Periodic Table Practice Quiz

Test Your Knowledge!

Section A Groups and Element Families

Problem 1

Which group on the periodic table contains the Alkali Metals?

  • a. 1
  • b. 2
  • c. 13
  • d. 14

Problem 2

Which group in the periodic table contains the LEAST reactive elements?

  • a. Alkali Metals
  • b. Halogens
  • c. Alkaline Earth Metals
  • d. Noble Gases

Problem 3

Which element is NOT a noble gas?

  • a. Ra
  • b. Xe
  • c. He
  • d. Ar

Problem 4

Match each group number to its family name:

  • a. Group 1
  • b. Group 2
  • c. Group 17
  • d. Group 18

Choices: Noble Gases, Halogens, Alkali Metals, Alkaline Earth Metals

Problem 5

The lanthanide and actinide series of elements are:

  • a. all artificially made
  • b. filling in d level electrons
  • c. transition elements
  • d. filling in f level electrons

Section B Periodic Table Blocks

Problem 6

Groups 13-18 form the area on the periodic table where the electron sublevels being filled are:

  • a. p sublevels
  • b. s and p sublevels
  • c. d sublevels
  • d. f sublevels

Problem 7

Identify which block (s, p, d, or f) each element belongs to:

  • a. Calcium (Ca)
  • b. Chlorine (Cl)
  • c. Iron (Fe)
  • d. Uranium (U)

Problem 8

The transition metals are found in which block of the periodic table?

  • a. s-block
  • b. p-block
  • c. d-block
  • d. f-block

Section C Periodic Trends

Problem 9

In Group 15, the element having the smallest atomic radius is:

  • a. Bi
  • b. P
  • c. As
  • d. N

Problem 10

In Group 14, the most metallic element is:

  • a. C
  • b. Si
  • c. Ge
  • d. Sn

Problem 11

For each pair, identify which element has the LARGER atomic radius:

  • a. Na or Cl
  • b. Li or K
  • c. O or S

Problem 12

As you move from left to right across a period, atomic radius generally:

  • a. increases
  • b. decreases
  • c. stays the same
  • d. varies unpredictably

Problem 13

As you move down a group, metallic character generally:

  • a. increases
  • b. decreases
  • c. stays the same
  • d. varies unpredictably

Section D Metals, Nonmetals, and Metalloids

Problem 14

Classify each element as metal, nonmetal, or metalloid:

  • a. Sodium (Na)
  • b. Silicon (Si)
  • c. Sulfur (S)
  • d. Iron (Fe)

Problem 15

Metals typically form which type of ions?

  • a. Anions (negative ions)
  • b. Cations (positive ions)
  • c. They don't form ions
  • d. Both anions and cations equally

Problem 16

Which of the following is an INCORRECT formula?

  • a. NaCl
  • b. K₂O
  • c. AlO
  • d. BaO

Hint: Think about typical ion charges for each element.

Section E Challenge Problems

Problem 17

Which of the following elements would be expected to have properties most similar to calcium (Ca)?

  • a. K
  • b. Sc
  • c. Sr
  • d. Ga

Problem 18

Arrange the following elements in order of INCREASING atomic radius: O, S, Se, Te

Problem 19

Why do elements in the same group have similar chemical properties?

Problem 20

For each element, predict the most likely ion charge:

  • a. Potassium (K)
  • b. Oxygen (O)
  • c. Aluminum (Al)
  • d. Bromine (Br)

Problem 21

Which element would you expect to be the MOST reactive?

  • a. Na
  • b. Mg
  • c. Al
  • d. Ar

Problem 22

An element has 2 electrons in its outer s sublevel and 5 electrons in its outer p sublevel. What group is it in, and is it a metal or nonmetal?