ExpertEasy2 marksStructured
AQA GCSE · Question 02.1 · Atomic structure and the periodic table
This question is about the periodic table.
Sodium and potassium are in Group 1 of the periodic table.
Give one similarity and one difference between the electronic structures of sodium and potassium.
Similarity:
Difference:
This question is about the periodic table.
Sodium and potassium are in Group 1 of the periodic table.
Give one similarity and one difference between the electronic structures of sodium and potassium.
Similarity:
Difference:
How to approach this question
Similarity: What does the group number tell you about the electronic structure of an element?
Difference: As you go down a group in the periodic table, what happens to the number of electron shells?
Full Answer
Similarity: They both have one electron in their outer shell.
Difference: Potassium has more electron shells / energy levels than sodium (Potassium has 4, Sodium has 3).
**Similarity:** Sodium (Na) and potassium (K) are both in Group 1. The group number of an element in the periodic table corresponds to the number of electrons in its outermost shell. Therefore, both sodium and potassium have one electron in their outer shell.
**Difference:** Potassium is in Period 4, while sodium is in Period 3. The period number corresponds to the number of occupied electron shells. This means potassium has four electron shells, whereas sodium has only three. (Na: 2,8,1; K: 2,8,8,1).
Common mistakes
✗ Similarity: Saying "they are both in Group 1" - this is given in the question and doesn't describe the electronic structure.
✗ Difference: Saying "potassium has more electrons" - this is true but not specific enough. The question asks about electronic structure, so the answer should refer to shells.
Practice the full AQA GCSE Chemistry Higher Tier Paper 1
44 questions · hints · full answers · grading
More questions from this exam
Q01.1A student produced a salt by reacting copper carbonate with sulfuric acid.
This is the method use...EasyQ01.2Give one observation the student could make during Step 4 which shows that the copper carbonate i...EasyQ01.3Give one reason for filtering the mixture in Step 5.EasyQ01.4Name the equipment that can be used to warm the filtrate gently in Step 6.EasyQ01.5The maximum theoretical mass of the salt that could be produced using 50 cm³ of the sulfuric acid...Medium