CSE 110 EXAM 2 ACTUAL EXAM SCRIPT
2026 QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉What determines an element's identity? Answer: Number of
protons (atomic number)
◉What are valence electrons? Answer: Electrons in the outermost
shell that participate in bonding
◉Why are valence electrons important? Answer: They determine
bonding, chemical reactivity, and periodic trends
◉What is the octet rule? Answer: Atoms tend to achieve 8 valence
electrons for stability
◉What causes periodic trends? Answer: Nuclear charge, Electron
shielding, Atomic radius
◉What is atomic radius? Answer: Distance from nucleus to
outermost electron
, ◉What is the atomic radius trend across a period? Answer:
Decreases due to increasing nuclear charge pulling electrons inward
◉What is the atomic radius trend down a group? Answer: Increases
due to additional energy levels
◉What is electron shielding? Answer: Inner electrons blocking
nuclear attraction to outer electrons
◉What is ionization energy? Answer: Energy required to remove an
electron from a gaseous atom
◉What is the first ionization energy equation? Answer: X(g) →
X+(g) + e−
◉What is the ionization energy trend across a period? Answer:
Increases due to stronger nuclear attraction
◉What is the ionization energy trend down a group? Answer:
Decreases due to shielding and larger radius
◉Why do noble gases have high ionization energy? Answer: Stable
full valence shells
2026 QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉What determines an element's identity? Answer: Number of
protons (atomic number)
◉What are valence electrons? Answer: Electrons in the outermost
shell that participate in bonding
◉Why are valence electrons important? Answer: They determine
bonding, chemical reactivity, and periodic trends
◉What is the octet rule? Answer: Atoms tend to achieve 8 valence
electrons for stability
◉What causes periodic trends? Answer: Nuclear charge, Electron
shielding, Atomic radius
◉What is atomic radius? Answer: Distance from nucleus to
outermost electron
, ◉What is the atomic radius trend across a period? Answer:
Decreases due to increasing nuclear charge pulling electrons inward
◉What is the atomic radius trend down a group? Answer: Increases
due to additional energy levels
◉What is electron shielding? Answer: Inner electrons blocking
nuclear attraction to outer electrons
◉What is ionization energy? Answer: Energy required to remove an
electron from a gaseous atom
◉What is the first ionization energy equation? Answer: X(g) →
X+(g) + e−
◉What is the ionization energy trend across a period? Answer:
Increases due to stronger nuclear attraction
◉What is the ionization energy trend down a group? Answer:
Decreases due to shielding and larger radius
◉Why do noble gases have high ionization energy? Answer: Stable
full valence shells