Periodicity Review Answer Key

1) Explain the phenomenon of shielding. In your explanation, indicate which electrons are
effected and why.
Shielding occurs when an atom’s outermost electrons feel less of the positive pull of the nucleus
due to inner electrons getting in the way.

Which elements are more prone to be affected by electron shielding?

Electron shielding increases when there are more inner electrons to block the nuclear pull of
valence electrons. Since elements with higher atomic mass have more energy levels, shielding will
be greater when moving down any group in the periodic table.

2) What is electronegativity and how is it influenced by shielding?

Increased shielding causes valence electrons not to be held to an atom as tightly, thereby increasing
the chance that they’ll be given off. Electronegative elements tend to attract electrons; therefore,
shielding decreases electronegativity.

3)Explain how the atomic radius of an element can be used to gather information about
electronegativity; both within rows and within columns.

Moving left to right within a row, the decrease in atomic radius is an indication of increased nuclear
charge pulling on the same number of energy levels. This greater pull is associated with greater
electronegativity -- the tendency to attract and hold electrons more closely.

Moving down a group, the addition of energy levels causes an increase both in radius and in the
resulting amount of shielding of outer electrons. Such elements are less likely to hang on to their
valence electrons and are therefore considered to be less electronegative.

4)Moving side to side within a period, explain how electronegativity of elements changes and
why.
Elements in the same period have the same number of energy levels and therefore the same amount
of shielding. The only variable affecting electronegativity within a period is therefore the increase
in nuclear pull. This causes electronegativity to increase while moving left to right within a period,
since elements to the right have more protons pulling on the same # of energy levels.

5)Explain what impact electronegativity has upon cation formation. Do the same for anion
formation.
Electronegative elements have a greater ability to hang onto valence electrons and to attract even
more electrons, thus attaining a negative charge. Elements lacking electronegativity cannot hold he
valence shell very well, resulting in the loss of valence electrons and a resulting positive charge.

6) Which two groups (columns) of elements are least likely to ionize? Explain your
answer.
The noble gases in column 18 have the greatest nuclear pull in their respective rows; and are
therefore the least likely to lose electrons and become cations. Since the addition of electrons
would require the creation of an entirely new energy level that will be heavily shielded, they won’t
become anions either.

The elements in column 14 are less likely to ionize because of the medium nuclear pull. It’s great
enough to keep the 4 valence electrons that are already there, but not enough to readily attract
additional electrons. Elements to the left of this column will become cations because of the lesser
nuclear pull; elements to the right will become anions because of the greater nuclear pull.

7) Chlorine has less of a nuclear pull than Argon; yet it is MORE likely to pull in an extra
electron. They both have the same number of energy levels! Explain in detail what
prevents Argon from doing this very easily.
Chlorine does not have to add an additional energy level to accommodate an extra electron. Argon,
with its full outer shell, would have to add an extra electron to a new energy level that would be too
heavily shielded. Argon’s extra proton compared to Chlorine is not enough to make up for the
increased shielding of a new energy level.

8) Draw energy level diagrams for Lithium and for Bromine. Which one experiences a
greater amount of shielding of outer electrons?
Bromine has more energy levels and therefore more shielding.

9) Explain why, despite your answer to #9, Lithium is still more likely than Bromine to
lose an electron. Given the energy level diagrams, why is it so easy for a person to be
mislead into believing otherwise?
Generally, greater shielding results in less electronegativity and a greater tendency to lose electrons.
However, nuclear pull is also a factor. Lithium has the least nuclear pull within its period, making
it easier to lose an electron. Bromine has the greatest nuclear pull within its period, making it easier
to GAIN an electron.

11) How does a metal’s electronegativity influence its reactivity?

The less electronegative a metal atom, the less likely it is to hang on to its outermost electrons. A
metal that loses its electrons more readily is more reactive.

12) Electron shielding and nuclear pull are the two competing factors that influence
electronegativity. Which of these is the primary reason Calcium reacted more readily than
Magnesium? Explain in detail, using energy level diagrams.

Calcium experiences greater electron shielding than Magnesium because it is lower in the Alkaline
Earth metals group and has more energy levels. Calcium will therefore be less electronegative, lose
its electrons more readily, and have a higher reactivity. This is why Calcium fizzed when placed in
water, whereas Magnesium required the addition of an acid in order to react in water.

13) Which of the two factors from the previous question is the primary reason Sodium is
more reactive than Magnesium and Aluminum is less reactive than both? Explain in detail,
using energy level diagrams.
Sodium, Magnesium, & Aluminum are in the same energy level and will therefore experience
the same shielding. Sodium however, has less nuclear pull; which will make it less
electronegative and more likely to lose its outer electron. Aluminum has the greatest nuclear
pull (and highest electronegativity) of the three, making its electrons less likely to be pulled
from the atom in a chemical reaction.