Supplementary Questions

1.

It was believed that the bombardment of polonium atoms, Po, with atoms of an isotope of a
Group III element, X, may bring about a new element with proton number 115 via the
following reaction. Suggest the identity of X.
209
Po
84

A
B
C
D

+ X

285
[new
115

element] + 5 neutrons.

Aluminium
Gallium
Indium
Thallium
Proton number of X = 115 84 =31
From the Periodic Table, X is Gallium.

Which of the following are correct statements about the s, p and d orbitals of principal quantum
numbers 1, 2 and 3.
1
2
3

Each orbital (s, p and d) can contain maximum two electrons with opposite spins.
A series of transition elements arises from the filling of incomplete p and d orbitals
Within the same principal quantum number, the s orbital has a higher energy than the p
orbital.

According to Paulis Exclusion Principle, statement 1 is true

Transition metals arise from the filling of incomplete d-orbitals
Within the same principle quantum number, the s orbital has a lower energy that
the p orbital

Ions of the two most common isotopes of the transition metal nickel are shown below:

58 Ni2 +
28

60 Ni 2 +
28

Which one of the following statements is true?

A

The electron arrangement of both these Ni2+ ions is 1s22s22p63s23p63d64s2.

The 60 Ni 2 + ion will have more protons in its nucleus than the 58 Ni2 + ion.

28

28

In the same strength electric field, the 60 Ni 2 + ion will be deflected more than the
C

28

58 Ni2 + ion.
28
Both of these Ni2+ ions have the same number of electrons but a different number of
neutrons.
The electronic configuration of both Ni2+ ions is 1s22s22p63s23p63d8 (4s electrons are
removed before 3d)
Isotopes have the same number of protons, but different number of neutrons
Both ions have the same charge, but 60Ni2+ is heavier than 58Ni2+, thus will be deflected
less
Which one of the following statement best explains the reason why the 1st ionisation energy of
sulphur is lower than that of phosphorus?
6

A
B
C
D

Electronic configuration of S: [Ne]3s23p4

Electronic configuration of P: [Ne]3s23p5
Inter-electronic repulsion between the paired electrons in S result in a lower 1st IE

The sulphur atom is larger in size than the phosphorus atom.

Sulphur anion is more readily formed compared to that of phosphorus.
The electron which is to be lost is paired with another electron.
It is more difficult for the phosphorus atom to lose an electron than the sulphur atom.

The successive ionisation energies, in kJ mol-1, of an element Z are given below.

1010
2265
3662
4998
7002
8992
28698
32215
Which one of the following would best represent the formula of the ionic compound formed by
Z?
A
B
C
D

ZCl
ZO
CaZ2
Na2Z

Large difference (19706 kJ mol-1) between 6th and 7th I.E., implying that the 6th and 7th eare from different shells. The 7th e- comes from the inner shell.
Z belongs to Group VI
Z is a non-metal, and will form the Z2- anion
The first 5 successive ionisation energies of aluminium are given below:
577
(i)

1820

2740

11600

14842

kJ mol-1

Using the data provided, sketch a graph showing the trend of the first 5 ionisation
energies for aluminium. Label your sketch clearly.

First 5 IE of Aluminium
16000
14000
Energy / kJ mol-1

12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
0

(ii)

Explain the shape of the graph you have drawn in part (i).
7

IE increases generally as more electrons are removed due to increasing

electrostatic attraction between the nucleus and the remaining electrons.

Small increase in energy between 1st IE and 2nd IE, due to removal of electrons
from 3p as compared to 3s orbitals since s orbitals are nearer to nucleus. Large
increase in energy from 3rd IE to 4th IE due to removal of electrons from the inner
2p orbitals which are closer to the nucleus