Periodic Table Trends, Groups, Periods and Predicting Properties

1. Element X has electronic configuration 2,8,8,1. Element Y has electronic configuration 2,8,7.

Which statement is correct?

A X and Y are in the same period.
B X and Y are in the same group.
C X is a non-metal and Y is a metal.
D X has fewer occupied shells than Y.

2. An element has proton number 16.

Which statement about this element is correct?

A It is in Group IV and Period 4.
B It is in Group VI and Period 3.
C It is in Group III and Period 6.
D It is in Group VII and Period 2.

3. Elements P, Q and R have electronic configurations:

P = 2,8,1
Q = 2,8,7
R = 2,8,8

Which row correctly describes them?

	P	Q	R
A	metal	non-metal	noble gas
B	non-metal	metal	noble gas
C	metal	noble gas	non-metal
D	noble gas	non-metal	metal

4. Which element is expected to have chemical properties most similar to magnesium?

A sodium
B calcium
C aluminium
D neon

5. Element X is in Group VII and Period 3.

Which statement is correct?

A X has three outer-shell electrons.
B X has seven occupied shells.
C X forms X– ions.
D X is a metal.

6. Which statement about elements in the same group is correct?

A They have the same number of occupied electron shells.
B They have the same number of outer-shell electrons.
C They have the same proton number.
D They have the same nucleon number.

7. Which statement about elements across Period 3 from sodium to argon is correct?

A The number of occupied electron shells increases.
B The number of outer-shell electrons increases.
C Metallic character increases.
D The elements become more reactive metals.

8. An unknown element forms an ion with a 2+ charge and has three occupied electron shells.

Where is the element found?

A Group II, Period 2
B Group II, Period 3
C Group VI, Period 2
D Group VI, Period 3

9. Element Z is in Group I. It reacts violently with water and forms an alkaline solution.

Which element is most likely to react more vigorously than Z?

A an element above Z in Group I
B an element below Z in Group I
C an element in Group VII of the same period
D a noble gas in the same period

10. Which statement correctly compares lithium, sodium and potassium?

A Their melting points increase down the group.
B Their reactivity decreases down the group.
C Their outer-shell electron is lost more easily down the group.
D Their atoms become smaller down the group.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

11. A Group I metal reacts with water to form a solution of pH 13 and a gas.

Which gas is produced?

A oxygen
B hydrogen
C chlorine
D carbon dioxide

12. Which equation represents the reaction of potassium with water?

A K + H2O → KOH + H2
B 2K + 2H2O → 2KOH + H2
C K + 2H2O → KOH + H2O2
D 2K + H2O → K2O + H2

13. Why does potassium react more vigorously with water than sodium?

A Potassium has more protons, so it attracts its outer electron more strongly.
B Potassium has more occupied shells, so its outer electron is lost more easily.
C Potassium has fewer electrons, so it forms ions more easily.
D Potassium is less metallic than sodium.

14. Which property is most likely for a Group I metal?

A high density and forms 2+ ions
B soft solid and forms 1+ ions
C brittle solid and forms 1– ions
D gas at room temperature and forms 1+ ions

15. Element X is in Group I and element Y is in Group VII. X and Y are in the same period.

Which statement is correct?

A X has a higher proton number than Y.
B X is less metallic than Y.
C X forms positive ions and Y forms negative ions.
D X and Y have the same number of outer-shell electrons.

16. Which statement about Group VII elements is correct?

A They become more reactive down the group.
B They form negative ions by gaining one electron.
C They are metals with low melting points.
D They have one electron in their outer shell.

17. Chlorine, bromine and iodine are in Group VII.

Which order shows increasing reactivity?

A chlorine, bromine, iodine
B iodine, bromine, chlorine
C bromine, chlorine, iodine
D iodine, chlorine, bromine

18. A student adds chlorine water to aqueous potassium bromide.

What is observed?

A no reaction
B bromine is displaced
C potassium is displaced
D chlorine is displaced

19. Which equation represents the displacement reaction between chlorine and potassium iodide?

A Cl2 + 2KI → 2KCl + I2
B I2 + 2KCl → 2KI + Cl2
C Cl2 + KI → KCl + I
D 2Cl– + I2 → Cl2 + 2I–

20. Why can chlorine displace bromine from potassium bromide solution?

A Chlorine is less reactive than bromine.
B Chlorine atoms lose electrons more easily than bromine atoms.
C Chlorine molecules gain electrons more easily than bromine molecules.
D Chlorine has a higher boiling point than bromine.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

21. Which halogen is a liquid at room temperature?

A fluorine
B chlorine
C bromine
D iodine

22. Which statement correctly describes the trend in colour down Group VII?

A The elements become paler.
B The elements become darker.
C All Group VII elements are colourless gases.
D Only iodine is coloured.

