IB DP Chemistry Topic 3.1 Periodic table SL Paper 1

Question

An element is in group 4 and period 3 of the periodic table. How many electrons are in the highest occupied energy level of an atom of this element?

A.     3

B.     4

C.     12

D.     14

▶️Answer/Explanation

B

The element is Hf : [Xe] 4f14 5d2 6s2

Group 4 elements are transition elements. In this case, we need to consider the electrons in the highest occupied energy level (n) plus the electrons in the (n-1) d orbital.

Electrons in highest occupied energy level or valence electrons = 2+2 =4. 

Question

Which statements about atomic structure and the periodic table are correct?

I.     An element in group 2 has 2 electrons in its valence (outer) energy level.

II.     An element in period 3 has electrons in 3 energy levels.

III.     The element in group 2 and period 3 has an atomic number of 12.

A.     I and II only

B.     I and III only

C.     II and III only

D.     I, II and III

▶️Answer/Explanation

D

Group 2 elements have nselectronic configuration of outer shell, where n is the period number. Hence, they have 2 electrons in its valence (outer) energy level.

Elements in period 3 go up to n=3. Hence, they have 3 energy levels.

The element in group 2 and period 3 have electronic configuration of outer shell as 3s2 .Which means it has electronic configuration of 1s22s22p63s. Its atomic number is 12. It is Mg. 

Question

Element X is in group 5 and period 4 of the periodic table. Which statement is correct?

A.     X has 5 occupied energy levels.

B.     X can form ions with 3+ charge.

C.     X is not a transition element.

D.     X has 4 valence electrons.

▶️Answer/Explanation

B

Element is in period 4, it will have n=1 up to n=4. X occupies 4 energy levels.

Since it is in period 4, group 5, it is a transition element and it has electronic configuration of 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d3 4s2 and it has 3+2 = 5 valence electrons. 

It can form ions up to 5+ charge. 

Question

Which property increases down Group 1, the alkali metals?

A.     Atomic radius

B.     Electronegativity

C.     First ionization energy

D.     Melting point

▶️Answer/Explanation

A

Atomic radius increases down the group as n increases from top to bottom. 

Question

Which element is a lanthanide?

A.     Hf

B.     Tb

C.     U

D.     Y

▶️Answer/Explanation

B

The lanthanide or lanthanoid series of chemical elements comprises the 15 metallic chemical elements with atomic numbers 57–71, from lanthanum through lutetium.

Tb Terbium with atomic number 65 is a lanthanide.

Question

Which element is in the p-block?

A.     Pb

B.     Pm

C.     Pt

D.     Pu

▶️Answer/Explanation

A

Out of these, Pb is in the p-block.

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