CAIE A Level Chemistry 9701 · The Periodic Table: chemical periodicity
Sodium and magnesium are both metals in Period 3. The melting point of sodium is 98 °C and that of magnesium is 649 °C.
Suggest, in terms of structure and bonding, why the melting point of magnesium is much higher than that of sodium.
4 marks, so the mark scheme is looking for about 4 separate creditworthy points. Making the same point twice in different words earns it once.
Suggest means: Apply what you know to an unfamiliar situation. There may be more than one acceptable answer. Reason from the principle you have learned to the new context, and say which principle you are using.
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