Periodicity and Group Chemistry | AQA A-Level Chemistry (7405)
Periodicity and Group Chemistry
- 218 questions
- 16 subtopics
- Inorganic chemistry, examined on Paper 1
- Paper 1 and Paper 3
Periodicity and group chemistry is examined on Papers 1 and 3, and is the largest of the inorganic topics.
It covers the block classification, the trends across Period 3 and down Groups 2 and 7, the reactions of each group, and the standard test-tube tests for ions.
Sample questions from Periodicity and Group Chemistry
Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.
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s, p, d and f Block Classification
Which subshell is being filled in p-block elements?
Show the answer
The p subshell -
Group 2 Trends in Atomic Radius, Ionisation Energy and Melting Point
Explain why first ionisation energy decreases down Group 2.
Show the answer
The outer electron is further from the nucleus due to additional electron shells, there is greater shielding from inner electrons, so less energy is required to remove the outer electron despite the increased nuclear charge. -
Solubility Trends of Group 2 Hydroxides
What is the agricultural use of calcium hydroxide?
Show the answer
Calcium hydroxide is used to neutralise acidic soils. -
Uses of Group 2 Compounds
Write the equation for the reaction between calcium carbonate and sulfur dioxide.
Show the answer
CaCO₃ + SO₂ → CaSO₃ + CO₂ -
Trends in Electronegativity and Boiling Point of Halogens
What type of structure do the halogens have?
Show the answer
Simple molecular structure consisting of diatomic molecules. -
Halide Ions as Reducing Agents: Chloride and Bromide
What happens when solid sodium chloride reacts with concentrated sulfuric acid?
Show the answer
A reaction occurs producing white misty fumes of hydrogen chloride gas -
Test for Halide Ions Using Silver Nitrate
Write the ionic equation for the reaction between silver ions and chloride ions.
Show the answer
Ag⁺(aq) + Cl⁻(aq) → AgCl(s) -
Reactions of Chlorine with Water
What alternative products can form when chlorine reacts with water besides chloride and chlorate(I) ions?
Show the answer
Chloride ions and oxygen
The 16 subtopics
One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.
| Subtopic | What it covers | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| s, p, d and f Block Classification | How the highest energy sub-shell decides which block an element sits in. | 10 |
| Trends in Period 3 | Atomic radius, first ionisation energy and melting point across Period 3, and the reasons for each. | 16 |
| Group 2 Trends in Atomic Radius, Ionisation Energy and Melting Point | The trends down Group 2, and explaining them through shielding and ionic size. | 10 |
| Reactions of Group 2 with Water | The products, the general equation, and why reactivity increases down the group. | 13 |
| Solubility Trends of Group 2 Hydroxides | Solubility increasing down the group, and the use of the least soluble members. | 9 |
| Solubility Trends of Group 2 Sulfates | Solubility decreasing down the group, and why barium sulfate is used in a barium meal. | 16 |
| Uses of Group 2 Compounds | Titanium extraction, neutralising acidic soil and treating indigestion. | 20 |
| Test for Sulfate Ions | Acidified barium chloride, the white precipitate, and why the acid is added first. | 9 |
| Trends in Electronegativity and Boiling Point of Halogens | Electronegativity falling and boiling point rising down Group 7, and the reasons for both. | 10 |
| Halogens as Oxidising Agents and Displacement Reactions | Oxidising power decreasing down the group, and the colour changes in a displacement reaction. | 17 |
| Halide Ions as Reducing Agents: Chloride and Bromide | The trend in reducing power down Group 7, and what solid sodium chloride and sodium bromide do to concentrated sulfuric acid. | 13 |
| Halide Ions as Reducing Agents: Iodide, and the Equations | Why iodide reduces sulfuric acid furthest, the products it gives, and the equations for each reduction. | 14 |
| Test for Halide Ions Using Silver Nitrate | The precipitate colours, and confirming them with dilute and concentrated ammonia. | 20 |
| Tests for Ammonium, Group 2, Hydroxide and Carbonate Ions | The reagents, observations and equations for each of these tests. | 20 |
| Reactions of Chlorine with Water | Disproportionation in water, the products, and the reaction in sunlight. | 11 |
| Reactions of Chlorine with Cold Dilute NaOH and Water Treatment | Making bleach, and weighing the risks of chlorinating water against the benefits. | 10 |
How the guide is worked
Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.
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Step 1 · Closed book
Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.
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Step 2 · Open book
Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.
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Step 3 · Closed book again
Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.
Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.
Nearby topics
AQA A-Level Chemistry Active Recall Guide
Every topic, not just this one. 2,442 questions with their answers.