CHEMICAL PERIODICITY

Zeff = Z – σ
P H Y S I C A L P R O P E RT I E S
Property Explanation
Zeff increases across a period. The number of protons, and thus Z,
Atomic radii decrease
increases, while σ remains approximately constant as the number
across a period
of fully filled inner principle quantum shells remain the same
Zeff decreases descending a group. The number of protons, and
Atomic radii increase
thus Z, increases, while σ increases as the number of fully filled
descending a group
inner principle quantum shells increases
From Na to Al, the
The Zeff increases from Na to Al as the cation has one less shell of
size of the cation is
electrons, Consequently, the nucleus exerts a greater attractive
always smaller than
force on the valence electrons in the cation.
the parent atom
From P to Cl, the size Both the anion and its parent atom have the same number of
of the anion is always protons, making Z identical. The anion however, has more
larger than the electrons that its parent atom, making the nucleus attract the
parent atom valence electron less strongly in the anion
Size of isoelectronic σ remains constant as the have the same number of inner
ions decrease across electrons. Z increases, and thus the nucleus attracts the valence
a period electrons more strongly
For more information about ionization energy, refer to the atomic structure cheatsheet
1st IE decreases Zeff decreases descending a group. Z increases descending a
descending a group group while σ increases as well, but more significantly
Electrons are removed from an ions with increasing positive
2nd IE > 1st IE always charges, increasing the Zeff and attracting electrons more strongly
to the nucleus
Electronegativity Zeff increases across a period. Z increases while σ remains
increases across a approximately constant. The ability of an atom in a molecule to
period attract bonding electrons thus increases.
Electronegativity Zeff decreases across a period. While Z increases, σ increases
decreases more significantly. Thus, the ability of an atom in a molecule to
descending a group attract bonding electrons decreases.

Period 2 Li Be B C* N O F Ne
Period 3 Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
Type Metal Metalloid Non-metal
Structure Metallic Giant Molecular Simple Molecular
Strong metallic bonds Weak VDW forces
Bonding Depends on no. of valence e- Strong covalent bonds Depends on the size of e-
Na < Mg < Al P4 < S8 >> Cl2 > Ar
mp/bp High Very High Low
Electrical Good conductors Poor conductors
conductivi Depends on no. of valence e- Insulators
*Graphite is a slightly better
– No mobile valence e-
ty Na < Mg < Al
conductor: mobile valence e-

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C H E M I C A L P R O P E RT I E S
Reaction with
Reaction with dry dry pH in
Reaction with water
oxygen and heat chlorine and water
heat

4Na + O2  2Na + Cl2  2Na + 2H2O  2NaOH + H2

Strongly reducing
Gp I

Na 2Na2O 2NaCl Violent reaction with cold 13

Vigorous Very vigorous water

2Mg + O2  Mg + Cl2  Mg + H2O  MgO + H2

Gp II

Mg 2MgO MgCl2 Vigorous reaction with 9

Very vigorous Vigorous steam

4Al + 2O2  2Al + 3Cl2  2Al + 3H2O  Al2O3 + 3H2

Gp III

Al 2Al2O3 3AlCl3 Vigorous reaction with 7

Vigorous initially Vigorous steam
AlCl3 may dimerize
Weakly reducing Weakly oxidising
Gp IV

Si + O2  SiO2 Si + 2Cl2  SiCl4

Si No reaction 7
Slow Slow

P4 + 3O2  P4O6
P4 + 6Cl2  4PCl3
Gp V

P P4O6 + 2O2  No reaction 7

PCl3 + Cl2  PCl5
P4O10
Slow
Vigorous

S8 + 4Cl2 
S + O2  SO2
4S2Cl2
Gp VI

S 2SO2 + O2  No reaction 7
S2Cl2 + Cl2 
2SO3
2SCl2
Slow
Slow
oxidisingStrongly

2Cl2 + 7O2 
Gp VII

Cl2 + H2O  HOCl + HCl

Cl 2Cl2O7 2
Acidic solution formed
Slow

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OX I D E S + P R O P E RT I E S
P4O6 SO2 Cl2O (ClO2)
Oxide Na2O MgO Al2O3 SiO2
P4O10 SO3 Cl2O7
Oxidation +1 +2 +3 +4 +3, +5 +4, +6 +1, +4. +7
number Always positive: Oxygen is more electronegative
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
No. of valence e- Multiple oxidation numbers. Atoms have unoccupied, low-lying
Oxidation number equal number of valence e -
3d orbitals that can be used to expand their octet
Bonding Ionic Covalent
Structure Giant ionic lattices Giant covalent Simple molecular
Solid Gas, (liquid)
State at 20°C Gas, solid Gas, liquid
High bp due to large amount of energy required to break ionic bonds in the liquid
lattice (Na, Mg, Al) or giant covalent structure (Si) Weak VDW forces
Molten electrical Good Very poor No conductivity
No charged
conductivity Mobile ions present in molten state
particles
No mobile ions in liquid state

