8.1.1 — The Periodic Table: Arrangement & Trends
15 Questions · 28 Total Marks · Sections A, B & C
Section A
Organisation of the Periodic Table
5 questions · 7 marks
Section B
Trends Across a Period
5 questions · 11 marks
Section C
Positioning Elements in the Periodic Table
5 questions · 10 marks
Reference: Interactive Periodic Table (Periods 1–4)
In what order are the elements arranged in the modern Periodic Table?
💡 Hint: Think about what property of the atom is unique to each element.
What are the horizontal rows of the Periodic Table called?
💡 Hint: They are NOT called 'rows' in a chemistry exam.
What are the vertical columns of the Periodic Table called?
💡 Hint: Elements in the same column share similar chemical properties.
State what is meant by the term 'period number' of an element.
💡 Hint: The period number is directly related to the structure of an atom.
State what is meant by the term 'group number' of an element.
💡 Hint: The group number is directly related to the outer shell of an atom.
Describe the change in character of elements from left to right across Period 3.
💡 Hint: Consider the metallic / non-metallic divide.
Explain why the number of protons increases by 1 as you move from one element to the next across a period.
💡 Hint: Think about the definition of the Periodic Table's arrangement.
Describe the trend in electrical conductivity across Period 2 (from lithium to neon), and explain why this trend occurs.
💡 Hint: Which elements conduct electricity? What type of bonding do they have?
Why do elements in the same group have similar chemical properties?
💡 Hint: Consider the number of electrons in the outer shell.
State two trends in physical properties that generally occur as you go down a group in the Periodic Table.
💡 Hint: Think about melting point and density as examples.
Which element is found in Group VI, Period 2?
💡 Hint: It is essential for respiration and is colourless.
Element X has the electron configuration 2, 8, 7. State the Group and Period of element X, and give its name.
💡 Hint: Count the shells for the Period, count the outer electrons for the Group.
Element Y has proton number 19. Without using a Periodic Table, determine the Group and Period of element Y.
💡 Hint: Work out the electron configuration first: 2, 8, 8, 1.
A student is given an unknown element Z. It is a shiny solid that conducts electricity and is found in Period 3. It reacts vigorously with cold water to produce a colourless gas and an alkaline solution. Identify element Z and justify your answer using the Periodic Table.
💡 Hint: Which Period 3 metal reacts vigorously with water? The alkaline solution is a strong clue.
State the position (Group and Period) of the noble gases in the Periodic Table, and explain why they are unreactive.
💡 Hint: Think about what makes an electron configuration stable.
📊 Self-Assessment Tracker
⚠️ Top 5 Examiner Traps — Don't Lose Easy Marks
- 🔴 Saying "mass number" instead of "proton/atomic number" for arrangement order.
- 🔴 Calling horizontal rows "rows" — they must be called "Periods".
- 🔴 Saying "they react the same way" without explaining "same number of outer shell electrons".
- 🔴 Writing noble gases as "Group VIII" when the syllabus calls it "Group 0".
- 🔴 Not showing electron configuration working when asked to determine Group/Period from proton number.
Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 · Syllabus 2026–2028 · Section 8.1.1
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