PAST YEAR QUESTIONS SPM CHAPTER 4: The Periodic Table of Elements

4.1 The Development of the Periodic

A C
Table of Elements
1. [SPM 2009 Q18] The following statements refer to
the contributions of a scientist in the development of
the Periodic Table.
• Plotted the graph of the atomic volume
B D
against the atomic mass of the elements
• Successful in showing the properties of the
elements formed a periodic pattern with their
atomic masses
Who was the scientist?
A Lothar Meyer C John Newlands
B Henry Moseley D Dmitri Mendelev
5. [SPM 2014 Q35] Table 2 shows the proton number of
4.2 The Arrangement in The Periodic elements W, X, Y and Z.
Element W X Y Z
Table of Elements Proton number 3 6 11 12
2. [SPM 2003 Q39] In the periodic table, Y is below Z in Table 2
the same group. If the proton number of atom Z is 12, Which arrangement shows the atomic size of the
what is the electron configuration for atom Y? elements in ascending order?
A 2.8.2 C [Link] A Z, Y, X, W C X, W, Z, Y
B 2.8.6 D [Link] B W, X, Y, Z D Y, Z, W, X

3. [SPM 2009 Q20] Diagram 3 shows the electrons 6. [SPM 2016 Q9] What is the meaning of
arrangement of atom Y. Y is not the actual symbol of electronegativity?
the element. A The ability of ion to lose electron
B The ability of ion to gain electron
C The ability of atom to lose electron
D The ability of atom to gain electron

7. [SPM 2017 Q2] Table 1 shows the electron

arrangement for element W, X, Y and Z.
Diagram 3 Element Electron arrangement
Which of the following is the position of element Y in W 2.4
the Periodic Table? X 2.8
Group Period Y 2.8.2
A 2 2 Z 2.8.7
B 2 3 Which element is a metal?
C 12 2 A W C Y
D 12 3 B X D Z

4. [SPM 2011 Q27] The following information is about 8. [SPM 2018 Q39] Diagram 14 shows the electron
atom P and atom Q. arrangement for X 2+ ion.
• Atom Q is located in Period 2 of the Periodic
Table
• The electron arrangement of atom P is 2.8.1
• Element Q is located above element P in the
same group of the Periodic Table
Which diagram shows the electron arrangement of
atom Q? Diagram 14
Which of the following is the position of element X in
the Periodic Table of Element?

-1- By: MR. TAN ZHI HAO

PAST YEAR QUESTIONS SPM CHAPTER 4: The Periodic Table of Elements
13. [SPM 2010 Q9] Diagram 1 shows an air balloon filled
with gas X.

4.3 Elements in Group 18

9. [SPM 2004 Q42] A restaurant owner wants to use Diagram 1
colourful electric lamps to attract customers. In which group is X located in the Periodic Table?
Which of the following substance A, B, C or D in the A Group 15 C Group 17
Periodic Table is suitable to be used in the lamps? B Group 16 D Group 18

14. [SPM 2013 Q9] Y is located in the same group as

argon in the Periodic Table of Elements.
Which of the following are the characteristics of Y?
I A monoatomic particle
10. [SPM 2005 Q2] Which of the following elements are II Chemically inert
in Group 18 in the Periodic Table of elements? III Liquid at room temperature
A Helium and krypton IV Conduct electricity
B Hydrogen and oxygen A I and II C II and IV
C Oxygen and krypton B I and III D III and IV
D Helium, hydrogen and oxygen
15. [SPM 2014 Q36] Helium gas is used to fill weather
11. [SPM 2005 Q22] The table shows information about balloons because of its inert property. Which of the
two types of particles. following is the best explanation of the property?
Electron A Has low density
Particle Proton number
configuration B Exists as monoatomic gas
X 9 2.8 C Achieved stable electron arrangement
Y 17 2.8.8 D Placed in Group 18 in the Periodic Table
Based on the information in the table, both particles
X and Y are 16. [SPM 2016 Q1] Which of the following is a
A inert gas monoatomic gas?
B negative ions A Oxygen C Helium
C atom of metals B Fluorine D Nitrogen
D isotopes of the same element

