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4.1 Atomic structure and the periodic table

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What are atoms, elements and compounds, and how do we represent them?

Atoms, elements and compounds; chemical symbols and formulae; mixtures and the separation techniques used to separate them.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Chemistry 4.1.1, covering atoms, elements, compounds and mixtures, how chemical formulae represent substances, and the techniques used to separate mixtures.
8 min answer →

How are electrons arranged in atoms?

Electronic structure; electrons occupy energy levels (shells); writing electron configurations for the first 20 elements and linking them to the periodic table.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Chemistry 4.1.1, covering how electrons fill energy levels (shells), writing the electronic configuration of the first 20 elements, and how electron arrangement links to group and period in the periodic table.
8 min answer →

How do the properties and reactivity of Groups 1, 7 and 0 change down each group?

Group 1 (alkali metals), Group 7 (halogens) and Group 0 (noble gases); their properties, reactions and the trends in reactivity down each group, explained by electronic structure.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Chemistry 4.1.3, covering the alkali metals, the halogens and the noble gases, their characteristic reactions, displacement in Group 7, and how the reactivity trends down Groups 1 and 7 are explained by electronic structure.
9 min answer →

What is the difference between metals and non-metals, and why do they form different ions?

Metals and non-metals; their positions in the periodic table; the ions they form; the link between electronic structure and reactivity.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Chemistry 4.1.2, covering where metals and non-metals sit in the periodic table, the ions they form, and how electronic structure explains why metals lose electrons and non-metals gain them.
8 min answer →

How did our model of the atom develop, and what is inside an atom?

The structure of the atom; subatomic particles, their relative charges and masses; atomic number, mass number and isotopes; the development of the model of the atom from plum pudding to nuclear.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Chemistry 4.1.1, covering the sub-atomic particles, atomic and mass number, isotopes and relative atomic mass, and how the model of the atom developed from Dalton through the plum pudding model to the nuclear model.
9 min answer →

How is the periodic table arranged, and how was it developed?

The periodic table; arrangement by atomic number into groups and periods; how Mendeleev arranged the early table; metals and non-metals; the development of the table once protons were discovered.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Chemistry 4.1.2, covering how the periodic table is arranged by atomic number into groups and periods, how Mendeleev built the early table and left gaps, and how the modern table is organised around electronic structure.
8 min answer →