Ionisation energy: past paper questions

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• Question 2May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Why is the first ionisation energy of sulfur lower than that of phosphorus?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The data in the table gives the 5th to the 10th ionisation energies of three elements from Period 3 of the Periodic Table.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  In this question Q is used to represent a halogen atom. Magnesium and calcium each form a compound with chlorine and a compound with bromine.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The graph shows the variation of the first ionisation energy with proton number for some elements. The letters used are not the actual symbols for the elements. Which statement about the elements is correct?

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• Question 4May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Element X has a higher first ionisation energy than element Y. Two students state one factor that helps to explain this.

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which equation has an energy change that is equal to the first ionisation energy of bromine?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which factor causes helium to have a higher first ionisation energy than hydrogen?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  The second ionisation energy of oxygen is greater than the second ionisation energy of fluorine. Which factor explains this difference?

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• Question 1May/June 2026, paper 21Structured17 marksHas a diagram

  Complete the dot-and-cross diagram in Figure 1.1 to show the arrangement of outer shell electrons in a molecule of ${\mathrm{S}\mathrm{F}}_6$.

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• Question 7Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  $\text{X}$ and $\text{Y}$ are different elements in Period 3. Atoms of $\text{X}$ and $\text{Y}$ each have only one completely filled orbital in their highest occupied energy sub-shell. $\text{Y}$ has a greater first ionisation energy than $\text{X}$.

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Structured20 marksHas a diagram

  The Group 14 elements show a change from non-metallic to metallic character down the group.

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• Question 18Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which row gives the best description of the variations in the melting points and the first ionisation energies of the elements in Period 3 from sodium to argon?

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Structured19 marksHas a diagram

  Nitrogen and phosphorus are elements in Group 15 of the Periodic Table. Nitrogen is found in inorganic compounds such as nitrogen oxides (${\text{NO}}_x$), nitrates and nitric acid. Identify one natural and one man-made occurrence of nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere.

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• Question 4May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The first seven ionisation energies of an element between lithium and neon in the Periodic Table are shown. $$1310339053207450110001330071000\text{ kJ}{\text{mol}}^{-1}$$ What is the outer electronic configuration of the element?

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2023, paper 21Structured22 marksHas a diagram

  The elements phosphorus, sulfur and chlorine are in Period 3 of the Periodic Table. Table 1.1 shows some properties of the elements P to Cl. The first ionisation energy of S is not shown.

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• Question 20May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which diagram shows the electronegativity of the elements Na, Mg, Al and Si plotted against their first ionisation energies?

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• Question 3May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Z is a compound of two elements, X and Y. Element X shows a very large increase between its 5th and 6th ionisation energies. It has the second largest 1st ionisation energy in its group. Element Y shows a very large increase between its 6th and 7th ionisation energies.

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2023, paper 22Structured13 marks

  The elements silicon, phosphorus and sulfur are in Period 3 of the Periodic Table. Describe the variation in atomic radius from silicon to sulfur.

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• Question 10May/June 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Why is the second ionisation energy of sodium larger than the second ionisation energy of magnesium?

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• Question 18May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement is correct?

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• Question 2May/June 2025, paper 21Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  A sample of iron is analysed using a mass spectrometer. The mass spectrum shows three isotopes of iron are present in the sample. Define isotopes.

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• Question 3May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The first eight successive ionisation energies for two elements of Period 3 of the Periodic Table are shown in the graphs. What is the formula of the ionic compound formed from these elements?

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• Question 3May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Three statements about potassium and chlorine and their ions are listed. 1 The atomic radius of a potassium atom is greater than the atomic radius of a chlorine atom. 2 The first ionisation energy of potassium is greater than the first ionisation energy of chlorine.

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• Question 1May/June 2025, paper 23Structured10 marks

  The chemical properties of an element are related to the electronic configuration of its atoms. Give the full electronic configuration of a fluorine atom.

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• Question 4May/June 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  This question is about the first ionisation energies of magnesium and neon. Which row is correct?

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• Question 12May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Four successive ionisation energies (IE) of element E are shown. Element E is in Period 3 of the Periodic Table.

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• Question 1May/June 2023, paper 21Structured13 marksHas a diagram

  Tellurium is an element in Group 16. The most common isotope of tellurium is ${}^{130}\mathrm{T}\mathrm{e}$. Its electronic configuration is $[\mathrm{K}\mathrm{r}]4{\mathrm{d}}^{10}5{\mathrm{s}}^{2}5{\mathrm{p}}^4$.

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