relative atomic number 1 2

symbol
name
H He
Hydrogen Helium
relative atomic mass 1.0 4.0

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Li Be B C N O F Ne
Lithium Beryllium Boron Carbon Nitrogen Oxygen Fluorine Neon
6.9 9.0 10.8 12.0 14.0 16.0 19.0 20.2
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
Sodium Magnesium Aluminium Silicon Phosphorus Sulfur Chlorine Argon
23.0 24.3 27.0 28.1 31.0 32.1 35.5 39.9
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr
Potassium Calcium Scandium Titanium Vanadium Chromium Manganese Iron Cobalt Nickel Copper Zinc Gallium Germanium Arsenic Selenium Bromine Krypton
39.1 40.1 44.9 47.9 50.9 52.0 54.9 55.9 58.9 58.7 63.6 65.4 69.7 72.6 74.9 79.0 79.9 83.8
37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe
Rubidium Strontium Yittrium Zirconium Niobium Molybdenum Technetium Ruthenium Rhodium Palladium Silver Cadmium Indium Tin Antimony Tellurium Iodine Xenon
85.5 87.6 88.9 91.2 92.9 95.9 98.1 101.1 102.9 106.4 107.9 112.4 114.8 118.7 121.8 127.6 126.9 131.3
55 56 57 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86
Cs Ba La Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg Tl Pb Bi Po At Rn
Caesium Barium Lanthanum Hafnium Tantalum Tungsten Rhenium Osmium Iridium Platinum Gold Mercury Thallium Lead Bismuth Polonium Astatine Radon
132.9 137.3 138.9 178.5 180.9 183.8 186.2 190.2 192.2 195.1 197.0 200.6 204.4 207.2 209.0 (209) (210) (222)
87 88 89 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 114
Fr Ra Ac Rf Ha Sg Ns Hs Mt Ds Rg Uub Uuq
Francium Radium Actinium Rutherfordium Hahnium Seaborgium Neilsbohrium Hassium Meitnerium Darmstadtium Roentgenium Ununbium Ununquadium
(223) (226) (227) (261) (262) (266) (264) (269) (268) (272) (272) (277) (289)

58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71
Lanthanide series Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu
Cerium Praseodymium Neodymium Promethium Samarium Europium Gadolinium Terbium Dysprosium Holmium Erbium Thulium Ytterbium Lutetium
140.1 140.9 144.2 (145) 150.3 152.0 157.2 158.9 162.5 164.9 167.3 168.9 173.0 175.0
90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103
Actinide series Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr
Thorium Protactinium Uranium Neptunium Plutonium Americium Curium Berkelium Californium Einsteinium Fermium Mendelevium Nobelium Lawrencium
232.0 231.0 238.0 237.1 (244) (243) (247) (247) (251) (254) (257) (258) (255) (256)

