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Periodicity and Group Chemistry

  • 16 subtopics
  • 48 things to know
  • Papers 1 and 3

What Periodicity and Group Chemistry covers

Periodicity and group chemistry is examined on Papers 1 and 3, and is the largest of the inorganic topics. It covers the block classification, the trends across Period 3 and down Groups 2 and 7, the reactions of each group, and the standard test-tube tests for ions.

Where it is assessed

Papers 1 and 3

Inorganic and physical chemistry, then the synoptic paper.

Check the AQA specification ↗

The 16 subtopics

Each one has its own page. AQA AS Chemistry students sit this topic in the first year.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Evaluation

What happens to atomic radius and ionisation energy down Group 2, and why?

Process

How is a sulfate ion tested for?

Key term

Why is the test for sulfate ions carried out before the test for halide ions?

Key term

What is the relationship between an element's proton number and its block classification?

Key term

Which subshell is being filled in s-block elements?

Key term

What is the trend in atomic radius across Period 3 from sodium to argon?

Key term

Why does atomic radius decrease across Period 3?

Key term

What is the trend in atomic radius going down Group 2 from Mg to Ba?

Key term

What are the two products formed when a Group 2 metal reacts with cold water?

Key term

Write the general equation for the reaction of a Group 2 metal with cold water.

Key term

What is the trend in solubility of Group 2 hydroxides from magnesium to barium?

Key term

How would you describe the solubility of magnesium hydroxide in water?

Key term

What is the trend in solubility of Group 2 sulfates from magnesium to barium?

Key term

Which Group 2 sulfate is described as insoluble?

Key term

What compound is used to neutralise soil acidity?

Key term

Why is calcium hydroxide effective at neutralising acidic soils?

Key term

Why is sulfuric acid not used to acidify the barium chloride solution in the sulfate ion test?

Key term

What is the trend in electronegativity of the halogens as you descend the group?

Key term

Why does electronegativity decrease down Group 7?

Key term

What is the trend in oxidising ability of the halogens as you descend Group 7?

Key term

Why does oxidising ability decrease down Group 7?

Key term

What is the trend in reducing ability of halide ions as you descend Group 7?

Key term

Which reagent is used to demonstrate the reducing ability of halide ions?

Key term

What happens when solid sodium iodide reacts with concentrated sulfuric acid?

Key term

Why does iodide ion reduce sulfuric acid more extensively than bromide ion?

Key term

What reagent is used to test for halide ions?

Key term

Why must the silver nitrate solution be acidified when testing for halide ions?

Key term

What reagent is added, and what is done, to test a solution for ammonium ions?

Key term

What products form when chlorine reacts with water in the disproportionation reaction?

Key term

What are the oxidation states of chlorine in the products of the disproportionation reaction with water?

Key term

What is the equation for the reaction of chlorine with cold, dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide?

Key term

What two ions are formed when chlorine reacts with cold, dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide?

Key term

Which subshell is being filled in p-block elements?

Key term

What is the trend in first ionisation energy across Period 3 from sodium to argon?

Key term

Explain why atomic radius increases down Group 2.

Key term

How does the reactivity of Group 2 metals with water change down the group?

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What is the medical use of magnesium hydroxide?

Key term

What reagent is used to test for sulfate ions?

Key term

What compound is used to remove sulfur dioxide from flue gases in power stations?

Key term

How can acidified barium chloride solution be used to distinguish magnesium sulfate solution from magnesium chloride solution?

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What is the trend in boiling point of the halogens as you descend the group?

Key term

What type of reaction occurs when a more reactive halogen is added to a solution containing a less reactive halide ion?

Key term

What type of reaction occurs when a halide ion acts as a reducing agent?

Key term

What are the possible reduction products of sulfuric acid when it reacts with sodium iodide?

Key term

What acid is used to acidify the silver nitrate solution in the halide ion test?

Key term

What gas is released when sodium hydroxide is warmed with a solution containing ammonium ions?

Key term

What alternative products can form when chlorine reacts with water besides chloride and chlorate(I) ions?

Key term

What is the common name for the solution formed when chlorine reacts with cold, dilute aqueous sodium hydroxide?

Take Periodicity and Group Chemistry further

The same content, four other ways.

Commonly confused

Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.

  • Disproportionation vs Displacement

    Disproportionation: one element undergoing oxidation and reduction in the same reaction. Displacement: a more reactive element replacing a less reactive element.

  • Thermal stability vs Solubility

    Thermal stability: resistance of a compound to decomposition by heating. Solubility: extent to which a substance dissolves in a solvent.

Questions from this topic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What determines which block (s, p, d or f) an element is classified into?

    Model answer

    Where the element sits in the Periodic Table, a place fixed by its proton number

  2. 2

    What is the relationship between an element's proton number and its block classification?

    Model answer

    The proton number determines the element's position in the Periodic Table, which in turn determines its block classification

  3. 3

    Which subshell is being filled in s-block elements?

    Model answer

    The s subshell

  4. 4

    Which subshell is being filled in p-block elements?

    Model answer

    The p subshell

  5. 5

    Which subshell is being filled in d-block elements?

    Model answer

    The d subshell

  6. 6

    Which subshell is being filled in f-block elements?

    Model answer

    The f subshell

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Atomic Structure
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AOxidation is the loss of electrons.
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The sum of all mole fractions equals 1.
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Periodicity and Group Chemistry revision questions

Is Periodicity and Group Chemistry examined at AS in AQA Chemistry?
Yes. It sits in Papers 1 and 3, which you take in the first year, so it is on the AS paper as well as counting towards the full A level.
What does Periodicity and Group Chemistry cover in AQA AS-Level Chemistry?
16 subtopics: s, p, d and f block classification, trends in period 3, group 2 trends in atomic radius, ionisation energy and melting point, reactions of group 2 with water, solubility trends of group 2 hydroxides, solubility trends of group 2 sulfates, uses of group 2 compounds, test for sulfate ions, trends in electronegativity and boiling point of halogens, halogens as oxidising agents and displacement reactions, halide ions as reducing agents: chloride and bromide, halide ions as reducing agents: iodide, and the equations, test for halide ions using silver nitrate, tests for ammonium, group 2, hydroxide and carbonate ions, reactions of chlorine with water and reactions of chlorine with cold dilute naoh and water treatment. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
How is Periodicity and Group Chemistry organised?
By the AQA 7405 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.

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