Lesson 3.1.1.3

3.1.1.3 Electron configuration Quiz: AQA Chemistry, Unit 1

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.1.1.3, Electron configuration: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Chemistry (7405), Unit 1: Physical chemistry, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What is the electron configuration of a neutral oxygen atom (Z = 8)?

    • 1s2 2s1 2p5
    • 1s2 2s2 2p6
    • 1s2 2s2 3p4
    • 1s2 2s2 2p4

  2. Which orbital types (sub-shells) are used in electron configurations of atoms and ions up to Z = 36?

    • p and d only
    • s, p, f and d
    • s and p only
    • s, p and d only

  3. What state must one mole of atoms be in for first ionisation energy to be measured?

    • Liquid state
    • Aqueous state
    • Gaseous state
    • Solid state

  4. Which equation represents the first ionisation energy of sodium?

    • Na+(g) -> Na2+(g) + e-
    • Na(g) + e- -> Na-(g)
    • Na(g) -> Na+(g) + e-
    • Na(s) -> Na+(s) + e-

  5. Which equation represents the second ionisation energy of magnesium?

    • Mg(g) -> Mg2+(g) + 2e-
    • Mg(g) -> Mg+(g) + e-
    • Mg2+(g) -> Mg(g) + 2e-
    • Mg+(g) -> Mg2+(g) + e-

  6. What is the electron configuration of an iron atom (Z = 26)?

    • [Ar] 3d6 4s2
    • [Ar] 4s2 4p6
    • [Ar] 3d8
    • [Ar] 3d4 4s4

  7. What is the electron configuration of the chloride ion, Cl-?

    • 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p5
    • 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s1
    • 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6
    • 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p4

  8. Successive ionisation energies of an element show a large jump between the 2nd and 3rd values. Which group is the element in?

    • Group 4
    • Group 3
    • Group 1
    • Group 2

  9. Which sub-shell contains the outermost electron removed during the first ionisation of aluminium?

    • 3d sub-shell
    • 3p sub-shell
    • 3s sub-shell
    • 2p sub-shell

  10. What is the electron configuration of a Ti2+ ion (Z = 22)?

    • [Ar] 3d4
    • [Ar] 3d1 4s1
    • [Ar] 4s2
    • [Ar] 3d2

  11. How many electrons are in the 3p sub-shell of a neutral sulfur atom?

    • 8
    • 6
    • 2
    • 4

  12. Which element has the electron configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p3?

    • Phosphorus
    • Silicon
    • Nitrogen
    • Sulfur

  13. Which ion has the same electron configuration as neon?

    • Na+
    • Mg
    • Cl
    • K+

  14. How many electrons are in the 2p sub-shell of a neutral neon atom?

    • 4
    • 6
    • 10
    • 2

  15. Successive ionisation energies for an element are 578, 1817, 2745 and 11578 kJ mol-1. Which group is the element in?

    • Group 3
    • Group 2
    • Group 1
    • Group 4

  16. Why is the first ionisation energy of oxygen lower than nitrogen?

    • Greater nuclear charge
    • Electron pair repulsion
    • Extra shielding effect
    • Increased atomic radius

  17. Which sub-shell contains the electron removed during the first ionisation of boron?

    • 2s sub-shell
    • 3s sub-shell
    • 2p sub-shell
    • 1s sub-shell

  18. What happens to the energy required for each successive ionisation of an element?

    • It increases
    • It fluctuates randomly
    • It decreases
    • It remains constant

  19. Which element in Period 3 has the largest first ionisation energy?

    • Silicon
    • Chlorine
    • Sodium
    • Argon

  20. Which electron configuration is correct for a neutral copper atom (Z = 29)?

    • [Ar] 3d8 4s3
    • [Ar] 4s2 3d9 4p1
    • [Ar] 3d10 4s1
    • [Ar] 3d9 4s2

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