Lisachem Materials VCE Chemistry 2006 Periodic Table Test Unit 4

 DATA SHEET
Physical Constants
F = 96 500 C mol-1 Ideal gas equation
R = 8.31 JK-1 mol-1 pV = nRT
Vm (STP) = 22.4 L mol-1
Vm (SLC) = 24.5 L mol-1
Specific heat of water = 4.184 J mL-1 oC-1
The Electrochemical Series
E° in volt
F2(g) + 2e -
→ 2F (aq)
-
+ 2.87
H2O2(aq) + 2H+(aq) + 2e- →2H2O(l) + 1.77
Au+(aq) + e- → Au(s) + 1.68
MnO4-(aq) + 8H+(aq) + 5e- → Mn2+(aq) + 4H2O(l) + 1.50
Cl2(g) + 2e- → 2CI-(aq) + 1.36
O2(g) + 4H+(aq) + 4e- → 2H2O(l) + 1.23
Br2(l) + 2e- → 2Br-(aq) + 1.09
Ag+(aq) + e- → Ag(s) + 0.80
Fe3+(aq) + e- → Fe2+(aq) + 0.77
I2(s) + 2e- → 2I-(aq) + 0.54
O2(g) + 2H2O(l) + 4e- → 4OH-(aq) + 0.40
Cu2+(aq) + 2e- → Cu(s) + 0.34
CO2(g) + 8H+(aq) + 8e- → CH4(g) + 2H2O(l) + 0.17
S(s) + 2H+(aq) + 2e- → H2S(g) + 0.14
2H+(aq) + 2e- → H2(g) 0.00
Pb2+(aq) + 2e- → Pb(s) - 0.13
Sn2+(aq) + 2e- → Sn(s) - 0.14
Ni2+(aq) + 2e- → Ni(s) - 0.23
Co2+(aq) + 2e- → Co(s) - 0.28
Fe2+(aq) + 2e- → Fe(s) - 0.44
Zn2+(aq) + 2e- → Zn(s) - 0.76
2H2O(l) + 2e- → H2(g) + 2OH-(aq) - 0.83
Mn2+(aq) + 2e- → Mn(s) - 1.03
Al3+(aq) + 3e- → Al(s) - 1.67
Mg2+(aq) + 2e- → Mg(s) - 2.34
Na+(aq) + e- → Na(s) - 2.71
Ca2+(aq) + 2e- → Ca(s) - 2.87
K+(aq) + e- → K(s) - 2.93
Li+(aq) + e → Li(s) - 3.02

Lisachem Materials VCE Chemistry 2006 Periodic Table Test Unit 4

VCE Chemistry 2006 Periodic Table Test Unit 4
SECTION A

MULTIPLE CHOICE ANSWER SHEET

Instructions:
For each question choose the response that is correct or best answers the question.
Circle the chosen response on this answer sheet.
Only circle one response for each question.

Question 1. A B C D

Question 2. A B C D

Question 3. A B C D

Question 4. A B C D

Question 5. A B C D

Question 6. A B C D

Question 7. A B C D

Question 8. A B C D

Question 9. A B C D

Question 10. A B C D

Question 11. A B C D

Question 12. A B C D

Lisachem Materials VCE Chemistry 2006 Periodic Table Test Unit 4

VCE Chemistry 2006 Periodic Table Test Unit 4
SECTION A - [ 12 marks, 15 minutes ]
This section contains 12 multiple choice questions.
For each question choose the response that is correct or best answers the question.
Indicate your answer on the answer sheet provided.
(Choose only one answer for each question.)

Question 1
The first ionisation energy for aluminium (Al(g) → Al+(g) + e-) is 584 kJ mol-1. The first
ionisation energy for silicon would be expected to be closest to
A. 480 kJ mol-1.
B. 560 kJ mol-1.
C. 800 kJ mol-1.
D. 1560 kJ mol-1.

Question 2
In a mass spectrometer the different mass ions are separated from one another by
A. an electric field.
B. a magnetic field.
C. a diffraction grating.
D. a variable width slit.

Question 3
Naturally occurring antimony has two isotopes, 121Sb and 123Sb. The relative atomic mass for
antimony is 121.8. The abundance ratio of the lighter to heavier isotope would be
A. 6 : 4.
B. 4 : 6.
C. 8 : 2.
D. 2: 8

Question 4
Which one of the following nuclear reactions would best represent the formation of carbon in
stars?
12 Mg → 2 6 C
24 12
A.
8O →
16 12 4
B. 6C + 2 He

C. 6 1H → 6C
2 12

D. 3 42 He → 126 C

Question 5
What was the main contribution of William Ramsay to the development of atomic theory?
A. He discovered most of the group 18(VIII) elements.
B. He organised the elements into groups based on electronic configurations.
C. He discovered the neutron.
D. He explained how elements react to form compounds.

