Chemistry A

Module 3 - Chapter 7
Periodicity
Mr Gundry
Please note that you may see slight differences between
this paper and the original.
Duration: 95 mins
Candidates answer on the Question paper.

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Candidate Candidate

forename surname

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• Answer all the questions, unless your teacher tells you otherwise.
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• You may use additional paper, or a specific Answer sheet if one is provided, but you must clearly show your candidate
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INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

• The quality of written communication is assessed in questions marked with either a pencil or an asterisk. In History and
Geography a Quality of extended response question is marked with an asterisk, while a pencil is used for questions in
which Spelling, punctuation and grammar and the use of specialist terminology is assessed.
• The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
• The total number of marks for this paper is 67.
• The total number of marks may take into account some 'either/or' question choices.

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 1 The table below shows two physical properties of the element strontium.

Melting point high

Electrical conductivity very good

Explain these physical properties of strontium, in terms of bonding and structure.

Include a labelled diagram in your answer.

Diagram

Explanation

[5]

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 2 Which statement about the periodic table is not correct?

A The elements are arranged in groups with similar chemical properties.

B The elements are arranged in periods with repeating trends in properties

C The elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number.

D The elements in the halogen group increase in reactivity down the group.

Your answer [1]

3 Why are silicon, carbon, oxygen and chlorine all classified as p-block elements?

[1]

4 The first five successive ionisation energies of an element Y are shown below.

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

496 4563 6913 9544 13352

What is the formula of a chloride of Y?

A YCl

B YCl2

C YCl3

D YCl4

Your answer [1]

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 5 Which element has induced dipole–dipole interactions (London forces) in its solid lattice?

A boron

B magnesium

C silicon

D sulfur

Your answer [1]

6 What determines the order of elements in the Periodic Table?

A first ionisation energy

B number of electrons in the outer shell

C number of protons in the nucleus

D relative atomic mass

Your answer [1]

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 7 The table below compares the properties of sodium sulfide, sodium and sulfur.

Complete the table.

Sodium sulfide Sodium Sulfur

Melting point / °C 1180 98 113

Type of structure
(giant or simple)

solid
Electrical conductivity liquid
(good or poor)

[3]

8 B and C are ionic compounds of two different Group 1 elements.

The molar masses of B and C are both approximately 140 g mol−1.

A student dissolves B and C in water in separate test tubes and analyses the solutions.

The observations are shown below.

Test Observation
B(aq) C(aq)
Addition of HNO3(aq) bubbles no change
followed by BaCl2(aq) no change white precipitate
Use this information and the observations to identify the formulae of B and C.

Explain your reasoning.

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 [5]

9 Which element has the highest melting point?

A silicon
B phosphorus
C sulfur
D chlorine

Your answer [1]

10 What is the shape around the carbon atoms in graphene?

A linear
B pyramidal
C tetrahedral
D trigonal planar

Your answer

[1]

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 11 Electron configurations for atoms of different elements are shown below.

Which electron configuration represents the element with the largest first ionisation energy?

A 1s22s2
B 1s22s22p4
C 1s22s22p6
D 1s22s22p63s2

Your answer

[1]

12 Successive ionisation energies of four elements in Period 3 are shown below.

Which letter could represent magnesium?

Ionisation energy / kJ mol−1

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
A 1251 2298 3822 5159 6542
B 738 1451 7733 10543 13630
C 496 4563 6913 9544 13352
D 578 1817 2745 11577 14842

Your answer

[1]

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 13(a) The elements of Period 2 and Period 3 of the Periodic Table are shown in Table 3.1.

Group 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0
Period 2 Li Be B C N O F Ne
Period 3 Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar

Table 3.1

The elements in these two periods show a repeating pattern in chemical and physical properties.

What is the name given to this repeating pattern of properties?

[1]
(b) State the element in Table 3.1 with:

the lowest first ionisation energy _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

the lowest fourth ionisation energy _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

the lowest boiling point _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

[3]

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 (c) The melting points of the Period 3 metals sodium and magnesium are shown below.

