Unit 3: Structure 3: Classification of Matter
Topic 3.1: The Periodic Table — Classification of Elements Questions
Practice 10 exam-style questions for IB Chemistry Topic 3.1. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.
1State2 marks
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State the characteristic by which the periodic table is divided into the s, p, d and f blocks, and identify the block that contains the transition metals.
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Unlock Question2Explain2 marks
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Explain why caesium is more reactive than sodium when each reacts with water. [2]
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Unlock Question3State2 marks
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State the trend in the acid–base nature of the oxides across period 3 (from Na2O to SO3), and identify the oxide that is amphoteric. [2]
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Explain, in terms of nuclear charge and shielding, why the first ionisation energy of argon is greater than that of sodium (both in period 3). [2]
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Unlock Question5Explain2 marks
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The atomic radii of lithium, sodium and potassium increase down group 1.
Explain this trend in terms of atomic structure. [2]
Explain this trend in terms of atomic structure. [2]
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Unlock Question6Deduce2 marks
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The element manganese has the electron configuration 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 3d⁵ 4s².
Deduce the period and the block of the periodic table in which manganese is found, justifying each answer.
Deduce the period and the block of the periodic table in which manganese is found, justifying each answer.
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Unlock Question7Deduce3 marks
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Vanadium has the atomic number Z = 23.
(a) Deduce the full electron configuration of a vanadium atom.
(b) Deduce the full electron configuration of the V³⁺ ion. [3]
(a) Deduce the full electron configuration of a vanadium atom.
(b) Deduce the full electron configuration of the V³⁺ ion. [3]
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Unlock Question8Predict2 marks
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The complex [Co(H2O)6]2+ is pink.
When the water ligands are replaced by chloride ligands to form [CoCl4]2-, the splitting energy Δ decreases.
Predict and explain the effect of this change on the wavelength of light absorbed. [2]
When the water ligands are replaced by chloride ligands to form [CoCl4]2-, the splitting energy Δ decreases.
Predict and explain the effect of this change on the wavelength of light absorbed. [2]
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Unlock Question9Explain3 marks
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Manganese forms compounds in which it has oxidation states ranging from +2 to +7.
Explain, in terms of electron configuration and sub-shell energies, why manganese (and transition metals in general) can show this range of oxidation states. [3]
Explain, in terms of electron configuration and sub-shell energies, why manganese (and transition metals in general) can show this range of oxidation states. [3]
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Unlock Question10Explain3 marks
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Explain, in terms of d orbitals and d-d transitions, why a solution of the octahedral complex [Ni(H2O)6]2+ is green. [3]
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