Periodic Table

Notes (Self-Study)

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1. The Periodic Table

In the periodic table, the elements are arranged in order of increasing proton (atomic) number, and
are classified according to Groups and Periods.

Group - a vertical set of elements

Period - a horizontal row of elements

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2. Group

The groups in the Periodic Table are numbered from I to VII and then Group 0. Some of these groups
have names:

Group number Group

I Alkali metals
II Alkaline earth metals
VII Halogens
0 Noble gases

Elements between Group II and III are known as transition metals or transition elements.

Elements in the same group have similar chemical properties and will undergo the same type of
chemical reactions.

3. Period

Element Proton Number of electrons in Electronic Period

st nd rd th
number 1 shell 2 shell 3 shell 4 shell configuration
H 1 1 1 1
He 2 2 2 1
Li 3 2 1 2.1 2
Be 4 2 2 2.2 2
B 5 2 3 2.3 2
C 6 2 4 2.4 2
N 7 2 5 2.5 2
O 8 2 6 2.6 2
F 9 2 7 2.7 2
Ne 10 2 8 2.8 2
Na 11 2 8 1 2.8.1 3
Mg 12 2 8 2 2.8.2 3
Al 13 2 8 3 2.8.3 3
Si 14 2 8 4 2.8.4 3
P 15 2 8 5 2.8.5 3
S 16 2 8 6 2.8.6 3
Cl 17 2 8 7 2.8.7 3
Ar 18 2 8 8 2.8.8 3
K 19 2 8 8 1 2.8.8.1 4
Ca 20 2 8 8 2 2.8.8.2 4

Each period is numbered, 1, 2, 3, etc.

st st
Elements in the 1 period will only have their 1 shell fully/partially occupied with electrons.
nd st nd
Elements in the 2 period will have their 1 shell fully occupied with electrons, and their 2 shell
fully/partially occupied with electrons.

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4. Patterns in the Periodic Table

(a) Electronic Structure

Down each group, the number of valence electrons is the same for each element and is equal to
the group number.

Example: Group I Elements

Element Electronic configuration

Li 2.1
Na 2.8.1
K 2.8.8.1

Group I elements are very reactive. Since elements with similar electronic configurations have
similar chemical properties, elements in the same group have similar chemical properties.

(b) Metals and non-metals

Across the period, the properties of elements change from metallic to non‐metallic.

Generally, elements with small number of electrons in the valence shell (e.g. Group I and II) are
metals. Elements with large number of electrons in the valence shell (e.g. Group VII and 0) are non-
metals.

The line that divides metals from non-metals runs run diagonally through the Periodic Table.
Elements found beside this dividing line are known as metalloids. Metalloids have some properties
of non-metals and metals.

(c) Charges on ions

Charges on the ions formed are related to the group number and number of valence electrons.

Elements on the left side of the Periodic Table lose their valence electrons to form cations with
charges corresponding to their group number. Elements on the right side of the Periodic Table
gain electrons to form anions. The charges on the anions corresponding to the number of
electrons gained to fill their valence shells with eight electrons.

Element Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
Group number I II III IV V VI VII 0
+ 2+ 3+ 3- 2- -
Formula of ion Na Mg Al - P S Cl -

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