Metal Melting point / °C

sodium 98
magnesium 649

Explain the differences in the melting points of sodium and magnesium, using the model of metallic bonding.

In your answer you should use appropriate technical terms spelled correctly.

[3]

14(a) The graph shows the melting points of the elements in Period 3 of the periodic table.

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 Phosphorus and chlorine have simple molecular structures.
More information about phosphorus and chlorine is given in the table below.

Element Molecular formula

phosphorus P4
chlorine Cι2

Explain the differences in the melting points of phosphorus and chlorine.

[3]

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 (b) Magnesium and silicon have different types of giant structures.

Describe the bonding in magnesium and in silicon.

Include the names of the particles and describe the forces between the particles in the structures.

[4]
15 The trend in the first and second ionisation energies of Group 2 elements can be linked to the increase in
chemical reactivity down the group.

The first and second ionisation energies of calcium and strontium are given in the table.

Element First ionisation energy / kJmol–1 Second ionisation energy /

kJmol–1
Ca 590 1145
Sr 550 1064

(i) Write an equation, including state symbols, to represent the second ionisation energy of strontium.

[1]

(ii) Explain why the first ionisation energy of strontium is less than the first ionisation energy of calcium.

[3]

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 16 This question is about the attraction between particles.

State how and explain why the attraction between nuclei and outermost electrons in gaseous atoms varies
across Period 3.

[2]

17 Aluminium has 13 successive ionisation energies.

(i) Write the equation for the third ionisation energy of aluminium.

Include state symbols.

[1]

(ii) On the axes below, add crosses to show the 13 successive ionisation energies of aluminium.

The value for the first ionisation energy has been completed for you.

You do not have to join the crosses.

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 [2]

18(a) Silicon dioxide, SiO2, has the same structure and bonding as diamond.

State the structure and bonding in SiO2.

[1]

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 (b) Describe and explain the electrical conductivity of sodium oxide, Na2O, and sodium in their solid and molten
states.

In your answer you should use appropriate technical terms, spelled correctly.

[5]

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 19 The Periodic Table is arranged in periods and groups.

Elements in the Periodic Table show a periodic trend in atomic radius.

State and explain the trend in atomic radius from Li to F.

In your answer you should use appropriate technical terms, spelled correctly.

trend _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

explanation _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

[3]

20 Antimony, Sb, has atomic number 51.

Complete the table below to show where antimony is found in the Periodic Table.

Period Block

[1]

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 21 Bromine and mercury are the only two naturally occurring elements that are liquids at room temperature and
pressure. Some physical properties of these two elements are given below.

Appearance at room Melting point / °C Boiling point / °C Electrical

temperature conductivity of the
liquid
Bromine dark orange liquid −7.2 58.8 very low
Mercury shiny silver liquid −38.8 356.7 good

Mercury and bromine react together to form mercury(II) bromide, HgBr2.

Describe and explain how electrical conductivity occurs in mercury(II) bromide and mercury, in both solid and
molten states.

[5]

22(a) Ionisation energies can provide evidence for electron structure.

Write an equation for the first ionisation energy of chlorine.
Include state symbols.

[1]

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 (b) The following data shows the first eight successive ionisation energies of an element.

Ionisation 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th

energy
Energy / 590 1145 4912 6474 8144 10 496 12 320 14 207
−1
kJ mol

In which group of the periodic table would this element be found?

Use the data to justify your choice.

group:

justification:

[2]

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 23 A chemist determines some properties of two substances, C and D.

The results are shown in the table.

C D
°
Melting point / C 660 801
Electrical conductivity when solid Yes No
Electrical conductivity when molten Yes Yes
Solubility in water No Yes

Which row correctly identifies the bonding and structure in C and D?

C D
A giant ionic giant metallic
B giant ionic giant ionic
C giant metallic giant metallic
D giant metallic giant ionic

Your answer
[1]

24 Which statement is not correct for Group 2 metals?

A An unpaired electron is present in an s-orbital.

