors
Question
Number
Answer
Acceptable answers
An explanation
linking the following
points • equal
numbers of / three
protons and
electrons (in atoms)
(1) • proton
(charge) +1 and
electron (charge) -1
(1)
Mark
(2)
Q2.
Question
Number
Answer
An explanation
linking two of the
following points
• both have two
electrons (1) • in
outer shell (1)
• (therefore) in
group 2 (1)
Acceptable answers
Mark
(2)
Q3.
Indicative Content
QWC
Level
1
*
0
1-2
Mark
A description
including some of
the following points
ion formation
 magnesium
atoms lose electrons
 each magnesium
atom loses two
electrons
 to acquire full
outer shell
 magnesium
(configuration)
becomes 2.8
 forms Mg2+ ion
 electrons
transferred to oxygen
atoms
 oxygen atoms
gain electrons
 each oxygen
atom gains two
electrons
 oxygen
(configuration)
becomes 2.8
 to acquire full
outer shell
 forms O2ionstructure
 magnesium ions
attract oxide ions
 due to opposite
charges
 ions pack close
together
 ratio of ions 1: 1
 ions arranged in
lattice
 giant (ionic)
(structure)diagram
can be credited for
(6)
any points
No rewardable content
 a limited description e.g. magnesium
atoms lose electrons and oxygen atoms gain
electrons e.g. magnesium oxide is a giant
structure
 the answer communicates ideas using
simple language and uses limited scientific
terminology
 spelling, punctuation and grammar are
used with limited accuracy
2
3-4
 a simple description e.g. magnesium
atoms lose two electrons to form positive
ions and oxygen atoms gain two electrons to
form negative ions
 e.g. magnesium atoms lose electrons
and oxygen atoms gain electrons and
magnesium oxide is a giant structure
 the answer communicates ideas
showing some evidence of clarity and
organisation and uses scientific terminology
appropriately
 spelling, punctuation and grammar are
used with some accuracy
3
5-6
 a detailed description e.g. each
magnesium atom transfers two electrons to
an oxygen atom and the opposite charged
ions (Mg2+ /O 2-) formed attract each other to
form a giant (ionic) lattice
 the answer communicates ideas clearly
and coherently uses a range of scientific
terminology accurately
 spelling, punctuation and grammar are
used with few errors
Q4.
Answer
(a)
(b)
(c)
D : Ca(NO3)2
C:8
Description including
four of the following
sodium - 2.8.1 / 1
electron in outer
shell (1)
sodium (atoms) lose
electrons (1)
one per atom (1)
(forms) Na+ (1)
sulphur - 2.8.6 / 6
electrons in outer
shell (1)
sulfur (atoms) gain
electrons (1)
two per atom (1)
(forms) S2- (1)
two sodium atoms /
ions combine with
one sulfur atom / ion
(1)
formula is Na2S (1)
Acceptable
answers
Marks can be gained
using diagrams
mention of shared
electrons / covalent
bonding in words or
diagram = max 2
marks
Indicative Content
*(d)
A description
including some of
the following points
solid
regular arrangement/
lattice (of ions)
sodium/Na+ ions
chloride /Cl- ions
(held together by)
strong (ionic) bonds
strong (electrostatic)
forces of attraction
between oppositely
charged ions /
positive and
negatively
charged ions
closely packed
together
(when solid) does
not conduct
because ions
cannot move
molten
heat energy
overcomes/breaks
(strong ionic) bonds
strong (electrostatic)
forces of attraction
Mark
(1)
(1)
(4)
Mark
(6)
Level
1
0
1-2
between oppositely
charged ions /
positive and
negatively
charged ions
ions can move
(therefore) conducts
when molten
No rewardable content
 a limited explanation e.g. does not
conduct when solid e.g. does conduct when
molten
 the answer communicates ideas using
simple language and uses limited scientific
terminology
 spelling, punctuation and grammar are
used with limited accuracy
2
3-4
 a simple explanation e.g. does not
conduct when solid, does conduct when
molten because ions / particles / atoms can
move
 the answer communicates ideas
showing some evidence of clarity and
organisation and uses scientific terminology
appropriately
 spelling, punctuation and grammar are
used with some accuracy
3
5-6
 a detailed explanation e.g. solid has
strong ionic bonds (between oppositely
charged ions), does not conduct when solid
because ions cannot move, does conduct
when molten because ions can move
 the answer communicates ideas clearly
and coherently uses a range of scientific
terminology accurately
 spelling, punctuation and grammar are
used with few errors