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1.2.1The periodic table

AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462), Higher tier · Atomic structure and the periodic table › The periodic table

Practise The periodic table. 11 exam-style questions on this subtopic, at up to four difficulty levels, with full mark schemes and a progress tracker. Free, no account needed.

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The formula of hydrogen sulfide is H2S.
Predict the formula of hydrogen selenide.
H2Se
Give the number of occupied energy levels (shells) and the number of outer-shell electrons in a calcium atom.
4 occupied shells; 2 outer-shell electrons

Sample questions

Written for this site in the style of AQA exam questions. They are not taken from real past papers.

Question 1Easy4 marks
The modern periodic table contains more than 100 elements.
(a) Complete the sentence.
Tick (✓) one box.
The elements in the periodic table are arranged in order of ................[1]
  • atomic number
  • mass number
  • number of neutrons
  • relative atomic mass
(b) What name is given to a vertical column of elements in the periodic table?[1]
(c) Why do elements in the same vertical column of the periodic table have similar chemical properties?[1]
(d) Why is the table called a periodic table?[1]
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a) Answer: atomic number
(b) Answer: a group
  • group
(c) Answer: Their atoms have the same number of electrons in the outer shell.
  • (atoms have the) same number of electrons in the outer shell / energy level
(d) Answer: Similar properties occur at regular intervals.
  • similar properties occur at regular intervals
Question 2Medium4 marks
Calcium is in Period 4 and Group 2 of the periodic table.
(a) Give the number of occupied energy levels (shells) and the number of outer-shell electrons in a calcium atom.[2]
(b) Use this information to give the electronic structure of a calcium atom.[1]
(c) Give the atomic number of calcium.[1]
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a) Answer: 4 occupied shells; 2 outer-shell electrons
  • 4 occupied shells / energy levels
  • 2 electrons in the outer shell
(b) Answer: 2,8,8,2
  • 2,8,8,2
(c) Answer: 20
  • 20
Question 3Hard7 marks
The position of an element in the periodic table is related to the arrangement of electrons in its atoms.
(a) Silicon has the atomic number 14.
Explain how the position of silicon in the periodic table is related to the arrangement of electrons in its atoms.[3]
(b) Selenium, Se, is in Group 6, directly below sulfur.
Sulfur burns in oxygen to form sulfur dioxide, SO2.
Predict the formula of the compound formed when selenium burns in oxygen.[1]
(c) The formula of hydrogen sulfide is H2S.
Predict the formula of hydrogen selenide.[1]
(d) Gallium is in Group 3 and Period 4.
Give the number of electrons in the outer shell of a gallium atom and the number of occupied energy levels.[2]
Show the answer and mark scheme
(a) Answer: Silicon is 2,8,4: three occupied energy levels so Period 3; four outer electrons so Group 4.
  • electronic structure is 2,8,4
  • three occupied energy levels / shells so it is in Period 3
  • four electrons in the outer shell so it is in Group 4
(b) Answer: SeO2
  • SeO2
(c) Answer: H2Se
  • H2Se
(d) Answer: 3 outer electrons; 4 occupied energy levels
  • 3 (electrons in the outer shell)
  • 4 (occupied energy levels)

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