Lisachem Materials VCE Chemistry 2006 Periodic Table Test Unit 4 1

Question 6
Sodium and chlorine are both elements in the third row of the Periodic Table. Which one of
the following best describes the redox properties of these two elements?
A. Both elements have similar redox properties because any electron transfer
involves the electrons in the third shell.
B. Sodium is a strong reductant and chlorine is a strong oxidant because of the large
difference in the effective nuclear charge for these two elements.
C. Sodium is a strong oxidant and chlorine is a strong reductant because of the large
difference in the effective nuclear charge for these two elements.
D. Sodium is a strong reductant and chlorine is a strong oxidant because chlorine has
a higher atomic number and thus a higher nuclear charge compared to sodium.

Question 7
What do the lanthanide and actinide elements have in common?
A. Both groups of elements all only form 3+ ions.
B. All the elements in the groups are radioactive.
C. Most of the elements in both groups are not naturally occurring.
D. Both groups involve electrons being added to a f-subshell.

Question 8
Titanium(II) chloride reacts violently with the atmosphere in a reaction that can be described
by the chemical equation;
2TiCl2(s) + O2(g) + 2H2O(g) → 2TiO2(s) + 4HCl(g)
In this reaction the Ti2+ ion
A. loses 2 electrons from its 3d subshell.
B. loses 2 electrons from its 4s subshell.
C. gains 2 electrons into its 3d subshell.
D. gains 2 electrons into its 4s subshell.

Question 9
Part of the energy level diagram for an atom is shown in the diagram below.

What is the maximum number of lines that will be seen in the emission spectrum of an atom
that has been excited to the third excited energy level.
A. 1
B. 3
C. 5
D. 6

Lisachem Materials VCE Chemistry 2006 Periodic Table Test Unit 4 2

Question 10
The ground state electronic configuration for the aluminium and oxide ions in aluminium
oxide are respectively,
A. 1s22s22p63s23p1 and 1s22s22p4.
B. 1s22s22p6 and 1s22s22p6.
C. 1s22s22p63s23p4 and 1s22s22p2.
D. 1s22s22p63p1 and 1s22s22p6.

Question 11
Alfred Werner isolated and carried out extensive studies on compounds containing cobalt(III)
complex ions. One compound that he isolated was [Co(NH3)4Cl2]Cl. What type of bonding
interactions hold the complex ion together in this compound?
A. Ion-dipole interactions.
B. Ion-ion interactions.
C. Ion-dipole and dipole-dipole interactions.
D. Ion-ion and ion-dipole interactions.

Question 12
The cobalt-55 undergoes an nuclear reaction that can be represented as follows,
27 Co → 26 Fe + X
55 55

The particle X is
A. a positron.
B. an electron.
C. an α-particle.
D. a proton.

End of Section A

Lisachem Materials VCE Chemistry 2006 Periodic Table Test Unit 4 3

SECTION B - [ 28 marks, 35 minutes ]
This section contains four questions, numbered 1 to 4.
All questions should be answered in the spaces provided.
The mark allocation and approximate time that should be spent on each question are given.

Question 1 - [ 8 marks, 10 minutes ]

a. Write the ground state electronic configurations, in terms of subshells, for the following
particles.
i. Iron, Fe.

ii. Phosphide ion, P3-.

iii. Copper(II) ion, Cu2+.

3 × 1 = 3 marks
b. The mass spectrum for a sample of an element was measured and the data is shown in
the table below.
Isotope Relative Isotopic Mass Abundance (%)
182 181.948 26.41
183 182.950 14.44
184 183.951 30.64
186 185.954 28.51

i. What is the standard currently used for determining the relative isotopic masses?

ii. Calculate the relative atomic mass for the element using the above data.

1 + 2 = 3 marks
c. i. Describe a method that a student could use to observe the emission spectrum of an
element.

ii. What would be the main difference in appearance between an absorption

spectrum and an emission spectrum.

