IGCSE Chemistry: The Periodic Table & Trends

Complete the following sentences using words from the list below.

(5 marks - 1 mark each)

List: atomic number, groups, periods, properties, shells

a) Elements are arranged on the periodic table in order of increasing

b) The horizontal rows are called and show the number of electron an atom has.

c) The vertical columns are called and contain elements with similar .

(4 marks - 2 marks each)

a) Which statement about the periodic table is correct? Select an answer A) Elements in the same period have the same number of outer electrons. B) The group number tells you the total number of electrons. C) The period number indicates the number of electron shells. D) Hydrogen is placed in Group 1 because it has identical properties to sodium.

b) An element has the electron configuration 2,8,4. What is its group and period? Select an answer A) Group 4, Period 2 B) Group 4, Period 3 C) Group 6, Period 3 D) Group 14, Period 2

Using the group number, state the charge of the ion each element is most likely to form.

(6 marks - 1 mark each)

Element	Group	Predicted Ion Charge
a) Potassium	Group 1	Select charge +1 1+ -1 1- +2 2+ -2 2- +3 3+ -3 3-
b) Oxygen	Group 6	Select charge +1 1+ -1 1- +2 2+ -2 2- +3 3+ -3 3-
c) Aluminum	Group 3	Select charge +1 1+ -1 1- +2 2+ -2 2- +3 3+ -3 3-
d) Fluorine	Group 7	Select charge +1 1+ -1 1- +2 2+ -2 2- +3 3+ -3 3-
e) Calcium	Group 2	Select charge +1 1+ -1 1- +2 2+ -2 2- +3 3+ -3 3-
f) Nitrogen	Group 5	Select charge +1 1+ -1 1- +2 2+ -2 2- +3 3+ -3 3-

(3 marks)

a) In which direction on the periodic table (left to right, or top to bottom) does metallic character increase?

b) Explain why this trend occurs.

Identify whether each property describes a Metal (M) or a Non-Metal (NM).

(6 marks - 1 mark each)

Property	M or NM?
Good conductor of electricity
Brittle and shatters when hit
Forms acidic oxides
Has 1-3 electrons in its outer shell
High melting point
Reacts with acids to produce a salt and hydrogen

An element has the electronic configuration 2, 8, 8, 2.

(6 marks - 1 mark each)

a) How many electron shells does it have?

b) What period is it in?

c) How many outer electrons does it have?

d) What group is it in?

e) Is it a metal or a non-metal?

f) Predict the charge of its ion.

The table below shows the reactions of some Group 1 metals with water.

Element	Observation with Water
Lithium	Fizzes steadily, moves slowly on the water surface.
Sodium	Fizzes vigorously, moves rapidly, melts into a ball.
Potassium	Reacts violently with a lilac flame, darts around rapidly.

(5 marks)

a) Describe the trend in reactivity down Group 1.

b) State how Rubidium (the next element down) would be expected to react with water.

c) Explain why this trend in reactivity occurs. (Hint: Think about the outer electron and the distance from the nucleus).

The table below shows the melting points of the first four elements in Group 2.

Element	Melting Point (°C)
Beryllium	1287
Magnesium	650
Calcium	842
Strontium	777

(6 marks)

a) Describe the general trend in melting points down Group 2, ignoring any anomalies.

b) Magnesium does not fit this trend perfectly. Suggest one reason why real data might not always show a perfectly smooth trend.

Explain why elements in the same group of the periodic table have similar chemical properties.

(4 marks)

Match each key term to its correct definition.

(5 marks - 1 mark each)