Periodic Table Class 10 ICSE Important Questions with Answers
The 13 questions below are Periodic Table Class 10 ICSE important questions, each with a full step-by-step answer: extra questions beyond the textbook exercises, covering 5 topics of ICSE Class 10 Chemistry in the question formats used in the exam.
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Reviewed by Classmate AI Team · 17 October 2026
Last updated 25 October 2026
- 13
- Questions
- 5
- Topics
- 4
- Key concepts
- ₹0
- With answers
Many questions are reason-based — 'why does atomic size decrease across a period' rather than just stating that it does — so understanding the nuclear-charge argument behind each trend matters more than memorising the direction. Practise identifying an element's period and group from its electronic configuration.
About Periodic Table, Periodic Properties and Variations of Properties
Once elements are arranged by atomic number rather than atomic mass, their properties stop looking random and start following clear rules — this chapter is about reading those rules straight off an electronic configuration: why atomic size shrinks across a period but grows down a group, and why the reverse is true for metallic character. ICSE leans heavily on reason-based questions here, so understanding why a trend happens matters more than memorising it.
Key concepts & formulas
The physical and chemical properties of elements are a periodic function of their atomic number (Z). Elements are arranged in order of increasing Z in 7 periods and 18 groups.
The period number equals the number of the outermost occupied shell; the group (for normal elements) is decided by the number of valence electrons. Example: Na = 2,8,1 lies in period 3, group 1.
Nuclear charge increases while the shell stays the same, so atomic size decreases, ionisation energy and electron affinity increase, and metallic character decreases (non-metallic character increases).
A new shell is added each period, so atomic size increases, ionisation energy and electron affinity decrease, and metallic character increases.
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Periodic Table Questions and Answers
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MCQs with answers (1 mark)
Across a period from left to right, the atomic size of elements generally:
- (a)
Increases
- (b)
Decreases
- (c)
Remains the same
- (d)
First increases then decreases
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Answer: (b) Decreases.
Along a period the nuclear charge increases while electrons are added to the same shell, so the increasing pull of the nucleus draws the electron cloud inward and the atomic radius decreases.
The modern periodic table arranges elements in the increasing order of their:
- (a)
Atomic mass
- (b)
Atomic number
- (c)
Number of neutrons
- (d)
Density
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Answer: (b) Atomic number.
Moseley's work showed atomic number (Z) is the fundamental property; the modern periodic law states that properties are a periodic function of atomic number, so elements are arranged by increasing Z.
An element X has the electronic configuration 2,8,7. It belongs to:
- (a)
Period 2, group 17
- (b)
Period 3, group 17
- (c)
Period 3, group 7
- (d)
Period 7, group 3
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Answer: (b) Period 3, group 17.
Three occupied shells give period 3. It has 7 valence electrons, placing it in group 17 (the halogens); the element is chlorine, Cl.
Which of the following correctly lists the period 3 elements Na, Si and Cl in order of increasing ionisation potential?
- (a)
Cl < Si < Na
- (b)
Na < Si < Cl
- (c)
Si < Na < Cl
- (d)
Na < Cl < Si
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Answer: (b) Na < Si < Cl.
Na (2,8,1), Si (2,8,4) and Cl (2,8,7) all have three shells. Across the period the nuclear charge increases while electrons enter the same shell, so atomic size decreases and the outer electrons are held more tightly. More energy is needed to remove one, so ionisation potential rises from Na to Cl.
Assertion–Reason questions (1 mark)
Assertion (A): The atomic size of potassium is greater than that of sodium.
Reason (R): On moving down a group, a new electron shell is added, increasing the atomic radius.
- (a)
Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- (b)
Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
- (c)
A is true but R is false
- (d)
A is false but R is true
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Answer: (a) Both statements are true and R correctly explains A. Na (2,8,1) and K (2,8,8,1) are in the same group; K has one extra shell, so its atomic size is larger.
Very short answer questions (2 marks)
Define (i) ionisation energy and (ii) electron affinity.
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(i) Ionisation energy: the minimum amount of energy required to remove the most loosely bound (outermost) electron from an isolated neutral gaseous atom to form a positively charged gaseous ion.
(ii) Electron affinity: the amount of energy released when a neutral gaseous atom gains an electron to form a negatively charged gaseous ion.
Arrange the elements Li, Na, K in the increasing order of their metallic character and give one reason.
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Increasing order of metallic character: Li < Na < K.
Reason: These are group 1 elements. Down the group the atomic size increases and the outermost electron is held less tightly, so it is lost more easily. The greater the ease of losing electrons, the more metallic (electropositive) the element, so metallic character increases from Li to K.
Short answer questions (3 marks)
State how the following properties vary on moving from left to right across a period, giving a reason in each case: (i) atomic size, (ii) electron affinity, (iii) non-metallic character.
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Across a period, the nuclear charge increases by one unit for each successive element while electrons are added to the same shell, so the effective nuclear pull increases.
(i) Atomic size decreases because the greater nuclear charge pulls the same-shell electrons closer.
(ii) Electron affinity generally increases because the smaller atom with higher nuclear charge attracts an incoming electron more strongly, releasing more energy.
(iii) Non-metallic character increases because the tendency to gain electrons (electronegativity) rises, so elements become more electron-accepting towards the right.
The elements of period 3 are: Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, Ar. Answer: (i) Which is the most metallic element? (ii) Which has the highest ionisation energy? (iii) Which element has the smallest atomic size (excluding the noble gas)?
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(i) Most metallic: Na (sodium). It lies at the extreme left with only one valence electron, which is lost most easily, making it the most electropositive.