1 + 1 = 2 marks

Lisachem Materials VCE Chemistry 2006 Periodic Table Test Unit 4 4

Question 2 - [ 9 marks, 11 minutes ]
a. The elements in group 2 of the Periodic Table are all metals.
i. How would the reducing strength of barium compare with that for magnesium?

ii. Give one reason to explain your answer to (i.) above.

iii. How would the size of a magnesium atom compare with that of a strontium atom?

ii. Give one reason to explain your answer to (iii.) above.

4 × 1 = 4 marks
b. The properties of the elements of the third period in the Periodic Table show significant
trends moving across the period.
i. The radius of a sodium atom is 186 pm (1 pm = 10-12m) whereas that for chlorine
atom is 99 pm. Why does a chlorine atom have a smaller radius than a sodium
atom even though it has a higher atomic number?

ii. Sodium will act as a reductant whereas sulfur will act as an oxidant. What is one
reason that can be used to explain this difference in the redox characteristics of
these two elements?

1 + 1 = 2 marks

Lisachem Materials VCE Chemistry 2006 Periodic Table Test Unit 4 5

c. Not only are there trends in the properties of the elements but there are also trends in the
properties of the compounds of the elements within a group and across a period.
i. How does the acidity of the oxides of the group 14(IV) elements vary moving
down the group?

ii. Write an appropriate chemical equation to show the acid/base characteristics of

carbon dioxide.

iii. Write an appropriate chemical equation to show the acid/base characteristics of

lead(IV)oxide.

3 × 1 = 3 marks

Question 3 - [ 6 marks, 8 minutes ]

a. Why are many of the properties of the first row transition metal elements similar?

1 mark
b. Manganese can form compounds that exhibit oxidations states ranging from +2 to +7,
whereas aluminium only forms compounds with a +3 oxidation state.
i. Why can manganese form compounds with this wide variety of oxidation states?

ii. What is the ground state electronic configuration of manganese in MnO2?

1 + 1 = 2 marks

Lisachem Materials VCE Chemistry 2006 Periodic Table Test Unit 4 6

c. Give one reason why a nickel atom would occupy about a quarter of the volume of a
calcium atom?

1 mark
d. i. What is a complex ion?

ii. Why do the first row transition metal ions more readily form stable complex ions
compared to the group 1 elements, such as potassium?

1 + 1 = 2 marks

Question 4 - [ 5 marks, 6 minutes ]

a. i. What is involved in a nuclear fusion reaction?

ii. What is involved in a nuclear fission reaction?

1 + 1 = 2 marks
b. The energy release in nuclear reactions is significantly greater than that released during
chemical reactions, such as the combustion of a hydrocarbon. Where does the energy in
a nuclear reaction come from?

1 mark

Lisachem Materials VCE Chemistry 2006 Periodic Table Test Unit 4 7

c. Identify the particles labelled X in each of the following nuclear reactions.
86 Rb →
222 218
i. 84 Po + X

