Graphing Periodic Trends

Introduction

The Periodic Table is arranged according to Periodic Law. The Periodic Law states that when elements are
arranged in order of increasing atomic number, their physical and chemical properties show a periodic pattern.
These patterns can be discovered by examining the changes in properties of elements on the Periodic Table.
The properties that will be examined in this lesson are: atomic size, ionic radius, electronegativity, and
ionization energy.

Please answer all questions on a separate sheet of paper. Write complete sentences to receive full credit.

Pre-lab questions
1. Define the following terms:
a. Period c. Atomic radius e. Electron Affinity
b. Group (Family) d. Ionization Energy f. Electronegativity

2. State the purpose of the lab.

3. Come up with an analogy that will help you to remember the differences between ionization energy,
electron affinity, and electronegativity. (Make 3 different analogies) - like you're explaining to a child.

Methods

● Graph 1
o For elements 1-36 make a graph of atomic radius as a function of atomic number. Plot atomic number
on the X-axis and the atomic radius on the Y-axis. Use a colored pen or pencil to draw a vertical line
that represents the beginning of each period.

● Graph 2
o For elements 1-36, make a graph of the ionic radius. Plot atomic number on the X-axis and the ionic
size on the Y-axis. Use a colored pen or pencil to draw a vertical line that represents the beginning of
each period.

● Graph 3
o For elements 1-36, make a graph of the ionization energy. Plot atomic number on the X-axis and
ionization energy on the Y-axis. Use a colored pen or pencil to draw a vertical line that represents
the beginning of each period.

● Graph 4
o For elements 1-36, make a graph of the electron affinity. Plot atomic number on the X-axis and the
electronegativity on the Y-axis. Use a colored pen or pencil to draw a vertical line that represents the
beginning of each period.

● Graph 5
o For elements 1-36, make a graph of the electronegativity. Plot atomic number on the X-axis and the
electronegativity on the Y-axis. Use a colored pen or pencil to draw a vertical line that represents the
beginning of each period.
Computer Directions (Excel)

1. Create column headings for the data to be listed. Enter the data from the periodic table into columns for
elements 1-36. If any of the elements are missing data, simply leave them blank-do not enter zero-and
continue down the list.
2. Select the data in the column to be graphed first by clicking on the top cell and dragging down to the
bottom of the cell.
a. For all the graphs the atomic number will always be the X variable.
b. The Y variables will be the atomic radius, ionic radius, ionization energy and electronegativity in each
of the subsequent graphs.
3. Go to Insert on the toolbar and select Chart.
4. You will be given a number of choices. Choose X-Y (scatter), and select the fourth option from the left
(Straight Marked Scatter).
5. A blank chart should appear. You may wish to resize it by dragging the corner. We now insert all of the data
and titles of the graph.
6. Click on the Chart area and select Design at
the top then open Select Data.
7. Choose Chart Data Range and highlight all of
the columns that you wish to appear in the
graph, press enter. The data points should
appear. You can press ctrl while highlighting if
you wish/need to skip columns.
8. To add graph and axis titles select Design and
go to Add Chart Element. Here you may
choose to add Chart and axis titles. Apply the
correct labels with units where appropriate
(see table headings).
9. Repeat this process for the remaining three
properties: ionic radius, 1st ionization energy, electron affinity, and electronegativity.
10. Copy the graphs into a word document to make them
11. Staple all four graphs to the lab with your completed Pre-lab and Analysis questions.

How to make a line graph in google sheets:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqRWqsDetZ8
Discussion (Analysis)

4. Based on your graphs, what is the trend in atomic radius across a period? Down a family?

5. Based on your graphs, what is the trend in ionic radius across a period? Down a family?

6. Based on your graphs, what is the trend in ionization energy across a period? Down a family?

7. Based on your graphs, what is the trend in electron affinity across a period? Down a family?

8. Based on your graphs, what is the trend in electronegativity across a period? Down a family?

9. Using an activity series, what can you deduce about the relationship between ionization energy and
reactivity of metals? What can you deduce about the relationship between ionization energy and
reactivity of nonmetals? Why do you think these relationships are contradictory?

10. Compare the graphs for ionic and atomic radii. In general, what happens to metals when they form an
ion? What happens to nonmetals when they form an ion? How does this information support the trends
you see?

