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A-LevelChemistryChemical periodicity9701/22 · Feb/Mar 2017 · Q117 Marks

(a) The table shows information about some of the elements in the third period. element | Na | Mg | Al | P | S | Cl ---|---|---|---|---|---|--- atomic radius/nm | 0.186 | 0.160 | 0.143 | 0.110 | 0.104 | 0.099 radius of most common ion/nm | 0.095 | 0.065 | 0.050 | 0.212 | 0.184 | 0.181 maximum oxidation number of the element in its compounds | +1 | | | | | +7

  1. (a)(i)Complete the table to show the maximum oxidation number of each element in its compounds.[1]
  2. (a)(ii)Explain why the atomic radius of elements in the third period decreases from Na to Cl.[3]
  3. (a)(iii)The radius of the most common ion of Mg is much smaller than the radius of the most common ion of S. Identify both ions and explain the difference in their radii.[2]
  4. (b)(i)Phosphorus is a non-metal in the third period. It reacts vigorously with excess oxygen but slowly with chlorine. Some reactions of phosphorus are shown. [Figure showing reaction scheme: phosphorus + excess O₂(g) (reaction 1) → A(s); phosphorus + Cl₂(g) (reaction 2) → PCl₅(s); PCl₅(s) + water → B(aq) + HCl(aq)] Write an equation to represent reaction 1, the formation of compound A.[1]
  5. (b)(ii)Give two observations you could make in reaction 2.[2]
  6. (b)(iii)Name compound B.[1]
  7. (c)(i)Cerium is a lanthanoid metal that shows similar chemical reactions to some elements in the third period. Most of cerium's compounds contain Ce³⁺ or Ce⁴⁺ ions. Cerium shows the same structure and bonding as a typical metal. Draw a labelled diagram to show the structure and bonding in cerium.[2]
  8. (c)(ii)Cerium(IV) oxide, CeO₂, is a ceramic. Suggest two physical properties of cerium(IV) oxide.[2]
  9. (c)(iii)A naturally occurring sample of cerium contains only four isotopes. Data for three of the isotopes are shown in the table. isotope | ¹³⁶Ce | ¹³⁸Ce | ¹⁴⁰Ce | ¹⁴²Ce ---|---|---|---|--- relative isotopic mass | 135.907 | 137.906 | 139.905 | to be calculated percentage abundance | 0.185 | 0.251 | 88.450 | to be calculated The Aᵣ of the sample is 140.116. Use these data to calculate the relative isotopic mass of the fourth isotope in this sample of cerium. Give your answer to three decimal places.[3]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Feb/Mar 2017). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [1] max O.N. (+)2 (+)3 (+)5 (+)6
  2. [1] (from Na to Cl) nuclear charge increases
  3. [1] electrons are in the same shell/have same shielding
  4. [1] greater/stronger attraction (of electrons to nucleus)
  5. [1] Mg²⁺ AND S²⁻
  6. [1] ion of Mg/Mg²⁺ has one fewer shell (than ion of S/S²⁻)
  7. [1] P₄ + 5O₂ → P₄O₁₀/2P₂O₅
  8. [2] any 2 from: • yellow/green colour (of chlorine gas) disappears • white flame • white solid • solid melts
  9. [1] phosphoric(V) acid
  10. [2] diagram showing regular arrangement of (positive) ions surrounded by/sea of (delocalised) electrons
  11. [1] 1
  12. [1] 1
  13. [2] any 2 from: • high melting/boiling/sublimation point • electrical/thermal insulator • hard/rigid • retains strength at high temperature/pressure
  14. [1] M1 % abundance of fourth isotope = 100 - (0.185 + 0.251 + 88.450) = 11.114
  15. [1] M2 (0.185×135.907)+(0.251×137.906)+(88.450×139.905)+(11.114×RIM) / 100 = 140.116 .. (140.116 × 100) – 12434.35 = 1577.246 = 11.114 × RIM
  16. [1] M3 RIM = 1577.246 / 11.114 = 141.915

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About this question

Topic
Chemical periodicity, A-Level Chemistry (syllabus 9701). Structured question, 17 marks.
Source
A-Level Chemistry, Feb/Mar 2017 Paper 2 Variant 2, question 1.

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