Paper 1 - The Periodic Table

Question 1

How are elements arranged in the periodic table?

Answer 1

• in order of atomic number
• in groups and periods.

Question 2

How do you deduce the electronic configurations of the first 20 elements from their positions in the Periodic Table?

Answer 2

• The atomic number is equal to the total number of electrons in the element
• The series goes 2,8,8,2… so the electronic configurations is deduced using that

Question 3

How do you use electrical conductivity and the acid-base character of oxides to classify elements as metals or non-metals?

Answer 3

Metals

• Conduct electricity
• Have oxides which are basic, reacting with acids to give a salt and water

Non–Metals

• Do not conduct electricity (except for graphite)
• Have oxides which are acidic or neutral

Question 4

How can you identify an element as a metal or a non-metal according to its position in the Periodic Table?

Answer 4

• Metals on the left of the Periodic Table.
• Separated by ‘semimetals’ in a diagonal line
• Non-Metals on the top-right, plus Hydrogen.

Question 5

How is the electronic configuration of a main group element related to its
position in the Periodic Table?

Answer 5

• The group number of the element is how many electrons the element has on it’s outer shell
• The period is how many shells that element has

Question 6

Why do elements in the same group of the Periodic Table have similar chemical properties?

Answer 6

They have the same number of electrons on their outer shells

Question 7

Why do the noble gases (Group 0) not readily react?

Answer 7

They are inert because they already have full outer shells of electrons and are stable