CHAPTER #1 PERIODIC CLASSIFICATION

INTRODUCTION:
The orderly arrangement of elements is called "PERIODIC CLASSIFICATION".
DOBEREINER’S TRIADS
A group of three elements, which have similar physical and chemical properties, is known as "TRIADS".
In 1829, a German scientist Dobereiner made use of the relationship between atomic masses and properties
of elements. He proposed,
"If any three elements are arranged in ascending order of their atomic masses, such that the atomic mass of
middle element is Arithmetic mean of the first and third elements, then these element will show similar properties".
This is known as "Law of Triads". This rule is applicable only in a few cases.
For example
ARITHMETIC
TRIADS
MEAN
Li (7), Na (23), K (39) 7+39/2=23
Ca (40), Sr (87), Ba (137) 40+137/2=88
Cl(35.5), Br(80), I(126.5) 35.5+126.5 / 2 = 81

Drawback: This rule was valid not for all the elements.
NEWLAND’S LAW OF OCTAVES
In 1866, a British scientist, Newlands, reported his "law of octave" by arranging elements according to increasing
order of their atomic masses. He noticed that "if elements are arranges in increasing order of their atomic masses
then every eight element, starting from any point has similar properties to that of the first one".

EXAMPLE: Li Be B C N O F
Na Mg Al Si P S Cl
ADVANTAGES OF THE LAW
1. This law provided a basis for the classification of element into groups of elements having similar properties.
2. This law provided a wider scope to arrange all known elements into a tabular form
DISADVANTAGES OF THE LAW
1. Newland’s law is not applicable to all the elements.
2. This arrangement did not include NOBLE GASES because they were not discovered then.
3. Heavier elements could not be accommodated

LOTHER MEYER’S CLASSIFICATION

In 1864, a German Chemist Lother Meyer published on incomplete periodic table .He includes about 56 elements
arranged in a group from I to VIII. He plotted the values of different physical properties and obtained different
curves .In these graphs, he observed that element with similar physical properties occupy similar positions in the
curve
For example: Alkali metals occupy the peak of the curves. Halogen occur on the ascending portions of the curve.

MENDELEEV’S CLASSIFICATION
In 1869, a Russian chemist, Mendeleev, on the basis of physical and chemical properties discovered a relation
known as "PERIODIC LAW".

MENDELEEV’S PERIODIC LAW

According to the law:
"The properties of element are the periodic function of their atomic masses".
Mendeleev arranged the known elements according to increasing order of their atomic masses because; according
to him fundamental property of an element was atomic mass. He arranged these eight groups which were further
divided into subgroups. Mendeleev’s periodic table was very precise and provided the basis of modern periodic
classification.

MERITS OF MENDELEEV’S PERIODIC TABLE

Mendeleev’s periodic table offered the following advantages in understanding the properties of elements.
Regular Gradation
1. There was a regular gradation in physical and chemical properties of elements.
Oxidation State
2. The group number of an element indicates highest oxidation state that it can attain.
Vacant Spaces
3. There were many vacant spaces in Mendeleev's periodic table for the elements to be discovered. Henamed them
Eka-Boron, Eka-Aluminium and Eka-silicone He also predicted the properties of these undiscovered elements
including atomic masses. These elements were discovered as Sc, Ga and Ge with same features as he predicted.
Corrected Atomic Masses
4. Mendeleev’s arrangement helped to correct atomic masses of a number of elements. He corrected the atomic
masses of indium & uranium.

DEMERITS IN MENDELEEV’S PERIODIC TABLE

Wrong Placement Of Elements
1. For placing the elements in proper groups, the order of the elements according to atomic mass was reversed in
certain cases. He placed Iodine (127) after Tellurium (128) Potassium (39) and Ni (58) after Co (59). Which is
against his periodic law but correct according to properties.
No Idea Of Atomic Structure
2. Mendeleev’s periodic table does not provide a clear idea about the structure of atom.
Place Of Lanthanide And Actinide Series:
3. Lanthanide and Actinide have been assigned places in the periodic table which is against the periodic law.
Place Of Metals
4. Alkali metal and coinage metals (Cu, Ag and Au) which differ widely in properties are placed into the same
group.
No Place For Isotopes
5. There is no separate position for isotopes in his periodic table as the table was based on atomic masses.
No Constant Change In Atomic Masses
6. The change in atomic mass of two successive elements is not constant. Hence it is not possible to predict the
number of missing elements by knowing the atomic masses of two known elements.