23. Which statement about noble gases is correct?

A They have full outer electron shells.
B They react vigorously with water.
C They form 1– ions easily.
D They are coloured liquids at room temperature.

24. Why is argon used in filament lamps?

A It reacts with oxygen to prevent burning.
B It is very reactive and protects the filament.
C It is unreactive and prevents the filament from reacting with oxygen.
D It lowers the melting point of tungsten.

25. Which electronic configuration belongs to a noble gas?

A 2,8,1
B 2,8,2
C 2,8,7
D 2,8,8

26. An element is unreactive and has proton number 18.

Which statement is correct?

A It is in Group I.
B It has electronic configuration 2,8,8.
C It forms a 2+ ion easily.
D It is a liquid at room temperature.

27. Which element is most likely to form a coloured compound?

A sodium
B magnesium
C copper
D argon

28. Which property is typical of transition elements?

A low melting point and low density
B coloured compounds and variable oxidation states
C very high reactivity with cold water
D full outer shell and chemical inertness

29. Which pair contains only transition elements?

A sodium and potassium
B calcium and magnesium
C iron and copper
D chlorine and bromine

30. Which statement explains why transition elements are useful as catalysts?

A They are noble gases.
B They can have variable oxidation states.
C They always form white compounds.
D They react explosively with water.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

31. Element X is in Period 3 and Group VI.

Which electronic configuration does X have?

A 2,6
B 2,8,6
C 2,8,8,6
D 2,6,8

32. Element Y is in Group II and Period 4.

What ion is Y most likely to form?

A Y+
B Y2+
C Y2–
D Y7–

33. Which element is expected to have the largest atomic radius?

A lithium
B sodium
C potassium
D rubidium

34. Which statement about atomic size down a group is correct?

A Atomic size decreases because nuclear charge decreases.
B Atomic size increases because another electron shell is added.
C Atomic size stays the same because outer electrons remain the same.
D Atomic size decreases because atoms lose electrons.

35. Which statement about metallic character across a period from left to right is correct?

A Metallic character generally decreases.
B Metallic character generally increases.
C All elements across a period are metals.
D All elements across a period are non-metals.

36. An element has electronic configuration 2,8,4.

Which prediction is most likely correct?

A It is a noble gas.
B It is in Group IV.
C It forms a 1+ ion.
D It is in Period 4.

37. Which statement about Group II elements is correct?

A They have two electrons in their outer shell.
B They form 2– ions.
C They are less metallic down the group.
D They are noble gases.

38. Which pair of elements is in the same period?

A lithium and sodium
B magnesium and calcium
C sodium and chlorine
D fluorine and chlorine

39. Which pair of elements is in the same group?

A sodium and magnesium
B carbon and nitrogen
C oxygen and sulfur
D neon and sodium

40. Elements X, Y and Z have proton numbers 11, 12 and 13.

Which statement is correct?

A They are in the same group.
B They are in the same period.
C They have the same number of outer-shell electrons.
D They have the same chemical properties.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

41. Which element is most likely to form an acidic oxide?

A sodium
B magnesium
C sulfur
D calcium

42. Which element is most likely to form a basic oxide?

A chlorine
B sulfur
C sodium
D carbon

43. Across Period 3, sodium oxide is basic and sulfur dioxide is acidic.

What does this show?

A Metallic oxides tend to be acidic.
B Non-metal oxides tend to be acidic.
C Noble gas oxides are strongly alkaline.
D All Period 3 oxides are neutral.

44. Element X forms an oxide XO. The oxide reacts with acid but not with alkali.

Which type of oxide is XO most likely to be?

A acidic
B basic
C neutral
D amphoteric

45. Aluminium oxide reacts with both acids and alkalis.

Which term describes aluminium oxide?

A acidic
B basic
C amphoteric
D neutral

46. Which statement about the Periodic Table is correct?

A Elements are arranged in order of increasing nucleon number.
B Elements in the same period have the same number of outer-shell electrons.
C Elements in the same group have similar chemical properties.
D Noble gases are placed in Group I.