12. [SPM 2006 Q22] Diagram 5 shows the symbols for

4.4 Elements of Group 1
two elements. 17. [SPM 2003 Q23] Element Y is below potassium is the
The letters used are not the actual symbol of the same group in the Periodic Table.
elements. Determine the formula of the product and the
reactivity of Y with chlorine compared to the reaction
20 40
10X 18Y of potassium with chlorine.
Diagram 5 Formula of product Reactivity
Which of the following is true about X and Y? A YCl2 Less reactive
A Element X is more reactive than element Y B YCl2 More reactive
B Both elements X and Y are monoatomic C YCl Less reactive
C Both elements X and Y react with chlorine gas D YCl More reactive
D Element X reacts with element Y to form a
compound with the formula XY

-2- By: MR. TAN ZHI HAO

PAST YEAR QUESTIONS SPM CHAPTER 4: The Periodic Table of Elements
18. [SPM 2003 Q32] Table 2 shows the proton number of 21. [SPM 2008 Q14] Which statement explain why the
elements P and Q. size of the atoms of Group 1 elements increases
Element Proton number when going down the group in the Periodic Table?
P 3 A The number of protons increases
Q 11 B The relative atomic mass increases
Table 2 C The number of valence electrons increases
Which of the following statements are true of the D The number of shells filled with electrons
elements in Table 2? increases
I Q is more reactive than P
II The atomic size of Q is bigger than P 22. [SPM 2008 Q27] Table 2 shows the proton numbers
III Both elements P and Q can conduct electricity of elements X and Y. X and Y are not the actual
IV P and Q are in the same group in the Periodic symbols of the elements.
Table Element Proton number
A I and II only C II, III and IV only X 11
B I and IV only D I, II, III and IV Y 19
Table 2
19. [SPM 2005 Q23] Which of the following diagrams Which statements are true about elements X and Y?
represents the electron arrangement of an element I Atoms X and Y have one valence electron
of an element of Group 1? II Element X is more reactive than element Y
A C III Atom X has a bigger atomic size than atom Y
IV Elements X and Y are in the same group in the
Periodic Table
A I and III C II and III
B I and IV D II and IV

B D 23. [SPM 2009 Q28] Element Z is located in the same

group as potassium in the Periodic Table. Z is not the
actual symbol of the element.
Which of the following statements are chemical
properties of element Z?
I Reacts with water to produce an alkaline solution
II Reacts with oxygen to produce a black solid
20. [SPM 2006 Q23] Diagram 6 shows the observation of III Reacts with chlorine gas to produce a white solid
a reaction when a piece of metal X and metal Y of the IV Reacts with sodium hydroxide solution to
same size are put into a beaker containing cold water. produce an acidic solution
A I and III C II and III
B I and IV D II and IV

24. [SPM 2010 Q12] Which of the statement explains

why the reactivity of Group 1 elements increases
when going down the group?
A The physical state of the elements changes from
Diagram 6 gas to liquid then to solid at room temperature
Which of the following explains the observation? B The attractive force between valence electron
A Metal Y is harder than metal X and the nucleus becomes stronger
B Metal Y is denser than metal X C The valence electron gets further away from the
C The atom of metal Y contains more protons than nucleus
the atom of metal X D The melting points of the elements decrease
D The atom of metal Y releases electron more
easily than the atom of metal X

-3- By: MR. TAN ZHI HAO

PAST YEAR QUESTIONS SPM CHAPTER 4: The Periodic Table of Elements
25. [SPM 2011 Q13] Which chemical equation Which of the following is the correct descending
represents the reaction between sodium metal and order of reactivity of these elements with oxygen?
oxygen gas? A X, Y, Z C Y, Z, X
A Na + O2 → NaO2 B X, Z, Y D Z, Y, X
B Na + O2 → Na2 O
C 2Na + O2 → Na2 O 29. [SPM 2018 Q33] Diagram 10 shows a graph of
D 4Na + O2 → 2Na2 O reactivity of elements against the proton number of
elements X, Y and Z from the same group.
26. [SPM 2014 Q33] Diagram 8 shows the method used
to store an element.

