1

Electronic Structure and Isotopes worksheet

1 The electronic structures of some atoms and ions are shown.

A B C D
2+ 3–
+

E F G H
–
–

(a) Write the letters, A, B, C, D, E, F, G or H, of the electronic structures which show:

(i) atoms of two different noble gases ................................... and ....................................

[2]

(ii) an ion of a Group I element ..........................................................................................

[1]

(iii) an ion of a Group V element ........................................................................................

[1]

(iv) a pair of ions that could form a compound with the formula XY2. ............ and ...........

[1]

(b) State which electronic structure, A, B, C, D, E, F, G or H, is incorrect.

Explain why.

incorrect electronic structure ...........................................................................................

explanation ......................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

(c) State how many protons are found in the nucleus of ion C. .............................................

[1]
 2

(d) Use the Periodic Table to deduce:

(i) the chemical symbol for ion G .......................................................................

[1]

(ii) the element which forms an ion with a 3+ charge and the same electronic structure as
H.

................................................................................................................................ [1]

[Total: 10]

2 Chlorine is in Group VII of the Periodic Table.

Two isotopes of chlorine are chlorine-35 and chlorine-37.

State why these two isotopes of chlorine have the same chemical properties.

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 2]

3 24 25 26
Magnesium exists as three isotopes, 12Mg , 12Mg and 12Mg .

All isotopes of magnesium react with dilute hydrochloric acid to make hydrogen and a salt.

(a) Why do all isotopes of magnesium react in the same way?

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) Write a chemical equation for the reaction between magnesium and dilute hydrochloric acid.

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

(c) Describe a test for hydrogen.

test ....................................................................................................................................

result ................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 6]

4 In the Periodic Table, the elements are arranged in columns called Groups and in rows called
Periods.
 3

(a) Complete the table for some of the elements in Period 3.

group number I II III IV V VI VII

symbol Na Mg Al Si P S Cl

number of valency
electrons

valency

[2]

(b) What is the relationship between the group number and the number of valency electrons?

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) Explain the relationship between the number of valency electrons and the valency

for the elements Na to Al,

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

for the elements P to Cl.

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

[4]

[Total: 7]

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

A B C D E

Answer the following questions about these electronic structures.

 4

Each electronic structure may be used once, more than once or not at all.

State which electronic structure, A, B, C, D, or E, represents:

(a) an atom in Group II of the Periodic Table

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) an atom with a proton number of 13

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) an atom that forms a stable ion with a single negative charge

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(d) an atom of a non-metal that forms a giant covalent structure

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(e) an atom of a metal used in food containers.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 5]

6 Draw the electronic structure of a sodium atom.

[2]

[Total: 2]
 5

7 Draw the electronic structure of a calcium atom.

[2]

[Total: 2]

8 Complete the diagram to show the electron arrangement in an oxygen atom.

[1]

[Total: 1]

9 Sulfur exists as a number of different isotopes.

What is meant by the term isotopes?

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 2]

10 24 25 26
Magnesium exists as three isotopes, 12Mg , 12Mg and 12Mg .

State, in terms of the total numbers of electrons, neutrons and protons, one difference and two
similarities between these magnesium isotopes.

difference .................................................................................................................................

similarity 1 ................................................................................................................................

similarity 2 ................................................................................................................................ [3]

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[Total: 3]

11 22 23 24
11Na , 11Na and 11Na are isotopes of sodium.

(a) Describe how these sodium isotopes are the same and how they are different in terms of the
total number of protons, neutrons and electrons in each.

same .................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

different .............................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [3]

(b) Why do all three isotopes have an overall charge of zero?

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) Why do all three isotopes have the same chemical properties?

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

(d) Why do sodium ions have a charge of +1?

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 7]

12 State the electronic structure of the following atom and ion.

Al ...............................
2−
S ............................... [2]

[Total: 2]
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13 Draw the electronic structure of a silicon atom.

