Name: ________________________

Y10 Triple Assessment

Term 1.1 C1,2 & 3
Class: ________________________

Date: ________________________

Time: 60 minutes

Marks: 56 marks

Comments:

Page 1 of 23
Page 2 of 23
Q1.
This question is about atomic structure and elements.

(a) Complete the sentences.

(i) The atomic number of an atom is the number of _______________________

(1)

(ii) The mass number of an atom is the number of ________________________

______________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Explain why an atom has no overall charge.

Use the relative electrical charges of sub-atomic particles in your explanation.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Explain why silicon and germanium are in the same group of the periodic table.

Give the electronic structures of silicon and germanium in your explanation.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

Page 3 of 23
(d) The diagram shows the electronic structure of an atom of a non-metal.

What is the chemical symbol of this non-metal?

Tick ( ) one box.

Ar

Si

(1)

(e) When elements react, their atoms join with other atoms to form compounds.

Complete the sentences.

(i) Compounds formed when non-metals react with metals consist of

particles called _________________________ .

(1)

(ii) Compounds formed from only non-metals consist of

particles called ____________________ .

(1)
(Total 9 marks)

Page 4 of 23
Q2.
This question is about groups in the periodic table.

The elements in Group 1 become more reactive going down the group.

Rubidium is below potassium in Group 1.

(a) Rubidium and potassium are added to water.

Predict one observation you would see that shows that rubidium is more reactive
than potassium.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Explain why rubidium is more reactive than potassium.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

(c) Complete the equation for the reaction of rubidium with water.

You should balance the equation.

Rb + H2O → +
(3)

Page 5 of 23
The noble gases are in Group 0.

(d) Which is a correct statement about the noble gases?

Tick (✓) one box.

The noble gases all have atoms with eight electrons in the
outer shell.

The noble gases have boiling points that increase going

down the group.

The noble gases have molecules with two atoms.

The noble gases react with metals to form ionic compounds.

(1)

(e) The table below shows information about the three isotopes of neon.

Mass Percentage abundance

number (%)

20 88.73

21 0.56

22 10.71

Calculate the relative atomic mass (Ar) of neon.

Give your answer to 3 significant figures.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Relative atomic mass (3 significant figures) = _______________

(3)
(Total 11 marks)

Page 6 of 23
Q3.
This question is about carbon and its compounds.

Fullerenes are molecules of carbon atoms.

The first fullerene to be discovered was Buckminsterfullerene (C60).

(a) What shape is a Buckminsterfullerene molecule?

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Give one use of a fullerene.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

Propanone is a compound of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

Figure 1 shows the dot and cross for a propanone molecule.

Figure 1

(c) Complete Figure 2 to show a propanone molecule.

Use a line to represent each single bond.

Use Figure 1.

Figure 2

(1)

Page 7 of 23
(d) Determine the molecular formula of propanone.

Use Figure 1.

Molecular formula = _______________

(1)

(e) Figure 3 represents the structure of graphite.

Figure 3

Explain why graphite is:

• a good electrical conductor
• soft and slippery.

You should answer in terms of structure and bonding.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(6)
(Total 10 marks)

Page 8 of 23
Q4.
This question is about sodium chloride and iodine.

(a) Describe the structure and bonding in sodium chloride.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(4)

(b) Many people do not have enough iodine in their diet.

Sodium chloride is added to many types of food. Some scientists recommend that
sodium chloride should have a compound of iodine added.

Give one ethical reason why a compound of iodine should not be added to sodium
chloride used in food.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)

(c) The bonding in iodine is similar to the bonding in chlorine.

(i) Complete the diagram below to show the bonding in iodine.

Show the outer electrons only.

(2)

Page 9 of 23
(ii) Explain why iodine has a low melting point.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(3)

(iii) Explain, in terms of particles, why liquid iodine does not conduct electricity.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 12 marks)

Page 10 of 23
Q5.
A student was investigating a magnesium salt, X.

The student found that X:

• has a high melting point

• does not conduct electricity

• dissolves in water and the solution conducts electricity.

(a) (i) What is the type of bonding in magnesium salt X?

______________________________________
(1)

(ii) Explain why solid X does not conduct electricity but a solution of X does
conduct electricity.

