AQA Chemistry Unit 1

Atomic Structure & The Periodic Table

S.L.O.P Shed Loads of Practice!
Element How to work out the number of protons, neutrons
Made from only one type of atom. and electrons in an atom:
• Neutrons = 7
Symbols atomic mass – atomic number
One or two letters, first letter always capital, 7-3=4
- Li
second letter always lower case e.g. 3
• Protons = atomic number = 3
Na Mg N Cl Fe Al • Electrons = protons = 3

Atom Isotopes – Versions of an element with a different

The smallest part of an element. number of neutrons.
Protons = 6 12 13 Protons = 6
Atomic Structure Electron
Neutrons = 6 C vs. C Neutrons = 7
Electrons = 6 Electrons = 6
6 6
- - Shell • Both are carbon as they both have 6 protons.
Nucleus - • Therefore they have the same number of electrons (6).
• They are isotopes of carbon as they contain a different
number of neutrons 6 vs. 7.
- + + + - • This means they also have different atomic masses.
+ + + You must state the numbers of each particle to gain the marks!
+
Proton - Neutron Electronic Structure
- • The negative electrons (x) occupy shells
(energy levels) orbiting the nucleus of the atom.
• The shells are filled from the lowest energy level
14 Mass number
(innermost/first shell) outwards.
= Protons + Neutrons in the nucleus
N •
•
The first (innermost) shell is full when it contains 2 electrons.
All other shells are full when they contain 8 electrons.
7 Atomic number
= Protons = Electrons

Atoms have no overall charge as the number x

of positive protons is equal to the number of xx
negative electrons, their opposite charges cancel. 23 x
Subatomic Relative Na x x
particle
Location Relative mass
charge
11 x Na
x
Proton Nucleus 1 +1 x
Neutron Nucleus 1 0
xx
Electron Shells 1/2000th -1
2,8,1
• Sodium (Na) has 11 electrons.
The radius of the whole atom is about 0.1nm which is • The first shell takes 2.
1 x 10-10 m • The next shell takes 8.
The radius of the nucleus is 1/10,000th that of the • This leaves 1 for the outer shell.
whole atom (1 x 10-14 m) , however it contains almost • Sodium is in group 1 of the periodic table, because it has
all of the atom’s mass. This means the atom is mostly 1 electron in its outermost shell.
empty space, except for its tiny nucleus.
Questions: Atomic Structure, Isotopes & Electronic Structure

1. Define the keyword atom.

2. Define the keyword element.
3. Draw a labelled diagram of a lithium atom, showing the
protons, neutrons and electrons.
4. Explain what the mass number and atomic number tell us.
5. What is the mass of a proton?
6. What is the charge of a proton?
7. What is the mass of a neutron?
8. What is the charge of a neutron?
9. What is the mass of an electron?
10. What is the charge of an electron?
11. What fraction of the atomic radius, is the radius of the nucleus
of an atom?
12. Give the number of protons (P+), neutrons (N) and electrons (e-
) for the following atoms:
a) Na b) S c) Br d) Ca e) K f) F g) He
h) O i) H j) Fe k) Zn l) Pb m) Li n) Al
13. Define the keyword isotope
14. Compare the similarities and differences between these two
isotopes of oxygen (READ THE GUIDE!). 818O vs 816O
15. Compare the similarities and differences between these two
isotopes of chlorine (READ THE GUIDE!). 1737Cl vs 1735Cl
16. What is the maximum number of electrons that can fill the
first shell?
17. What is the maximum number of electrons that can fill the
second shell?
18. Draw electronic structures for the following elements:
a) H b) He c) Li d) C e) O f) S g) Ca
h) Na i) Al j) S k) Ne
19. What group of the periodic table is oxygen in and why?
20. What group of the periodic table is magnesium in and why?
21. What group of the periodic table is chlorine in and why?
22. Why are the noble gases all in group 0?
Development of the atomic model. Compound
New evidence has led to the atomic model changing over Two or more different elements bonded
time. together.