Diagram 8
Which of the following is correct about the elements?
Which of the following explains why the method is
A React with water to form acidic solution
used?
B React with sulphuric acid to form white
A To avoid from reaction with sunlight
precipitate
B The element is toxic and dangerous
C React in chlorine gas to form white solid
C The element is reactive and volatile
D React with sodium hydroxide solution to form
D To avoid from reaction with oxygen in the air
sodium halide
27. [SPM 2014 Q31] An oxide of element X dissolves in
30. [SPM 2019 Q1] Which of the following Group 1
water to form a solution. Phenolphthalein indicator
elements has the smallest atomic size?
turns from colourless to pink when it is dropped into
A Lithium C Rubidium
the solution. What is X?
B Sodium D Potassium
A Carbon C Sodium
B Sulphur D Copper
31. [SPM 2019 Q5] Which of the following elements is
stored in paraffin oil?
28. [SPM 2015 Q12] Diagram 2 shows the apparatus set-
A Cadmium C Chromium
up to study the reactivity of Group 1 elements of the
B Potassium D Magnesium
Periodic Table of elements in reaction with oxygen.
32. [SPM 2019 Q44] Diagram 16 shows the apparatus
set-up to study the reaction of two consecutive
Group 1 elements in the Periodic Table with oxygen.

Diagram 2
Table 1 shows the observations for the reaction. Diagram 16
Element Observation
X Burns vigorously with purple flame
Y Burns slowly with red flame
Z Burns vigorously with yellow flame
Table 1

-4- By: MR. TAN ZHI HAO

PAST YEAR QUESTIONS SPM CHAPTER 4: The Periodic Table of Elements
What can be observed when the elements are put 37. [SPM 2015 Q30] Element Y is located in the same
into basins containing water separately? group as chlorine in the Periodic Table of Elements.
X Y Which of the following is correct about Y?
A Produce hiss sound Produce pop sound A Forms Y + ion
B Moves slowly on the Moves vigorously on B Forms basic oxide
surface of water the surface of water C Exists as monoatomic
C Burns on the surface Burns on the surface D Has seven valence electrons
of water with purple of water with yellow
flame flame 38. [SPM 2016 Q36] Table 3 shows the nucleon number
D Turns universal Turns universal and the number of neutrons for atoms W, X, Y and Z.
indicator blue when indicator red when
Number of
dipped into the dipped into the Atom Nucleon number
neutrons
solution solution
W 1 0
X 14 7
4.5 Elements of Group 17 Y 16 8
33. [SPM 2011 Q8] Which elements dissolve in water to Z 35 18
produce solution that turns blue litmus paper to red Table 3
and then decolourised? Which substance is suitable used as a bleach?
I Chlorine III Iodine A W2 C Y2
II Bromine IV Astatine B X2 D Z2
A I and II C II and IV
B I and III D III and IV 39. [SPM 2019 Q24] Diagram 5 shows a group of
elements in the Periodic Table of Elements.
34. [SPM 2012 Q5] Which characteristic is correct about
elements in Group 17 in the Periodic Table as going
down the group?
A The reactivity increases
B The intensity of colour decreases
C the tendency to accept electron decreases
D the physical state changes from liquid to gas

35. [SPM 2013 Q35] The boiling point of chlorine is lower

than bromine. Which statement best explains this Diagram 5
phenomena? Which of the following is correct about the elements
A The atomic size of chlorine is smaller form iodine to fluorine?
B The number of electrons in chlorine is smaller A Density increases
C The covalent bond between chlorine atoms is B Atomic size increases
weaker C Boiling point increases
D The force of attraction between chlorine D Reactivity increases
molecules is weaker
4.6 Elements in Period 3
36. [SPM 2014 Q13] Which characteristic is similar for all 40. [SPM 2004 Q2] Aluminium oxide has both acidic and
elements in Group 17 of the Periodic Table? basic properties, therefore it is
A Form coloured ions A a basic oxide
B High melting and boiling points B an acidic oxide
C Exist as gas at room temperature C a metalloid oxide
D Dissolve in water to form acidic solution D an amphoteric oxide

