IGCSE Chemistry (9–1) 0971 · Topic 8

The Periodic Table: past paper questions

276 real questionsasked in 10 of the last 10 exam series2019–2026usually: State, Explain, Give, Complete, Predict

Real questions on the periodic table

The newest 20 of 127 written questions, plus 149 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.

0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(ii)[1]
Predict the atomic radius of potassium.
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0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q2a(iv)[1]
State how the density of the Group | elements changes down the group.
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0971/32 · May/June 2026 · Q6a(i)[1]
State the period number of nickel in the Periodic Table. Soni number Clectrons Number NCutrOns Number Protons.
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0971/42 · May/June 2026 · Q1b(iii)[1]
can displace aqueous bromide ions.
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0971/42 · May/June 2026 · Q4a[2]
State two physical properties of transition elements that are different from Group | metals.
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0971/42 · May/June 2026 · Q4b[2]
(b) Write the formulas of the following compounds of transition elements. Coro] 0-14) ke). .......... Nickel(II) Nitrate .......... .......... .......... ..........
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0971/32 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[1]
Nitrogen is in Group V of the Periodic Table. Explain why nitrogen is placed in Group V. Give your answer in terms of electronic configuration.
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0971/32 · October/November 2025 · Q5c[2]
Bromine is in Group VII of the Periodic Table. Give the colour and state of bromine at room temperature and pressure. colour
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0971/31 · May/June 2025 · Q1f[1]
a liquid at room temperature and pressure
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0971/31 · May/June 2025 · Q1h[1]
a transition element.
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0971/31 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(i)[1]
Explain why sulfur is placed in Group VI of the Periodic Table. (a) (i)
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0971/32 · May/June 2025 · Q1h[1]
a noble gas
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0971/32 · May/June 2025 · Q1i[1]
in Group VII.
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0971/32 · May/June 2025 · Q3a(i)[1]
Phosphorus is in Group V of the Periodic Table. Explain why phosphorus is placed in this group.
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0971/32 · May/June 2025 · Q4c(ii)[1]
Name the two elements in tetramethylsilane that are in the same group in the Periodic Table. and
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0971/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3c(vii)[1]
Copper( II ) sulfate crystals have the formula CuSO 4 •5H 2 O. State the term used to describe a substance that is chemically combined with water.
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0971/41 · May/June 2025 · Q6a[1]
State the name given to Group VII elements.
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0971/41 · May/June 2025 · Q6b[1]
State which Group VII element is most reactive.
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0971/42 · May/June 2025 · Q1c[1]
number of metals in Period 3 of the Periodic Table
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0971/42 · May/June 2025 · Q1d[1]
number of halogens which are gases at r.t.p.
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What examiners said

As one of only two elements which are liquid at room temperature and pressure, it was anticipated that more candidates would identify bromine from the list. For this paper, fewer than one third of the candidates chose bromine, with fluorine and ammonia being common incorrect answers. Candidates should be reminded that bottles which may be labelled as ‘ammonia’ in the school laboratory contain an a...
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/31 Q1(f) (Cambridge)

Although a majority of the candidates answered this correctly, some candidates appeared to be guessing. All of the possible options were seen.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/31 Q1(h) (Cambridge)

This question was not well answered. Most candidates suggested that sulfur is placed in Group VI because it was a non-metal and some thought it was a gas. Some answers which were closer suggested it was because it required two electrons to have a full outer shell rather than describing the number of electrons it has in the outer shell.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0971/31 Q3(a)(i) (Cambridge)

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In the syllabus

8.1 Arrangement of elements

Describe the Periodic Table as an arrangement of elements in periods and groups and in order of increasing proton number / atomic number
Describe the change from metallic to non‑metallic character across a period
Describe the relationship between group number and the charge of the ions formed from elements in that group
Explain similarities in the chemical properties of elements in the same group of the Periodic Table in terms of their electronic configuration
Explain how the position of an element in the Periodic Table can be used to predict its properties
Identify trends in groups, given information about the elements

8.2 Group I properties

Describe the Group I alkali metals, lithium, sodium and potassium, as relatively soft metals with general trends down the group, limited to: (a) decreasing melting point (b) increasing density (c) increasing reactivity
Predict the properties of other elements in Group I, given information about the elements

8.3 Group VII properties

Describe the Group VII halogens, chlorine, bromine and iodine, as diatomic non-metals with general trends down the group, limited to: (a) increasing density (b) decreasing reactivity
State the appearance of the halogens at r.t.p. as: (a) chlorine, a pale yellow-green gas (b) bromine, a red-brown liquid (c) iodine, a grey-black solid
Describe and explain the displacement reactions of halogens with other halide ions
Predict the properties of other elements in Group VII, given information about the elements

8.4 Transition elements

Describe the transition elements as metals that: (a) have high densities (b) have high melting points (c) form coloured compounds (d) often act as catalysts as elements and in compounds
Describe transition elements as having ions with variable oxidation numbers, including iron(II) and iron(III)

8.5 Noble gases

Describe the Group VIII noble gases as unreactive, monatomic gases and explain this in terms of electronic configuration

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