AQA Chemistry A-Level - Properties of Period 3 Elements and their Oxides QP PhysicsAndMathsTutor.

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Q1.
This question is about elements in Period 3 and their compounds.

(a) When a piece of sodium is added to 200 cm3 of water in a large beaker a
vigorous reaction occurs. The temperature of the water increases by 25 oC

Give an equation, including state symbols, for the reaction of sodium with
water.

Suggest why it is dangerous to react a similar piece of sodium with 10 cm3

Equation

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Why it is
dangerous __________________________________________________

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___________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Give an equation for the reaction of phosphorus(V) oxide with water.

Suggest a pH for the solution formed.

Equation

___________________________________________________________

pH ________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Explain, in terms of crystal structure and bonding, why silicon(IV) oxide has
a higher melting point than phosphorus(V) oxide.

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AQA Chemistry A-Level - Properties of Period 3 Elements and their Oxides QP PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

___________________________________________________________

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(4)

(d) An element in Period 3 forms an oxide that is insoluble in water.

Give the formula for this oxide.

Give an equation for the reaction of this oxide with sulfuric acid.

Formula ____________________________________________________

Equation

___________________________________________________________
(2)

(e) Give the formula of a hydroxide of an element in Period 3 used in medicine.

___________________________________________________________
(1)

(f) Identify the element in Period 3, from sodium to chlorine, that has the
largest atomic radius.

___________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 12 marks)

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AQA Chemistry A-Level - Properties of Period 3 Elements and their Oxides QP PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Q2.
This question is about Period 3 elements.

The graph shows the second ionisation energies of some elements in Period 3.

(a) Draw a cross (x) on the graph above to show the second ionisation energy
of silicon.
(1)

(b) Identify the element in Period 3, from sodium to argon, that has the highest
second ionisation energy.

Give an equation, including state symbols, to show the process that occurs
when the second ionisation energy of this element is measured.

If you were unable to identify the element you may use the symbol Q in
your equation.

Element
___________________________________________________________

Equation

___________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Explain why the atomic radius decreases across Period 3, from sodium to
chlorine.

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___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________
(2)

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AQA Chemistry A-Level - Properties of Period 3 Elements and their Oxides QP PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

(d) Identify the element in Period 3, from sodium to chlorine, that has the
highest electronegativity.

___________________________________________________________
(1)

(e) Phosphorus burns in air to form phosphorus(V) oxide.

___________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 7 marks)

Q3.
The elements sodium to sulfur in Period 3 all react with oxygen to form oxides.

(a) Give an equation and two observations made for the reaction that occurs
when sodium is heated in oxygen.

Equation
___________________________________________________________

Observation 1
___________________________________________________________

Observation 2
___________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Give an equation and one observation made for the reaction that occurs
when phosphorus is heated in oxygen.

Equation
___________________________________________________________

Observation
___________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) The melting points of the highest oxides of the elements sodium to sulfur
are shown in the table.

Highest oxide of

sodium magnesium aluminium silicon phosphorus sulfur

Melting
1548 3125 2345 1883 573 290
point / K

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AQA Chemistry A-Level - Properties of Period 3 Elements and their Oxides QP PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Explain the increase in melting point from sodium oxide to magnesium

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(2)

(d) Explain why the melting point of the oxide of silicon is much higher than
that of the highest oxide of phosphorus.

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(3)

(e) A sample of the highest oxide of phosphorus was prepared in a laboratory.

Describe a method for determining the melting point of the sample.

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AQA Chemistry A-Level - Properties of Period 3 Elements and their Oxides QP PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

___________________________________________________________

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___________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 12 marks)

Q4.
Which element forms an ionic oxide that reacts with strong alkalis?

A Aluminium

B Magnesium

C Sodium

D Sulfur

(Total 1 mark)

Q5.
This question is about some Period 3 elements and their oxides.

(a) Write an equation for the reaction of phosphorus with an excess of oxygen.

