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Chemistry Matters for GCE ‘O’ Level (2 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Chapter 16

Chapter 16 The Periodic Table

Test Yourself 16.1 and 16.2 (page 312)

(a) 2, 8, 7; Chlorine is in Period 3 and Group VII

(b) (i) C and Si
(ii) Si and Cl or H and He
(iii) H and Cl
(iv) Cl
(v) Cl

Test Yourself 16.3 (page 315)

1. Sodium

2. (a) Rubidium hydroxide (RbOH) and hydrogen (H2)

(b) Rubidium chloride (RbCl)

3. (a) Rubidium
(b) Lithium

Test Yourself 16.4 (page 319)

(a) (i) Magnesium astatide, MgAt2

(ii) It is a solid at room temperature and pressure.
(b) (i) A black precipitate of astatine is produced.
(ii) No visible reaction

Test Yourself 16.5 (page 321)

Helium is less reactive and less dense than nitrogen.

Test Yourself 16.6 (page 324)

1. B

2. (a) (i) +3
(ii) +4
(b) The transition elements are metals with a strong tendency to lose electrons. Thus, the oxidation
states are all positive.

Get it Right (page 326)

(a) False. The Periodic Table is a list of elements arranged in order of their atomic numbers.
(b) False. The elements decrease in metallic properties and increase in non-metallic properties across
the period.
(c) False. An element with two electron shells and one valence electron is found in Group I and Period 2
of the Periodic Table.
OR
An element with one electron shell and three valence electrons is found in Group III and Period 1 of
the Periodic Table.
(d) False. On going down a group, the properties of the elements become more metallic because it
becomes easier for them to lose electrons.
(e) False. Elements in the same group have similar chemical properties.
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Chemistry Matters for GCE ‘O’ Level (2 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Chapter 16

(f) True
(g) False. The elements in Group VII get less reactive going down the group.
(h) True
(i) False. Transition metals form coloured compounds. Transition metals are not coloured.
(j) False. Transition metals have high melting and boiling points and high densities.

Let’s Review (pages 326–327)

Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions

1. A 2. C 3. B 4. B 5. D 6. C

Section B: Structured Questions

1. (a) Calcium. It has two valence electrons while lithium, potassium and sodium have only one
valence electron.
20 27 24 23
(b) 10 Ne. It is a non-metal while 13 Al, 12 Mg and 11 Na are metals.

2.
T
S
V W P

R Q

3. (a) (i) MnO2 + 4HCl → MnCl2 + 2H2O + Cl2

(ii) Oxidation number of manganese reduced from +4 to +2; oxidation number of chlorine
increased from –1 to 0.
(b) Bromine and iodine will be formed at T and R respectively. This is because chlorine gas
displaces both bromine and iodine from their salts.
Cl2 (g) + 2KBr(aq) → 2KCl(aq) + Br2(l)
Br2(g) + 2KI(aq) → 2KBr(aq) + I2(s)
Cl2(g) + 2KI(aq) → 2KCl(aq) + I2(s)
(c) Chlorine, bromine and iodine are poisonous.

Section C: Free-Response Question

1. (a) P, R and S
They have much higher densities and melting points than the other elements. They also form
coloured compounds.
(b) S has a very high density and is thus not suitable for making overhead power lines.
(c) Mass of a 10-cm3 block of P = 10 × 5.96 = 59.6 g
Number of moles of P = 59.6 ÷ 51 = 1.17 mol

Chemistry Today (page 328)

(a) When potassium iodide tablets are taken, the thyroid gland is saturated with stable iodine. This
prevents the thyroid glands from absorbing radioactive iodine-131.

(b) Potassium

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Chemistry Matters for GCE ‘O’ Level (2 Edition): Full Solutions to Textbook Questions Chapter 16

(c) The nuclear disaster has caused radioactive substances to spread into the atmosphere and pollute
the air. Nuclear radiation has contaminated raw food and water and also increased the risk of cancer.
The number of tourists visiting the country has also dropped due to safety fears. If this continues in
the long run, the cut in revenue from tourism will affect the country’s economy adversely.

(d) Some points for discussion:

Pros (decision to reactivate nuclear power stations was right):

• Nuclear energy is a sustainable energy source that is cleaner compared to fossil fuels.
• Only a small amount of nuclear fuel is required to produce a huge amount of energy.

Cons (decision to reactivate nuclear power stations was wrong):

• Nuclear waste is radioactive and highly toxic. In the event of a nuclear meltdown, there would be
catastrophic consequences on health and the environment.
• Nuclear plants could be a target for terrorist attacks.
• Nuclear waste could be stolen and made into nuclear weapons.
• Nuclear energy can be substituted by safer alternative energy sources.

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