South Pasadena • AP Chemistry Name

8 ▪ Atomic Theory Period Date

8.3 PROBLEMS – PERIODIC TRENDS

AP Chemistry 2007B #6 First Second Third
The table above shows the first three Ionization Energy Ionization Energy Ionization Energy
ionization energies for atoms of four (kJ mol–1) (kJ mol–1) (kJ mol–1)
elements from the third period of the Element 1 1,251 2,300 3,820
periodic table. The elements are
Element 2 496 4,560 6,910
numbered randomly. Use the
information in the table to answer Element 3 738 1,450 7,730
the following questions. Element 4 1,000 2,250 3,360

(a) Which element is the most metallic in character? Explain your reasoning.
Element 2 is most metallic, because it has the lowest first ionization energy and requires the least
energy to remove its outer electron.

(b) Identify element 3. Explain your reasoning.

Element 3 is Mg because the third ionization energy is significantly larger than the second ionization
energy, indicating that the third electron is in a core shell.

(c) Write the complete electron configuration for an atom of element 3.

1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2

(d) What is the expected oxidation state for the most common ion of element 2?
+1

(e) What is the chemical symbol for element 2?

Na

(f) A neutral atom of which of the four elements has the smallest radius?
Element 1 would have the smallest radius. Because it has the largest first ionization energy, its outer
electrons are most attracted to the nucleus, resulting in the smallest radius.

AP Chemistry 2003B #7
Account for the following observations using principles of atomic structure and/or chemical bonding. In each pall,
your answer must include specific information about both substances.
(a) The Ca2+ and Cl– ions are isoelectronic, but their radii are not the same. Which ion has the larger radius?
Explain.
Cl− has a larger radius than Ca2+. Both have 18 electrons. While Cl− has 17 protons, Ca2+ has 20
protons. Outer electrons are less attracted to and further from a nucleus with fewer protons (greater
Zeff), resulting in a larger radius.

(b) Carbon and lead are in the same group of elements, but carbon is classified as a nonmetal and lead is
classified as a metal.
Metals are more electropositive (e− are more easily removed) while non-metals are more electronegative
(e− are more easily gained). Because outer electrons in Pb are in higher shells (6p) than those in C (2p),
they are less attracted to the nucleus and are more easily lost, resulting in greater metallic character.
(c) Compounds containing Kr have been synthesized, but there are no known compounds that contain He.
 Outer electrons of Kr are in a higher electron shell (4p) than He (2p) and are less attracted to and
further from the nucleus. Because of this, electrons in Kr are more easily lost. Also, because of the large
size, it is easier for Kr to coordinate/bond with other atoms.

(d) The first ionization energy of Be is 900 kJ mol–1, but the first ionization energy of B is 800 kJ mol–1.
The outer electron of Be is in 2p subshell while outer electron of B is in 2s subshell. Electrons in higher
subshells are less attracted to and further from the nucleus, it is easier to remove the outer electron
from Be than from B.

AP Chemistry 2006#8
Suppose that a stable element with atomic number 119, symbol Q, has been discovered.
(a) Write the ground-state electron configuration for Q, showing only the valence-shell electrons.
[Uuo] 8s1

(b) Would Q be a metal or nonmetal? Explain in terms of electron configuration.

Q would be a metal because it has only one valence electron and is likely to lose it to achieve a pseudo-
noble-gas configuration.

(c) On the basis of periodic trends, would Q have the largest atomic radius in its group or would it have the
smallest? Explain in terms of electronic structure.
Q would have the largest radius in its group because its valence electron is in the highest shell.

(d) What would be the likely charge of the Q ion in stable ionic compounds?
+1

(e) Write a balanced equation that would represent the reaction of Q with water.
2 Q + 2 H2O → H2 + 2 QOH

(f) Assume that Q reacts to form a carbonate compound.

(i) Write the formula for the compound formed between Q and the carbonate ion, CO 32–.
Q2CO3

(ii) Predict whether or not the compound would be soluble in water. Explain your reasoning.
Q should be soluble in water because alkali salts are soluble in water.
AP Chemistry 1994 #9
Use principle of atomic structure and/or chemical bonding to answer of each of the following.
(a) The radius of the Ca atom is 0.197 nanometer; the radius of the Ca2+ ion is 0.099 nanometer. Account for this
difference.
Outer electron in Ca is in 4s while outer electron in Ca2+ is in 3p. Outer electrons in higher shells are
less attracted and further from the nucleus, resulting in a larger radius. Because 4s is a higher shell
than 3p, Ca is larger than Ca2+.

(b) The lattice energy of CaO (s) is –3,460 kilojoules per mole; the lattice energy for K 2O (s) is –2,240 kilojoules
per mole. Account for this difference.
CaO has greater ion charges (Ca2+ and O2−) than K2O (K+ and O2−), so ions in CaO are more attracted
to each other and CaO releases more energy when the ionic bond is formed.

(c) Explain the difference between Ca and K in regard to: Ionization Energy (kJ/mol)
First Second
i. their first ionization energies.
Both have outer electrons in the 4. While K has 19 K 419 3,050
protons, Ca has 20 protons. Outer electrons are less Ca 590 1,140
attracted to atom with fewer protons (lower Zeff),
resulting in a lower IE. Because K has fewer protons, it has a lower IE1.

ii. their second ionization energies.

IE2 of K removes electron from 3p subshell while that of Ca removes electron from 4s subshell.
Electrons in lower shells are more attracted to the nucleus, requiring more energy to remove.
Because IE2 of K removes an electron from a lower shell, it’s greater than that of Ca.

(d) The first ionization energy of Mg is 738 kilojoules per mole and that of Al is 578 kilojoules per mole.
Account for this difference.
The outer electron of Mg is in 3s subshell while the outer electron of Al is in the 3p subshell.
Electrons in lower subshells are more attracted the nucleus, and require more energy to remove.
Because outer electron of Mg is in a lower subshell, it requires more energy to remove than that of
Al, so Mg has a larger IE than Al.