ii. 14
7N + 4
2 He → 17
8O + X

1 + 1 = 2 marks

End of Task

Lisachem Materials VCE Chemistry 2006 Periodic Table Test Unit 4 8

Suggested Answers VCE Chemistry 2006 Periodic Table Test Unit 4
SECTION A [1 mark per question.]
Q1 C The first ionisation energy for elements in the same period increases moving
across the period, because the outer shell (valence) electrons are being attracted
by an increasing effective nuclear charge. Responses A and B both do not fulfil
this criterion. Silicon is the next element in the period so there should not be a
significant increase in the ionisation energy compared with that of aluminium.
Response D is three times the energy for aluminium so this would not be
reasonable.
[The effective nuclear charge, also known as “core charge”, is the nuclear charge
minus the number of electron in the inner shells. For aluminium and silicon this
would be +3 and +4 respectively.]
Q2 B In a mass spectrometer the sample is initially vapourised then ionised. The ions
formed are then accelerated using an electric field and separated from each other
based on their mass/charge ratio as they pass through a magnetic field.
Q3 A As the isotopes have a mass difference of 2 then a 50:50 mixture would give a
relative atomic mass of 122. Since the actual relative atomic mass is less than this
then the abundance of the lighter isotope must be higher than 50%. Therefore
responses B and D cannot be correct.
Using the abundance ratios for responses A and C
Response A: (6×121 + 4×123)/10 = 121.8 Correct response.
Response C: (8×121 + 2×123)/10 = 121.4
Alternative solution:
Let the abundance of 123Sb = x% therefore the abundance of 121Sb = (100-x)%
( (100-x)×121 + x×123 )/100 = 121.8
Multiply both sides of the equation by 100 and expand brackets
12100 – 121x + 123 x = 12180
Collect like terms
2x = 80 ⇒ x = 40% then the ratio is 60:40 = 6:4
Q4 D The nuclear reactions in stars involve fusion reactions, therefore responses A and
B are not correct as these are fission reactions. Carbon synthesis in a star usually
commences after the star has consumed most of its mass of hydrogen to form
helium. Therefore carbon formation involves the fusion of helium nuclei.
Q5 A William Ramsay was the discoverer (or co-discoverer) of five of the six group 18
elements, namely argon, helium, krypton, neon and xenon in chronological order
between 1894 and 1898.
Q6 B The redox properties of the elements in a period of the Periodic Table changes
significantly moving across the period. The elements on the left hand side are
reductants while those towards the right are oxidants. Therefore sodium will be a
strong reductant while chlorine will be a strong oxidant (this can be readily
seen the in Electrochemical Series). This change in properties can be explained
in terms of the effective nuclear charge that the outer shell (valence) electrons
experience, namely +1 for sodium and +7 for chlorine.
Response D is partially correct, but it is the effective nuclear charge not the total
nuclear charge that has an effect on the redox character of the element. This can
best be shown by looking at the fluorine and chlorine, both group 17 elements,
which have the same effective nuclear charge but chlorine with a much higher
total nuclear charge is not the stronger oxidant.

Lisachem Materials Suggested Answers VCE Chemistry 2006 Periodic Table Test Unit 4 1
Q7 D The lanthanides and actinides are the f-block elements which involves electrons
occupying the 4f and 5f subshells respectively.
Q8 A Titanium (Z=22) ground state electronic configuration 1s22s22p63s23p63d24s2.
When titanium forms the titanium(II),Ti2+, ion the electrons removed are the outer
(valence) shell electrons, which is in this case are the electrons in the 4s subshell.
Therefore the electronic configuration of the Ti2+ ion is 1s22s22p63s23p63d2.
In the reaction that occurred the product TiO2 is titanium(IV) oxide and contains
the Ti4+ ion. This is an oxidation reaction in which two electrons are removed
from the 3d subshell resulting in the electronic configuration of 1s22s22p63s23p6.
Q9 D When the atom relaxes from the third excited state it can do so in 6 possible ways
as shown in the diagram below and as a result the emission spectrum can have a
maximum of six lines.

`
Q10 B Aluminium oxide, Al2O3, consists of Al3+ and O2- ions
Al (Z=13) 1s22s22p63s23p1 loses 3 electrons to form Al3+; 1s22s22p6.
O (Z=8) 1s22s22p4 gains 2 electrons to form O2-; 1s22s22p6.
Q11 D The complex ions is [Co(NH3)4Cl2]+. The
central ion is the cobalt(III), Co3+, ion with
the neutral polar ammonia and negatively
charged chloride ions acting as ligands.
Therefore the interaction between the
cobalt(III) ion and the ammonia molecules
will be ion-dipole, and the interactions
between the cobalt(III) ion and chloride ions
will be ion-ion.
Q12 A In a nuclear reaction the atomic and mass numbers of the particles must balance.
27 Co → 26 Fe + X
55 55

Let particle X be represented by AZ X :

Atomic numbers: 27 = 26 + Z ⇒ Z = +1
Mass numbers: 55 = 55 + A ⇒ A = 0
Therefore X is a positron +01 e .