___________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Describe a test you could carry out in a test tube to distinguish between
sodium oxide and the product of the reaction in part (a)

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(3)

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AQA Chemistry A-Level - Properties of Period 3 Elements and their Oxides QP PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

(c) State the type of crystal structure shown in silicon dioxide and in sulfur
trioxide.

Silicon dioxide
_______________________________________________________

Sulfur trioxide
_______________________________________________________
(2)

(d) Explain why silicon dioxide has a higher melting point than sulfur trioxide.

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(4)

(e) Write an equation for the reaction of sulfur trioxide with potassium
hydroxide solution.

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___________________________________________________________
(1)

(f) Write an equation for the reaction of an excess of magnesium oxide with
phosphoric acid.

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________
(1)

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AQA Chemistry A-Level - Properties of Period 3 Elements and their Oxides QP PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

(g) Draw the displayed formula of the undissociated acid formed when sulfur
dioxide reacts with water.

(1)
(Total 13 marks)

Q6.
Which is the formula of the main aluminium-containing species present when
aluminium oxide is added to an excess of water?

A [Al(H2O)6]3+(aq)

B Al(H2O)3(OH)3(s)

C [Al(H2O)2(OH)4]−(aq)

D Al2O3(s)
(Total 1 mark)

Q7.
(a) Explain why the atomic radii of the elements decrease across Period 3
from sodium to chlorine.

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(2)

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AQA Chemistry A-Level - Properties of Period 3 Elements and their Oxides QP PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

(b) Explain why the melting point of sulfur (S8) is greater than that of
phosphorus (P4).

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___________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Explain why sodium oxide forms an alkaline solution when it reacts with
water.

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___________________________________________________________
(2)

(d) Write an ionic equation for the reaction of phosphorus(V) oxide with an
excess of sodium hydroxide solution.

___________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 7 marks)

Q8.
This question is about the elements in Period 3 from sodium to phosphorus (Na
to P) and their oxides.

(a) Element X forms an oxide that has a low melting point. This oxide
dissolves in water to form an acidic solution.

(i) Deduce the type of bonding in this oxide of X.

_______________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) Identify element X.

_______________________________________________________
(1)

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AQA Chemistry A-Level - Properties of Period 3 Elements and their Oxides QP PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

(iii) Write an equation for the reaction between this oxide of X and water.

_______________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Element Y reacts vigorously with water. An oxide of Y dissolves in water to

(i) Deduce the type of bonding in this oxide of Y.

_______________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) Identify element Y.

_______________________________________________________
(1)

(iii) Write an equation for the reaction of element Y with water.

_______________________________________________________
(1)

(iv) Write an equation for the reaction of this oxide of Y with hydrochloric
acid.

_______________________________________________________
(1)

(c) Element Z forms an amphoteric oxide that has a very high melting point.

(i) Deduce the type of bonding in this oxide of Z.

_______________________________________________________
(1)

(ii) Write the formula of this amphoteric oxide.

_______________________________________________________
(1)

(iii) State the meaning of the term amphoteric.

_______________________________________________________
(1)

(iv) Write two equations to show the amphoteric nature of the oxide of Z.

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________
(2)

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AQA Chemistry A-Level - Properties of Period 3 Elements and their Oxides QP PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

(Total 12 marks)

Q9.
This question is about oxides.

(a) Sodium oxide forms a solution with a higher pH than magnesium oxide
when equal amounts, in moles, of each oxide are added separately to
equal volumes of water.

State why both oxides form alkaline solutions.

Suggest why sodium oxide forms a solution with a higher pH than the
solution formed from magnesium oxide.

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

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___________________________________________________________
(2)

(b) Give an equation for the reaction between phosphorus(V) oxide and water.

___________________________________________________________
(1)

(c) In the Contact process, sulfur(IV) oxide is converted into sulfur(VI) oxide
using vanadium(V) oxide as a catalyst.

Give two equations to show how the vanadium(V) oxide acts as a catalyst
in this process.

Equation 1
__________________________________________________________

Equation 2
__________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 5 marks)

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