OCR A-Level Chemistry Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry (01), June 2024: Question 15

1 mark · Easy difficulty · Multiple Choice

Identify which statements about elements in the periodic table are correct regarding atomic number, group properties, and transition element catalysts.

Practise this question

Question

A multiple-choice question numbered 15 asking which statements about elements in the periodic table are correct. Statement 1 states the position of an element is determined by its relative atomic mass. Statement 2 states elements in a group have similar chemical properties. Statement 3 states transition elements are used as catalysts in the manufacture of chemicals. Four options A, B, C, and D are given, with a box for the answer.
Question text

15 Which statement(s) about elements in the periodic table is/are correct?

1 The position of an element is determined by its relative atomic mass.

2 The elements in a group have similar chemical properties.

3 Transition elements are used as catalysts in the manufacture of chemicals.

A 1, 2 and 3

B Only 1 and 2

C Only 2 and 3

D Only 1

Your answer [1]

Mark scheme

Show the mark scheme The mark scheme table showing question number 15 with the correct answer as C.

15 C 1

How to answer it

Periodic Table Elements and Properties

📌 What this question tests

This question assesses your foundational knowledge of the modern Periodic Table, specifically how elements are ordered (atomic number vs. atomic mass), periodic trends within vertical groups, and the industrial and chemical characteristics of transition elements.

Question 15 Analysis

Evaluating statements about elements in the periodic table

✅ Correct Answer: C (Only 2 and 3)

The correct option is C because statements 2 and 3 are scientifically accurate descriptions of the periodic table, whereas statement 1 contains a historical misconception.

💡 Key Knowledge

  • Atomic Number (Proton Number): The modern periodic table is ordered by increasing atomic number, not relative atomic mass.
  • Groups: Elements in the same vertical group share similar chemical properties because they have the same number of outer-shell electrons.
  • Transition Elements: Widely utilised as heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts in major industrial processes (e.g., Iron in the Haber process, Vanadium(V) oxide in the Contact process).

🧠 Exam Technique

For multiple-choice questions involving numbered statements, evaluate each statement independently and mark them True/False on your question paper before looking at options A-D. Cross out options that contain statements you know are incorrect to narrow down your choices efficiently.

❌ Common Errors

Many students instinctively select option A (1, 2 and 3) or B because they confuse Mendeleev's original periodic table (which was ordered by relative atomic mass) with the modern periodic table, which is strictly ordered by atomic number.

Mark Scheme Allocation: 1 mark awarded for selecting C.

Topics

Module 3: Periodic table and energy · Module 5: Physical chemistry and transition elements · 3.1 The periodic table · 5.3 Transition elements

Question and mark scheme from the OCR A-Level Chemistry examination, Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry (01), June 2024. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.