47. Element X is below chlorine in Group VII.

Which statement about X compared with chlorine is correct?

A X is more reactive.
B X has a lower boiling point.
C X has darker colour.
D X has fewer occupied electron shells.

48. Element Y is above potassium in Group I.

Which statement about Y compared with potassium is correct?

A Y is more reactive with water.
B Y has a larger atomic radius.
C Y loses its outer electron less easily.
D Y has more occupied electron shells.

49. Which prediction is correct for an element with electronic configuration 2,8,8,2?

A It is a Group II metal.
B It is a Group VIII noble gas.
C It forms a 2– ion.
D It is in Period 2.

50. An unknown element is shiny, conducts electricity, forms coloured compounds and has more than one common oxidation state.

Which part of the Periodic Table is it most likely from?

A Group I
B Group VII
C transition elements
D noble gases

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

1. Faulty question

X = 2,8,8,1 is potassium: Group I, Period 4, metal.
Y = 2,8,7 is chlorine: Group VII, Period 3, non-metal.

A wrong: They are not in the same period.
B wrong: They are not in the same group.
C wrong: X is a metal and Y is a non-metal, but the option says the reverse.
D wrong: X has more occupied shells than Y, not fewer.

Correct version should have said: X is a metal and Y is a non-metal.

2. B

A wrong: Proton number 16 is not Group IV or Period 4.
B right: Proton number 16 is sulfur, electronic configuration 2,8,6, so Group VI and Period 3.
C wrong: Group III and Period 6 are incorrect.
D wrong: Group VII and Period 2 are incorrect.

3. A

P = 2,8,1, so Group I metal.
Q = 2,8,7, so Group VII non-metal.
R = 2,8,8, so noble gas.

A right: Correct classification.
B wrong: P is not a non-metal and Q is not a metal.
C wrong: Q is not a noble gas.
D wrong: P is not a noble gas.

4. B

A wrong: Sodium is Group I, not similar to magnesium.
B right: Calcium and magnesium are both Group II, so they have similar chemical properties.
C wrong: Aluminium is Group III.
D wrong: Neon is a noble gas.

5. C

A wrong: Group VII means seven outer-shell electrons, not three.
B wrong: Period 3 means three occupied shells, not seven.
C right: Group VII elements gain one electron to form 1– ions.
D wrong: Group VII elements are non-metals.

6. B

A wrong: Same period means same number of occupied shells.
B right: Same group means same number of outer-shell electrons.
C wrong: Proton number is different for every element.
D wrong: Nucleon number is not the same.

7. B

A wrong: Across Period 3, the number of occupied shells stays the same.
B right: Outer-shell electrons increase from 1 to 8.
C wrong: Metallic character decreases across the period.
D wrong: The elements do not become more reactive metals.

8. B

A wrong: Three occupied shells means Period 3, not Period 2.
B right: A 2+ ion suggests Group II, and three shells means Period 3.
C wrong: Group VI elements usually form 2– ions.
D wrong: Group VI is incorrect.

9. B

A wrong: Group I reactivity decreases up the group.
B right: Group I reactivity increases down the group.
C wrong: Group VII elements do not show Group I metal-water reactions.
D wrong: Noble gases are unreactive.

10. C

A wrong: Melting points generally decrease down Group I.
B wrong: Reactivity increases down Group I.
C right: The outer electron is further from the nucleus and more shielded, so it is lost more easily.
D wrong: Atomic size increases down the group.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

11. B

A wrong: Oxygen is not produced in the reaction with water.
B right: Group I metals react with water to produce hydrogen and metal hydroxide.
C wrong: Chlorine is not produced.
D wrong: Carbon dioxide is not produced.

12. B

A wrong: Not balanced.
B right: 2K + 2H2O → 2KOH + H2 is balanced.
C wrong: Hydrogen peroxide is not produced.
D wrong: Potassium hydroxide forms, not potassium oxide.

13. B

A wrong: More protons do not make potassium less reactive here because shielding and distance matter more.
B right: Potassium has more shells, so the outer electron is further away and more easily lost.
C wrong: Potassium has more electrons, not fewer.
D wrong: Potassium is more metallic than sodium.

