ATOMIC

STRUCTURE
Quiz 2 Based on
PAST PAPER
QUESTIONS

Name: ……………………………………………………….

Mark: ……… (50)

 Atom Structure Past Paper Questions

1. Element E has an atomic number of 5.

In a sample of E there are two isotopes. One isotope has a mass number of 10 and the
other isotope has a mass number of 11.
a. Explain, in terms of subatomic particles, what is meant by the term isotopes.

……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
b. All atoms of element E in this sample contain (2)

(1)
c. Element X has an atomic number of 18.
State the electronic configuration of an atom of element X.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)

2. An atom of iron is represented as

Give the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in this atom of iron.
Number of protons: ……………….
Number of neutrons: ………………
Number of electrons: ……………… (3)

3. Elements are made of atoms.

The table below shows the atomic numbers and mass numbers of three atoms.
Atom Atomic number Mass number
1 12 24
2 12 25
3 12 26
a. Suggest, in terms of the number of subatomic particles, why the atomic numbers of
the three atoms are the same.

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Atomic structure Past Paper Questions
 Atom Structure Past Paper Questions

……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
(2)

b. Explain, in terms of the number of subatomic particles, why the mass numbers of the
three atoms are different.

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……………………………………………………………………………………………
(2)

4. Complete the dot-and-cross diagram to show the electron arrangement in a molecule of

ammonia. Show outer shell electrons only.

(2)

5. The electronic structures of five atoms, A, B, C, D and E, are shown.

6. Answer the following questions about these structures. Each structure may be used
once, more than once or not at all. State which structure, A, B, C, D or E, represents:
a. An atom of a metallic element. …………………………………………………… (1)
b. An atom with a proton number of 13. …………………………………………… (1)

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Atomic structure Past Paper Questions
 Atom Structure Past Paper Questions

c. An atom of phosphorus. ……………………………………………………… (2)

d. An atom with only two shells of electrons. …………………………………… (2)
e. An atom which forms a stable ion with a single negative charge. ……………. (2)

f. Complete the table to show the number of electrons, neutrons and protons.

(3)

7. There are eight elements in the second row (lithium to neon) of the periodic table.
a. The figure below shows an atom with two energy levels (shells).

b. Complete Figure 1 to show the electronic structure of a boron atom. (1)

c. What does the central part labelled Z represent in the figure above?

……………………………………………………………………………………………
(1)
d. Name the sub-atomic particles in part Z of a boron atom.
e. Give the relative charges of these sub-atomic particles

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……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
(3)

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Atomic structure Past Paper Questions
 Atom Structure Past Paper Questions

8. This question is about atomic structure and elements.

Complete the sentences.
a. The atomic number of an atom is the number of

…………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
b. The mass number of an atom is the number of

…………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)
c. Explain why an atom has no overall charge. Use the relative electrical charges of sub-
atomic particles in your explanation.

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……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
(2)

d. Explain why fluorine and chlorine are in the same group of the periodic table.
Give the electronic structures of fluorine and chlorine in your explanation.

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……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
(2)

e. The figure below shows the electronic structure of an atom of a non-metal.

What is the chemical symbol of this non-metal?

…………………………………………………………………………………………….
(1)

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Atomic structure Past Paper Questions
 Atom Structure Past Paper Questions

9. An atom of potassium has an atomic number of 19 and a mass number of 39.

a. Complete the table to show the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in this
potassium atom.
Number of
Protons Electrons Neutrons

(2)
b. Describe the positions of these particles in the potassium atom.

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(2)
c. State the electronic configuration of this potassium atom.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
(1)
d. Give the relative mass of an electron.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
(1)
e. A sample of gallium contains 60.2% of gallium-69 and 39.8% of gallium-71.
Calculate the relative atomic mass of gallium.

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……………………………………………………………………………………………
(3)

10. Aluminium has many uses.

a. An aluminium atom has 13 electrons. Draw the electronic structure of an aluminium
atom.

(1)

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Atomic structure Past Paper Questions
 Atom Structure Past Paper Questions

b. Name the two sub-atomic particles in the nucleus of an aluminium atom.

………………………………………… and ………………………………………….

(1)
c. Why is there no overall electrical charge on an aluminium atom?

……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
(1)

11. The diagrams show the electronic structure of four different atoms.

a. Name the two sub-atomic particles in the nucleus of an atom.

……………………………………………………………………………………………
(1)
b. Why is there no overall electrical charge on each atom?

……………………………………………………………………………………………
(1)
c. Why is atom A unreactive?

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d. Which two of these atoms have similar chemical properties? (1)
Give a reason for your answer.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
(2)

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Atomic structure Past Paper Questions