-5- By: MR. TAN ZHI HAO

PAST YEAR QUESTIONS SPM CHAPTER 4: The Periodic Table of Elements
41. [SPM 2006 Q21] Table 2 shows the electron 45. [SPM 2011 Q28] Table 1 shows three atoms of the
arrangement for elements W, X, Y and Z. elements and their electron arrangement
Element Electron arrangement respectively. The letters used are not the actual
W 2.1 symbol of the elements.
X 2.3 Atom of the element Electron arrangement
Y 2.8.3 P 2.8.1
Z 2.8.7 Q 2.8.4
Table 2 R 2.8.7
Which of the following is an element of Period 3 and Table 1
able to form an amphoteric oxide? Which of the following is correct about the three
A W C Y elements according to the sequence, P, Q and R?
B X D Z A Atomic radius decreases
B Melting point increases
42. [SPM 2007 Q25] Diagram 7 shows the elements in C Metallic properties increases
Period 3 of the Periodic Table of Elements. D Electronegativity decreases
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar 46. [SPM 2011 Q46] Table 5 shows the observation when
23 24 27 28 31 32 35.5 40 oxides of elements in Period 3 of the Periodic Table
Diagram 7 is added to sodium hydroxide solution and nitric acid.
Why does the size of the atom decrease from sodium X, Y and Z are not the actual symbols of the elements.
to argon in the period? Oxide of Observation
A The number of valence electrons increases element Sodium
B The electronegativity of the elements increases in Period hydroxide Nitric acid
C The attraction of the nucleus for electrons in the 3 solution
shell increases Dissolves to form
D The properties of the elements changes from XO3 a colourless No changes
metallic to non-metallic solution
Dissolves to form
43. [SPM 2008 Q15] Which elements can form acidic YO No changes a colourless
oxides? solution
I Magnesium I Sodium Dissolves to form Dissolves to form
II Sulphur II Phosphorus Z2O3 a colourless a colourless
A I and II C II and IV solution solution
B I and III D III and IV Table 5
What is the correct arrangement in increasing proton
44. [SPM 2010 Q11] Table 1 shows the property of oxide number of the elements?
of elements P, Q and R. These elements are located A X, Y, Z C Z, Y, X
in the same period in the Period Table. B X, Z, Y D Y, Z, X
Element Property of oxide
P Acidic 47. [SPM 2014 Q34] Diagram 9 shows a flow chart for a
Q Basic reaction of the oxide of an element in Period 3 of the
R Amphoteric Periodic Table.
Table 1
Arrange the three elements based on the increasing
of proton number.
A R, Q, P C Q, P, R
B R, P, Q D Q, R, P

Diagram 9
What is X?
A Sodium C Magnesium
B Sulphur D Aluminium
-6- By: MR. TAN ZHI HAO
PAST YEAR QUESTIONS SPM CHAPTER 4: The Periodic Table of Elements
48. [SPM 2015 Q8] Which of the following is the correct 52. [SPM 2017 Q8] Which elements can form coloured
change in property of elements across the period in compounds?
the Periodic Table of Elements? I Zinc III Iron
A The atomic radius increases II Lead IV Copper
B The relative atomic mass decreases A I and II C II and IV
C The number of proton in each atom increases B I and III D III and IV
D The number of valence electrons in each atom
decreases 53. [SPM 2017 Q23] Diagram 5 shows the position of
element Y in the Periodic Table of Elements.

4.7 Transition Elements

49. [SPM 2007 Q6] Diagram 3 shows six elements in
Period 4 of the Periodic Table of Elements.

Diagram 5
Which of the following are the characteristics of
element Y?
Diagram 3 I Dissolve in water
Which of the following is not true about the elements? II Has low melting point
A They have a high melting point III Has more than one oxidation number
B They do not conduct heat IV Form coloured compound
C They are able to form coloured compounds A I and II C II and IV
D They are able to show different oxidation B I and III D III and IV
number in their compounds
54. [SPM 2018 Q1] Which of the following is the special
50. [SPM 2008 Q11] The following statements describe characteristic of transition metals?
the characteristics of an element. A Soft solid
• Aqueous solutions of its ions are green or B Soluble in water
brown in colour C Low melting point
• Used as catalyst in Haber process D Form coloured ions
• Has two oxidation number, +2 and +3
Which of the following shows the position of this 55. [SPM 2018 Q37] Element M is located in the same
element in the Periodic Table? group with iron in the Periodic Table of Elements.
Which of the following are the characteristics of M?
I Low melting point
II Poor heat conductor
III Act as a catalyst
IV Has more than one oxidation number
A I and II C II and IV
B I and III D III and IV
51. [SPM 2010 Q13] Some transition elements and their
compounds are useful catalyst in industries. Which
part is correct?
Catalyst Use in industry
A Iron Manufacture of nitric
acid and ammonia
B Nickel Manufacture of
ammonia
C Manganese(IV) oxide Manufacture of
margarine
D Vanadium(V) oxide Manufacture of
sulphuric acid

-7- By: MR. TAN ZHI HAO