B Chemical reactivity increases with increasing atomic number.
C The first ionisation energy decreases with increasing atomic number.
D Atomic radius increases with increasing atomic number.

Your answer
[1]

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 25 Which particles are attracted in metallic bonding?

A anions and delocalised electrons

B cations and delocalised electrons
C oppositely charged ions
D protons and electrons

Your answer
[1]

26 This question is about trends in the periodic table.

Which trend is correct?

A melting point decreases from lithium to carbon

B boiling point decreases from fluorine to iodine
C first ionisation energy decreases from lithium to caesium
D first ionisation energy increases from nitrogen to oxygen

Your answer
[1]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

1 Bonding and structure 5 Diagram must have at least two rows and a
(AO1.1× minimum of two ions per row (allow Sr+ or
3) Sr2+)

ALLOW for labels: + ions, positive ions,

cations

ALLOW e– OR e as label for electron

Metallic bonding diagram

Regular arrangement of labelled + ions
✓

scattering of labelled electrons

between other species ✓

Properties linked to explanation

metallic bond or attraction between the (AO2.1×
electrons and the positive ions/cations 2)
✓
DO NOT ALLOW intermolecular forces
bonds are strong/require a lot of
energy to break
AND high melting point ✓
ALLOW mobile electrons
Delocalised electrons move
AND good conductivity ✓ Examiner’s Comments

In general, the diagrams were poorly

drawn or inadequately labelled. Many
candidates lost marks as they did not
specify the movement of electrons as the
reason why metals conduct electricity. Too
many candidates wrote “delocalised
electrons carry the charge” or negated the
metallic bonding description with
“intermolecular forces” in their responses.

Exemplar 1

This candidate scored 3 marks for the

description but lost 2 marks as the

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Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

electrons were not throughout the

structure, merely drawn around the ions,
and the positive ions were not labelled.

Exemplar 2

This candidate scored 5 marks for the

excellent description with a well drawn and
labelled diagram, clearly showing the
electrons throughout the structure in-
between the ions.

Total 5

2 D 1 (AO1.1)

Total 1

3 Highest energy electron(s) in a p orbital/p 1 ALLOW outer electron(s) in a p orbital/sub-

sub-shell ✓ shell
BUT IGNORE p shell

ALLOW electron configuration ends in p

OR the last electron is in a p orbital

ALLOW valence electron(s) in p orbital/sub-

shell

Examiner’s Comments
Candidates were expected to identify that a
p-block element has its highest energy
electron(s), or outer electrons, in a p orbital
or sub-shell. Lower ability candidates often
omitted ‘electrons’ in their responses and
just repeated the information in the
question.

Total 1

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

4 A 1 Examiner’s Comments

Success depended on identifying the group

of Y and working out the formula of the
chloride. Most candidates recognised the
large increase between 1st and 2nd
ionisation energies, leading to the
conclusion that Y is in Group 1 and the
correct formula is YCl (A).

Total 1

5 D 1 Examiner’s Comments

As is often the case, candidates find

structure and bonding difficult. Many
candidates selected silicon (C) instead of
the correct response of sulfur (D).

Total 1

6 C 1 Examiner’s Comments

Most candidates correctly selected C

(number of protons) but a sizeable number
selected D (relative atomic mass) or B
(number of electrons) instead.

Total 1

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

7 Na2S Na S 3
Melting 1180 98 113 Mark by COLUMN
point / °C
Type of giant giant simple Examiner’s Comments
structure
Conductivity poor good poor The majority of candidates obtained 2 or 3
of solid marks on this question. Many candidates
Conductivity good good poor seemed unaware that sodium was a metal.
of liquid
✓ ✓ ✓

One mark for each correct column

Total 3

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

8 5 FULL ANNOTATIONS WITH TICKS,

Observations linked to anion identifications CROSSES, CON, etc MUST BE USED
Bubbles/effervescence/fizzing/gas For bubbles, ALLOW carbon dioxide/CO2
AND carbonate ✓ BUT DO NOT ALLOW
hydrogen/H2
(white OR precipitate) AND sulfate ✓
For carbonate, ALLOW CO3
For sulfate, ALLOW SO4
Use of molar mass in reasoning
Molar mass used ONCE with e.g. Carbonate: 140 – (12 + 48); 140 – 60
carbonate OR sulfate ✓ Sulfate: 140 – (32.1 + 64); 140 – 96.1
K2CO3 = 138.1
Na2SO4 = 142.1

