Question 73 marksShort AnswerSection A

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.
2Li (3)Be (4)
3Na (11)Mg (12)
4K (19)Ca (20)
5Rb (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.

Metals and Non-metals
Modern Periodic Table and Metallic Character

Official answer

The detailed answers for each sub-question are as follows:


(i) Electronic configuration of CaCa: The atomic number of Calcium (CaCa) is 2020. Its electronic configuration is 2,8,8,22, 8, 8, 2.


(ii) Number of valence electrons in RbRb: Rubidium (RbRb) belongs to Group 1 (alkali metals), so it has 11 valence electron.


(iii) Number of shells in SrSr: Strontium (SrSr) belongs to Period 5, which means it has 55 electron shells.


(iv) Metallic character of KK: Potassium (KK) 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 (RbRb) 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: Be<Mg<Ca<RbBe < Mg < Ca < Rb.

Answer keywords:2, 8, 8, 21 valence electron5 shellsmetalRbBe < Mg < Ca < Rb

Marking scheme

  1. 1.Write correct electronic configuration of CaCa as 2,8,8,22, 8, 8, 2 (0.5 marks)
  2. 2.Identify valence electrons in RbRb as 11 (0.5 marks)
  3. 3.Identify number of shells in SrSr as 55 (0.5 marks)
  4. 4.Predict KK as a metal (0.5 marks)
  5. 5.Identify RbRb as the largest atom (0.5 marks)
  6. 6.Arrange in correct increasing order: Be<Mg<Ca<RbBe < Mg < Ca < Rb (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. 1.Writing the electronic configuration of Calcium as 2, 8, 10 instead of 2, 8, 8, 2.
  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 (KK) 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 −108∘C-108^\circ\text{C}!

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.