Trends in the Periodic Table

Variation in atomic radii

The atomic radius of an atom is an indication of the size of the atom

 Atomic radii decrease across the period table because there is a greater attraction of the
nucleus for the electron shells, the electrons are therefore pulled closer to the nucleus, thus
resulting in a decrease in the atomic radius.
 Atomic radii decrease down the group. This is because there are more electron shells when you
go down the group and the attraction between the nucleus and the outer shell becomes
weaker, hence, the increase in atomic radius.

Variation in the ease of ionization

Ionization is the process by which an atom or a molecule acquires a negative or positive charge by
gaining or losing electrons to form ions.
Ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom or ion. Ionization
energy is affected by size of the atom, the amount of shielding or screening for the outer electrons
and the nuclear charge which is the net positive charge experienced by valence electrons.

For metals:

 The bigger the size of the atom, the more readily it forms a positive ion (cation). This is because
the element loses electrons more easily as there is a smaller attraction of the nucleus for the
outer electrons. There is also a greater shielding effect due to the greater number of inner
electron shells and a reduced nuclear charge is felt by the outer electrons.
 The fewer the number of valence electrons the atom contains, the more readily it forms a
positive ion.

For non-metals:

 The smaller the size of the atom, the more readily it forms a negative ion (anion). This is because
the smaller the atom, the more effectively its nucleus can pull in or attracts an additional
electron.
 The greater the nuclear charge, the more readily it becomes an anion. This is because the
greater nuclear charge results in a greater attraction of incoming electrons.
 The greater the number of valance electrons the atom contains, the more readily it forms a
negative ion.

Variation in electronegativity

Electronegativity measures the ease with which an atom attracts the electrons in a covalent bond.
 Small atoms with high nuclear charge (high atomic number) have the highest electro
negativities. Hence non-metals are more electronegative than metals.
  Electronegativity increases across the period.
 Electronegativity decreases down the group.
 Electronegativity affects whether an atom oxidizes or reduces. Elements with high
electronegativity values are oxidizing agents while elements with low electronegativity values
are reducing agents.

Trends in Group II
 All group II elements have two electrons in their outer shells.
 Group II elements form doubly-charged positive ions and have a constant oxidation state of 2+.
 Atomic radii increase down the group.
 Ionization energy decreases down the group. It becomes easier to ionize an atom as you go
down the group.
 Metallic characteristics increase down the group.

Chemical properties

The reactivity of group II metals increase down the group

1. Metals react with oxygen to form metal oxides. E.g.

2. Metals react with acids to form salts and hydrogen gas. E.g

3. Metals react with water and steam to produce a metal oxide or metal hydroxide and hydrogen
gas.
Mg(s) + 2H2O(l) Mg(OH)2(aq) + H2(g)
Mg(s) + 2H2O(g) MgO(s) + H2(g)
The most reactive metals will react easily with water while the less reactive metals will combine
with steam or have very slow reactions with water. The least reactive metals will react very
slowly with steam or not at all.
Reactivity of some group II metals with water from least reactive to most reactive.
Mg- Slow reaction with cold water but rapid reaction with steam.
Ca- Rapid reaction with cold water.
Ba- Very rapid reaction with cold water.

Trends in Group VII (Halogens)

 They are non-metals that have seven valence electrons.
 They exist as diatomic covalent molecules held together by a single covalent bond.
 They have low melting and boiling points due to weak intermolecular forces holding the
molecules together.
 They are more soluble in covalent solvents than in polar solvents such as water.
Properties of Halogens
 Melting and boiling points increase down the group.
 Electronegativity increases up the group. This is because as the size of the atom
decreases, the more readily it gains electrons to form ions.
 Reactivity increases up the group due to the increase in electronegativity.
 Strength of an oxidizing agent increases up the group. This is because the more readily
an element ionizes, the more easily it removes electrons from other elements.
 Displacement reaction- A displacement reaction is a reaction in which one type of atom
or ion has replaced another from its compound. For halogens, an element is displaced
from its compound by an element above it in the group.

Element State and appearance at room Melting Boiling

temperature Point (oc) point (oc)
Fluorine (F2) Pale yellow gas -220 -188
Chlorine(Cl2) Yellow-green gas -101 -35
Bromine (Br2) Red-brown liquid -7 59
Iodine(I2) Grey-black solid 114 184
NB: You do not need to memorize the melting and boiling points.

Trends in Period 3

 Atomic number increases across the period.

 Atomic radii decrease across the period.
 There is a decrease in metallic characteristics across the period.
 There is a decrease in reducing power and a corresponding increase in oxidizing power,
e.g. sodium is a good reducing agent while chlorine is a good oxidizing agent.
 Electrical conductivity- Na, Mg and Al are good conductors while Si is a semi-conductor
and P, S, Cl and Ar are non-conductors.
 Ease of Ionization- For metals, it increases from Al to Na. This is because as the number
of valence electrons decreases, the fewer electrons the atom has to lose to form a
cation. For non-metals, it increases from Si to Cl because there is an increase in the
number of valence electrons the atom has, thus, the fewer electrons the atoms has to
gain to form an anion. Ar does not gain or lose electrons as it is already stable.
 Reactivity- For metals, it increases from Al to Na due to ease of ionization. For non-
metals, it increases from Si to Cl due to ease of ionization. Ar is unreactive.