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IB Chemistry HL 3.1.2 Electron Configuration and Position Questions

Use real exam questions to infer periodic position from orbital filling and validate configurations using electron-count evidence.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Chemistry HL
Level
HL

Exam points

  • Deduce group, period and block from a full or abbreviated electron configuration, including sublevel filling up to the stated atomic number.
  • Translate between periodic-table position and electron arrangement, preserving valence electrons, occupied energy levels and orbital order.
  • Check an electron configuration against electron count and use it to justify element classification or a stated periodic location.

IB Chemistry HL 3.1.2 Electron Configuration and Position Questions question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

Iron rusts in the presence of oxygen and water. Rusting is a redox process involving several steps that produces hydrated iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3∙nH2O\mathrm{Fe}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{3} \bullet \mathrm{nH}_{2} \mathrm{O}, as the final product. The half-equations involved for the first step of rusting are given below.

Half-equation 1: Fe(s)→Fe2+(aq)+2e−\quad \mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{s}) \rightarrow \mathrm{Fe}^{2+}(\mathrm{aq})+2 \mathrm{e}^{-}

Half-equation 2: O2(aq)+4e−+2H2O(l)→4OH−(aq)\quad \mathrm{O}_{2}(\mathrm{aq})+4 \mathrm{e}^{-}+2 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}(\mathrm{l}) \rightarrow 4 \mathrm{OH}^{-}(\mathrm{aq})

State the relationship between the electron arrangement of an element and its group and period in the periodic table.

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