Solubility in Sparingly React with water to form strongly acidic solutions

Soluble
water soluble Insoluble
Lattice energy highly exothermic 2
pH of solution 12 9 Strongly acidic
Strongly alkaline Weakly alkaline
P4O6(g) + Cl2O(g) +
Please don’t memorize these equations. SO2(g) + H2O(l)
Remember: oxidation states don’t 6H2O(l)  H2O(l) 
Na2O(s) + MgO(s) + H-  H2SO3(aq)
change on either side. Write the 4H3PO3(aq) 2HClO(aq)
H2O(l)  2O(l)  reactants product, and then balance all P4O10(g) + Cl2O7(l) +
2NaOH(aq) Mg(OH)2(aq) non-O and non-H elements and finally SO3(l) + H2O(l)
6H2O(l)  H2O(l) 
balance with water.  H2SO4(aq)
4H3PO4(aq) 2HClO4(aq)

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 Oxide

acid-base
behaviour
&hydroxide
 2NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)Na2O(s) + 2HCl(aq)

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 NaCl(aq) + H2ONaOH(aq) + HCl(aq)

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Basic;

 2MgCl2(aq) + H2O(l)MgO(s) + 2HCl(aq)

 Mg(NO3)2(aq) + 2H2O(l)Mg(OH)2(aq) + 2HNO3(aq)

Hydroxides are strongly alkaline

 AlCl3(aq) + 3H2O(l)Al2O3(s) + 6HCl(aq)

2Na+[Al(OH)4]-(aq)Al2O3(s) + 2NaOH(aq) + 3H2O 

Amphoteric

 Na2SiO3(aq) + H2O(l)SiO2(s) + 2NaOH(aq)

 4Na3PO3(aq) + 6H2O(l)P4O6(g) + 12NaOH(aq)

 4Na3PO4(aq) + 6H2O(l)P4O10(g) + 12NaOH(aq)

Acidic

 Na2SO3(aq) + H2O(l) SO2(g) + 2NaOH (aq)

 Na2SO4(aq) + H2O(l) SO3(l) + 2NaOH (aq)

 2NaClO(aq) + H2O(l)Cl2O(g) + 2NaOH(aq)

 2NaClO4(aq) + H2O(l)Cl2O7(g) + 2NaOH(aq)

C H L O R I D E S + P R O P E RT I E S
PCl3 SCl2
Oxide NaCl MgCl2 AlCl3 SiCl4
PCl5 S2Cl2
+1 +2 +3 +4 +3, +5 +1, +2
Oxidation Always positive: Chlorine is more electronegative
Atoms have Does not form SCl6
number Oxidation number equal number of valence e- unoccupied, low-lying due to steric
3d orbitals hindrance
Simple molecular
Comparable e-
Structure Giant ionic lattice Simple molecular
negativities of Al and
Cl

State at 20°C Solid Liquid Liquid, gas Liquid, gas

Na, Mg: Large amount of energy required to break ionic bonds Weak VDW forces
Molten electrical Good Very poor No conductivity
Conducts electricity in
conductivity Mobile ions present in molten state
aqueous solution
No mobile ions in liquid state

Solubility in
Dissolves Dissolves to evolve HCl fumes
water
pH 7 6.5 3 2
Slightly acidic Strongly acidic Strongly acidic

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 Equations
-

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MgCl2(s) + 6H2O(l) [Mg(H2O)6]2+(aq) + 2Cl-(aq)

 [Al(H2O)6]3+(aq) + 3Cl-(aq)AlCl3(s) + 6H2O(l)

 SiO2(s) + 4HCl(g)SiCl4(l) + 2H2O(l)

 H3PO3(aq) + 3HCl(g)PCl3(l) + 3H2O(l)

 H3PO4(aq) + 5HCl(g)PCl5(l) + 4H2O(l)

 3S(s) + SO2(aq) + 4HCl(g)2S2Cl2(l) + 2H2O(l)