Lisachem Materials Suggested Answers VCE Chemistry 2006 Periodic Table Test Unit 4 2
SECTION B
Question 1 - [ 8 marks, 10 minutes ]
a. The electrons fill the subshells in the following order: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d*, 4d
The maximum numbers of electrons that can occupy s, p, d and f subshells are 2, 6, 10
and 14 respectively
Note: *Special cases: Cr ]3d54s1 and Cu ]3d104s1.
i. Iron, Fe (Z=26) 26 electrons: 1s22s22p63s23p63d64s2 [1 mark]
ii. Phosphorous, P (Z=15): 1s22s22p63s23p3
3-
The phosphide ion, P , has 3 additional electrons which go into the 3p subshell.
1s22s22p63s23p6 [1 mark]
iii. Copper, Cu (Z=29) 29 electrons: 1s22s22p63s23p63d104s1 this is one of the
special cases where the 3d subshell fills with a single electron in the 4s subshell.
The copper(II) ion, Cu2+, has 2 less electrons. The electrons are initially removed
from the outer shell, so the single 4s electron is removed, then from the 3d
subshell.
1s22s22p63s23p63d9 [1 mark]
b. i. The standard used for determining the relative isotopic masses is that the mass of
the carbon-12 isotope, 12C, is 12 exactly. [1 mark]
ii. The relative atomic mass, RAM, is the weighted average of the atomic masses.
This is obtained by multiplying the relative isotopic masses by their percentage
abundances, adding these together and dividing by 100.
RAM = (181.948×26.41+182.950×14.44+183.951×30.64+185.954×28.51)/100
RAM = 183.8 [2 marks]
c. i. Possible answers include: [Total marks allocated 1 mark]
In a darkened room, placing a small sample of the element or a compound of the
element in the flame of a Bunsen burner and observing the light emitted through a
spectroscope.
Using a spectral lamp for the element and observing the light emitted through a
spectroscope.
ii. The main difference between the two types of spectra is that in the emission
spectrum lines corresponding to the wavelengths, colours, emitted are seen
on a black background, whereas in the absorption spectrum the whole
spectrum is seen with black lines corresponding to the absorption energies.
[1 mark] The lines will occur at the same wavelengths as these correspond to the
energy for the transition.

Lisachem Materials Suggested Answers VCE Chemistry 2006 Periodic Table Test Unit 4 3
Question 2 - [ 9 marks, 11 minutes ]
a. i. The reducing strength of barium would be greater, or stronger, than that of
magnesium. [1 mark]
The Eº values for the two half-reactions are:
Mg2+ + 2e- → Mg Eº = -2.34
Ba + 2e → Ba
2+ -
Eº = -2.90
ii. The reducing strength of the elements increases moving down a group because
when an element is acting as a reductant it is losing electrons. Moving down the
elements within a group, while the outer-shell electrons are all experiencing the
same effective charge, these outer shells are 'further' from the nucleus so
electrons can be lost more easily. [1 mark]
iii. A strontium atom would be larger than that of a magnesium atom. [1 mark]
The radii for magnesium and strontium atoms are 160 pm and 215 pm
respectively.
iv. The atomic radius increases moving down a group in the Periodic Table because
electrons are occupying more shells. [1 mark]
Mg: 1s22s22p63s2
Sr: 1s22s22p63s23p63d104s24p65s2
b. i. The size of a chlorine atom is smaller than that for a sodium atom because the
outer, valence, shell electrons are experiencing a higher effective nuclear
charge and are therefore attracted towards the nucleus of the atom. [1 mark]
ii. The outer, valence shell electron in a sodium atom experiences an effective
nuclear charge of +1, therefore it can readily be lost, making sodium a good
reductant. Because the electrons in sulfur experience a stronger force of
attraction due to the higher effective nuclear charge of +6 they are less easily lost.
As a result sulfur will tend to have a greater ability of attract electrons than
sodium and will therefore act as an oxidant. [1 mark]
c. i. Moving down a group in the Periodic Table the oxide compounds become less
covalent and more ionic in their bonding characteristics, and as a result the oxides
tend to become more basic, or less acidic. [1 mark]
An ionic oxide will react: O2-(s) + H2O(l) → 2OH-(aq)
ii. Carbon dioxide can act as an acidic oxide therefore an appropriate chemical
equation must show this behaviour. [1 mark] Possible chemical equations
include:
CO2(g) + H2O(l) YZZ ZZX H2CO3(aq)
CO2(g) + 2NaOH(aq) → Na2CO3(aq) + H2O(l)
iii. Lead(IV) oxide will act as a base. [1 mark]
PbO2(s) + 4H+(aq) → Pb4+(aq) + 2H2O(l)

