Case study·Standard multi-step (3/5)·No calculator
Difficulty guide
The label describes the problem, not your ability.
1/5 - Foundational
Warm-up setup; checks one basic idea.
2/5 - Routine exam skill
Normal syllabus skill; usually one main rule or interpretation.
3/5 - Standard multi-step
Exam-style problem with multiple steps or a common trap.
4/5 - Hard exam skill
High-end exam problem; combines methods carefully.
5/5 - Challenge
Stretch problem beyond normal exam pressure.
Question
A teacher compares sodium and magnesium for a same-period trend demonstration. Both lose electrons to form cations, but magnesium forms more commonly and has a higher first ionization enthalpy than sodium.
Total: 3 marks
(a) Write the common cation of sodium. (1 mark)
(b) Write the common cation of magnesium. (1 mark)
(c) Give the reason magnesium has higher first ionization enthalpy. (1 mark)
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