INORGANIC CHEMISTRY MASTER NOTES
Chapter 1: Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties
This chapter forms the foundation of entire Inorganic Chemistry for NEET and JEE Main. The idea of
periodic classification explains why elements show repeating chemical behaviour. Understanding this
chapter properly makes later chapters like Chemical Bonding, p■Block, d■Block and Coordination
Compounds much easier. Main concept flow of the chapter: Discovery of many elements → Need for
classification → Early classification attempts → Mendeleev periodic table → Modern periodic law →
Structure of periodic table → Periodic trends in properties
1. Need for Classification of Elements
• By the 19th century more than 60 elements were discovered.
• Studying each element separately became difficult.
• Scientists noticed some elements had similar chemical behaviour.
• Grouping similar elements helped prediction of properties.
• Periodic table allows systematic study of chemical behaviour.
2. Early Attempts of Classification
Dobereiner Triads (1817)
German scientist Johann Dobereiner grouped elements in sets of three called triads. General pattern:
Element 1 → Element 2 → Element 3 Rule: Atomic mass of middle element ≈ average of atomic masses
of first and third element. Example triads: Li → Na → K Ca → Sr → Ba Cl → Br → I Example calculation
idea: (Li mass + K mass) / 2 ≈ Na mass
• Only few elements satisfied this rule.
• Many elements could not be grouped.
• Method failed when more elements were discovered.
Newlands Law of Octaves (1865)
John Newlands arranged elements in order of increasing atomic mass. Observation: Every 8th element
had similar properties. Pattern idea: 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 8 Element 8 behaves similar to
element 1. Example similarity: Li and Na Be and Mg
• Law worked only up to calcium.
• New elements could not fit properly.
• Some dissimilar elements were placed together.
3. Mendeleev Periodic Table
Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev proposed the first successful periodic table. Mendeleev Periodic Law:
Properties of elements are periodic functions of their atomic masses. Arrangement logic: Increasing atomic
mass → Similar chemical properties placed in same vertical column → Horizontal rows formed periods
Major Achievements
• Left gaps for undiscovered elements.
• Predicted properties of elements like gallium and germanium.
• Corrected wrong atomic masses of several elements.
• Grouped elements with similar chemical behaviour.
Important Limitations
• No definite position for hydrogen.
• Isotopes could not be explained because they have same chemical properties but different masses.
• Anomalous pairs: Co–Ni and Te–I where atomic mass order was not followed.
4. Modern Periodic Law
After discovery of atomic number by Moseley, periodic law was modified. Modern Periodic Law: Properties
of elements are periodic functions of their atomic numbers. Concept flow: Atomic number increases →
Electronic configuration changes → Chemical behaviour repeats periodically This law forms the basis of
the modern periodic table used today.
5. Structure of Modern Periodic Table
• Total periods = 7
• Total groups = 18
• Period = horizontal row
• Group = vertical column
• Elements in same group have similar valence shell configuration.
Block Classification
Elements are divided into blocks based on valence orbital where last electron enters. s■block → Groups 1
and 2 p■block → Groups 13 to 18 d■block → Groups 3 to 12 (transition metals) f■block → Lanthanides
and Actinides
6. Important Periodic Trends
Properties of elements change regularly across periods and groups. Across a period (left → right):
Effective nuclear charge increases → atomic radius decreases → ionization energy increases →
electronegativity increases → metallic character decreases Down a group (top → bottom): Number of
shells increases → atomic radius increases → ionization energy decreases → electronegativity decreases
→ metallic character increases
7. Important Concepts Behind Trends
• Effective nuclear charge increases across period.
• Shielding effect increases down a group.
• Penetration order of orbitals: s > p > d > f.
• Half■filled and fully■filled orbitals give extra stability.
8. Important Exceptions (Exam Focus)
• Ionization energy of Be > B due to filled s orbital.
• Ionization energy of N > O because half■filled p configuration is stable.
• Electron gain enthalpy of Cl is more negative than F due to small size of fluorine.
• Helium placed in group 18 though its configuration resembles group 2.
9. Important Numerical Values
• Total known elements = 118
• Shortest period = 1st period (2 elements)
• Longest period = 6th period (32 elements)
• Transition elements present in groups 3–12
10. Final Chapter Flow Summary
Large number of elements discovered → Need for classification Dobereiner Triads → Newlands Octaves
→ Mendeleev Periodic Table Discovery of atomic number → Modern periodic law Modern periodic table →
Blocks of elements → Periodic trends → Exceptions and special cases