Atomic structure and the Periodic Table: past paper questions
Real questions on atomic structure and the periodic table
The newest 20 of 59 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0971/32 · October/November 2025 · Q2a[2]
Kr . (a) Complete Table 2.1 to show the number of electrons and neutrons in one atom of 36 Table 2.1 number of electrons number of neutrons
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q2c(i)[3]
Complete Table 2.2 to show the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in the two iron ions shown. Table 2.2 54 Fe 2+ 58 Fe 3+ protons neutrons electrons
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2025 · Q4b(iv)[2]
The oxidation number of the O atoms in Al (NO 3 ) 3 is –2. The formula of the aluminium ion in Al (NO 3 ) 3 is Al 3+ . Determine the oxidation number of the N atoms in Al (NO 3 ) 3 . Show your working. oxidation number of N =
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2025 · Q2c[1]
Sodium ions are in sea water. Complete Fig. 2.1 to show: • • the electronic configuration of a sodium ion the charge on the ion. Na
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2025 · Q2c[2]
Calcium ions are in sea water. Complete Fig. 2.1 to show: • • the electronic configuration of a calcium ion the charge on the ion. Ca
See it on the paper → - 0971/41 · May/June 2025 · Q2a[2]
Complete Table 2.1. Table 2.1 particle relative charge relative mass 1 1840 electron neutron 0 proton
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · May/June 2025 · Q5d(iii)[1]
The relative atomic mass of rubidium to one decimal place is 85.5. Determine the relative abundance of 85 Rb in rubidium. Express your answer as a percentage. %
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2024 · Q1b(i)[1]
State the meaning of the term monatomic.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2024 · Q6b(ii)[1]
Write the electronic configuration of the sodium atom.
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2024 · Q5a[5]
An atom of carbon is represented by the symbol shown. 14 6 C Describe this atom of carbon in terms of: ● the position of the electrons, neutrons and protons in this atom ● the number of neutrons and number of protons ● the electronic configuration.
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2024 · Q5a[5]
An atom of sulfur is represented by the symbol shown. 34 16 S Describe this atom of sulfur in terms of: ● the position of the electrons, neutrons and protons in the atom ● the number of neutrons and number of protons ● the electronic configuration.
See it on the paper → - 0971/41 · May/June 2024 · Q2[5]
Complete Table 2.1. Table 2.1 atom or ion number of protons number of electrons number of neutrons 17 37 17 Cl 34 63 + 29 Cu 16 18 17
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2023 · Q8b[2]
Complete Fig. 8.1 to show: ● ● t he electronic configuration of a chloride ion the charge on the ion. Cl Fig. 8.1
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2023 · Q8c(i)[2]
Deduce the number of protons and neutrons in the zinc ion shown. 67 2+ 30 Zn number of protons number of neutrons
See it on the paper → - 0971/42 · October/November 2023 · Q2a(i)[3]
omplete Table 2.1 to show the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in the 59 Co C atom and the 65 Cu 2+ ion. Table 2.1 59 Co 65 Cu 2+ protons neutrons electrons
See it on the paper → - 0971/31 · May/June 2023 · Q2c[1]
Complete the diagram in Fig. 2.1 to show the electronic configuration of a chlorine atom. Cl Fig. 2.1
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2023 · Q1b[1]
has an atom with only three occupied electron shells
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2023 · Q1c[1]
has an atom with only one electron in its outer shell
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · May/June 2023 · Q4b[3]
Deduce the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in the chloride ion shown. 37 – 17 Cl number of protons number of neutrons number of electrons
See it on the paper → - 0971/32 · October/November 2022 · Q2b[2]
Complete the diagram to show the electron arrangement in a silicon atom. Si
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Compared with other years, more candidates correctly completed the electron arrangement and the charge of this ion. Common errors were to add an electron to represent the sodium atom or to add extra electrons to the inner shell. A small number of candidates confused the charge with the atomic number.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/31 Q2(c) (Cambridge)
This was answered extremely well. The most common errors were omission of the plus sign for the proton charge; just – and + signs for the relative charges; zero for the relative mass of a neutron.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/41 Q2(a) (Cambridge)
Most candidates found this very challenging and there was evidence of use of long and timeconsuming algebraic methods as they attempted to rearrange the original formula for calculation of relative atomic mass. A few seemed to arrive at 75 by a simpler method. Common errors seen were: (85.5 85)/100 = 72.7; 85; 85/85.5 100 = 99.4; 25 gained by incorrect use of the algebraic method; 85.5/85 100 = 1...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/42 Q5(d)(iii) (Cambridge)
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