(ii) Highest ionisation energy: Ar (argon). Being a noble gas with a stable, completely filled octet, it holds its electrons most tightly, so the most energy is needed to remove an electron. (Among reactive elements, Cl has the highest.)
(iii) Smallest atomic size (excluding Ar): Cl (chlorine), because it has the highest nuclear charge among the reactive period-3 elements pulling the same shell inward.
Study the part of the periodic table shown and answer the questions.
(i) Which element has the largest atomic size? (ii) Which is the most non-metallic? (iii) Arrange A, B, C in increasing order of ionisation energy.
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All three elements lie in the same period, so trends across a period apply. A is in group 1 (left), B in group 16, C in group 17 (right).
(i) Largest atomic size: A, because atomic size is greatest on the left of a period.
(ii) Most non-metallic: C, since non-metallic character increases across a period and C is farthest right (a halogen).
(iii) Increasing ionisation energy: A < B < C, because ionisation energy increases from left to right across the period.
Long answer questions (5 marks)
(a) State the modern periodic law. (b) Name the scientist associated with it. (c) An element M has atomic number 12. (i) Write its electronic configuration. (ii) State its period and group. (iii) Is it a metal or non-metal? (iv) Write the formula of its oxide.
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(a) Modern periodic law: The physical and chemical properties of elements are a periodic function of their atomic numbers.
(b) The law is based on the work of Henry Moseley.
(c) Element M, Z = 12 (magnesium):
(i) Electronic configuration: 2,8,2.
(ii) Three occupied shells give period 3; 2 valence electrons place it in group 2.
(iii) It has only 2 loosely held valence electrons which it loses easily, so it is a metal (electropositive).
(iv) It forms M^2+ ions; with O^2- the oxide is MgO.
Give reasons for the following observations: (i) The ionisation energy of noble gases is very high. (ii) The atomic size of F is smaller than that of Li though both are in period 2. (iii) Chlorine has a higher electron affinity than fluorine. (iv) Down group 1, the reactivity of alkali metals increases. (v) A cation is smaller than its parent atom.
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(i) Noble gases have a stable, completely filled octet (or duplet for He); this stable configuration holds electrons very tightly, so removing an electron needs very high energy.
(ii) Li (2,1) and F (2,7) are in the same period; F has a greater nuclear charge (9 protons vs 3) pulling the same shell inward, so F is smaller than Li.
(iii) In the very small F atom, the incoming electron enters a compact 2nd shell where strong inter-electronic repulsion opposes its addition; Cl is slightly larger, has less repulsion, and so accepts the electron with a greater release of energy, giving it a higher electron affinity.
(iv) Down group 1 the atomic size increases and the valence electron is held less tightly, so it is lost more readily; the ease of losing the electron raises reactivity.
(v) When an atom loses electrons to form a cation, it often loses its outermost shell and the same nuclear charge now acts on fewer electrons, pulling them closer, so the cation is smaller than the parent atom.
Case study questions (4 marks)
The table gives some data for four elements of period 3 (symbols are not the real symbols).
| Element | Electronic configuration |
|---|---|
| P | 2,8,1 |
| Q | 2,8,4 |
| R | 2,8,7 |
| S | 2,8,8 |
Using the data, answer:
(i) Which element is a noble (inert) gas? Give a reason.
(ii) Which element has the largest atomic size?
(iii) Which element is the most non-metallic, and to which group does it belong?
(iv) Write the formula of the compound formed between P and R.
Show model answer
All four elements have three occupied shells, so they belong to period 3.
(i) S (2,8,8) is the noble gas, because its outermost shell is completely filled with 8 electrons (a stable octet), so it is chemically unreactive.
(ii) P (2,8,1) has the largest atomic size; it is on the extreme left (group 1) where nuclear pull on the outer shell is least.
(iii) R (2,8,7) is the most non-metallic; with 7 valence electrons it strongly tends to gain one electron. It belongs to group 17 (the halogens).
(iv) P forms P^+ (loses 1 electron) and R forms R^- (gains 1 electron), so the compound is PR.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the important questions on periodic properties for ICSE Class 10?
Placing elements by electronic configuration, and the trends in atomic size, ionisation energy, electron affinity, electronegativity and metallic character across periods and down groups, with reasons. This page on Periodic Table, Periodic Properties and Variations of Properties has 13 of them, each with a worked answer.Why does atomic size decrease across a period?
Moving left to right, electrons are added to the same shell while the nuclear charge increases. The stronger pull of the nucleus draws the electrons closer, so the atom gets smaller. Down a group size increases because a new shell is added each time.How does ionisation energy change across a period and down a group?
It increases across a period because the outer electrons are held more tightly by a rising nuclear charge, and decreases down a group because the outer electrons are farther from the nucleus. So among Na, Si and Cl, sodium has the lowest and chlorine the highest.How do you find an element's period and group from its configuration?
The number of shells gives the period and the valence electrons give the group. 2,8,7 has three shells and seven valence electrons, so it is in period 3, group 17 (chlorine). 2,8,1 is period 3, group 1 (sodium).Which ICSE Class 10 Chemistry chapter follows the periodic table?
Chemical Bonding (Chapter 2) follows Periodic Table, Periodic Properties and Variations of Properties (Chapter 1) and uses these trends to explain why atoms gain, lose or share electrons. Class 9's The Periodic Table introduces the basics.How do I answer 'give reasons' questions on periodic trends?
Name the two competing factors — nuclear charge and number of shells (distance) — and say which one wins. Noble gases have very high ionisation energy because their stable full shells hold electrons tightly; potassium is larger than sodium because it has an extra shell.Can I download periodic properties questions for ICSE Class 10?
Yes. Enter your email in the free PDF box on this page to open all 13 periodic-trend questions with reasoned answers as a printable worksheet.
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