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Describe the Periodic Table as a method of classifying elements and its use
to predict properties of elements
● The Periodic Table can be used to classify elements and predict properties of
elements by the way that they are arranged in the table…
o Elements are arranged in order of atomic (proton) number (bottom
number) and so that elements with similar properties are in columns,
known as groups.
o Elements in the same periodic group have the same amount of electrons
in their outer shell, which gives them similar chemical properties.
● You can deduce the electronic configurations of elements from their positions in
the Periodic Table
o Group 1 has 1 electron in its outer shell, group 2 has 2 etc…
o Period 1 has 1 shell, period 2 has 2 shells etc…
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Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry
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Describe the change from metallic to non-metallic character across a period
● From left to right elements change from metallic to non-metallic character
● Metallic character/properties:
o Shiny
o Conductive
o Dense
o Malleable
● On either side of the red line, you have some elements known as “metalloids”
that have both metallic and nonmetallic properties, such as silicon (which forms
silicon dioxide…)
● Group number- shows the number of electrons in the outer shell
● Metallic / nonmetallic- metals form positive ions by losing electrons and
nonmetals form negative ions by gaining electrons. All of group 1 and 2 are
metals, all of group 7 and 8 (0) are nonmetals. In groups 3,4,5,6 there is a
transition between metals and nonmetals.
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Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry
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Describe lithium, sodium and potassium in Group I as…
● A collection of relatively soft metals showing a trend in melting point, density
and reaction with water
(Extended only) Identify trends in Groups, given information about the
elements concerned
● Similar chemical properties due to the fact that they have the same number of
outer shell electrons
● Once you are given information regarding more than one element in a group,
look at each of their positions in the group (i.e. near the top or bottom) and
identify the trend shown by the elements with given information (e.g. reactivity
or boiling point could increase down the group)
o Going down a group means going up in number of electron shells, more
electron shielding and so less attraction between the nucleus and outer
shell electrons
Predict the properties of other elements in Group I, given data, where
appropriate
● Melting point
o Low melting points compared to most other metals
▪ As you go down the group, melting points decrease
● Density
o Low densities – they will float on water
▪ As you go down the group, densities increase
● Reaction with water
o All react vigorously with water to create an alkaline solution and
hydrogen (i.e. you will see bubbling/effervescing due to the production of
a gas)
o More bubbles with reaction with water = more vigorous reaction = more
reactive alkali metal (Group I metal)
▪ Reactivity increases down the group (so reaction becomes more
vigorous)
▪ Down the group – easier to lose electrons and form positive metal
ions (cations), these are formed when metals react
▪ It is easier to lose electrons due to the increase in electron shells
and therefore there is more electron shielding and easier to lose
electrons due to the decrease in attraction between the positively
charged nucleus and the negatively charged outer shell electrons
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Describe the halogens, chlorine, bromine and iodine in Group VII, as…
● A collection of diatomic non-metals showing a trend in colour and density
Predict the properties of other elements in Group VII, given data where
appropriate
● Colour
o Darker in colour as you go down the group
▪ Fluorine is very pale yellow
▪ Chlorine is yellow-green
▪ Bromine is red-brown
▪ Iodine is purple
● Density
o Density increases as you go down the group
▪ Chlorine is a gas
▪ Bromine is a liquid
▪ Iodine is a solid
● reactivity
o decreases down the group
o outer shell becomes further from nucleus and there is more shielding
from inner electrons, attraction between nucleus and outer electrons
decreases, electrons are gained less easily (which is how halogens react)
o A more reactive halogen can displace a less reactive one in an aqueous
solution of its salt
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Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry
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Describe the transition elements as…
● A collection of metals having high densities, high melting points and forming
coloured compounds, and which, as elements and compounds, often act as
catalysts
● Transition elements have variable oxidation states, meaning they can form ions
with different charges
o E.g. Cu+ or Cu2+
● the oxidation state a transition metal is in is often shown using roman numerals
e.g. iron (II) = Fe2+ and iron (III) = Fe3+
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Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry
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Describe the noble gases, in Group VIII or 0, as being…
State the uses of the noble gases in providing an inert atmosphere, i.e.
argon in lamps, helium for filling balloons
● Helium- filling balloons: less dense than air so the balloons float and He is
non-flammable
● Neon – advertising signs
● argon/krypton/xenon- gas in filament lamps: inert
● argon- shielding gas in welding: denser than air so keeps air off of metal and
inert so metal won’t oxidise
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