Basics of Modern
Periodic Table
In 1913, the English physicist, Henry Moseley studied the frequency (𝝂) of X-rays
produced by the bombardment of a strong beam of electrons on a metal target. He
found that a plot of 𝝂 (where 𝝂 is the frequency of X-rays emitted) against the
atomic number or nuclear charge (Z) gave a straight line from the following relation:
𝝂 = a ( Z - b)
where a and b are constants.
Z
“The physical and chemical properties of elements are periodic functions of their
atomic number.”
The recurrence of similar properties of the elements after certain regular
intervals when they are arranged in the order of increasing atomic numbers is called
periodicity.
The repetition of similar electronic configuration of their atoms in the
outermost energy shell (or valence shell) after certain regular intervals.
Long form of periodic table consist of horizontal rows called periods and
vertical rows called groups.
Long form of periodic table consist of seven period and eighteen groups.
The first period contains 2 elements and the subsequent periods consist
of 8, 8, 18, 18, 32 and 32 elements respectively. Fourteen elements of
both sixth and seventh periods (called lanthanoids and actinoids
respectively) are placed in separate columns at the bottom of the
periodic table.
The numbers 2, 8, 18, 32 is known as magic number.
Group 1 and 2 elements are known as alkali and alkaline earth metal as
they form water soluble base. The elements of these groups are known
as s-block elements
Group 3 – 12 elements are known as transition elements because
elements of these groups can donate as well as accept electrons. The
elements of these groups are known as d-block elements
Group 13 – 18 elements contains metals, non-metals and metalloids. The
elements of these groups are known as p-block elements.
Group 3 and period 6 and 7 contains lanthanoids and actinoids. These
elements are known as f-block elements or inner transition elements.
The period, group or block of an element can be predicted from the electronic configuration
of the elements.
1. Period of the element corresponds to the principal quantum number of the valence
shell.
2. Block of the element corresponds to the subshell which receives the last electron.
3. Group is determined from the number of electrons in the outermost shell or
penultimate 𝒏 − 𝟏 shell as follows:
(i) For s-block element the group no. is equal to the no of valence shell (ns) electron in
the s-subshell
(ii)For p-block element the group no. is equal to the no. the 12 + no. of electron in
the valence shell of p-subshell (np)
(iii)For d-block element the group no. is equal to the no. 2 + no. of electrons in the
penultimate (n-1) d-subshell.
(iv)For f-block element the group no. is equal to 3.
Q. Elements A, B, C and D have atomic numbers 12, 17, 28 and 36 respectively. On the
basis of electronic configuration, write to block, period and group of the periodic
table each element belongs.
Sol:-
Elements Atomic No. Electronic Configuration Block Period
A 12 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 s 3
B 17 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p5 p 3
C 28 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d8 4s2 d 4
D 36 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 p 4
Group No. of A:- No. of electron in valence shell of s-subshell i.e. 2
Group No. of B:- 12 + No. of electron in valence shell of p-subshell i.e. 12+5 = 17
Group No. of C:- 2 + No. of electron in penultimate shell of d-subshell i.e. 2+8 = 10
Group No. of D:- 12 + No. of electron in valence shell of p-subshell i.e. 12+6 = 18
The naming of the new Digit Name Abbreviation
elements having atomic no
0 nil n
greater than 100 was given
1 un u
traditionally on the name
2 bi b
of its discoverer (or
discoverers) and the 3 tri t
suggested name was 4 quad q
ratified by the IUPAC. 5 pent p
Name of digit followed by 6 hex h
suffix “ium”. 7 sept s
8 oct o
9 enn e
Atomic Number Name Symbol
101 Unnilunium Unu
102 Unnilbium Unb
103 Unniltrium Unt
104 Unnilquadium Unq
105 Unnilpentium Unp
106 unnilhexium Unh
107 Unnilseptium Uns
108 Unniloctium Uno
109 Unnilennium Une
110 Ununnilium Unn
111 Unununium Uuu