AQA GCSE Chemistry - Atomic Structure
and The Periodic Table Exam Questions
with Correct Answers 2026
Substance A contains only one type of atom. Substance A does not conduct electricity. Which type of s
ubstance is A? (1)
A: Compound
B: Metallic element
C: Mixture
D: Non-metallic element - CORRECT ANSWER -D: Non-metallic element (non-
metals do not conduct electricity)
Substance B contains two types of atoms. The atoms are chemically combined together in fixed propor
tions. Which type of substance is B? (1)
A: Compound
B: Metallic element
C: Mixture
D: Non-metallic element - CORRECT ANSWER -
A: Compound (A compound is a substance made up of two or more elements chemically bonded toget
her)
What is the name of the elements in Group 0 of the periodic table? (1)
A: Alkali metals
B: Halogens
C: Noble gases
D: Transition metals - CORRECT ANSWER -C: Noble gases
Neon is in Group 0. What type of particles are in the sample of neon? (1)
A: Atoms
B: Ions
, C: Molecules - CORRECT ANSWER -A: Atoms (The smallest part of an element that can exist)
Which statement about the elements in Group 0 is correct? (1)
A: All elements in the group are very reactive
B: All elements in the group form negative ions
C: The boiling points increase down the group
D: The relative atomic masses decrease down the group - CORRECT ANSWER -
C: The boiling points increase down the group (Noble gases are not reactive as they already have full
outer shells, they don't form ions as they have a full outer shell, the boiling points increase down the
group because the intermolecular forces between the atoms need more energy to break meaning they
have a higher boiling point as it goes down the group)
In the structure of an oxide of a metal, if there were 3 X atoms and 6 O atoms, determine the empiric
al formula of the oxide (1) - CORRECT ANSWER -X3O6
to
XO2
A nanoparticle of a metallic element is a cube. The surface area of a cube is given by the equation:
(length of side)^2 *6 = surface area
If the length of the cube is 2.8nm. Calculate the surface area of the cube to 2 significant figures (3) -
CORRECT ANSWER -(2.8)^2 *6 (1)
= 47.04nm^2 (1)
= 47 nm^2 (1)
Fine and coarse particles of the metallic element are also cubes. The length of a fine particle cube is 1
0 times smaller than the length of a coarse particle cube. How does the surface area to volume ratio o
f the fine particle cube compare with that of the coarse particle cube? (1)
A: Both surface area to volume ratios are the same
B: The surface area to volume ratio of the fine particles is 10 times greater
C: The surface area to volume ratio of the fine particles is 10 times smaller - CORRECT ANSWER -
B: The surface area to volume ratio of the fine particle is 10 times greater
(If you are unsure, calculate it)
and The Periodic Table Exam Questions
with Correct Answers 2026
Substance A contains only one type of atom. Substance A does not conduct electricity. Which type of s
ubstance is A? (1)
A: Compound
B: Metallic element
C: Mixture
D: Non-metallic element - CORRECT ANSWER -D: Non-metallic element (non-
metals do not conduct electricity)
Substance B contains two types of atoms. The atoms are chemically combined together in fixed propor
tions. Which type of substance is B? (1)
A: Compound
B: Metallic element
C: Mixture
D: Non-metallic element - CORRECT ANSWER -
A: Compound (A compound is a substance made up of two or more elements chemically bonded toget
her)
What is the name of the elements in Group 0 of the periodic table? (1)
A: Alkali metals
B: Halogens
C: Noble gases
D: Transition metals - CORRECT ANSWER -C: Noble gases
Neon is in Group 0. What type of particles are in the sample of neon? (1)
A: Atoms
B: Ions
, C: Molecules - CORRECT ANSWER -A: Atoms (The smallest part of an element that can exist)
Which statement about the elements in Group 0 is correct? (1)
A: All elements in the group are very reactive
B: All elements in the group form negative ions
C: The boiling points increase down the group
D: The relative atomic masses decrease down the group - CORRECT ANSWER -
C: The boiling points increase down the group (Noble gases are not reactive as they already have full
outer shells, they don't form ions as they have a full outer shell, the boiling points increase down the
group because the intermolecular forces between the atoms need more energy to break meaning they
have a higher boiling point as it goes down the group)
In the structure of an oxide of a metal, if there were 3 X atoms and 6 O atoms, determine the empiric
al formula of the oxide (1) - CORRECT ANSWER -X3O6
to
XO2
A nanoparticle of a metallic element is a cube. The surface area of a cube is given by the equation:
(length of side)^2 *6 = surface area
If the length of the cube is 2.8nm. Calculate the surface area of the cube to 2 significant figures (3) -
CORRECT ANSWER -(2.8)^2 *6 (1)
= 47.04nm^2 (1)
= 47 nm^2 (1)
Fine and coarse particles of the metallic element are also cubes. The length of a fine particle cube is 1
0 times smaller than the length of a coarse particle cube. How does the surface area to volume ratio o
f the fine particle cube compare with that of the coarse particle cube? (1)
A: Both surface area to volume ratios are the same
B: The surface area to volume ratio of the fine particles is 10 times greater
C: The surface area to volume ratio of the fine particles is 10 times smaller - CORRECT ANSWER -
B: The surface area to volume ratio of the fine particle is 10 times greater
(If you are unsure, calculate it)