+
Reaction equations
The Plum Pudding model of the atom: When different elements and/or compounds

- --
When the electron was discovered, react with each other we write word and
J.J Thomson suggested the atom symbol equations.
was a positively charged sphere

- - - -
with Word equation:
negatively charged electrons
Sodium + Chlorine  Sodium Chloride
embedded in it.

- - Protons and neutrons were not

included in the plum pudding as
Symbol equation:
2 Na(s) + Cl2 (g)  2 NaCl (g)
they had yet to be discovered.
State symbols:
The Rutherford alpha particle experiment: Written in symbol equations to tell you the
Ernest Rutherford tested the plum state of matter for each substance.
α2+α2+α2+α2+α2+ pudding model by firing positively
charged alpha particles at gold (s) – Solid (l) – Liquid
atoms.
(g) – Gas (aq) – aqueous
Most of the alpha particles passed
straight through, which suggested
Balancing equations:
+ the atom was mostly empty space. The number of atoms of each element
either side of the equation must be the
α2+ A tiny proportion positive alpha same.
particles scattered off in different 1. Count the number of atoms of each element on both sides.
directions, this suggests they __ Al + __ O2  __ Al2O3
α2+ α2+ collided with, and were repelled
α2+ α2+ by, a tiny nucleus of positive
charge.
Al = 1 Al = 2
O=2 O=3
This new evidence proved that the
plum pudding model was wrong. 2. Find common denominators between the numbers
Niels Bohr: and multiply so they match.
Niels Bohr suggested that the electrons occupied energy
__ Al + __ O2  __ Al2O3
levels (shells surrounding the atom).

James Chadwick: Al = 1 x 4 =4 Al = 4 =4
James Chadwick discovered that the nucleus also contains O=2 x3 =6 O=3 x2 =6
neutrons.
3. Put the numbers you multiplied by in the equation’s gaps.
Chemical Formulae
Tell us how many atoms of each element a molecule or 4 Al + __
__ 3 O2  __
2 Al2O3
compound contains.
Al = 1 x 4 =4 Al = 2 x 2 =4
Cl Cl
Element

H Cl
Element

O=2 x3 =6 O=3 x2 =6
Mixture of Compounds

Cl Cl
Cl Cl
O Conservation of mass
H H
Cl2 = 2 atoms of Cl 2 Cl2 = 2 molecules Mass is conserved, so it will be equal on
bonded as molecule of Cl2
O both sides of a chemical equation.
H H
Compound

Compound

O O 4 Al + 3 O2  2 Al2O3
Al O Al Ca C O H Cl So five grams of aluminium and 3 grams of
O O
oxygen will give 8 grams of aluminium
Al2O3 CaCO3 2 HCl + 2 H2O oxide!
Mixture Physical processes
Two or more elements or compounds not Physical processes can be used to
chemically combined. The chemical properties separate mixtures. They do not result in a
of each substance in a mixture remain unchanged. chemical reaction.

Filtration Crystallisation
Filtration is used to separate a mixture of a liquid Crystallisation is used to obtain a solid form of a
and solid for example, sand and water. dissolved substance, for example getting solid salt
from salty water.
Water evaporates
Filter funnel
Evaporating Basin
Filter paper
Solution of
Solid collects in filter paper
Gauze dissolved
Conical flask substance

Liquid collects in conical flask

Tripod

Solid crystals remain

Chromatography
Chromatography is used to separate mixtures Solution heated with Bunsen Burner
containing colours, such as pen inks or food
colourings. 1. The solution is heated inside an evaporating basin.
• A contains 3 colours, B contains 2. 2. The water evaporates.
• A and B share 1 colour. 3. This leaves behind solid crystals of what was a
• A has 2 colours B does not. dissolved substance.
• B has 1 colour A does not.
The baseline is drawn in pencil so TIP: Crystallisation is used for preparing crystals of blue
it doesn’t smudge! copper sulfate. The copper sulfate is made by reacting
The solvent (liquid) level must not A B copper oxide (an insoluble base) with sulfuric acid.
submerge the baseline!

