Notes on Periodic Table

Periodic Table
The period is a horizontal row of elements with the same number of occupied electron
shells.
The group in the periodic table is a vertical column of elements with the same number of
valance electron and hence similar chemical properties.
Periodic Trends
Going across a period, the increase in protons result in an increase of the nuclear charge.
However, the increase in electrons to the valence electron shell has a poor screening effect.
Therefore nucleus exerts a greater attraction for the valence electrons, pulling them closer.
The atomic radii decreases across a period.
Going down a group, the increase in protons result in an increase of the nuclear charge.
However, the increase in electrons in the core electron shells also results in a greater
screening effect. Since the element has increasing number of core electron shells, the valence
electrons would be further away from the nucleus. The atomic radii increases down a group.
e.g. Would you expect O or F to have a bigger atomic size?
O and F have the same number of core electron shells. However F atom has 1 more
proton than O atom. Since F atom has a larger nuclear charge, the nucleus in F
exerts a greater electrostatic force of attraction for the valence electrons and pulling
them closer as compared to oxygen. Therefore F is smaller.
e.g. Would you expect Mg or Ca to have a bigger atomic size?
Ca has 1 more core electron shell than Mg. Hence the valence electrons in Ca would
be further away from the nucleus as compared to Mg, resulting in weaker
electrostatic forces of attraction between the nucleus and the valence electrons. Ca
has a bigger atomic size.
Group I - alkali metals
P:
Shiny, silvery appearance
Soft
Low densities which increases down the group
Melting point decreases down the group (Lesser energy is required to overcome the weaker
electrostatic force of attraction between nucleus and sea of mobile electrons as a result of
larger atomic size down the group.
C:
Contain 1 valence electron in s orbital, Would lose that electron to obtain a noble gas
configuration.
All are soluble.
Reaction with oxygen: Tarnish easily in air due to reaction of alkali metals with oxygen in air
to form metal oxides.
4Li (s) + O2 (g) 2Li2O(s)
Reaction with water: React with water to form a MOH and H2.
2Li (s) + 2H20 (l) 2 LiOH (aq) + H2 (g)
Reactivity: Down the group, the valence electron would be a further distance away from the
nucleus resulting in weaker electrostatic forces of attraction between the nucleus and the
valence electron. It is easier for the atoms of the metals to lose their single valence electron
and hence the metal is more reactive. Reactivity of alkali metal increases down the group.

Group VI - Halogens
P:
Exist as diatomic molecules with the formula X2.
Low melting and boiling points which increases down a group (This is due to the stronger
vdws forces as a result of higher nuber of electrons in the halogen molecules down the
group.)
Colour and physical shape of the element changes down the group.
F G Yellow
Cl G Greenish-Yellow
Notes on Periodic Table
Br L Reddish- brown
I S Brown
C:
Reactivity decreases down the group. (This is due to the electronegativity of the element,
where the halogen atoms at the top of the group are able to accept an additional electron
most easily to obtain a noble gas electronic configuration due to the valence shell of
electrons being closest to the nucleus.)
Displacement Rections:
A halogen higher up the group is more reactive and will displace a less reactive halgen from
an aqueous solution of the halide ion.
e.g. Cl2 (aq) + 2NaBr (aq) 2 NaCl (aq) + Br2 (aq)
The colourless aqueous NabR turns reddish orange due to the bromine produced.
Group 0 - Noble Gases
P:
Consist of single atoms and are monoatomic.
Low melting and boiling points due to the weak vdws forces between atoms.
He Filling weather balloons
Ne Filling neon signage
Ar Filling light bulbs/Manafacture of steel
C:
Least reactive elements. They all have electronic configuration that have fully filled orbitals,
therefore have no tendency to accept or lose electrons to form ions/share electrons to form
covalent compounds. Used to provide inert atmosphere.
Transition Metals
P:
High melting and boiling points.
Strong and hard metals with high densities
Form coloured compounds
C:
Partially/Fully filled d-subshells
Variable oxidation states.
Used as catalysts to speed up the rate of chemical reactions.
I Catalyst in Haber process
VO Catalyst in Contact process
Ni Hydrogenation of alkenes
Exception: Zn2+, Ag+