colour key: definitions
Trends
Chapter 10 Important terms
Periodicity
periodicity: The repeating patterns in the physical and chemical
properties of the elements across the periods of the periodic table.
Physical properties
periodic patterns of atomic radii
- The distance betweene the two nuclei of the same type of atom can be determined
and then divided by two to arrive at the atomic (single covalent) radius.
covalent radius
- There are other measures of atomic radii, such as metallic radii and Van der waals 'radii.
However, Covalent radii can be obtained for most elements, so these provide the best data
for comparison purposes across a period.
- The atomic radius decreases across a period because the increasingly positive nuclear charge
pulls the electrons in the outer shell closer to the nucleus.
Periodic patterns of ionic radii
- The ionic radius decreases across a period as the positive charge on the ion increases and the negative
charge on the ion decreases.
- .\.1
- In the same period, the negative ions have larger ionic radii than the positive ions GR.
⇒ Because they have one more electron shell, so the outer electrons are further from the nucleus
and there is more shielding.
- cations are smaller than their original atoms because they lose their outermost
quantum shell (energy level).
- anions are larger than their original atoms because each atom will have gained one or more
extra electrons into their third principal quantum shell. This increases the repulsion between its electrons,
while the nuclear charge remains constant.
- The anions decrease in size, going from P"to CI; as the nuclear charge increases across the
period.
Periodic patterns of melting points and electrical conductivity
- The electrical conductivity increases across the metals of period 3 from Na
to Al. The electrical conductivity then drops dramatically to silicon, which is described
as a semiconductor, and falls even further to the non- metallic insulators phosphorus and
sulfur.
Note: C1 and Ar don't have electrical conductivity.
- The change in metallic bonding across a period reflects the type of structure and
bonding.
- As we go across a period, the metals have increasingly strong metallic bonding and their
melting points increase.
- In period 2 and period 3, the group 14 elements have giant covalent structures, so have
very high melting points.
- In groups 15 to 18 most of the elements have simple molecular structures so have
relatively low melting points.
Periodic patterns of first ionisation energies
- There is a general increase in first ionisation energy across a period because the
increasing nuclear charges and decreasing atomic radius makes the attractive forces between
the nucleus and outer electrons greater.
Note: Group 13 and Group 16 elements may not obey this general rule.
Chemical properties:
reactions of period 3 elements with oxygen
Na
sodium reacts vigorously when heated and placed in a gas jar of oxygen.
It burns with a bright yellow flame.
The main product when sodium burns in a limited amount of oxygen is a white solid, sodium oxide
4Na Is)+ 0219) 2Naz0 (s)
Mg
Magnesium reacts vigorously when heated in oxygen, forming magnesium oxide
It burns with bright white flame
2mg (5) + 0219) ) 299015)
Fuminium metal is protected by a layer of aluminium oxide, but powdered Aluminium does react well withe oxygen
It burns with bright white flame
AAL (s) + 30219) 27120315)
SI
silicon reacts slowly with oxygen to form silicon (IV) oxide (silicon dioxide)
Si (s) + 02cg) → 510215)
P
phosphorus reacts vigorously with oxygen.
A white or yellow flame is seen
clouds of white phosphorus (V) oxide are produced
4 PCS) + 502cg) → P40, (s)
S
sulfur powder, once ignited, burns gently with blue flame in a gas jar of oxygen gas.
Toxic fumes of sulfur dioxide gas are produced.
S (s) + 02cg) > 50219)
Further oxidation of sulfur dioxide gives sulfur trioxide.
Their systematic names are sulfur (IV) oxide and sulfur (V1) oxide, respectively.
250219) + 0219) V02 catalyst 2503 (g)
CL
chlorine does not react with oxygen.
Ar
Argon does not react with oxygen.
Reactions of period 3 elements with chlorine
Na
when sodium metal is heated then plunged into a gas jar of chlorine there is a
vigorous reaction, forming sodium chloride.
2Nals) + clzly) → Nacl (s)
Mg
Magnesium reacts vigorously with chlorine gas
Mg (s) + c/219) Mgclz (s)
Aluminium reacts vigorously with chlorine gas.
2A/is) +301219) Al,Cl, (s)
Si
silicon reacts slowly with chlorine, as it does with oxygen, giving silicon (IV) chloride:
si (s) + 261219) → sick (l)
P
Phosphorus also reacts slowly with excess chlorine gas:
2P (s) + 5 (1219) 2pC's (l)
S
sulfur forms chlorides such as Sclc and S2C/2
Ar
Argon doesn't form a chloride