Which solution forms when phosphorus(V) oxide, P₄O₁₀, reacts with water?

C

Which property increases down Group 1, the alkali metals?

A.     Atomic radius

B.     Electronegativity

C.     First ionization energy

D.     Melting point

A

Which trend is correct, going down group 1?

A.  Melting point increases

B.  Reactivity decreases

C.  First ionisation energy increases

D.  Electronegativity decreases

D

Which describes an atom of bismuth, Bi (Z = 83)?

C

A well answered question regarding finding principal energy level and valence electrons from position on the periodic table.

Which is a d-block element?

A.  Ca

B.  Cf

C.  C$\text{l}$

D.  Co

D

Which of the following would have the same numerical value for all elements in the same period?

A. Highest energy levels occupied

B. Energy sub-levels occupied

C. Orbitals occupied

D. Valence electrons

A

A challenging question with a high discrimination index. 46 % of the candidates chose the correct answer A (the highest energy levels occupied have the same numerical value for all elements in the same period). A high proportion of candidates chose C (orbitals occupied have the same value ….) and a significant proportion chose B (energy sub-levels occupied have the same value …).

Which species has the same electron configuration as argon?

A.  Br⁻

B.  Ca²⁺

C.  Al³⁺

D.  Si⁴⁺

B

Which oxide will dissolve in water to give the solution with the lowest pH?

A.  ${\mathrm{P}}_4{\mathrm{O}}_{10}$

B.  ${\mathrm{SiO}}_2$

C.  ${\mathrm{Al}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_3$

D.  $\mathrm{MgO}$

A

Fairly well answered. Almost 70% of candidates could identify that non-metallic oxides would dissolve in water to yield a substance of low pH.

Which is an f-block element?

A. Sc

B. Sm

C. Sn

D. Sr

B

Which element is in the p-block?

A.     Pb

B.     Pm

C.     Pt

D.     Pu

A

Which metal has the strongest metallic bond?

A.     Li

B.     Na

C.     K

D.     Rb

A

Three elements, X, Y, and Z are in the same period of the periodic table. The relative sizes of their atoms are represented by the diagram.

Which general trends are correct?

C

The question involved the identification of three trends. 43% of the candidates selected the correct trends in ionization energy, effective nuclear charge and acidity of the oxides. The most commonly chosen distractor reversed the trend in the acidity of the oxides.

Which oxide, when added to water, produces the solution with the highest pH?

A.     Na₂O

B.     SO₃

C.     MgO

D.     CO₂

A

Which trends are correct across period 3 (from Na to Cl)?

I.   Atomic radius decreases
II.  Melting point increases
III. First ionization energy increases

A. I and II only

B. I and III only

C. II and III only

D. I, II and III

B

Which equation represents the first electron affinity of chlorine? 

A. Cl(g)+e^-→ Cl^-(g)
B. $\frac{1}{2}$Cl₂(g) + e^- → Cl^-(g) 
C. Cl⁺(g) + e^- → Cl(g) 
D. Cl(g) → Cl⁺(g) + e^-

A

Which property shows a general increase from left to right across period 2, Li to F?

A.  Melting point

B.  Electronegativity

C.  Ionic radius

D.  Electrical conductivity

B

Which element is a lanthanide?

A.     Hf

B.     Tb

C.     U

D.     Y

B

Which of the following shows a general increase across period 3 from $\mathrm{Na}$ to $\mathrm{Cl}$?

A.  Ionic radius

B.  Atomic radius

C.  Ionization energy

D.  Melting point

C

Although 75% of candidates had the correct answer, this question about trends across period 3 was not a very good discriminator.

Which describes the oxide of sodium, Na₂O?

D

Which combination describes the acid–base nature of aluminium and phosphorus oxides?

A

Which species will require the least energy for the removal of one electron?

A.   Na⁺

B.   Mg⁺

C.   Al²⁺

D.   C³⁺

B

Which gases are acidic?

I.   nitrogen dioxide
II.  carbon dioxide
III. sulfur dioxide

A.  I and II only

B.  I and III only

C.  II and III only

D.  I, II and III

D

What are typical characteristics of metals?

A

Very disappointing results with a large percentage of the candidates thinking metals have a high electron affinity.

Which of the following is the electron configuration of a metallic element?

A.  [Ne] 3s² 3p²

B.  [Ne] 3s² 3p⁴

C.  [Ne] 3s² 3p⁶ 3d³ 4s²

D.  [Ne] 3s² 3p⁶ 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁵

C

Which oxide dissolves in water to give a solution with a pH below 7?

A. MgO

B. Li₂O

C. CaO

D. P₄O₁₀

D

Which property increases down group 1?

A.  atomic radius

B.  electronegativity

C.  first ionization energy

D.  melting point

A

Which statement is correct?

A.     Atomic radius decreases down group 17.

B.     First ionization energy decreases down group 1.

C.     Atomic radius increases across period 3 from Na to Cl.

D.     First ionization energy decreases across period 3 from Na to Cl.

B

How do the following properties change down Group 17 of the periodic table?

C

74 % of the candidates chose the correct trends for ionization energy and ionic radius down Group 17.

Which oxides produce an acidic solution when added to water?

I.    Al₂O₃ and SiO₂

II.   P₄O₆ and P₄O₁₀

III.  NO₂ and SO₂

A.   I and II only

B.   I and III only

C.   II and III only

D.   I, II and III

C

Which element has the highest metallic character in Group 14?

A.  C

B.  Si

C.  Ge

D.  Sn

D

Which element is found in the 4th group, 6th period of the periodic table?

A. Selenium

B. Lead

C. Chromium

D. Hafnium

D

A very well answered question. 76% of the candidates were able to identify the element in the fourth group and sixth period of the periodic table as hafnium. The most commonly chosen distractor was lead which is in group 14 not 4.

Which increase across a period from left to right?

D