MODERN PERIODIC LAW:

Moseley modified Mendeleev’s periodic law and stated as
“The properties of the elements are the periodic function of their atomic numbers not atomic weights” or
“The properties of the elements are the periodic function of their electronic configuration”

REMOVAL OF DEFECTS OF MENDELEEV’S CLASSIFICATION BY MODERN PERIODIC LAW:

1. Irregular placement of elements:
In modern periodic table elements are arranged according to ascending atomic numbers and it shows Mendeleev’s
placement was correct before Ar(18) is placed before K(19) and Te(52) is placed before I(53).
2. Placement of dissimilar elements in the same group:
This discrepancy is removed by placing elements into two sub groups A and B.
3. Position of Lanthanides and Actinides:
Lanthanides and actinides are placed separately according to periodic law.
4. Position of Isotopes:
Isotopes are assigned the same position because they have same atomic number.
5. Place for Noble gases:
Noble gases are placed between halogens (group VII A) and alkali metals (group I A) as a new group.

MODERN PERIODIC TABLE:

The tabular arrangement of all the discovered elements according to ascending atomic numbers in 8 groups and 7
periods is called Modern Periodic Table.

PERIODICITY:
Repetition of properties after certain interval of time in periodic table is called periodicity for example: 2,8,8,18,18
and 32 elements have periodicity.

LONG FORM OF PERIODIC TABLE ON THE BASIS OF ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION:

The tabular arrangement following Aufbau principle is called long form of periodic table.
Period-1:
This period corresponds to filling up of K shell. It is the shortest period and contains only two elements H(1s 1) and
He(1s2).
Period-2:
This period corresponds to filling up of L shell. It is called first short period and contains eight elements from
Li(1s2,2s1) to Ne(1s2,2s2,2p6 )
Period-3:
This period corresponds to filling up of M shell. It is called second short period and contains eight elements from
Na(1s2,2s2,2p6,3s1) to Ar(1s2,2s2,2p6,3s2,3p6 ).
Period-4:
This period corresponds to filling up of N shell. It is called first long period. It contains eighteen elements. It starts
with filling up of 4s orbital followed by 3d and 4p orbitals.
Period-5:
This period corresponds to filling up of O shell. It is called second long period. It contains eighteen elements. It
starts with filling up of 5s orbital followed by 4d and 5p orbitals.
Period-6:
It is the longest period and contains thirty two elements. It includes 2 elements of s-block with electronic
configuration 6s1 and 6s2, 6 elements of p-block with configuration 6s2,6p1 to 6s2,6p6, 10 elements of d-block with
configuration 6s2,5d1 to 6s2,5d10 and 14 elements of f-block with configuration 6s2,5d1,4f1 to 6s2,5d1,4f14
(lanthanides)
Period-7:
It is an incomplete period. It includes 2 elements of s-block with electronic configuration 7s1 and 7s2, 10 elements
of d-block with configuration 7s2,6d1 to 7s2,6d10 and 14 elements of f-block with configuration 7s2,6d1,5f1 to
7s2,6d1,5f14 (actinides)

DIVISION OF ELEMENTS INTO BLOCKS ON THE BASIS OF ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION:

REPRESENTATIVE OR TYPICAL ELEMENTS:
All the elements of A sub- group of the periodic table are called representative or typical elements. They include
metals, non-metals and metalloids. These include s and p blocks
s-block elements:
The elements in which last electron enters in s-orbital are called s-block elements. It includes group I A and II A.
Valence shell electronic configuration varies from “ns 1” to “ns2”. Where “n” is the period in which element is
present.
p-block elements:
The elements in which last electron enters in p-orbital are called p-block elements. It includes six groups from III A
to VIII A. Valence shell electronic configuration varies from “ns 2np1” to “ns2np6”.

TRANISTION ELEMENTS:
They elements of B sub-group are called transition elements. They include d and f blocks.
 d-block elements:
The elements in which last electron enters in (n-1)d-orbital are called d-block elements. It includes eight groups
from I B to VIII B. Valence shell electronic configuration varies from “ns 2(n-1)d1” to “ns2(n-1)d10”. They are called
transition elements. There are four series, the 4th is incomplete.

1. f-block elements:
The elements in which last electron enters in (n-2)f-orbital are called f-block elements or inner transition elements .
Valence shell electronic configuration varies from “ns 2(n-1)d1(n-2)f1” to “ns2(n-1)d1(n-2)f14”.

NOBLE GASES:
In the periodic table the noble gases are found at the end of each period. They are chemically unreactive and
diamagnetic gases. They have the electronic configuration of ns 2, np6. Except helium all the noble gases follow the
octet rule. They are also called inert gases.

GENERAL ELECTRONIC CONFIGURATION OF GROUPS:

Block Group Electronic configuration
s-block IA ns1
II A ns2
p-block III A ns2np1
IV A ns2 np2
VA ns2 np3
VI A ns2 np4
VII A ns2 np5
VIII A ns2 np6
d-block IB ns1(n-1)d10
II B ns2(n-1)d10
III B ns2(n-1)d1
IV B ns2(n-1)d2
VB ns2(n-1)d3
VI B ns1(n-1)d5
VII B ns2(n-1)d5
VIII B ns2(n-1)d6-8
f-block III B ns2(n-1)d1(n-2)f1-14