7 Periodicity
OCR Chemistry A Exam-style questions
1 Graphene and graphite are both allotropes of carbon. They both contain single
carbon–carbon covalent bonds. Give one other similarity between the structures
of graphene and graphite and also one difference:
a Similarity:
Difference:
(2 marks)
b Diamond is another allotrope of carbon but has a different structure to
graphene and graphite.
i State the C–C–C bond angle in the following structures:
Graphene:
Diamond:
(2 marks)
ii Graphene and graphite are both good conductors of electricity. Explain,
in terms of its structure, whether you would also expect diamond to be a
good conductor of electricity.
(1 mark)
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7 Periodicity
OCR Chemistry A Exam-style questions
2 Mendeleev is considered to be the ‘father’ of the periodic table. He predicted the
properties of unknown elements and left gaps for them in his table.
a Gallium was one of the elements that Mendeleev made predictions about.
i Predict the structure and bonding of gallium based on its position in the
periodic table.
(2 marks)
ii Explain whether you would expect gallium to be soluble or insoluble in
water.
(1 mark)
iii Predict the formula of gallium oxide.
(1 mark)
iv Predict the structure and bonding of gallium oxide.
(2 marks)
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7 Periodicity
OCR Chemistry A Exam-style questions
3 a Define the term first ionisation energy.
(3 marks)
b Write an equation, with state symbols, to show the first ionisation energy of
oxygen.
(1 mark)
c Describe and explain the trend in the values of the first ionisation energies
down Group 6 from oxygen to polonium.
(4 marks)
d Oxygen is in Group 6 of the periodic table. How would its successive ionisation
energies show this? You may sketch a graph to illustrate your answer.
(1 mark)
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7 Periodicity
OCR Chemistry A Exam-style questions
4 Table 4.1 below shows the melting temperatures of the elements across Period 3.
Table 4.1 Melting temperatures of some elements in Period 3
Element Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
Melting
371 923 933 1683 317 392 84
temperature / K
a i Explain, in terms of structure, why the melting points of Na, Mg, Al, and Si
are all higher than those of P and S.
(2 marks)
Explain, in terms of bonding, the following:
ii magnesium has a higher melting temperature than sodium
(3 marks)
iii phosphorus, P4, has a lower melting temperature than sulfur, S8.
(3 marks)
iv Predict the approximate melting temperature of chlorine.
(1 mark)
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7 Periodicity
OCR Chemistry A Exam-style questions
b Describe the structure and bonding of aluminium. Include the names of the
particles involved in the bonding within your answer.
(3 marks)
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7 Periodicity
OCR Chemistry A Exam-style questions
5 The graph in Figure 5.1 shows the variation of first ionisation energies across
Period 2 of the periodic table.
Figure 5.1 First ionisation energies of some elements in Period 2
a i Write the full electronic configuration for nitrogen.
(1 mark)
ii Explain why the first ionisation energy of oxygen is lower than the first
ionisation energy of nitrogen.
(2 marks)
iii Explain why the first ionisation energy of nitrogen is higher than the first
ionisation energy of carbon.
(3 marks)
b The variation in first ionisation energies across a period of the periodic table
provided evidence for what structure within an atom?
(1 mark)
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7 Periodicity
OCR Chemistry A Exam-style questions
c Add to the graph in Figure 5.1 a cross which represents the predicted value
of the first ionisation energy of sodium. Label your cross ‘Na’. (1 mark)
d From the following elements: lithium, beryllium, and fluorine, predict which
one will have the largest second ionisation energy. Explain your answer.
Prediction
Explanation
(3 marks)
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