EXAM-STYLE QUESTIONS
1 The sketch graph shows the 13 successive ionisation energies of aluminium.
a Define the term first ionisation energy. [3]
b Explain how the graph provides evidence for the existence of three electron shells in an
aluminium atom. [6]
c Write an equation, including state symbols, to represent the 2nd ionisation energy of
aluminium. [2]
d Write the electronic configuration of an aluminium ion, Al3+, using 1s2 notation. [1]
[Total: 12]
2 The table shows the first ionisation energies, IE1, in kJ mol−1, of the elements in Period
3 of the Periodic Table.
Element Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
IE1 494 736 577 786 1060 1000 1260 1520
a Explain why there is a general increase in the value of IE1 across the period. [4]
b Explain why aluminium has a lower value of IE1 than magnesium. [4]
c Write the electronic configuration for argon (Z = 18) using 1s2 notation. [1]
d Copy and complete the diagram below for the 15 electrons in phosphorus by:
i adding labels for the other sub-shells [1]
ii showing how the electrons are arranged. [3]
e Predict a value for the first ionisation energy for potassium, which has one more proton
than argon. [1]
[Total: 14]
3 a State the meaning of the term atomic orbital. [1]
b Draw diagrams to show the shape of:
i an s orbital [1]
ii a p orbital. [1]
c Element X has the electronic configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d8 4s2.
i State which block in the Periodic Table element X belongs to. [1]
ii State the maximum number of electrons in a d sub-shell. [1]
d Element X forms an ion of type X2+.
i Write the full electronic configuration for this ion using 1s2 notation. [1]
ii Write the symbol for the sub-shell that begins to fill after the 3d and 4s are
completely full. [1]
[Total: 7]
4 The first ionisation energies of several elements with consecutive atomic numbers are
shown in the graph.
The letters are not the symbols of the elements.
a Suggest which of the elements A to I belong to Group 1 in the Periodic Table. Explain
your answer. [3]
b Suggest which of the elements A to I could have the electronic configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6
3s2. [1]
c Explain the rise in first ionisation energy between element E and element G. [4]
d Estimate the 1st ionisation energy of element J. [2]
e The successive ionisation energies of element A are shown in the next sketch graph.
Explain what information this graph gives about how the electrons are arranged in shells
for element A. [3]
[Total: 13]
5 a Define the following:
i 1st ionisation energy [3]
ii 3rd ionisation energy. [3]
b Give the equations representing:
i the 1st ionisation energy of magnesium [2]
ii the 3rd ionisation energy of magnesium. [2]
c State which ionisation energies are represented by the equations below.
i Mg3+(g) → Mg4+(g) + e− [1]
ii Al5+(g) → Al6+(g) + e− [1]
[Total: 12]
6 The graph shows a sketch of log10 (ionisation energy) against number of electrons
removed for magnesium.
Use this graph to answer the following questions.
a Explain why the first two electrons are relatively easy to remove. [3]
b Explain why there is a sharp rise in ionisation energy when the third electron is removed. [3]
c Explain what information the graph gives about the electron arrangement of
magnesium. [3]
d Construct the equation for the ionisation energy marked X (the 5th ionisation energy). [2]
[Total: 11]
7 a The table shows the first five ionisation energies for five elements (A to E). For
each one, state which group the element belongs to. [5]
Ionisation energy / kJ mol−1
Element 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
A 786.5 1577.1 3231.6 4355.5 16 091
B 598.8 1145.4 4912 6491 8153
C 496 4562 6910 9543 13 354
D 1087 2353 4621 6223 37 831
E 578 1817 2744 11 577 14 842
b Explain your reasoning behind your answer for element E. [1]
c Sketch a graph to show how log10 (ionisation energy) for phosphorus (atomic number
15) varies when plotted against number of electrons removed. [6]
[Total: 12]
8 a Define the term first ionisation energy. [3]
b Sketch a graph to show how log10 (ionisation energy) for chlorine (atomic number 17)
varies when plotted against number of electrons removed. [6]
c Explain the shape of the graph you have drawn. [6]
[Total: 15]
