Chemistry Unit 2 Test: Practice and Review
Quick, free chemistry unit 2 practice test with instant results.
Use this Chemistry Unit 2 test to check your understanding of the periodic table, electron shells, and common chemical tests. Get instant results to spot gaps and focus your study. For more practice, try our chemistry unit 2 practice test, review Unit 1 with a chemistry unit 1 practice test, or warm up with a basic chemistry quiz.
Study Outcomes
- Understand Periodic Table Organization -
Identify element groups, periods, and key trends in atomic properties to navigate the periodic table effectively.
- Analyze Periodic Trends -
Compare atomic radius, ionization energy, and electronegativity patterns to predict element behavior and reactivity.
- Apply Electron Shell Configuration Rules -
Write and interpret electron configurations using the Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle, and Hund's rule for main-group elements.
- Interpret Chemical Test Methods -
Recognize common qualitative tests for gases and ions - such as flame tests, gas evolution, and precipitation reactions - to identify unknown substances.
- Evaluate Reaction Outcomes -
Assess test results and balanced chemical equations to determine the presence of specific ions or compounds in sample analyses.
Cheat Sheet
- Periodic Table Structure & Trends -
According to IUPAC guidelines, elements are arranged by increasing atomic number into periods and groups, which reveal trends in atomic radius, electronegativity and ionisation energy. In your chemistry unit 2 practice test, remember that atomic radius decreases across a period and increases down a group. Use the mnemonic "ADI" (Across Decreases, Down Increases) to lock in this trend before the exam.
- Electron Shell Configurations & Aufbau Principle -
Building on the shell model from UC Berkeley's Chemistry department, electrons fill orbitals in order of increasing energy (1s→2s→2p…), following the Aufbau principle, Hund's rule and the Pauli exclusion principle. For example, sodium in your chem unit 2 review appears as 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1, often memorised as 2 8 1. Chanting the sequence "1s2, 2s2, 2p6, 3s1" aloud helps cement orbital order under exam pressure.
- Ionisation Energy & Effective Nuclear Charge -
As described by the Royal Society of Chemistry, effective nuclear charge (Z_eff) increases across a period, pulling electrons closer and raising ionisation energy. In a chemistry unit 2 exam question, watch for anomalies at Be→B and N→O due to subshell electron repulsion. Practice calculating Z_eff using Z_eff = Z − S (where S is shielding electrons) to strengthen trend interpretation skills.
- Flame Tests for Cation Identification -
According to CLEAPSS and RSC resources, flame tests rapidly identify metal cations by their emission colours - sodium yields bright yellow, potassium lilac, and calcium brick-red. In your chemistry unit 2 practice test, use a clean platinum or nichrome wire dipped in dilute HCl between samples to prevent contamination. A handy phrase is "Na Yellow, K Lilac, Ca Red Brick" to recall Na, K and Ca flame colours.
- Precipitation Reactions for Anion Testing -
Official exam boards like AQA and Edexcel list key tests: chloride with AgNO3 yields a white precipitate, bromide gives cream and iodide yellow, while sulphate forms a white precipitate with BaCl2 in acidic conditions. During your chem unit 2 review, ensure you can write full ionic equations - e.g., Ag+ + Cl− → AgCl(s). Practising these reactions in the context of a chemistry test unit 2 scenario boosts speed and accuracy under timed conditions.
