Chemistry Exam Question

1. Define the term "period" in the context of the periodic table. Include information about the
arrangement of elements within a period.

period" in the periodic table refers to a row of elements. These rows run horizontally
across the table. Each period represents the different energy levels that electrons can
occupy in an atom. As you move from left to right across a period, the number of
electrons and protons in the atoms increases, leading to changes in their properties.
Elements within the same period generally have similar chemical properties because
they have the same number of electron shells, but their properties change gradually
across the period.
2. Define the term "group" in relation to the periodic table. Explain the significance of elements within
the same group.

-In the periodic table, a "group" refers to a vertical column of elements. Elements in the same
group have similar chemical properties because they have the same number of electrons in their
outermost shell, known as valence electrons. This similarity in electronic configuration means
they often react in similar ways, forming similar types of compounds. For example, Group 1
elements, such as sodium and potassium, all have one valence electron and are highly reactive
metals.

3. Explain what ionization energy is. Include any relevant trends in ionization energy across a period or
down a group.

-Ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom in the gaseous
state. Across a period on the periodic table, ionization energy generally increases from left to
right due to increasing nuclear charge, meaning more energy is needed to remove an electron.
Down a group, ionization energy generally decreases because the outermost electrons are
farther from the nucleus and are shielded by inner electrons, making them easier to remove.

4. Define “electron affinity” and discuss any trends in electron affinity across the periodic table.

Electron affinity is the energy change that occurs when an atom gains an electron to form a
negative ion. Across the periodic table, electron affinity generally becomes more negative
(increases) from left to right across a period and becomes less negative (decreases) down a
group. Elements on the right side of the periodic table tend to have higher electron affinities
because they have a stronger tendency to gain electrons to achieve a stable electron
configuration.

5. Describe and discuss the general trends in properties (atomic size, ionization energy, electron affinity,
etc.) across the elements of the 3rd period.

Across the elements of the 3rd period, atomic size generally decreases from left to right due to
increasing nuclear charge pulling the electrons closer to the nucleus. Ionization energy generally
increases from left to right as well, while electron affinity tends to become more negative. These
trends occur because of the increasing nuclear charge and decreasing atomic size, making it
harder to remove electrons and easier to attract additional electrons.

6. Define electronegativity and discuss its importance in determining the nature of chemical bonds.
Include any relevant trends in electronegativity on the periodic table.

Electronegativity is the measure of an atom's ability to attract electrons in a chemical bond. It's
important in determining the nature of chemical bonds because it indicates the tendency of an
atom to attract shared electrons towards itself in a covalent bond. Electronegativity generally
increases from left to right across a period and decreases down a group on the periodic
table.This trend is due to increasing nuclear charge and decreasing atomic size.

7. Write the electron configurations for one element from number 20 to 36.

 Calcium (Ca): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s²

 Scandium (Sc): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹
 Titanium (Ti): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d²
 Vanadium (V): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d³
 Chromium (Cr): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹ 3d⁵
 Manganese (Mn): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d⁵
 Iron (Fe): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d⁶
 Cobalt (Co): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d⁷
 Nickel (Ni): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d⁸
 Copper (Cu): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s¹ 3d¹⁰
 Zinc (Zn): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰
 Gallium (Ga): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p¹
 Germanium (Ge): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p²
 Arsenic (As): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p³
 Selenium (Se): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁴
 Bromine (Br): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁵
 Krypton (Kr): 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁶ 4s² 3d¹⁰ 4p⁶

8. Explain the concept of atomic radius and how it changes across periods and down groups on the

periodic table.

Atomic radius refers to the size of an atom, which is defined as the distance from the nucleus to
the outermost electron shell. Across periods on the periodic table, atomic radius generally
decreases from left to right due to increasing nuclear charge, which pulls the outer electrons
closer to the nucleus. Down groups, atomic radius generally increases because electrons are
added to higher energy levels, increasing the distance from the nucleus.

9. Describe and discuss the general trends in properties (atomic size, ionization energy, electron affinity,
etc.) across the elements of Group 17.

Across Group 17 (halogens), atomic size generally increases from top to bottom due to the
addition of electron shells. Ionization energy decreases down the group because it becomes
easier to remove an electron as the atomic size increases. Electron affinity tends to become less
negative (decreases) down the group because larger atoms have more electron shielding and
are less effective at attracting additional electrons.

10. Provide an explanation and balanced chemical equation for a halogen displacement reaction.
Discuss the reactivity patterns of halogens in such reactions.

Halogen displacement reactions involve a more reactive halogen displacing a less reactive
halogen from its compound. For example, chlorine gas (Cl2) can displace bromine ions from a
solution of potassium bromide (KBr), forming potassium chloride (KCl) and releasing bromine
gas (Br2): Cl2 + 2KBr → 2KCl + Br2 Halogens become less reactive as you move down the group
because their ability to gain electrons decreases.

11. Write a balanced chemical equation for the acidic rain reaction of sulfuric acid (H2SO4), explaining
its role in the formation of acidic rain.

The reaction of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) with water forms acidic rain by producing hydronium ions
(H3O⁺) and sulfate ions (SO4²⁻): H2SO4 + H2O → H3O⁺ + HSO4⁻

12. Write a balanced chemical equation for the acidic rain reaction of carbonic acid (H2CO3), explaining
its role in the formation of acidic rain.