[2]

[Total: 2]

14 Complete the sentence about isotopes using words from the list.

atoms compound electrons element ions

mixture molecules neutrons substance

Isotopes are ......................................... of the same ......................................... which

have the same proton number but a different number of ......................................... . [3]

[Total: 3]

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

A B C D E

Answer the following questions about these electronic structures.

Each electronic structure may be used once, more than once or not at all.

State which electronic structure, A, B, C, D or E, represents an atom:

(a) of an element in Group III of the Periodic Table.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) of a monatomic gas

........................................................................................................................................... [1]
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(c) of carbon

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(d) which has 18 protons

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(e) which forms a stable ion with a single negative charge.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 5]

16 The table gives information about some atoms or ions, A, B and C.

Complete the table

number of number of electronic

charge
protons electrons structure

A 11 10 2,8

B 18 0

C 10 2,8 −1

[4]

[Total: 4]

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

A B C D E

State which structure, A, B, C, D or E, represents an atom of phosphorus.

......................................................................... [1]

[Total: 1]
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18 The electronic structures of fve atoms, A, B, C, D and E, are shown.

A B C D E

State which structure, A, B, C, D or E, represents an atom with a proton number of 13.

......................................................................... [1]

[Total: 1]

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

A B C D E

State which structure, A, B, C, D or E, represents an atom which forms a stable ion with a single
negative charge.

......................................................................... [1]

[Total: 1]

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

A B C D E

State which structure, A, B, C, D or E, represents an atom with only two shells of electrons.

......................................................................... [1]
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[Total: 1]

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

A B C D E

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:

(a) an atom in Group VIII of the Periodic Table....................................................................... [1]

(b) an atom of a reactive non-metal........................................................................................ [1]

(c) an atom with a proton number of 11.................................................................................. [1]

(d) an atom with only three shells of electrons ..................................................................... [1]

(e) an atom which forms a stable ion with a single positive charge........................................ [1]

[Total: 5]

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

A B C D E

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:

(a) an atom with a total of eight electrons .............................................................................. [1]

(b) an atom in Group V of the Periodic Table ......................................................................... [1]

(c) an atom with a complete outer shell of electrons ............................................................. [1]

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(d) an atom of a metallic element .......................................................................................... [1]

(e) an atom which forms a stable ion with a single positive charge....................................... [1]

[Total: 5]

23 Magnesium, calcium and strontium are Group II elements.

Complete the table to show the arrangement of electrons in a calcium atom.

shell number 1 2 3 4

number of electrons

[1]

[Total: 1]

24 Magnesium, calcium and strontium are Group II elements.

Describe how the arrangement of electrons in a strontium atom is:

(a) similar to the arrangement of electrons in a calcium atom

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) different from the arrangement of electrons in a calcium atom.

...........................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 2]

25 Answer the following question using only the substances in the list.

ammonia bauxite carbon dioxide carbon monoxide

hematite oxygen sodium chloride sulfur dioxide

State which substance is an element.

.................................................................................................................................................. [1]

[Total: 1]

26 The table gives some information about four different particles, A, B, C and D.

number of number of number of electronic charge

particle
electrons neutrons protons structure on particle
 12

A 11 12 11 2,8,1 0

B 14 11 2,8,1 0

C 18 20 2,8,8 0

D 18 20 17

(a) Complete the table. The first row has been done for you. [4]

(b) Give two particles from the table which are isotopes of each other.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) Element Z is in the same group of the Periodic Table as A and is less reactive than A.

State the identity of element Z.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(d) C is unreactive.

Use information from the table to explain why.

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 7]

27 Complete the sentence about isotopes using words from the list.

atomic compound element ions molecular nucleons

Isotopes are atoms of the same ................................ which have the same

................................ number but different numbers of ................................ . [3]

[Total: 3]

28 What is meant by the term isotopes?

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 2]
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29 An atom of an isotope of oxygen is represented by the symbol shown.

17
8O

Describe the structure of an atom of this isotope of oxygen.

In your answer, include:

● the position of the protons, neutrons and electrons in the atom

● the number of protons, neutrons and electrons present in the atom.

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [5]

[Total: 5]

30 Which two statements about isotopes are correct?

Tick two boxes.