14. B

A wrong: Group I metals form 1+ ions, not 2+ ions.
B right: Group I metals are soft and form 1+ ions.
C wrong: They are not brittle non-metals and do not form 1– ions.
D wrong: They are solids at room temperature.

15. C

A wrong: In the same period, Group I is on the left, so X has lower proton number than Y.
B wrong: X is more metallic than Y.
C right: Group I forms positive ions; Group VII forms negative ions.
D wrong: X has 1 outer electron; Y has 7.

16. B

A wrong: Halogen reactivity decreases down the group.
B right: Group VII elements gain one electron to form 1– ions.
C wrong: They are non-metals.
D wrong: They have seven outer electrons.

17. B

A wrong: This is decreasing reactivity.
B right: Reactivity increases up Group VII, so iodine < bromine < chlorine.
C wrong: Bromine is not less reactive than iodine.
D wrong: Chlorine is more reactive than bromine.

18. B

A wrong: Chlorine is more reactive than bromine, so reaction occurs.
B right: Chlorine displaces bromine from potassium bromide.
C wrong: Potassium is not displaced.
D wrong: Chlorine is the reacting halogen, not displaced.

19. A

A right: Chlorine displaces iodine from potassium iodide: Cl2 + 2KI → 2KCl + I2.
B wrong: Iodine cannot displace chlorine.
C wrong: Iodine exists as I2, and the equation is not balanced.
D wrong: This shows iodine displacing chlorine, which is incorrect.

20. C

A wrong: Chlorine is more reactive than bromine.
B wrong: Halogens react by gaining electrons, not losing them.
C right: Chlorine gains electrons more easily than bromine, so it displaces bromine.
D wrong: Boiling point does not explain displacement.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

21. C

A wrong: Fluorine is a gas.
B wrong: Chlorine is a gas.
C right: Bromine is a liquid at room temperature.
D wrong: Iodine is a solid.

22. B

A wrong: Halogens become darker down the group.
B right: Colours darken from chlorine to bromine to iodine.
C wrong: They are not all colourless gases.
D wrong: Chlorine, bromine and iodine are all coloured.

23. A

A right: Noble gases are unreactive because they have full outer shells.
B wrong: They do not react vigorously with water.
C wrong: They do not easily form 1– ions.
D wrong: They are gases at room temperature.

24. C

A wrong: Argon does not react with oxygen.
B wrong: Argon is not very reactive.
C right: Argon is unreactive and stops the hot filament from reacting with oxygen.
D wrong: Argon does not lower tungsten’s melting point.

25. D

A wrong: 2,8,1 is Group I.
B wrong: 2,8,2 is Group II.
C wrong: 2,8,7 is Group VII.
D right: 2,8,8 is a full outer shell, so noble gas.

26. B

A wrong: Proton number 18 is not Group I.
B right: Proton number 18 is argon, electronic configuration 2,8,8.
C wrong: Argon does not form 2+ ions easily.
D wrong: Argon is a gas at room temperature.

27. C

A wrong: Sodium compounds are usually white/colourless.
B wrong: Magnesium compounds are usually white/colourless.
C right: Copper is a transition element and often forms coloured compounds.
D wrong: Argon is a noble gas and generally does not form compounds.

28. B

A wrong: Transition elements usually have high melting points and high densities.
B right: Transition elements often form coloured compounds and show variable oxidation states.
C wrong: Very high reactivity with cold water is typical of Group I, not transition elements.
D wrong: Full outer shell and inertness describe noble gases.

29. C

A wrong: Sodium and potassium are Group I metals.
B wrong: Calcium and magnesium are Group II metals.
C right: Iron and copper are transition elements.
D wrong: Chlorine and bromine are Group VII non-metals.

30. B

A wrong: Transition elements are not noble gases.
B right: Variable oxidation states help transition elements act as catalysts.
C wrong: Their compounds are often coloured, not always white.
D wrong: They do not react explosively with water.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

31. B

A wrong: 2,6 is Period 2.
B right: Period 3 means three shells; Group VI means six outer electrons: 2,8,6.
C wrong: 2,8,8,6 is Period 4.
D wrong: Electron shells fill from inner to outer; 2,6,8 is not correct.

32. B

A wrong: Group II elements lose two electrons, not one.
B right: Group II elements form 2+ ions.
C wrong: Metals form positive ions, not 2– ions.
D wrong: 7– is impossible here.

