Quick answer: An atomic orbital is a region around a nucleus that holds at most two electrons, and orbitals come as s, p and d types. This Chemistry 11-12 test on ionisation energy has 8 questions worth 20 marks, to do in 45 minutes: configurations of nickel, defining ionisation energy and reading the graph. The mark scheme is on a separate page; free printable PDF.
This test covers configurations, ionisation energy and successive data. Answer every question, show your working and write units. You may use a periodic table and a calculator. The total is 20 marks.
Level: Chemistry grades 11-12 (A Level · IB · Class 11-12) · Curriculum: A Level 3.1.1, IB S1.3
Question 1 Configurations of nickel (2 marks)
Nickel has atomic number 28.- Write the shorthand configuration of a nickel atom. (1 mark)
- Write the configuration of Ni²⁺. (1 mark)
Question 2 Defining ionisation energy (2 marks)
Define the first ionisation energy of aluminium and write the equation for it, with state symbols. (2 marks)Question 3 Reading the graph (4 marks)
The bar chart shows successive ionisation energies of element Z.- State the group of Z. (1 mark)
- Write the formula of the ion Z forms. (1 mark)
- Explain the large increase between electrons 2 and 3. (2 marks)
Question 4 Neon and argon (3 marks)
The first ionisation energy of neon is 2081 kJ mol⁻¹ and that of argon is 1521 kJ mol⁻¹. Explain why argon is lower. (3 marks)Question 5 Energy for lithium (2 marks)
The first ionisation energy of lithium is 520 kJ mol⁻¹. Calculate the energy needed to ionise 0.0500 mol of gaseous lithium atoms. (2 marks)Question 6 Carbon in boxes (2 marks)
Carbon has the configuration 1s² 2s² 2p². State how many unpaired electrons it has and name the rule that decides how the 2p electrons are arranged. (2 marks)Question 7 Phosphorus and sulfur (2 marks)
Phosphorus has a first ionisation energy of 1012 kJ mol⁻¹ and sulfur 1000 kJ mol⁻¹. Explain why sulfur is slightly lower. (2 marks)Question 8 Chromium (3 marks)
State the ground-state configuration of chromium (Z = 24) and explain why it is not [Ar] 3d⁴ 4s². (3 marks)