Identification ALLOW ONE of the two identification

marks for:

B: K2CO3 ✓ Correct names: B potassium carbonate

AND C sodium sulfate
C: Na2SO4 ✓ Incorrect formulae i.e. B KCO3 AND C
NaSO4
Communicates the same as names

Examiner’s Comments
This was a challenging question that
discriminated extremely well. The more
able candidates derived the anions from
the two chemical tests and identified the
cations using the molar masses of the salt
and the anions.

Weak candidates seemed to have little

idea on how to approach such a question
and they often achieved no credit.

It was disappointing that many candidates

were unable to identify a carbonate and
sulfate from their chemical tests. Common
errors included incorrectly identifying the
gas with dilute acid as hydrogen, and
identifying the white precipitate with barium
ions as characteristic of a chloride.

Candidates who used the provided molar

mass of 140 usually went on to show that
the cations contributed masses of
approximately 80 for the carbonate and 44
for the sulfate. Candidates then needed to
divide each value by 2 to obtain formulae

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

of K2CO3 and Na2SO4. Many did not divide

by 2 and instead concluded that the
compounds were RbCO3, KSO4 or CaSO4.

Strangely, some candidates thought they

were identifying Group 1 metals and not
salts.

Total 5

9 A 1
Examiner’s Comments
Most candidates correctly identified Si as
giant covalent. A common error was
answer option D.

Total 1

10 D 1 Examiner's Comments

B and C were common incorrect answers

Total 1

11 C 1
Examiner's Comments

Many candidates did not take into account

the trend across periods, with A being a
common incorrect answer.

Total 1

12 B 1 Examiner's Comments

Generally scored well.

Total 1

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

13 a Periodicity ✓ 1

Examiner's Comments

The term ‘periodicity’ was known to all but

a very small minority of candidates.

b Sodium OR Na ✓ 3
Silicon OR Si ✓
Neon OR Ne ✓ Examiner's Comments

The periodic properties of elements were

not fully known. Most realised that sodium
had the lowest first ionisation energy, less
were aware that silicon had the lowest
fourth ionisation energy and fewer still
were unable to deduce that neon had the
lowest boiling point.

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

c 3 ALLOW reverse argument throughout

M1 Number of bonding electrons mark ALLOW ‘more delocalised electrons’ for
Magnesium has more outer OR bonding ‘more outer electrons’
electrons ✓ DO NOT ALLOW ‘Magnesium molecules’
for M1

M2 Ionic charge mark ALLOW Mg2+ ion OR Mg ion for

Magnesium ions have a greater (positive) ‘magnesium ion’
charge (density) ✓ ALLOW Mg2+ and Na+ for M2 (may be
seen in a diagram)
IGNORE magnesium has a greater charge
but ALLOW magnesium has a greater ionic
charge
IGNORE nuclear charge
DO NOT ALLOW ‘atoms’ or ‘molecules’
having a greater charge for M2

M3 Attraction mark ALLOW ‘stronger metallic bonds’ only

Magnesium has a greater attraction when a clear description of metallic
between ions and delocalised electrons ✓ bonding is given. Eg ‘The attraction of
positive (metal) ions to delocalised
electrons’

QWC ‘delocalised/delocalized’ spelled

correctly at least once in context of M3
(may be seen in M1 but used in M3)

‘delocalised’ need not be directly next to

electrons eg Mg has more delocalised
electrons and the ions have a greater
attraction to these electrons would secure
M3

Examiner's Comments

This question proved to be a good question

in terms of distinguishing candidates. Good
candidates were able to secure three
marks with succinct, but well-explained
answers. Weaker candidates were
confused as to why the strength of metallic
bonding increased from Na to Mg.

