ATOMIC STRUCTURE

MARK SCHEME
Science Exams Sorted

2020

www.scienceexamssorted.co.uk
 Atomic Structure Mark Scheme

1. Element E has an atomic number of 5.

In a sample of E there are two isotopes. One isotope has a mass number of 10 and the
other isotope has a mass number of 11.
a. Explain, in terms of subatomic particles, what is meant by the term isotopes.
Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number (1)
of protons.
Isotopes have a different number of neutrons. (1)
Total: 2 marks
b. All atoms of element E in this sample contain
A (1)
Total: 1 mark
c. Element X has an atomic number of 18.
State the electronic configuration of an atom of element X.
2,8,8 (1)
Total: 1 mark
Edexcel June 2019 Higher Paper 1 Q2 b (i), (ii) & (iii)

2. An atom of iron is represented as

Give the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in this atom of iron.
Number of protons: 26 (1)
Number of neutrons: 30 (1)
Number of electrons: 26 (1)
Total: 3 marks
AQA May 2018 Higher Paper 1 Q2 b (ii)

3. Elements are made of atoms.

a. The table below shows the atomic numbers and mass numbers of three atoms.
Suggest, in terms of the number of subatomic particles, why the atomic numbers of
the three atoms are the same.
The atomic number of all three atoms is the same as they all have
the same number of protons. (1)
Each atom has 12 protons. (1)
Total: 2 marks

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Atomic Structure Mark Scheme Science Exams Sorted
 Atomic Structure Mark Scheme

b. Explain, in terms of the number of subatomic particles, why the mass numbers of the
three atoms are different.
Any two from the following.
Atom 1 has 12 protons and 12 neutrons which add to give us a mass (1)
number of 24.
Atom 2 has 12 protons and 13 neutrons which add to give us a mass (1)
number of 25.
Atom 3 has 12 protons and 14 neutrons which add to give us a mass (1)
number of 26.
Total: 2 marks
AQA May 2017 Higher Paper 1 Q1 a (i) & (ii)

4. Complete the dot-and-cross diagram to show the electron arrangement in a molecule of

ammonia. Show outer shell electrons only.

Correct distribution of electrons.

(1)
Correct sharing of electrons between N and H atoms.
(1)
Total: 2 marks
Cambridge IGCSE May 2018 Paper 3 Theory (Core) Q1 d

5. The electronic structures of five atoms, A, B, C, D and E, are shown.

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Atomic Structure Mark Scheme Science Exams Sorted
 Atomic Structure Mark Scheme

a. Answer the following questions about these structures. Each structure may be used
once, more than once or not at all. State which structure, A, B, C, D or E, represents:

C (1)
C (1)
E (1)
D (1)
A (1)
Total: 5 marks

b. Complete the table to show the number of electrons, neutrons and protons.

8 6

18 19 (3)

18 (1)
8 (1)
6 & 19 (both are required correct for the mark) (1)
Total: 3 marks

Cambridge IGCSE October 2018 Paper 3 Theory (Core) Q1 a & b

6. There are eight elements in the second row (lithium to neon) of the periodic table.
The figure below shows an atom with two energy levels (shells).
a. Complete the figure below to show the electronic structure of a boron atom.

(1)

Accept dots or crosses.

Total: 1 mark

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Atomic Structure Mark Scheme Science Exams Sorted
 Atomic Structure Mark Scheme

b. What does the central part labelled Z represent in the figure below?
The nucleus. (1)
Total: 1 mark

c. Name the sub-atomic particles in part Z of a boron atom.

Give the relative charges of these sub-atomic particles

Proton (1)
which has a positive charge.
Neutron, (1)
which has a neutral charge. (1)
Both correct charges score 1 mark. Total: 3 marks
AQA May 2016 Higher Paper 1 Q1 a

7. This question is about atomic structure and elements.

a. Complete the sentences.

protons in the nucleus. (1)

protons and neutrons in the nucleus. (1)
Total: 2 marks

b. Explain why an atom has no overall charge. Use the relative electrical charges of sub-
atomic particles in your explanation.

An atom is neutral as it has the same number of protons as (1)

electrons.
The positive charge of the protons is cancelled out by the negative
charge of the electrons. (1)
Total: 2 marks

c. Explain why fluorine and chlorine are in the same group of the periodic table.
Give the electronic structures of fluorine and chlorine in your explanation.

Fluorine is 2,7 and Chlorine is 2,8,7. (1)

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Atomic Structure Mark Scheme Science Exams Sorted
 Atomic Structure Mark Scheme

Both fluorine and chlorine are in the same group as they both have 7
electrons on their outer shells. (1)
Total: 2 marks

d. The figure below shows the electronic structure of an atom of a non-metal.

Figure 1

What is the chemical symbol of this non-metal?

S (1)
Total: 1mark

AQA May 2015 Higher Paper 1 Q1 a, b, c, & d.

8. An atom of potassium has an atomic number of 19 and a mass number of 39.

Complete the table to show the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in this
potassium atom.
Number of
Protons Electrons Neutrons
19 19 20 (2)

a. Describe the positions of these particles in the potassium atom.

Protons and neutrons are both found in the nucleus. (1)

Electrons are found orbiting the nucleus in the electron shells/orbits. (1)
Total: 2 marks
b. State the electronic configuration of this potassium atom.

2,8,8,1 (1)
Total: 1 mark

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Atomic Structure Mark Scheme Science Exams Sorted
 Atomic Structure Mark Scheme

c. Give the relative mass of an electron.

1� (1)
1835
Total: 1 mark

d. A sample of gallium contains 60.2% of gallium - 69 and 39.8% of gallium - 71.

Calculate the relative atomic mass of gallium.

60.2 x 69 + 39.8 x 71 = 6979.6 ÷ 100 = 69.7 (3)

Correct answer without working scores full marks. Total: 3 marks
Edexcel June 2016 Higher Paper 2 Q4 a & b

9. Aluminium has many uses.

a. An aluminium atom has 13 electrons. Draw the electronic structure of an aluminium
atom.

(1)

Total: 1 mark

b. Name the two sub-atomic particles in the nucleus of an aluminium atom.

Protons and neutrons. (1)

Both particles are required for the mark. Total: 1 mark
c. Why is there no overall electrical charge on an aluminium atom?

The positive charge of the protons is cancelled out by the negative (1)
charge of the electrons.
Total: 1 mark
AQA June 2013 Higher Paper 1 Q1 a

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Atomic Structure Mark Scheme Science Exams Sorted
 Atomic Structure Mark Scheme

10. The diagrams show the electronic structure of four different atoms.
a. Name the two sub-atomic particles in the nucleus of an atom.

Protons and neutrons. (1)

Both particles are required for the mark. Total: 1 mark

b. Why is there no overall electrical charge on each atom?

Positive charge of the protons cancels out the negative charge of the
electrons. (1)
Total: 1 mark

c. Why is atom A unreactive?

As it has a full outer shell of electrons. (1)

Total: 1 mark

d. Which two of these atoms have similar chemical properties?

Give a reason for your answer.

Atom B and Atom C both have similar chemical properties. (1)

As they both have 1 electron on their outer shell. (1)
Total: 2 marks
AQA June 2012 Higher Paper 1 Q1 a, b, c & d

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Atomic Structure Mark Scheme Science Exams Sorted