Exam Practice Questions

Question 1

Describe the structure of the plum pudding model of the atom?

Answer 1

The plum pudding model had electrons scattered around in circular arrays within the large pudding of positive charge

Question 2

Outline Ernest Rutherford’s gold foil experiment
Explain how his observations led to a change in the model of atomic structure

Answer 2

Ernest Rutherford shot charged alpha particles at a sheet of gold foil and some alpha particles went through, representing the empty space. Some alpha particles deflected a small amount, showing there were some electrons within the empty space and some of the alpha particles bounced off completely to show they had hit the nucleus centre

This experiment led to the atomic structure model having a small positive nucleus with electrons surrounding and empty space

Question 3

Define the first ionisation energy:

Question 4

What is the electronic configuration of Cu?

Answer 4

1s2, 2s2, 2p6, 3s2, 3p6, 4s1, 3d10

Question 5

What is the electronic configuration of Cu+

Answer 5

1s2, 2s2, 2p6, 3s2, 3p6, 3d10,

Question 6

Define transition metals:

Answer 6

Transition metals have an incomplete d sublevel in their atoms or ions

Question 7

Define isotope:

Answer 7

An element with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons

Question 8

Explain the processes that causes some molecules in this sample to have very low energies

Answer 8

Molecules will collide with one another leading to reduction in speed and energy

Question 9

Explain why, even in a fast reaction, a very small percentage of collisions leads to a reaction

Answer 9

Not all molecules have energy > than the Ea