The position of eight elements in the Modern Periodic Table is given below where atomic numbers of elements are given in the parenthesis.
Period No. 2 Li (3) Be (4) 3 Na (11) Mg (12) 4 K (19) Ca (20) 5 Rb (37) Sr (38)
(i) Write the electronic configuration of Ca.
(ii) Predict the number of valence electrons in Rb.
(iii) What is the number of shells in Sr?
(iv) Predict whether K is a metal or a non-metal.
(v) Which one of these elements has the largest atom in size?
(vi) Arrange Be, Ca, Mg and Rb in the increasing order of the size of their respective atoms.
The position of eight elements in the Modern Periodic Table is given below where atomic numbers of elements are given in the parenthesis.
| Period No. | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Li (3) | Be (4) |
| 3 | Na (11) | Mg (12) |
| 4 | K (19) | Ca (20) |
| 5 | Rb (37) | Sr (38) |
(i) Write the electronic configuration of Ca.
(ii) Predict the number of valence electrons in Rb.
(iii) What is the number of shells in Sr?
(iv) Predict whether K is a metal or a non-metal.
(v) Which one of these elements has the largest atom in size?
(vi) Arrange Be, Ca, Mg and Rb in the increasing order of the size of their respective atoms.
Official answer
The detailed answers for each sub-question are as follows:
(i) Electronic configuration of : The atomic number of Calcium () is . Its electronic configuration is .
(ii) Number of valence electrons in : Rubidium () belongs to Group 1 (alkali metals), so it has valence electron.
(iii) Number of shells in : Strontium () belongs to Period 5, which means it has electron shells.
(iv) Metallic character of : Potassium () is a metal. As mentioned in the text, alkali metals (lithium, sodium, potassium) are highly reactive metals that easily lose their valence electron.
(v) Largest atom in size: Rubidium () has the largest atomic size among the given elements. Atomic size increases down a group and decreases from left to right across a period.
(vi) Increasing order of atomic size: .
Marking scheme
- 1.Write correct electronic configuration of as (0.5 marks)
- 2.Identify valence electrons in as (0.5 marks)
- 3.Identify number of shells in as (0.5 marks)
- 4.Predict as a metal (0.5 marks)
- 5.Identify as the largest atom (0.5 marks)
- 6.Arrange in correct increasing order: (0.5 marks)
Hint
Recall that the period number equals the number of shells, the group number relates to valence electrons, and atomic size increases down a group and decreases across a period.
Quick oral answer
Calcium has 20 electrons, so its configuration is 2, 8, 8, 2. It has 2 valence electrons and belongs to Group 2, Period 4.
Common mistakes
- 1.Writing the electronic configuration of Calcium as 2, 8, 10 instead of 2, 8, 8, 2.
- 2.Confusing the periodic trend of atomic size and placing Rb as smaller than Ca.
Analysis and explanation
This question tests the understanding of periodic trends (atomic size, metallic character, shell number, and valence electrons) using Class 10 concepts. The metallic nature of alkali metals like potassium () is grounded in the NCERT text, which highlights their high reactivity and soft physical nature.
Interesting facts
Rubidium is so reactive that it can ignite spontaneously in air and reacts violently with water, even ice, at temperatures as low as !
Question details
Q7 of 36 questions
- Board
- CBSE
- Class
- Class 10
- Subject
- Science
- Year
- 2016
- Section
- Section A
- Marks
- 3
- Type
- Short Answer
- Chapter
- Metals and Non-metals
- Topic
- Modern Periodic Table and Metallic Character
- Bloom's level
- Applying
- Syllabus topic
- Modern Periodic Table, gradation in properties (valency, atomic number, metallic and non-metallic properties)
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Frequently asked questions
How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2016?
This question carries 3 marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2016 examination.
Which chapter does this question come from in Science?
This question is from the chapter "Metals and Non-metals" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.
What topic does this question cover in Science?
This question covers the topic "Modern Periodic Table and Metallic Character" from CBSE Class 10 Science.
What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2016 paper?
This is a Short Answer question from Section A in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2016 paper.