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
(2)
(Total 3 marks)

Page 11 of 23
Q6.
Welding blankets are placed under metals being welded. They protect the area under the
welding.

Some welding blankets are made from silicon dioxide which does not melt when hit by
sparks or molten metal.

The diagram shows a small part of the structure of silicon dioxide.

(a) Describe the structure and bonding in silicon dioxide and explain why it is a suitable
material for making welding blankets.

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________
(3)
(Total 3 marks)

Page 12 of 23
Q7.
This question is about the development of scientific theories.

The diagram below shows a timeline of some important steps in the development of the
model of the atom.

(a) The plum pudding model did not have a nucleus.

Describe three other differences between the nuclear model of the atom and the
plum pudding model.

1 _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

2 _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

3 _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(3)

Page 13 of 23
(b) Niels Bohr adapted the nuclear model.

Describe the change that Bohr made to the nuclear model.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(c) Mendeleev published his periodic table in 1869.

Mendeleev arranged the elements in order of atomic weight.

Mendeleev then reversed the order of some pairs of elements.

A student suggested Mendeleev’s reason for reversing the order was to arrange the
elements in order of atomic number.

Explain why the student’s suggestion cannot be correct.

Use the diagram above.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(d) Give the correct reason why Mendeleev reversed the order of some pairs of
elements.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 8 marks)

Page 14 of 23
Mark schemes

Q1.
(a) (i) protons
allow “protons or electrons”, but do not allow “protons and
electrons”
1

(ii) protons plus / and neutrons

1

(b) (because the relative electrical charges are) −(1) for an electron and +(1) for a
proton
allow electrons are negative and protons are positive
1

and the number of electrons is equal to the number of protons

if no other mark awarded, allow 1 mark for the charges
cancel out
1

(c) (the electronic structure of) fluorine is 2,8,4 and chlorine is 2,8,8,4/14
allow diagrams for the first marking point
1

(so fluorine and chlorine are in the same group) because they have the same
number of or 4 electrons in their highest energy level or outer shell
if no other mark awarded, allow 1 mark for have the same /
similar properties
1

(d) S
1

(e) (i) ions

1

(ii) molecules
1
[9]

Page 15 of 23
Q2.
(a) any one from:
• more vigorous bubbling (for rubidium)
• bigger / brighter flame (for rubidium)
allow converse statements for potassium
allow (rubidium) catches fire more quickly
allow (rubidium) moves around more quickly
allow (rubidium) explodes
allow (rubidium) disappears more quickly
allow (rubidium) melts more quickly
1

(b) (rubidium’s) outer shell / electron is further from the nucleus

allow the (rubidium) atom is larger
allow (rubidium) has more shells
1

(so) there is less (electrostatic) attraction between the nucleus and the
outer electron (in rubidium)
allow (so) there is more shielding between the outer electron
and the nucleus (in rubidium)
1

(so) the outer electron (in rubidium) is more easily lost

allow (so) less energy is needed to remove the (outer)
electron (in rubidium)
1
allow energy level for shell throughout
allow converse argument in terms of potassium

(c) 2 Rb + 2 H2O → 2 RbOH + H2

ignore state symbols
allow multiples
allow 1 mark for H2
allow 1 mark for RbOH
3

(d) the noble gases have boiling points that increase going down the group
1

(e) (relative atomic mass =) (20x88.73)+(21x0.56)+(22x10.71)/100

1

= 20.2198
1

= 20.2
allow an answer correctly rounded to 3 significant figures
from an incorrect calculation which uses all of the values in
the table
ignore units
1
[11]

Page 16 of 23
Q3.
(a) spherical
allow ball-shaped
ignore round / circular
1

(b) any one from:

• drug delivery (round the body)
• hydrogen storage
• anti-oxidants
• reduction of bacterial growth
• catalysts
• (cylindrical fullerenes for) strengthening materials
• (spherical fullerenes for) lubricants
1

(c)

(d) C3H6O
allow CH3COCH3
allow elements in any order
1

(e) the intermolecular forces are weak

1

Page 17 of 23
(f) Level 3: Relevant points (reasons/causes) are identified, given in detail and
logically linked to form a clear account.
5−6

