AQA · Chemistry · 8462
GCSE Chemistry (AQA): Electronic Structure
Topic 1 — Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table. Generated from the caption track of Cognito's lesson video "GCSE Chemistry - Electronic Structure (2027/28 exams)"; each card deep-links to the moment in the video it came from. Lesson 1.09 of Cognito's AQA GCSE Combined Science (Trilogy) and Chemistry course (Higher tier), filed under AQA Chemistry 8462. Teaching by Cognito — https://cognitoedu.org/coursesubtopic/c2-gcse-aqa-h-c_1.09.
12 flashcards · Free to study · No account needed
Study this deck
Preparing your cards…
All questions and answers
Read through the full deck, or practise recalling each answer above.
Why are the noble gases in group 0 unreactive?
Show answer
They already have completely full outer shells, so they have no tendency to gain or lose electrons.
How is an ion's electron diagram drawn differently from an atom's?
Show answer
Square brackets are drawn around the diagram with the overall charge written in the top right corner.
What does an element's atomic number tell you about its electrons?
Show answer
A neutral atom has the same number of electrons as protons, which equals the atomic number.
What is the electronic structure of calcium (atomic number 20)?
Show answer
2,8,8,2.
What is the maximum number of electrons the first electron shell can hold?
Show answer
2 electrons. It fills first because it is closest to the nucleus and has the lowest energy level.
What is the electronic structure of fluorine (atomic number 9)?
Show answer
2,7.
What is the electronic structure of argon (atomic number 18)?
Show answer
2,8,8.
Why does fluorine form a 1− ion?
Show answer
With 2,7 it needs to gain one electron to fill its outer shell, giving the fluoride ion an overall charge of 1−.
The second and third electron shells can each hold a maximum of ? electrons.
Show answer
8
What must an atom have in its outer shell to be stable?
Show answer
A full (complete) outer shell of electrons. If it isn't full, the atom reacts with another atom to gain or lose electrons.
What charge does a calcium ion carry, and why?
Show answer
2+. Calcium loses its two outer electrons, leaving 20 protons but only 18 electrons.
What is the electronic structure of sodium (atomic number 11)?
Show answer
2,8,1 — one electron in the outer shell, so sodium is unstable and reactive.
Want to create your own cards? Create a free account. AI generation uses credits.