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A Levels Chemistry (9701)•9701/12/M/J/20
Question 31 from 9701/12/M/J/20

Explanation

Periodic trends for superheavy alkali metal

Steps:

  • Place element 119 in Group 1, Period 8, as the next alkali metal after francium.
  • Apply Group 1 trends: increasing atomic radius down the group due to added electron shells.
  • Assess ionization energy trend: alkali metals have low values, decreasing down the group, unlike noble gases.
  • Evaluate orbital configuration: Group 1 ends in ns¹, but relativistic effects in Period 8 may alter stability.

Why B is correct:

  • Atomic radius increases down Group 1 as the principal quantum number rises, adding shells; thus, Period 8 element 119 exceeds the seven existing Group 1 elements (H to Fr).

Why the others are wrong:

  • A: Relativistic effects in superheavy elements destabilize the 8s orbital, making the outermost electrons involve p or d contributions, not purely s.
  • C: Group 1 elements have low first ionization energies due to easy ns¹ loss; element 118 (noble gas) has higher IE from stable configuration.
  • D: Not enough information.

Final answer: B

Topic: The Periodic Table: chemical periodicity

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