GCSE - General Certificate of Secondary Education Atomic Structure & Periodic Table Questions and Answers

Question 1

An atom has an atomic number of 11 and a mass number of 23. How many protons, neutrons, and electrons are in this atom?

Accepted Answer

11 protons, 12 neutrons, 11 electrons

Answer

12 protons, 11 neutrons, 11 electrons

Answer

11 protons, 11 neutrons, 12 electrons

Answer

12 protons, 12 neutrons, 11 electrons

Question 2

Which of the following statements correctly describes isotopes?

Accepted Answer

Atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.

Answer

Atoms of the same element with a different number of protons but the same number of neutrons.

Answer

Atoms of different elements with the same number of neutrons.

Answer

Atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but a different number of electrons.

Question 3

An element is located in Group 17 (or Group 7) of the periodic table. Which of the following properties is it most likely to have?

Accepted Answer

It has 7 electrons in its outer shell and is a reactive non-metal.

Answer

It is a soft, highly reactive metal.

Answer

It has a full outer shell of electrons and is unreactive.

Answer

It forms a +1 ion when it reacts.

Question 4

A scientist discovers a new element with the electron configuration 2, 8, 5. In which period and group of the periodic table would this element be placed?

Accepted Answer

Period 3, Group 5 (or 15)

Answer

Period 2, Group 8

Answer

Period 5, Group 3

Answer

Period 3, Group 2

Question 5

Which statement best describes the development of the modern periodic table?

Accepted Answer

Henry Moseley's work on atomic numbers led to the elements being arranged in order of increasing atomic number, resolving inconsistencies in Mendeleev's table.

Answer

John Dalton arranged the elements in order of increasing atomic mass and chemical properties.

Answer

Dmitri Mendeleev arranged the elements strictly by atomic mass, which resulted in a perfect ordering.

Answer

J.J. Thomson arranged the elements based on the discovery of the electron.

Question 6

What are the relative charges of a proton, neutron, and electron?

Accepted Answer

Proton: +1, Neutron: 0, Electron: -1

Answer

Proton: 0, Neutron: +1, Electron: -1

Answer

Proton: +1, Neutron: -1, Electron: 0

Answer

Proton: -1, Neutron: 0, Electron: +1