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MYP Chemistry

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A.2 The Periodic Table & Trends

Practice Worksheet — name: ______________________ date: ____________

Section A — Multiple choice

A1. Potassium reacts more violently with water than sodium because potassium:

  1. A Has more protons attracting the water
  2. B Has its outer electron further from the nucleus, so it is lost more easily
  3. C Has more outer electrons
  4. D Is denser than sodium

A2. An element is in Group 6, Period 3. Its electron arrangement is:

  1. A 2, 8, 6
  2. B 2, 6, 8
  3. C 6, 8, 2
  4. D 2, 8, 8, 6

A3. Which observation shows chlorine is more reactive than bromine?

  1. A Chlorine is a gas while bromine is a liquid
  2. B Chlorine displaces bromine from potassium bromide solution
  3. C Bromine is darker in colour
  4. D Chlorine has a lower boiling point

Section B — Short answer

B1. Describe what you would observe when a small piece of sodium is added to water, and write the word equation. [4 marks]

B2. Explain why the noble gases are chemically unreactive. [2 marks]

B3. State three physical properties in which metals typically differ from non-metals. [3 marks]

Answer key

For worked explanations, interactive practice and more free resources, visit www.newtonine.com

Section A

A1: Has its outer electron further from the nucleus, so it is lost more easily — Down Group 1 each element adds a shell, placing the single outer electron further from the nuclear pull (and more shielded). It is lost more easily, so reactivity rises down the group — the reverse of the halogens.

A2: 2, 8, 6 — Period 3 means three shells; Group 6 means six outer electrons: 2, 8, 6 — sulfur. The table's address system converts directly into electron arrangements.

A3: Chlorine displaces bromine from potassium bromide solution — A more reactive halogen kicks a less reactive one out of its compounds: Cl₂ + 2KBr → 2KCl + Br₂ (solution turns orange). Displacement reactions are the standard experimental test of reactivity order.

Section B

B1: The sodium floats, melts into a ball, fizzes as it darts across the surface, and may burn with a yellow-orange flame; the metal shrinks and disappears. Universal indicator in the water turns purple (alkaline). Word equation: sodium + water → sodium hydroxide + hydrogen.

B2: They have full outer electron shells (2 for helium, 8 for the others), so they have no tendency to lose, gain or share electrons — the electron rearrangements that constitute chemical reactions.

B3: Metals conduct electricity and heat well, are malleable and ductile, and are shiny solids with high melting points; non-metals are poor conductors (insulators), brittle when solid, and dull, with many existing as gases at room temperature.