Distillation
Distillation is used to separate mixtures of liquids with different boiling points. 1. The mixture of liquids is
heated.
For example, ethanol and water.
2. The substance with the
lowest boiling point
Thermometer Water out
evaporates first.

3. Its vapours rise up the

sill head and are cooled
in the water condenser.
Vapours rise up sill head into water
condenser 4. The vapours condense
into a liquid and collect
in the collection flask.

Evaporation 5. The substance with the

higher boiling point
remains in the round
Water in
bottomed flask.
Mixture of liquids with
different boiling points TIP: The water
Round bottomed flask condenser has a water
jacket. This cools the
vapours down faster so
HEAT Collection flask none of them escape.
Questions: Development of the Atomic Model, Compounds,
Formulae & Equations, Separating Mixtures

1. Describe the plum pudding model suggested by J.J.

Thomson.
2. In the Rutherford experiment, most of the alpha particles
passed straight through. What did this prove?
3. In the Rutherford experiment, a small proportion of
particles were deflected/scattered by large angles, what did
this prove?
4. Who suggested that electrons occupy energy levels (shells)?
5. Who discovered that the nucleus of an atom contains
neutrons?
6. Write chemical formula for the following elements &
compounds:
a) b) c)

d) e) f)

7. Define the keyword compound.

8. Define the state symbols (s), (l), (g), (aq).
9. Describe simply what is meant by the state symbol (aq).
10. Balance the following equations:
a) __ Na + Cl2  __ NaCl
b) __ Mg + O2  __ MgO
c) __ Al + __ Cl2  __ AlCl3
d) __ Na + O2  __ Na2O
11. If 12 tonnes of iron reacts with 4 tonnes of oxygen, what
mass of iron oxide is produced?
12. Define the keyword mixture.
13. Why is separating a mixture a physical process?
14. Name four methods of separating mixtures.
15. Which separating technique is used to separate a solid from
a liquid?
16. Which separating technique is used to obtain a pure dry
solid crystal of a dissolved substance?
17. Which separating technique is used to separate a mixture of
colours or food additives?
18. Which separating technique is used to separate mixtures of
liquids with different boiling points?
19. What is the first stage of distillation?
20. What is the second stage of distillation?
21. What do the warm vapours in distillation rise up into?
22. Why is the condenser cooled with water?
Development of the Periodic Table
For hundreds of years, scientists have tried to order the known elements into a periodic table. Over time, each version
was tested, and whenever new evidence suggested another order was better, the periodic table was changed.

John Dalton’s Early Periodic Table. John Newlands’ Law of Octaves

John Dalton arranged the known elements in John Newlands also arranged the known elements in order of
order of atomic mass and he gave each atomic mass. He also placed elements in vertical groups with other
element a unique symbol: elements that had similar properties.

Hydrogen 1 Strontian 46
Azote 5 Barytes 68
Carbon 5 I Iron 50
Oxygen 7 Z Zinc 56
Phosphorus 9 C Copper 56
Sulphur 13 L Lead 90
Magnesia 20 S Silver 190
Lime 24 G Gold 190 There were some key issues with Newlands periodic table:
• He did not account for undiscovered elements so the order
Soda 28 P Platina 190 broke down each time a new element was discovered.
• Some metals were placed with non-metals despite having very
Potash 42 Mercury 167 different physical and chemical properties.
• Therefore, it was not widely accepted by other scientists.

Mendeleev’s Periodic Table Mendeleev’s periodic table was the most

revolutionary:

Mendeleev placed elements in vertical groups with

other elements of similar properties.

Mendeleev placed elements in order of atomic

mass but he did not follow this order strictly if it
meant disrupting the vertical groups.

He left gaps for undiscovered elements. This meant

that he could predict the properties of this new
element to aid in its discovery.
Mendeleev’s periodic table did not include a group 0 (Noble gases).

When new elements were discovered, they matched the properties predicted by Mendeleev, this provided evidence
that his periodic table was correct.