Level 2: Relevant points (reasons/causes) are identified, and there are

attempts at logical linking. The resulting account is not fully clear.
3−4

Level 1: Points are identified and stated simply, but their relevance is not clear
and there is no attempt at logical linking.
1−2

No relevant content
0

Indicative content
• bonds are covalent
• giant / macromolecular structure

• three (covalent) bonds per carbon atom

or
only three electrons per carbon atom used in (covalent) bonds
• so one electron per carbon atom (is delocalised)
• these delocalised electrons
• can move through the structure
• carrying (electrical) charge
• so graphite conducts electricity

• layered structure
• of (interlocking) hexagonal rings
• with weak (intermolecular) forces between layers
or
no (covalent) bonds between layers
• so the layers can slide over each other
• so graphite is soft and slippery
[11]

Page 18 of 23
Q4.
(a) lattice / giant structure
max 3 if incorrect structure or bonding or particles
1

ionic or (contains) ions

1

Na+ and Cl-

accept in words or dot and cross diagram: must include type
and magnitude of charge for each ion
1

electrostatic attraction
allow attraction between opposite charges
1

(b) any one from, eg:

• people should have the right to choose
• insufficient evidence of effect on individuals
• individuals may need different amounts.
allow too much could be harmful
ignore religious reasons
ignore cost
ignore reference to allergies
1

(c) (i) one bonding pair of electrons

accept dot, cross or e or − or any combination, eg

6 unbonded electrons on each atom

1

(ii) simple molecules

max 2 if incorrect structure or bonding or particles
accept small molecules
accept simple / small molecular structure
1

with intermolecular forces

accept forces between molecules
must be no contradictory particles
1

which are weak or which require little energy to overcome − must be

linked to second marking point
reference to weak covalent bonds negates second and third
marking points
1

Page 19 of 23
(iii) iodine has no delocalised / free / mobile electrons or ions
1

so cannot carry charge

if no mark awarded iodine molecules have no charge gains 1
mark
1
[14]

Page 20 of 23
Q5.
(a) (i) ionic (bonding)
1

(ii) ions cannot move in solid or are in fixed positions

do not accept electrons / atoms / molecules
ignore particles
must mention ions
1

but can move in solution

1

(b) silver chloride formed

1

which is insoluble
1

(c) (i) aluminium

1

calcium
accept other metal ions that also give white precipitates
(such as lead and zinc)
1

(ii) add excess sodium hydroxide solution

the second mark of each pair is dependent on the first mark
being awarded.
1

precipitate remains
1

carry out a flame test

1

not red / orange

accept any colour that is not orange / red
give full credit for answers that correctly eliminate other
cations in (c)(i) that would give white precipitates with a few
drops of NaOH
1
[11]

Page 21 of 23
Q6.

three from:
reference to ionic / metallic / intermolecular / (small)
molecules = max 2

structure: (max 2)

• giant structure / macromolecule / all the atoms are joined together

allow (giant) lattice
ignore large structure
ignore diamond structure

• covalent (bonds)

• strong bonds / bonds difficult to break

• each silicon atom forms 4 bond sand / or each oxygen atom forms 2 bonds

explanation: (max 2)

• a lot of energy needed to break the bonds

• high melting point

if neither point given accept high temperature needed to
break bonds for 1 mark

• does not burn or react with oxygen

3

Page 22 of 23
Q7.
(a) any three from: (nuclear model)
• mostly empty space
allow the plum pudding model has no empty
space
allow the plum pudding model is solid

• the positive charge is (all) in the nucleus

allow in the plum pudding model the atom is a
ball of positive charge (with embedded electrons)
do not accept reference to protons

• the mass is concentrated in the nucleus

allow in the plum pudding model the mass is
spread out
do not accept reference to neutrons

• the electrons and the nucleus are separate

allow in the plum pudding model the electrons
are embedded
allow in the nuclear model the electrons are in orbits
3

(b) electrons orbit the nucleus

do not accept reference to protons / neutrons
allow electrons are in energy levels around the
nucleus
or
allow electrons are in shells around the nucleus
1

electrons are at specific distances from the nucleus

1

(c) atomic number is the number of protons

1

(and) protons were not discovered until later

ignore electrons / neutrons were not discovered
until later
1

(d) so their properties matched the rest of the group

allow converse
1
[8]

Page 23 of 23