Isotopes of the same element have different numbers of protons.

Isotopes of the same element have different numbers of neutrons

Isotopes are always radioactive.

The isotope is a source of energy.

and are isotopes of each other.

[2]

[Total: 2]
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29 27
31 Al is a radioactive isotope of aluminium. The only non-radioactive isotope of aluminium is Al.
29 27
Describe, in terms of protons, neutrons and electrons, how the isotopes Al and Al are similar
and how they are different.

how they are similar..................................................................................................................

how they are different............................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 2]

32 Complete the table.

number of number of
protons electrons

Na
2−
S

Cl2

[3]

[Total: 3]

33 The table gives information about five particles. The particles are all atoms or ions.

number of number of number of

particle
protons neutrons electrons

A 6 8 6

B 12 12 12

C 13 14 10

D 8 8 10

E 11 12 11

Answer the following questions using the information in the table.

Each particle may be used once, more than once or not at all.

(a) Which particle, A, B, C, D or E,

(i) is an atom with atomic number 12,

................................................................................................................................ [1]

(ii) is an atom with nucleon number 14,

................................................................................................................................ [1]
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(iii) is an ion with a positive charge,

................................................................................................................................ [1]

(iv) has only one electron in its outer shell?

................................................................................................................................ [1]

(b) D is an ion of an element.

Identify the element and write the formula of D.

........................................................................................................................................... [2]

[Total: 6]

34 Complete the table to show the electronic structure of the atoms and ions.

electronic structure

F 2,7

Si

2+
Ca

3−
N

[3]

[Total: 3]

35 The table shows the composition of four atoms or ions, A, B, C and D.

number of number of number of

protons neutrons electrons

A 10 10 10

B 10 12 10

C 12 10 10

D 13 14 10

(a) What is the atomic number of A?

........................................................................................................................................... [1]
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(b) What is the nucleon number of B?

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) Which of A, B, C and D are isotopes of each other?

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(d) Which of A, B, C and D are atoms?

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(e) Which of A, B, C and D are positive ions?

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 5]

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

A B C D E

Answer the following questions about these atoms.

Each atom may be used once, more than once or not at all.

Which atom, A, B, C, D or E,

(a) has a complete outer shell of electrons,

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) has a proton number of 15,

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) has 4 shells containing electrons,

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

(d) is a fluorine atom,

........................................................................................................................................... [1]
 17

(e) is an atom of a metallic element?

........................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 5]

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

A B C D E

Answer the following questions about these atoms.

Each atom may be used once, more than once or not at all.

Which atom, A, B, C, D or E:

(a) is in Group VIII of the Periodic Table,

.......................................... [1]

(b) is a chlorine atom,

.......................................... [1]

(c) has 17 protons in its nucleus,

.......................................... [1]

(d) is an atom of an element in the same period as carbon,

.......................................... [1]

(e) is an atom of a metal?

.......................................... [1]

[Total: 5]

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

A B C D E
 18

Answer the following questions about these atoms.

Each atom may be used once, more than once or not at all.

Which atom, A, B, C, D or E:

(a) has a total of 8 electrons

.......................................... [1]

(b) is in Group III of the Periodic Table

.......................................... [1]

(c) has 13 protons

.......................................... [1]

(d) is a noble gas

.......................................... [1]

(e) forms a stable ion with a single negative charge?

.......................................... [1]

[Total: 5]

39 Which statements about isotopes of the same element are correct?

1. They are atoms which have the same chemical properties because they have the
same number of electrons in their outer shell.
2. They are atoms which have the same number of electrons and neutrons but
different numbers of protons.
3. They are atoms which have the same number of electrons and protons but different
numbers of neutrons.

A 1 and 2 B 1 and 3 C 2 only D 3 only

[1]

[Total: 1]
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40 Sodium is in Group I of the Periodic Table.

Describe the structure of a sodium atom.

In your answer refer to,

- the type and number of each subatomic particle present,

- the charges on each type of subatomic particle,
- the position of each type of subatomic particle in the atom.

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................. [5]

[Total: 5]