The later discovery of isotopes explained why the elements could not strictly be placed in order of atomic mass.

Group
The Modern Periodic Table
Elements on the modern periodic Non-metals
table are organised in order of
atomic number (number of protons).

Elements are placed in vertical Metals

groups with other elements of similar
properties.

The group number corresponds to

the number of electrons in the outer
shell.

The metals and non-metals are Metals are to the left of the staircase, non-metals to the right (hydrogen should be treated as a non-metal).
divided. You have to draw the staircase on in the exams, so remember: “Aluminium is under the stairs!”
Group 1: The Alkali Metals
• The elements of group 1 are called the alkali metals: Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K) etc.
• They all have one electron in their outer shells, this means they have similar properties.

Key properties: Reactions with water:

• Very reactive. The alkali metals float on the surface of water (low density) and
• Float on water due to low density. fizz as they react where hydrogen gas is produced.
• Soft enough to cut with a knife.
Sodium + Water  Sodium hydroxide + Hydrogen
• Low melting points.
2 Na (s) + 2 H2O (l)  2 NaOH (aq) + H2 (g)
• Have to be stored in oil
(to prevent them reacting with Reactivity increases down the group, so Potassium is more
oxygen in the air). reactive. This means it fizzes more and ignites with a purple flame:
• React with water to form a strongly
Potassium + Water  Potassium hydroxide + Hydrogen
alkaline solution and hydrogen gas.
2 K (s) + 2 H2O (l)  2 KOH (aq) + H2 (g)
• React with non-metals to form white
and soluble ionic compounds. If universal indicator is added to the water, it will turn purple as
• Upon reacting they lose electrons to the “hydroxide (OH-) ions” produced make the solution strongly
form 1+ ions e.g. Na+, Li+ and K+. alkaline (pH 14).

outer electron is
Reactivity increases down group 1: further away from Melting points:
the nucleus. The melting point
Metals lose electrons when they
react to achieve a full outer shell. decreases as you go
down group 1, as the
As you go down the group, the metallic bond
outer electron is further away strength gets weaker.
from the nucleus. Li

Na

mpt (⁰C)
This means it experiences less K
Rb
Cs
electrostatic attraction. So is
more easily lost.
element
Therefore reactivity increases.

Group 0: The Noble Gases

• The elements of Group 0 are called the noble gases, Helium (He), Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar) etc.
• They are very unreactive as they have full outer shells of electrons (2 for He, as it’s the first shell, 8 for others).
• They exist as single atoms.
• They are gases at room temperature and the boiling point increases down the group proportional to atomic mass.

Full outer shells of electrons make

the noble gases very stable and
unreactive as they do not need to
react to lose or gain electrons.

TRIPLE ONLY - Central Block: The Transition Metals

• The transition metals are found in the central block of the periodic table.
• They have different properties to the alkali metals, for instance, they are
stronger, denser and less reactive.
• When they react with non-metals, the ionic compounds formed can be a
variety of colours.
• Transition metals have multiple oxidation states. This means they can
Key properties: form ions with different charges e.g:
• Less reactive than alkali metals.
• Good conductors of heat/electricity. - Iron can lose 2 electrons to form green iron (II) Fe2+ ions.
• High density. - Or it can lose 3 electrons to form brown iron (III) Fe3+ ions.
• Strong/Hard - Copper can lose 1 electron to form green copper (I) Cu+ ions..
• High melting points - Or it can lose 2 electrons to form blue copper (II) Cu2+ ions.
• Good for use as catalysts.
• Form coloured compounds. • The multiple oxidation states make transition metals useful as catalysts,
as it enables them to readily take part in redox reactions.
Group 7: The Halogens
• The elements of group 7 are called the halogens. Fluorine (F), Chlorine (Cl), Bromine (Br), Iodine (I) etc.
• They all have seven electrons in their outer shells, this means they have similar properties.