33. D

A wrong: Lithium has fewer shells.
B wrong: Sodium is larger than lithium but smaller than potassium and rubidium.
C wrong: Potassium is smaller than rubidium.
D right: Atomic radius increases down Group I, so rubidium is largest.

34. B

A wrong: Nuclear charge increases down a group.
B right: Atomic size increases because each element has an extra electron shell.
C wrong: Outer electrons stay similar in number, but shells increase.
D wrong: Atoms do not become smaller down a group.

35. A

A right: Metallic character generally decreases from left to right across a period.
B wrong: It decreases, not increases.
C wrong: Periods contain metals and non-metals.
D wrong: Periods are not all non-metals.

36. B

A wrong: 2,8,4 is not a noble gas configuration.
B right: Four outer electrons means Group IV.
C wrong: It does not usually form a 1+ ion.
D wrong: It has three occupied shells, so Period 3.

37. A

A right: Group II elements have two outer-shell electrons.
B wrong: They form 2+ ions, not 2– ions.
C wrong: Metallic character increases down the group.
D wrong: They are metals, not noble gases.

38. C

A wrong: Lithium is Period 2, sodium is Period 3.
B wrong: Magnesium is Period 3, calcium is Period 4.
C right: Sodium and chlorine are both Period 3.
D wrong: Fluorine is Period 2, chlorine is Period 3.

39. C

A wrong: Sodium is Group I, magnesium is Group II.
B wrong: Carbon is Group IV, nitrogen is Group V.
C right: Oxygen and sulfur are both Group VI.
D wrong: Neon is Group VIII/0, sodium is Group I.

40. B

A wrong: Proton numbers 11, 12 and 13 are sodium, magnesium and aluminium, so different groups.
B right: They are all in Period 3.
C wrong: They have 1, 2 and 3 outer electrons.
D wrong: Different groups mean different chemical properties.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.

41. C

A wrong: Sodium forms a basic oxide.
B wrong: Magnesium forms a basic oxide.
C right: Sulfur is a non-metal and forms acidic oxides such as sulfur dioxide.
D wrong: Calcium forms a basic oxide.

42. C

A wrong: Chlorine forms acidic oxides.
B wrong: Sulfur forms acidic oxides.
C right: Sodium is a metal and forms basic sodium oxide.
D wrong: Carbon usually forms acidic oxides such as carbon dioxide.

43. B

A wrong: Metallic oxides tend to be basic.
B right: Non-metal oxides tend to be acidic.
C wrong: Noble gases generally do not form common oxides at this level.
D wrong: Period 3 oxides are not all neutral.

44. B

A wrong: Acidic oxides react with alkalis, not acids.
B right: Basic oxides react with acids but not alkalis.
C wrong: Neutral oxides do not react with acids or alkalis.
D wrong: Amphoteric oxides react with both acids and alkalis.

45. C

A wrong: Acidic oxides react with alkalis only.
B wrong: Basic oxides react with acids only.
C right: Amphoteric oxides react with both acids and alkalis.
D wrong: Neutral oxides react with neither.

46. C

A wrong: Elements are arranged by increasing proton number, not nucleon number.
B wrong: Same period means same number of occupied shells, not same outer electrons.
C right: Elements in the same group have similar chemical properties.
D wrong: Noble gases are in Group VIII/0.

47. C

A wrong: Reactivity decreases down Group VII, so X is less reactive than chlorine.
B wrong: Boiling point increases down Group VII.
C right: Halogens become darker down the group.
D wrong: X has more occupied shells than chlorine.

48. C

A wrong: Group I reactivity increases down the group, so an element above potassium is less reactive.
B wrong: It has a smaller atomic radius than potassium.
C right: It loses its outer electron less easily because it has fewer shells and less shielding.
D wrong: It has fewer occupied shells than potassium.

49. A

A right: 2,8,8,2 has two outer electrons and four shells, so it is a Group II metal.
B wrong: A noble gas has a full outer shell.
C wrong: Group II metals form 2+ ions, not 2– ions.
D wrong: Four occupied shells means Period 4.

50. C

A wrong: Group I metals are shiny and conductive, but they do not usually form coloured compounds or variable oxidation states.
B wrong: Group VII elements are non-metals.
C right: These are typical properties of transition elements.
D wrong: Noble gases are unreactive and do not conduct electricity as solids/metals.

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.