Total 7

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

14 a Phosphorus has 1 ALLOW ORA but comparison should be

more electrons ✓ used for the all marks
DO NOT ALLOW Phosphorus has more
electrons in the outer shell or larger
electron cloud.

IGNORE Phosphorus molecules are bigger

or have greater Mr.

Examiner's Comments

It as pleasing to see that the vast majority

of candidates were able to use the terms
London forces or induced dipole–dipole
interactions rather than van der Waals as
used in the legacy specification.
Unfortunately, many candidates also chose
to discuss how the strength of the covalent
bonds increased melting points rather than
just considering the intermolecular forces.
Answers were either very good or very
poor. Where a candidate only scored two
marks it was mainly due to not discussing
the influence the number of electrons has
on the strength of the force.

Stronger London forces 1 ALLOW ‘more’ for ‘stronger’

OR ALLOW stronger van der Waals' / vdW
Stronger induced dipole(-dipole) forces
interactions ✓

More energy required to break the 1 DO NOT ALLOW attraction between atoms-
intermolecular forces / bonds OR London or that covalent bonds are broken
forces ✓

b Magnesium 1 ALLOW the (electrostatic) attraction

metallic (bonds) ✓ between cations / positive ions and
delocalised electrons for both Mg marks
✓✓

cations/positive ions/Mg2+ 1 DO NOT ALLOW molecules for second

AND mark
delocalised electrons ✓ IGNORE ‘sea of electrons’

Silicon 1 ALLOW the attraction between a shared

covalent ✓ pair of electrons and the nuclei of the
(bonded) atoms for both marks ✓✓

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

between atoms ✓ 1 DO NOT ALLOW any intermolecular forces

in marking points 2 and 4 or silicon
molecules

Examiner's Comments

The best answers linked the type of

bonding with the correct particles in just a
few statements to score all four marks.
Those candidates who attempted to fill the
answer space often contradicted correct
answers by discussing the intermolecular
forces between the particles. Some very
able candidates did not include that the
particles in silicon are atoms whereas
others gave answers which suggested that
silicon was made up of molecules.

Total 7

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

15 i Sr+(g) → Sr2+(g) + e– ✓ 1 ALLOW Sr+(g) – e– → Sr2+(g)

ALLOW e for electron (i.e. charge omitted)

IGNORE states on the electron

Examiner's Comments

The equation for the second ionisation

energy of strontium proved no difficulty for
the most able candidates who provided
both the correct state symbols and
charges. It was surprising however that
40% of candidates failed to score what was
meant to be a straightforward mark.

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Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

ii 3 FULL ANNOTATIONS MUST BE USED

Atomic radius ____________________________
larger atomic radius ALLOW ORA: comparison needed for each
OR mark.
more shells ✓
ALLOW ‘more / higher energy levels’
ALLOW ‘electrons further from nucleus’
ALLOW ‘extra / new shell’

Effect of nuclear charge / shielding IGNORE more orbitals OR more sub-shells

Increased nuclear charge outweighed OR different shell
by
increased distance / shielding ALLOW more electron repulsion from inner
OR shells
more / increased shielding ✓ IGNORE responses with no comparison

Nuclear attraction
less nuclear attraction
OR IGNORE nuclear charge / effective nuclear
less attraction on electrons ✓ charge
ALLOW ‘less nuclear pull’
OR ‘electrons held less tightly’

Examiner's Comments

This descriptive question was well

answered with the vast majority of
candidates picking up two of the three
available marks. Where a candidate scored
two marks it was often due to the omission
of any comment about the reduction in
attraction between the nucleus and the
electron as the group was descended. A
common error was to discuss the reduction
in nuclear charge rather than nuclear
attraction.

Total 4

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Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

16 The attraction (between nuclei and 2

outermost electrons) increases (across the
period)
AND
The nuclear charge increases
OR
The number of protons increase ✔

(Outer) electrons are in the same shell ALLOW There is no change in shielding
OR But DO NOT ALLOW ‘there is no shielding’
(Outer) electrons experience similar
shielding DO NOT ALLOW electrons are at the
OR same distance
Same number of shells
OR Examiner's Comments
Atomic radius decreases ✔
This question was well answered.

