Periodicity of physical properties of the elements in Period 3: past paper questions

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• Question 17May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The table contains some statements about Period 3 elements and their compounds. In which row are both statements correct?

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement explains why sodium and potassium have different melting points?

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• Question 6Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The graphs show trends in four physical properties of elements in Period 3, excluding argon.

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• Question 16Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  X, Y and Z are elements all found within Groups 13, 14 and 15 of the Periodic Table. X is in the same group in the Periodic Table as Y. Y and Z are in Period 3.

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• Question 18May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement explains why silicon has the highest melting point of the elements of Period 3?

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• Question 16Oct/Nov 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The atomic radii and ionic radii for three elements in Period 3 are shown.

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• Question 19Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  X and Y are elements in Period 3 of the Periodic Table. Y has a greater atomic number than X. The stable ion formed by Y has a greater radius than the stable ion formed by X. The stable ion formed by Y has 18 electrons. Which row is correct?

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• Question 17Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  Which row about silicon, Si, and magnesium, Mg, and their ions is correct?

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• Question 17May/June 2026, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  X, Y and Z are elements in Period 3. Some physical properties of X, Y and Z are shown.

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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 10Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  In the structure of solid ${\text{SiO}}_2$ each silicon atom is bonded to x oxygen atoms each oxygen atom is bonded to y silicon atoms each bond is a z type bond. What is the correct combination of x, y and z in these statements?

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• Question 16May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Elements W, X, Y and Z are different elements in Period 3 of the Periodic Table. Four statements about W, X, Y and Z are given. 1 X has the greatest electronegativity value of the four elements.

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• Question 17Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Sodium and sulfur react together to form sodium sulfide, ${\text{Na}}_2\text{S}$. How do the atomic radius and ionic radius of sodium compare with those of sulfur?

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• Question 17May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Aluminium, silicon and phosphorus are elements in Period 3 of the Periodic Table. Each element forms an oxide. Which row is correct?

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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 17May/June 2026, paper 13Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The table shows the melting points of ${\text{SiO}}_2$ and ${\text{P}}_4{\text{O}}_6$.

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

  Which statement is correct?

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• Question 19Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  X and Y are atoms of different elements in Period 3 of the Periodic Table. Neither X nor Y is argon. X is a non-metal.

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• Question 18Oct/Nov 2025, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  Which oxide has a simple structure rather than a giant structure?

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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 2Oct/Nov 2025, paper 21Structured11 marksHas a diagram

  The Period 3 elements show trends in physical and chemical properties across the period.

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• Question 18May/June 2024, paper 13Multiple choice1 mark

  X and Y are two elements from Period 3 of the Periodic Table. Element X has a higher electrical conductivity than element Y. Element Y has a higher melting point than element X. Which formula is a compound formed from element X and element Y?

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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 1May/June 2024, paper 22Structured15 marksHas a diagram

  Complete Table 1.1 using relevant information from the Periodic Table.

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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 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 22May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The table shows some data for the elements in Period 3 of the Periodic Table.

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• Question 21May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows the melting points of eight elements with consecutive atomic numbers. Which element could be sodium?

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• Question 22May/June 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Elements Y and Z are both in Period 3. Element Y has the smallest atomic radius in Period 3. There are only two elements in Period 3 that have a lower melting point than element Z. Elements Y and Z react together to form compound R. Which compound could be R?

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• Question 17May/June 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  L, M and N are three different elements from Period 3 of the Periodic Table. L is the element whose atoms have three unpaired electrons in its 3p sub-shell. M is the element with the highest electrical conductivity in the period.

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