The reaction of carbonic acid (H2CO3) with water forms acidic rain by producing hydronium ions
(H3O⁺) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3⁻): H2CO3 + H2O → H3O⁺ + HCO3

13. Write a balanced chemical equation for the acidic rain reaction of nitric acid (HNO3), explaining its
role in the formation of acidic rain.

HNO3 + H2O → H3O⁺ + NO3⁻

Nitric acid dissolves in water to produce these ions, which contribute to the acidity of
rainwater. Nitric acid is a major component of acid rain, which can have harmful effects
on the environment, including damaging ecosystems, aquatic life, and infrastructure.

14. Explain the reaction of basic oxides with water, providing a balanced chemical equation and
discussing the products formed.

Basic oxides, also known as metal oxides, react with water to form metal hydroxides.
This reaction is typically exothermic, releasing heat. The balanced chemical equation for
the reaction of a basic oxide such as sodium oxide (Na2O) with water is:
Na2O + H2O → 2NaOH
In this reaction, sodium oxide reacts with water to produce sodium hydroxide (NaOH),
which is a strong base. The hydroxide ions (OH⁻) from the base solution give it alkaline
properties.

15. Provide a balanced chemical equation for the reaction of acidic oxides with water and discuss the
resulting products.

Acidic oxides, also known as non-metal oxides, react with water to form acidic solutions.
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction of an acidic oxide such as sulfur dioxide
(SO2) with water is:
SO2 + H2O → H2SO3
In this reaction, sulfur dioxide reacts with water to form sulfurous acid (H2SO3).
Sulfurous acid is a weak acid that partially dissociates in water to produce hydronium
ions (H3O⁺) and sulfite ions (SO3²⁻).

16. Explain the concept of amphoteric oxides and provide balanced chemical equations for their
reactions, emphasizing their ability to react with both acids and bases.

Amphoteric oxides are compounds that can react with both acids and bases to form salt
and water. One example of an amphoteric oxide is aluminum oxide (Al2O3). Its reaction
with an acid, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl), and a base, such as sodium hydroxide
(NaOH), can be represented as follows:
Al2O3 + 6HCl → 2AlCl3 + 3H2O. Al2O3 + 2NaOH + 3H2O → 2Na[Al(OH)4]
In the first reaction, aluminum oxide reacts with hydrochloric acid to form aluminum
chloride and water. In the second reaction, aluminum oxide reacts with sodium
hydroxide and water to form sodium aluminate and water.

17. Define the oxidation state of an atom and explain how it is determined in a chemical compound.
Provide examples to illustrate the concept.
The oxidation state of an atom is the indication of the degree of oxidation of an atom in
a chemical compound. It represents the number of electrons an atom has lost, gained,
or shared to reach its current state in a compound. The oxidation state is determined by
assigning hypothetical charges to each atom based on its electronegativity and the
number of electrons it shares or gains. For example:
In water (H2O), oxygen has an oxidation state of -2 because it is more electronegative
than hydrogen and tends to gain electrons. In hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), oxygen has
an oxidation state of -1 because it shares electrons equally with hydrogen atoms. In
sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium has an oxidation state of +1 because it loses an electron
to chlorine.

18. Describe and discuss the general trends in properties (atomic size, ionization energy, electron
affinity, etc.) across the elements of the first block (s-block) on the periodic table.

In the s-block of the periodic table, which includes Group 1 (alkali metals) and Group 2 (alkaline
earth metals), general trends in properties include increasing atomic size, decreasing ionization
energy, and decreasing electronegativity down the group. Alkali metals exhibit low
electronegativity and readily lose electrons to form positive ions. As you move down the group,
the outermost electron is farther from the nucleus, leading to weaker attraction and lower
ionization energy.

19. Define metallic and non-metallic characteristics and discuss how these characteristics vary across a
period on the periodic table. Explain the trends and provide examples of elements that exhibit distinct
metallic or non-metallic properties.

Metallic characteristics refer to properties exhibited by metals, such as luster, conductivity,

malleability, and ductility. Non-metallic characteristics refer to properties exhibited by non-
metals, such as dullness, poor conductivity, brittleness, and varying states of matter (solid, liquid,
or gas). Across a period on the periodic table, metallic characteristics generally decrease from
left to right, while non-metallic characteristics increase. For example, lithium (Li) exhibits metallic
characteristics, while fluorine (F) exhibits non-metallic characteristics.

20. Explore the reactivity trend of alkali metals (Group 1 elements) across a period. Discuss how their
reactivity changes as you move from left to right, providing examples of reactions to support your
explanation

Reactivity of alkali metals (Group 1 elements) increases as you move down a period. For
example, lithium (Li) is less reactive than sodium (Na), which is less reactive than
potassium (K), and so on. This trend occurs because the outer electron is further from
the nucleus as you move down the group, making it easier to lose and therefore
increasing reactivity. Alkali metals react vigorously with water, producing hydrogen gas
and forming alkaline solutions of their hydroxides. For instance, sodium reacts with
water as follows:
2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)