PERIODIC TABLE NOTES
1. Definition and Overview
The periodic table is the systematic arrangement of all known chemical elements in order
of increasing atomic numbers.
Elements are arranged based on atomic numbers, electronic configuration, and repeating
chemical properties.
It helps predict physical and chemical behavior of elements.
2. Key Features
The periodic table consists of;
• 7 periods (horizontal rows)
• 18 groups (vertical columns)
Elements in the same group have similar chemical properties because they have similar
valence electron configurations.
Properties change systematically across periods and down groups.
There are about 118 elements in the periodic table
Diagram of a periodic table according to the IUPAC numbering system
3. IUPAC Numbering
The IUPAC system numbers of periodic table groups from 1 to 18.
It replaced the older IA, IIA, IIIA, IVA, VIIA, IB, and IIB system because it was inconsistent
and confusing.
The IUPAC system provides a universal standard used worldwide.
The diagram below shows the numbering according to the old Roman numeral
system
4. Predicting Group Number from Electronic Configuration
s-Block Elements
s-block elements have configuration ns¹ or ns².
Group number equals the number of s-electrons.
Example: Na (3s¹) → Group 1, Mg (3s²) → Group 2.
p-Block Elements
p-block elements have configuration ns² np¹ to ns² np⁶.
Group number = 10 + valence electrons.
Examples:
B (2s²2p¹) → 13
C (2s²2p²) → 14
O (2s²2p⁴) → 16
Ne (2s²2p⁶) → 18
d-Block Elements
Group number = d electrons + s electrons.
Examples:
Sc (3d¹4s²) → 3
Fe (3d⁶4s²) → 8
Ni (3d⁸4s²) → 10
Zn (3d¹⁰4s²) → 12
5. Blocks in the Periodic Table
The periodic table is divided into blocks based on the last electron.
The s-block includes Groups 1–2 with configurations ending in s¹ or s².
The p-block includes Groups 13–18 with configurations ending in p¹ to p⁶.
The d-block includes Groups 3–12 and contains transition elements with d-electrons.
The f-block contains lanthanides and actinides with f-electrons.
6. Periods in the Periodic Table
A period is a horizontal row. There are 7 periods.
The period number equals the number of electron shells.
Example: Na (2,8,1) → Period 3; Ca (2,8,8,2) → Period 4.
Number of elements per period:
1st period = 2, 2nd period = 8, 3rd period= 8, 4th period= 18, 5th period= 18, 6th period = 32,
7th period= 32.
7. Position of Lanthanides and Actinides in the Periodic Table
The lanthanides and actinides are placed separately at the bottom of the periodic because
if they were inserted into their correct positions in periods 6 and 7, the periodic table
would become very wide and difficult to display or use. This would make the arrangement
less clear for teaching and reference.
Therefore, they are placed separately at the bottom to keep the periodic table compact,
readable, and well organized, while still showing their correct relationship to the main
table.
8. Historical Development
• Dmitri Mendeleev arranged elements in order of increasing atomic mass and placed
elements with similar properties in the same group.
• He left empty spaces for elements that had not yet been discovered and correctly
predicted their properties.
• Later, Henry Moseley discovered that arranging elements by atomic number gives
a more accurate pattern.
• This led to the modern periodic table.
Modern Periodic Law:
When elements are arranged in order of increasing atomic number, their properties repeat in a regular
pattern.
9. Classification of Elements
Metals: conductive, malleable, ductile, usually shiny.
Non-metals: poor conductors, brittle if solid, often gases.
Metalloids: mixed/intermediate properties.
10. Important Groups
Group 1: Alkali metals
Group 2: Alkaline earth metals
Groups 3–12: Transition metals
Group 17: Halogens
Group 18: Noble gases
11. Periodic Trends
Atomic radius decreases across a period and increases down a group.
Ionization energy increases across a period.
Electronegativity increases across a period.
Metallic character decreases across a period.
12. Reactivity Trends
Metal reactivity increases down a group.
Non-metal reactivity generally increases upward in a group.
Halogens are highly reactive non-metals.
Peridic table summarizing trend in reactivity
PRACTICE ITEMS
A materials manufacturing company produces containers for boiling liquids and
for thermal insulation. Engineers observe that materials with similar chemical
properties behave in similar ways and decide to use periodic table classification to
guide material selection.
A chemistry consultant provides four elements labelled X, Y, Z, and W with atomic
numbers from which choice will be made:
• X = 56
• Y = 20
• Z = 15
• W = 33
The engineers need to identify which elements are metals or non-metals,
determine their periods and groups, and classify their blocks to guide material
selection for suitable industrial use.
Task
Using your knowledge of electronic configuration and the periodic table make a write the
Engineers can base on
END