Total 2

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

17 i Al2+(g) → Al3+(g) + e–✔ 1 State symbols required (ignore states on

electrons)
ALLOW Al2+(g) – e– → Al3+(g)
ALLOW e for e–

Examiner's Comments

This was well answered. The most

common error was to omit the state
symbols. Only occasionally did candidates
attempt to ionise Al directly to Al3+.

ii All (thirteen) ionisation energies show an 2 IGNORE line if drawn

increase ✔ IGNORE 0 if included

The two largest increases are between the ALLOW one mark for three lines (no
third and fourth crosses) showing an increase between:
AND first and third; fourth and eleventh; twelfth
the eleventh and twelfth ionisation energies and thirteenth
✔ AND
Largest increases between each line

ALLOW crosses outside grid

Examiner's Comments

Candidates made a good attempt at this

question. For the first mark, successive
ionisation energies had to increase. The
most common error was to confuse the plot
with that for the first ionisation energy
against atomic number and so show step
drops after the 3rd and 11th values.

For the second mark the candidates had to

show major increases after the 3rd and 11th
values. Here the most common error was
to reverse the plot and so show these after
the 2nd and 10th values as clearly the
candidates were thinking about removing
the electrons in the pattern of the
configuration (2:8:3).

Total 3

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 Mark Scheme

Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

18 a Giant covalent (lattice) ✔ 1 ALLOW ‘Giant lattice with covalent bonds’

ALLOW ‘Giant covalent bonds’
IGNORE ‘Giant molecular’ or
‘macromolecular’
DO NOT ALLOW ‘Covalent bonds between
molecules’

Examiner's Comments

This question allowed many candidates to

achieve the mark but only the more
succinct wrote the expected response of
‘giant covalent’. Candidates unfamiliar with
the concept of structure and bonding
thought that the requirement to give the
structure meant that they had to describe
the geometry of the Si atom in SiO2.

b 5 Quality of written communication

‘delocalis(z)ed spelled correctly once and
used in context for second marking point

Conductivity of Na mark ALLOW ‘carries charge’ for conducts for

M1: Sodium conducts in the solid and M1 and M3
molten states ✔ IGNORE ‘charge carriers’ for electrons OR
ions for M2, M4 and M5

Reason for conductivity of Na mark DO NOT ALLOW M2 if incorrect bonding is

M2: Sodium has delocalised electrons (in seen for Na
both solid and liquid state) ✔ DO NOT ALLOW ions move for solid Na
for M2
IGNORE ions move for molten Na for M2

Conductivity of Na2O mark ALLOW solid Na2O is a poor conductor for

M3: Na2O conducts when molten and not M3
when solid ✔ IGNORE references to aqueous Na2O for
M3

IGNORE references to aqueous Na2O for

Reason for conductivity of Na2O marks M4
M4: Molten Na2O has ions which are IGNORE ‘delocalised ions’ OR ‘free ions’
mobile ✔ for ‘mobile ions’ for M4
DO NOT ALLOW M4 AND M5 if incorrect
bonding is seen in Na2O

M5: Solid Na2O has ions which are fixed DO NOT ALLOW any mention of electrons
(in position) OR ions are held (in position) moving for M4
OR ions are not mobile DO NOT ALLOW suggestion that it is only
AND positive or only negative ions move for M4

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in an (ionic) lattice OR structure ✔ IGNORE ‘there are no delocalised

electrons’ for M5
ALLOW first and second statements of M5
to be unlinked in separate sentences
ALLOW ‘ions fixed in position by ionic
bonds’ for M5

Examiner's Comments

This extended writing question gave

weaker candidates problems, often
resulting from a weakness in the ability to
arrange their answer in a cogent, non-
repeating manner. The more able
candidates were able to rattle off excellent
answers but weaker candidates dropped
marks by leaving out key points; in the
worst cases failing to discuss the
conductivity of sodium at all. Of the
possible errors that candidates made, the
most common remained the suggestion
that conductivity in molten Na2O relies on
mobile electrons. Within the better answers
it was common for candidates to say that
the ions were unable to move in solid
Na2O, but not to give the required
explanation of why they lacked mobility.
Centres are recommended to advise
candidates, particularly weaker ones, that
the use of bullet points often helps as a
form of response that allows candidates to
check that all aspects of the answer have
been addressed.