11. Why are some values absent from the ionic radius data?

12. Why are some values absent from the electronegativity data?
Data Table

Element Atomic Atomic Ionic 1st Ionization Electron Affinity Electronegativity

Symbol # Radius (pm) Radius (pm) Energy (kJ/mol) (kJ/mol) * (Pauling Scale)
H 1 53 1311 72.55 2.20
He 2 31 2371
Li 3 167 60 520 59.63 0.98
Be 4 112 31 899 1.57
B 5 87 20 800 26.7 2.04
C 6 67 15 1086 121.85 2.55
N 7 56 171 1402 3.04
O 8 48 140 1313 140.98 3.44
F 9 42 136 1680 328.16 3.98
Ne 10 36 2080
Na 11 190 95 496 52.87 0.93
Mg 12 145 65 737 1.31
Al 13 118 50 577 42.5 1.61
Si 14 111 41 786 1.90
P 15 98 212 1011 72.03 2.19
S 16 88 184 999 200.41 2.58
Cl 17 79 181 1251 348.57 3.16
Ar 18 71 1520
K 19 243 133 419 48.38 0.82
Ca 20 194 99 590 1.78 1.00
Sc 21 184 106 633 18.1 1.36
Ti 22 176 96 659 7.6 1.54
V 23 171 88 651 50.7 1.63
Cr 24 166 81 653 64.3 1.66
Mn 25 161 75 717 1.55
Fe 26 156 74 762 14.6 1.83
Co 27 152 72 760 63.9 1.88
Ni 28 149 72 737 111.5 1.91
Cu 29 145 96 745 119.2 1.90
Zn 30 142 88 906 1.65
Ga 31 136 62 579 29 1.81
Ge 32 125 53 762 119.0 2.01
As 33 114 222 944 78 2.18
Se 34 103 198 941 194.96 2.55
Br 35 94 195 1139 324.54 2.96
Kr 36 88 1350 3.00
Submission and Formatting:

You will Physically submit all lab reports.

Make sure to put your last name with page number at the top right corner of each page as a header, don’t put
it in the body of the page.

Use Calibri or Times New Roman as a font, size 12, no double spacing, and labs are to be single sided.

Discussion questions should be numbered within its section so it will be easier for me to find each answer.

Graphs are to be embedded within the lab (PDF’s will not embed), if you take a picture or scan your graphs
make sure they are jpg or a graphic image format other than PDF. Also make sure graphs are horizontal
(landscape) and not vertical (portrait) if you decide to take pictures.

Lab Section Format (start a new page for each section):

1. Title Page
2. Pre lab questions
3. Methods (Graphs)
4. Discussion questions
5. Rubric
Category Level 4 Level 3 Level 2 Level 1
Knowledge 14 - 12 11 - 9 8-5 4-1
The purpose of the lab The purpose of the lab The purpose of the lab The purpose of the lab
has been clearly stated. has been stated. has been stated. is missing or not enough
information presented.
The definitions The definitions The definitions
provided are complete provided are somewhat provided are general. The definitions provided
and accurate. complete and accurate. are poor or missing.

Communication 14 - 12 11 - 9 8-5 4-1

Spelling and grammar Spelling and grammar Errors in spelling and Significant spelling and
are correct. are somewhat correct. grammar. grammar errors.

The titles of the graphs The titles of the graphs Some titles of the The titles of the graphs
are clear and are present graphs are missing. are missing.
descriptive.
All axes labels. Some axes have Axes not labeled.
All axes have accurate inaccurate label.s
labels and proper Most data points are in The data points are in
formatting of units. the correct format. The data points are not the incorrect format.
formatted properly.
The data points are in
the correct format.
Thinking 14 - 12 11 - 9 8-5 4-1
The analogies created The analogies created The analogies created The analogies are
are creative and are somewhat creative. are present but not missing or not clear.
insightful. clear.
Lines marking the Line markings are
Lines marking the beginning of periods Some lines marking the missing.
beginning of periods are indicated. beginning of periods
are clearly indicated. are missing.
Application 18 - 15 14 - 10 9-5 4-1
Trends are identified Trends are identified Some trends are Trends are missing.
and well-rooted in the and demonstrated in missing and
data. the data. demonstrated in the Data is incomplete.
data.
Astute links are made Links are made Lack of any formatting
between reactivity and between reactivity and There are missing gaps
other periodic trends. other periodic trends. in the data.

Gaps in the data have Gaps in the data have Loosely followed
been accounted for been somewhat formatting instructions.
making clear reference accounted for making
to atomic structure. clear reference to
atomic structure.
Clearly followed all
formatting instructions. Closely followed
formatting instructions