Period 3 past questions
1. (a) Figure 3 shows the first ionization energies of the period 3 elements, sodium to argon.
(i) Write the equation, including state symbols, for the first ionization energy of Magnesium.
[2
marks]
(ii) Explain why there is a general increase in the first ionization energies across the period sodium to
argon. [2 marks]
(iii) Explain why the first ionization energy of magnesium is greater than that of aluminium.
[2
marks]
(b) The oxides of period 3 elements exhibit variation in their acid-base character as evidenced by
their reaction with water. Write a balanced equation to show the reaction between water and
EACH the following period 3 oxides.
Na2O
SO3 [4 marks]
(c) (i) Describe an experimental method with expected results to determine the acid-base nature
of the following three period 3 chloride.
NaCl
MgCl2
SiCl4 [5 marks]
(ii) Write a balanced equation to show the reaction between water and EACH of the
following period 3 chlorides.
MgCl2
SiCl4 [4 marks]
(CAPE past paper question 2019 # 6 a - c)
2. (c) (i) Describe the difference in the reactions of the chlorides of elements Na, Mg and
Al with water. [2
marks]
(ii) With reference to the ionic radius and electropositivity of the element, explain
the difference in (c) (i) and deduce the type of bonding present in the
chlorides.
[5 marks]
(CAPE past paper question 2017 # 6 c)
3. (a) Define the term polarization [2 marks]
(b) (i) State the trend in ionic size of the elements Na to Al [1 mark]
ii) Explain the following observations (include relevant equations to support your
answer).
The pH of an aqueous solution of NaCl is 7 while the pH corresponding value for
aluminium chloride is 3. [7
marks]
(CAPE past paper question 2014 #6 a-b)
4. (a) The elements sodium to argon (period 3) are often used to illustrate periodic trends
(i) State the general trend in atomic radii moving from left to right across period 3
(from sodium to argon). [1
mark]
(ii) Give a reason for the trend stated in (i) above. [1 mark]
(b) Each element in period 3 exhibits one of three structures: simple molecular, giant
metallic or giant molecular.
Which structure is exhibited by EACH of the following elements in period 3?
(i) Magnesium
(ii) Silicon
(iii) Sulphur [3 marks]
(c) Study figure 2 which shows the variation in melting points across the elements in period
3 and answer the question that follows.
With reference to structure and bonding, account for the variation in melting points
shown in the figure. [3
marks]
(d) (i) Sketch a similar diagram to Figure 2 given in (c) to illustrate the variation in
electrical conductivity of the elements of period 3. [2
marks]
(ii) With reference to structure, explain the variations shown on your sketch in (d) (i)
above. [3
marks]
(e) (i) Describe the reaction which occurs when magnesium is heated in dry chlorine
gas. [1mark]
(ii) Write an equation to represent the reaction in e (i) above. [1 mark]
Total: 15 marks
(CAPE past paper question 2012 #6)
5. The elements in period 3 of the periodic table are given below
NA Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
(a) Account for EACH of the following variations in properties across the period Na
to Ar.
(i) Electronegativity increases across the period. [2 marks]
(ii) Melting point of the elements increases from Na to Si. [2 marks]
(b) Describe the trend in acid/base character of the oxides of the elements in period 3
[3 marks]
(c) When aluminum chloride dissolves in water, its solution is acidic. Account for the
acidic nature of the aluminum chloride solution. [2
marks]
(d) Transition metals have higher melting points than metals such as calcium in the s–
block of the periodic table. Suggest two reasons for this. [2
marks]
(e) P4O10 and PCl5 are oxides and chlorides of phosphorus in it highest oxidation
state.
Write an equation to show how EACH of the following reacts with water.
(i) P4O10 [2 marks]
(ii) PCl5 [2 marks]
TOTAL: 15 marks
(CAPE past paper question 2010 #6)
6. (a) Table 3 gives the atomic radii ant the melting points of elements of period 3.
TABLE 3: SOME PROPERTIES OF ELEMENTS IN PERIOD 3
(i) State and account for the trend in the values of the atomic radii across
the period for Na – Cl. [4
marks]
(ii) The trend in the melting points of the elements in Table 3 is related to
structure and bonding.
Describe the trend in the structure of the elements, and the trends in
the bonding of the elements in table 3. [5
marks]
(CAPE past paper question 2008 #6 a)