2.
1 Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
1. Atomic Structure:
Atoms are the building blocks of all matter.
An atom has three main parts:
a. Protons: Positively charged particles in the nucleus.
b. Neutrons: Neutral particles (no charge) in the nucleus.
c. Electrons: Negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus in energy
levels (shells).
The atomic number is the number of protons in an atom (it defines the element).
The mass number is the total number of protons + neutrons.
2. The Periodic Table:
The periodic table organizes elements based on their atomic number and properties.
Elements are divided into:
a. Metals (left side): Shiny, conductive, malleable.
b. Non-metals (right side): Dull, brittle, poor conductors.
c. Metalloids: Have properties of both metals and non-metals.
Rows are called periods (number of electron shells).
Columns are called groups (elements in the same group have similar chemical
properties because they have the same number of electrons in their outer shell).
2.2 Trends in Groups Within the Periodic Table
1. Group Trends: Elements in the same group have similar properties
because they have the same number of electrons in their outer shell.
a. Group 1 (Alkali Metals):
Very reactive (react with water to form alkaline solutions).
Reactivity increases as you go down the group (outer electron is farther from the
nucleus, so it’s easier to lose).
b. Group 2 (Halogens):
Reactive non-metals.
Reactivity decreases as you go down the group (harder to gain an electron as the
outer shell is farther from the nucleus).
c. Group 7 (Noble Gases):
Unreactive because they have a full outer shell of electrons.
2. Period Trends:
As you move across a period, the number of protons increases, pulling electrons
closer to the nucleus.
This makes atoms smaller and less reactive as you move from left to right.
2.3 Why Elements React to Form Compounds
1. Chemical Reactions:
Elements react to achieve a full outer shell of electrons (like noble gases, which
are stable).
They do this by gaining, losing, or sharing electrons.
2. Types of Bonding:
a. Ionic Bonding:
Occurs between metals and non-metals.
Metals lose electrons to form positive ions.
Non-metals gain electrons to form negative ions.
Oppositely charged ions attract to form ionic compounds (e.g., NaCl).
b. Covalent Bonding:
Occurs between non-metals.
Atoms share electrons to achieve a full outer shell.
Forms molecules (e.g., H₂O, CO₂).
Why React?:
Atoms want to be stable, and bonding helps them achieve this by filling their outer
electron shell.
2.4 Simple and Giant Structures
1. Simple Molecular Structures:
Made up of small molecules (e.g., H₂O, CO₂).
Weak forces between molecules (intermolecular forces).
Low melting and boiling points (easy to break the weak forces).
Poor conductors of electricity (no free electrons or ions).
2. Giant Structures:
a. Giant Covalent Structures:
Atoms bonded together in a large network (e.g., diamond, graphite, silicon dioxide).
Very high melting and boiling points (strong covalent bonds).
Diamond: Hard, doesn’t conduct electricity.
Graphite: Soft, conducts electricity (has free electrons).
b. Giant Ionic Structures:
Regular lattice of positive and negative ions (e.g., NaCl).
High melting and boiling points (strong ionic bonds).
Conduct electricity when molten or dissolved in water (ions are free to move).
c. Giant Metallic Structures:
Layers of metal ions surrounded by a "sea" of delocalized electrons.
High melting and boiling points.
Good conductors of heat and electricity (free electrons can move).
Key Points to Remember:
Atoms are made of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
The periodic table organizes elements by atomic number and properties.
Elements react to achieve a full outer shell of electrons.
Bonding can be ionic (metal + non-metal) or covalent (non-metal + non-metal).
Simple molecules have weak forces, while giant structures have strong bonds and
high melting points.