Atomic structure and the Periodic Table: past paper questions

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• Question 3May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The difference between the nucleon number and the proton number indicates the number of ......1...... in the atom. Atoms that have different nucleon numbers but the same proton number are called ......2......

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Atom X has an atomic number of 19 and a nucleon number of 42. Atom Y has an atomic number of 20 and a nucleon number of 40. Which statement is correct?

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  An ion has an electronic configuration of 2,8,8. It has a 2– charge and a nucleon number of 36. How many neutrons are present in the nucleus of this ion?

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The letters X, Y and Z represent different atoms. $${}_{19}^{40}\mathrm{X}{}_{19}^{39}\mathrm{Y}{}_{20}^{40}\mathrm{Z}$$ Which statement is correct?

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• Question 4May/June 2026, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows the relative mass and the relative charge of two particles present in atoms and ions. Which of these particles are present in a hydrogen atom and in a hydrogen ion?

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• Question 4Oct/Nov 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  In which ionic compound do all the ions have the same electronic configuration?

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• Question 5Oct/Nov 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The formulae for two ions are given. $${}_{34}^{72}{\text{X}}^{2-}{}_{34}^{74}{\text{X}}^{2-}$$ Which statement is correct?

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• Question 3May/June 2025, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  An atom of element X is shown. Which element is X?

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• Question 3Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows an atom of element Z. Which symbol for element Z is correct?

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• Question 23Oct/Nov 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The table shows the number of electrons in one atom of each of the elements W, X, Y and Z. | element | number of electrons in one atom | | :--- | :--- | | W | 9 | | X | 15 | | Y | 19 | | Z | 35 | Which statement is correct?

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• Question 3May/June 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement is correct?

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• Question 25Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which property determines the order of the elements in the Periodic Table?

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• Question 2Oct/Nov 2023, paper 21Structured13 marksHas a diagram

  This question is about metals. Potassium is an element in Group I of the Periodic Table. Copper is a transition element.

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• Question 4May/June 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Atoms of element Q form positive ions. An ion of Q has 10 electrons and 14 neutrons. Which statement is correct?

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• Question 26Oct/Nov 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which statement explains why helium and neon are unreactive?

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• Question 2May/June 2023, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  X, Y and Z are elements. X and Y are in the same period of the Periodic Table. Y and Z are in the same group of the Periodic Table.

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• Question 5May/June 2025, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Which particle contains the greatest number of electrons?

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2024, paper 21Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 1.1 shows the electronic configurations of five atoms, D, E, F, G and H. Answer the questions about these electronic configurations. Each electronic configuration may be used once, more than once or not at all.

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• Question 2May/June 2023, paper 12Multiple choice1 mark

  Element Z, nucleon number 31, forms an ion ${\mathrm{Z}}^{3-}$. Where is Z found in the Periodic Table?

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• Question 1Oct/Nov 2024, paper 22Structured7 marksHas a diagram

  Fig. 1.1 shows the electronic configurations of five atoms, A, B, C, D and E. Answer the questions about these electronic configurations. Each electronic configuration may be used once, more than once or not at all.

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• Question 4May/June 2023, paper 21Structured9 marks

  This question is about compounds that contain phosphorus. The formula for a phosphide ion can be written as ${}_{15}^{31}{\mathrm{P}}^{3-}$. Complete Table 4.1 to show the number of particles in this phosphide ion.

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• Question 3May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  A chlorine atom, Z, has a nucleon number of 37. Which row is correct?

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• Question 4May/June 2023, paper 22Structured9 marks

  This question is about compounds that contain magnesium and nitrogen. The formula for a nitride ion can be written as ${}_7^{15}{\mathrm{N}}^{3-}$. Complete Table 4.1 to show the number of particles in this nitride ion.

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• Question 4May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  Which particles are isotopes of the same element?

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• Question 26May/June 2024, paper 11Multiple choice1 mark

  The total number of electrons in one atom of element Q is 17 and in one atom of element R is 19. Which statement about elements Q and R is correct?

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• Question 25May/June 2024, paper 12Multiple choice1 markHas a diagram

  The diagram shows a section of the Periodic Table. Which element is a metal that has exactly three outer shell electrons?

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• Question 7May/June 2024, paper 21Structured9 marks

  Chlorine is a gas at room temperature. Iodine is a solid at room temperature. A sample of chlorine has a volume of $240\mathrm{c}{\mathrm{m}}^3$ at room temperature and pressure.

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• Question 7May/June 2024, paper 22Structured9 marks

  Oxygen is a gas at room temperature. Sulfur is a solid at room temperature. A sample of oxygen has a volume of $540{\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^3$ at room temperature and pressure.

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