Question 3 - [ 6 marks, 8 minutes ]

a. The properties of an element are mainly determined by the number of electrons in
their outer, valence shell. Since all of the first row transition metal elements have
either a 4s2 or 4s1 in the case of chromium and copper, then the properties of these
elements will be similar as they have similar numbers of electrons in their outer,
valence shells. [1 mark]

Lisachem Materials Suggested Answers VCE Chemistry 2006 Periodic Table Test Unit 4 4
b. i. The ground state electronic configuration for manganese is 1s22s22p63s23p63d54s2.
Manganese can lose two electrons from its outer shell, 4s subshell, to form a
manganese(II) ion, Mn2+, however it can also lose electrons from the
3d subshell and this can give the +3 and +4 oxidation states. [1 mark]. While the
+6 and +7 oxidation states for manganese are known, isolated manganese ions
with these charges are not found. These oxidation states occur in compounds and
ion where the manganese is bonded to electronegative elements such as oxygen,
for example MnO4-, permanganate ion.
Aluminium will only lose electrons from its outer shell to give a Al3+ ion.
ii. MnO2 the oxidation state for manganese is +4, therefore the manganese will lose
two 4s electrons and two 3d electrons.
1s22s22p63s23p63d3. [1 mark]
c. The volume of the nickel atom will be significantly smaller than that of a calcium atom
because the outer, valence, shell electrons in the nickel atom will be more strongly
attracted to the nucleus, because of the much higher effective nuclear charge,
thereby reducing the volume of the atom. [1 mark]
d. i. A complex ion is the combination of a central ion surrounded by ligands, that
may be either neutral dipolar molecules or ions that have the opposite charge to
the central ion. [1 mark]
ii. The first row transition metal ions more readily form stable complex ions than the
group 1 elements because they are smaller and have a higher charge to size
ratio. [1 mark] This allows the ligands to be more strongly attracted to the
central ion.

Question 4 - [ 6 marks, 7 minutes ]

a. i. In a nuclear fusion reaction one of the product nuclei has an atomic number
greater than the atomic number of the larger reactant nuclei. [1 mark]
ii. In a nuclear fission reaction the product nuclei are smaller than the reactant nuclei.
[1 mark]
b. In nuclear reactions mass is not conserved as it is in chemical reactions. The energy
released in a nuclear reaction comes from this mass difference between the product and
reactant nuclei that is converted into energy. (E = mc2) [1 mark]
c. In nuclear reactions the atomic and mass numbers must balance
86 Rb →
222 218
i. 84 Po + X

Let X be represented by the particle AZ X

Atomic numbers: 86 = 84 + Z ⇒ Z = 2
Mass numbers: 222 = 218 + A ⇒ Α = 4
Therefore X = 42 He , an α-particle. [1 mark]
ii. 14
7N + 4
2 He → 17
8O + X
Let X be represented by the particle AZ X
Atomic numbers: 7+2=8+Z ⇒ Z=1
Mass numbers: 14 + 4 = 17 + A ⇒ Α = 1
Therefore X = 11 H , a proton [1 mark]

Lisachem Materials Suggested Answers VCE Chemistry 2006 Periodic Table Test Unit 4 5