Key properties: Diatomic Molecules

• Low melting and boiling points due to the weak • In their elemental form, halogens always
intermolecular forces between their simple molecules. exist as diatomic (two atom) molecules.
• Poor conductors of heat/electricity. • This is because they covalently bond with
• Covalently bond with themselves to form diatomic themselves (share electrons) to achieve
molecules F2, Cl2, Br2 and I2. full outer shells:
• Form coloured vapours.
• React with metals to form white and soluble ionic
compounds. X = F, Cl, Br or I
• Upon reacting they gain electrons to form 1- halide ions
e.g. F- (fluoride), Cl- (chloride), Br- (bromide) and I- (iodide). X2
outer shell is
Reactivity decreases down group 7: further away from Melting and
the nucleus.
boiling points:
Non-Metals gain electrons when they
The melting
react to achieve a full outer shell.
points increase
As you go down the group, the down group 7,
outer shell is further away because, the
from the nucleus. mass of the
molecules
This means it experiences less increases which
electrostatic attraction. increases the
strength of
So electrons are harder to gain.
intermolecular
Therefore reactivity decreases. forces.

Displacement reactions:
Chlorine is higher up Chlorine has displaced
group 7 than bromine chlorine + potassium bromide  potassium chloride + bromine (taken the place of) bromine
so is more reactive. Cl2 (aq) + 2 KBr (aq)  2 KCl (aq) + Br2 (aq) from its compound.

Bromine is higher up Bromine has displaced

group 7 than iodine so bromine + sodium iodide  sodium bromide + iodine (taken the place of) iodine
is more reactive. Br2 (aq) + 2 NaI (aq)  2 NaBr (aq) + I2 (aq) from its compound.

Bromine is lower Bromine cannot displace

down group 7 than bromine + sodium chloride  sodium bromide + chlorine chlorine as it’s less reactive.
chlorine so is less Br2 (aq) + 2 NaCl (aq)  2 NaBr (aq) + Cl2 (aq) No reaction occurs!
reactive.

Overview Group 7 Halogens

Alkali Metals

Noble Gases
Group 0
Group 1
Questions: The periodic table.

1. John Dalton, John Newlands and Mendeleev all arranged

elements in order of what?
2. State two ways in which Mendeleev arranged his periodic
table differently to Dalton and Newlands.
3. Which group was missing from Mendeleev’s periodic table?
4. What is the modern periodic table arranged in order of?
5. State two ways that elements in the same group are
similar?
6. Give the symbols of elements in group 1, and give the name
of group 1.
7. Give the symbols of elements in group 7, and give the name
of group 7.
8. Give the symbols of elements in group 0, and give the name
of group 0.
9. Describe the trend in reactivity down group 1.
10. Describe the trend in reactivity down group 7.
11. What do group 1 elements react with?
12. What gas is produced when group 1 elements react with
water?
13. When a group 7 element reacts with a group 1 element, a
white compound is formed, what type of compound is this?
14. The group 7 elements all exist as diatomic molecules, what
is meant by this?
15. When group 1 elements react, what happens to their outer
shell electrons? And what charge ions do they form?
16. When group 7 elements react, what happens to their outer
shell electrons? And what charge ions do they form?
17. Name the type of reaction occurring here:
Potassium bromide + chlorine  Potassium chloride + bromine

18. Why does the reaction in question 17 take place?

19. Complete the following word equations for displacement

reactions (check that they will happen by comparing
reactivities!).

a) Sodium iodide + chlorine  ____________ + _________

b) Potassium iodide + bromine  __________ + _________

c) Potassium chloride + bromine  _________ + _________

20. Complete the following symbol equations for displacement

reactions (check that they will happen by comparing
reactivities!).

a) 2 NaI + Cl2  ____ + ____

b) 2 KI + Br2  ____ + ____

c) 2 KCl + Br2  ____ + ____

TRIPLE ONLY
21. Where are the transition metals found on the periodic
table?
22. How are the transition metals different to the alkali metals?
23. Transition metals can form ions with different charges, what
term is used to describe this property?
24. What are transition metals useful as?