Total 6

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19 M1 Trend AND nuclear charge mark 3 ALLOW ORA throughout if it is clear that
(from Li to F) atomic radius decreases the Period is being crossed right to left
AND
nuclear charge increases or number of ALLOW ‘proton number increases’
protons increases ✔ IGNORE ‘atomic number increases’
IGNORE ‘nucleus gets bigger’
IGNORE ‘effective nuclear charge
increases’
DO NOT ALLOW ‘charge increases’
M2 same shell / shielding mark without reference to nuclear’
(outer) electrons are in same shell
OR IGNORE there is shielding
(outer) electrons experience similar or DO NOT ALLOW sub-shells OR orbitals
same shielding ✔ DO NOT ALLOW ‘electrons are at a similar
OR distance’ This will also contradict M1
same number of shells ALLOW ‘there is no change in shielding’
IGNORE ‘shielding has no effect’
DO NOT ALLOW ‘there is no shielding’

M3 nuclear attraction mark Quality of written communication

Greater nuclear attraction on (outer) ‘nucleus’ OR ‘nuclear’ spelled correctly
electrons or shells once and used in context for third marking
OR point
(Outer) electrons or shells are attracted
more strongly to the nucleus ✔ ALLOW pull for attraction
IGNORE for M3, ‘electrons are pulled
closer to nucleus’ as this is a re-statement
of the trend mark.
DO NOT ALLOW ‘greater nuclear charge’
for ‘greater nuclear attraction’ for M3

Examiner's Comments

Of the three marks on offer, the mark most

commonly awarded was the one for the
correct statement of the trend linked to an
increase in each atom's nuclear charge.
The next most popular mark was given for
identifying that this increase in proton
number would increase the attractive
forces operating on the outer shell
electrons, although a number of candidates
did not get this as they rushed the answer
and so just referred vaguely to increased
attraction, without describing it in the
required level of detail. The mark related to
shielding, or the fact that each subsequent
electron is being accommodated in the
same shell was awarded the least of the

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three, with a significant number of

candidates omitting to mention this at all.
Candidates should be aware that using
incorrect statements such as ‘there is no
shielding’ could lead to correct statements
being contradicted.

Total 3

20 period = 5 AND block = p ✔ 1 Examiner's Comments

Although virtually every candidate got off to

a steady start with this opening question, it
was perhaps not quite as secure an
opening question as in previous years. Of
the two parts, it was the identification of the
Block that caused problems with some
candidates giving the Group number.

Total 1

21 HgBr2 conducts when molten but not when 5

solid (1) Explanations must be included for 2nd and
3rd marks.
… because ions are mobile in molten
HgBr2 (1) ignore references to aqueous HgBr2

… but are fixed in a lattice in solid HgBr2 ignore ‘delocalised ions’ OR ‘free ions’ for
(1) ‘mobile ions’

do not allow any mention of electrons

moving
Mercury conducts in both the solid and
molten states … (1)

… because delocalised electrons move (in

both solid and liquid state) (1) do not allow any mention of + ions moving

Total 5

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22 a Cl(g) → Cl+ (g) + e– 1 allow Cl(g) – e– → Cl+(g)

ignore state symbols after electron
Correct species, balanced AND correct
state symbols

b Group: 2 (1) 2 allow alkaline earth

Justification: No ecf for justification (dependent on

Large increase between 2nd and 3rd correct group)
ionisation energy values. (1)

Total 3

23 D 1

Total 1

24 A 1

Total 1

25 B 1

Total 1

26 C 1

Total 1

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