Topic 3.

2 - Trends in the
properties of metal and
non-metal oxides and Group
Reactivity ( Gp 1 & 17)

Main
Understanding

● Prediction and explanation of the metallic and non-metallic

behaviour of an element based on its position in the periodic
table.
● Oxides change from basic through amphoteric to
acidic across a period.

Main
Applications and skills

● Discussion of the similarities and differences in the

properties of elements in the same group, with
reference to alkali metals (group 1) and halogens
(group 17).
● Construction of equations to explain the pH changes
for reactions of Na 2 0, MgO, P 4Q10 , and the oxides
of nitrogen and sulfur with water.

Main
We Are Here

Main
Metallic and Non-metallic
Character
▶ Metallic character decreases across a period and
increases down a group

Main
Metallic and Non-metallic
Character
▶ Metals have low ionization energy values-they have a
tendency to lose electrons during chemical reactions
▶ They tend to be oxidized

▶ Non-metals have high electron affinities-they have a

tendency to gain electrons during chemical reactions
▶ They tend to be reduced

Main
Metallic and Non-metallic
Character
Metal and Non-metal Oxides
▶ An oxide is formed from the combination of an
element with oxygen

Na+ combines with O2- to form Na2O

Ca2+ combines with O2- to form CaO
Al3+ combines with O2- to form Al2O3

Main
Metal and Non-metal Oxides
▶ Metal oxides are basic and react with water to form
metal hydroxides

CaO(s) + H2O(l) → Ca(OH)2(aq) calcium hydroxide

Na2O(s) + H2O(l) → 2Na(OH)(aq) sodium hydroxide

Main
Metal and Non-metal Oxides
▶ Non-metal oxides are acidic and react with water to
form acidic solutions

CO2(g) + H2O(l) → H2CO3(aq) carbonic acid

SO3(l) + H2O(l) → H2SO4(aq) sulfuric acid
SO2(l) + H2O(l) → H2SO3(aq) sulfurous acid
P4O10(s) + 6H2O(l) → 4H3PO4(aq) phosphoric acid

Main
Metal and Non-metal Oxides
▶ SiO2 does not dissolve in water, however it is classified as an acidic
oxide because it can react with sodium hydroxide to form sodium
silicate and water
SiO2(s) + 2NaOH(aq) → Na2SiO3(aq) + H2O(l)
▶ Al2O3 is classified as an amphoteric oxide-it can react as both an acid
and as a base
▶ As an acid:
Al2O3(s) + 2NaOH(aq) + 3H2O(l) → 2NaAl(OH)4(aq)
▶ As a base:
Al2O3(s) + 6HCl(aq) → 2AlCl3(aq) + 3H2O(l)

Main
Metal and Non-metal Oxides
▶ Trends in period 3

Formulas Na2O(s) MgO(s) Al2O3(s) SiO2(s) P4O10(s) SO3(l) and

of Oxide SO2(g)

Nature of Basic Basic Amphoteric Acidic Acidic Acidic

Oxide

Main
Group 1 Reactivity
▶ Group 1 metals react with water to form a metal
hydroxide, MOH(aq)
▶ This reaction gives an alkaline solution and hydrogen
gas

Main
Group 1 Reactivity
Group 1 Metal Reaction with Water Description

Li 2Li(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2LiOH(aq) + H2(g) Lithium reacts slowly and floats

Na 2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)
K 2K(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2KOH(aq) + H2(g)
Rb 2Rb(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2RbOH(aq) + H2(g)
Cs 2Cs(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2CsOH(aq) + H2(g)
on water. Bubbling observed.
Sodium reacts vigorously. Heat is
evolved and sodium melts.
Potassium reacts more vigorously.
The reaction is violent. It evolves
enough heat to ignite hydrogen, so
it bursts into flames instantly.
Both rubidium and caesium react
explosively with water.
Group 1 Reactivity
Lithium in Water Sodium in Water
Reactivity
Group 17 Reactivity
▶ Halogens in general are highly reactive, although
reactivity decreases going down the group with the
most reactive element being fluorine

▶ The decrease in reactivity is due to the increase in

atomic radius down a group, making it less easy to gain
an electron

Main
Group 17 Reactivity
▶ Halogens, X2, react with alkali metals M(s) to form ionic
alkali metal halide salts MX(s).
▶ In the ionic compound, MX(s), the cation is M+ and the
anion is X-
2M(s) + X2(g) → 2MX(s)
2Na(s) + Cl2(g) → 2NaCl(s)

Main
Group 17 Reactivity
▶ A solution of a more reactive halogen, X2(aq), will react with a
solution of halide ions, X-(aq), formed by a less reactive
halogen
Cl2(aq) + 2KBr(aq) → 2KCl(aq) + Br2(aq)

▶ Chlorine has a stronger attraction for an electron than

bromine.

▶ Chlorine forms the chloride anion more readily than bromide

Main
Group 17 Reactivity
▶ Going down group 17 the ability to gain an electron decreases

Main
Group 17 Reactivity
X2(aq) Cl-(aq) Br-(aq) I-(aq)

Cl2(aq) No reaction Cl2(aq) + 2Br-(aq) → 2Cl-(aq) + Br2(aq) Cl2(aq) + 2I-(aq) → 2Cl-(aq) + I2(aq)
Observation: yellow/orange solution Observation: dark red/brown
due to the formation of Br2(aq) solution due to the formation of
I2(aq)
Br2(aq) No reaction No reaction Br2(aq) + 2I-(aq) → 2Br-(aq) + I2(aq)
Observation: dark red/brown
solution due to the formation of
I2(aq)
I2(aq) No reaction No reaction No reaction
Transition Metals
▶ A transition metal is an element that has an atom with
an incomplete d-sublevel
▶ The f-block elements are sometimes described as the
inner transition elements
▶ The elements of group 12, Zn, Cd, Hg, and Cn, are not
classified as transition metals because all four
elements have full d-sublevels containing ten
d-electrons
Main