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Introduction to inorganic chemistry and periodicity

- Seven horizontal rows called periods. The periods are numbered from 1 to 7. A period on
the Periodic Table is a set of elements with the same number of shells. Elements of the same
period fall in different groups as they have different number of valence electrons.
- Eight vertical columns called groups. The groups are numbered from I to VII or from 1 to 18
(long form of the Periodic Table). A group is a set of elements with the same number of
valence electrons. Elements of the same group fall in different periods as they have different
number of shells.
- Four blocks which are s, p, d and f-blocks. The s-block elements are groups I and II
elements. The p-block elements are groups III to VIII elements. The d-block elements are
transition metals (transition elements). The f-block elements are the lanthanides and the
actinides. A block is a set of elements whose last incoming electron fills the same sub shell.
Elements of the same group are automatically elements of the same block while elements of
about all periods fall in at least two or more blocks. All elements of groups I and II fall are
called s-block elements because the last electron of each element of the two groups fills the
s-sub shell. Sodium (Na) and magnesium (Mg) with atomic numbers 11 and 12 respective
have the following electronic configurations.
Na: 1s22s22p63s1. Mg: 1s22s22p63s2.
It can be realised that both the last electron of sodium and magnesium fills the s-sub shell.
Act:
(a) Helium (He), neon (Ne) and argon (Ar) are group VIII element (group 18 element).
(i) Write down the s,p,d,f electronic configurations of He, Ne and Ar.
(ii) Explain why all group 18 elements should be classified as p-block elements except He.
(b) Two elements X and Y have atomic numbers 32 and 54 respectively. By writing the s, p, d, f
electronic configuration of elements X and Y, state with a reason:
(i) whether X and Y are elements of the same block or not.
(ii) The block of elements X and the block of element Y.
(c) Using a copy of your Periodic Table, identify the blocks in which elements of period
(i) period 3 fall (ii) period 4 fall (iii) period 6 fall
Ans:
Other names of periods
- Period 2 elements (Li – Ne) are also called elements of the first short period.
- Period 3 elements (Na – Ar) are also called elements of the second short period.
- Period 4 elements (K – Kr) are also called elements of the first long period.
-
Differences between Mendeleev and modern Periodic Table.
Mendeleev Periodic Table Modern Periodic Table
Classification based on increasing atomic weight Classification based on increasing atomic number
Elements not classified into blocks Elements classified into s, p, d and f-blocks
Two elements appear at the same position at the A unique position for every element
bottom of the table.
Noble gases absent Noble gases present
Only about 63 elements present About 109 elements present
Rows were called series Rows are called periods
The decay of a neutron can be applied in the synthesis of artificial elements. 10n  0-1e + 11p. The
Periodic Table can be extended by irradiating a target element with a neutron. The resulting unstable
isotope of the irradiated element undergoes beta decay to produce one element to the right. 23892U + 01n
 23992U and then 23892U  23993Np + 0-1e.

The long form of the Periodic Table (Bohr’s Periodic Table) consists of seven horizontal rows called
periods and numbered from 1 to 7. It also consists of eighteen vertical columns called groups and
numbered from 1 to 18 with s-block elements made up of group 1 and group 2 elements, d-block
elements made up of groups 3 to 12 elements and p-block elements made up of groups 13 to 18
elements. Group 18 elements are preferable called noble gases rather inert gases since some of them
such as xenon (Xe) are able to form compounds e.g XeF4, XeO2 etc.

THE NEN SERIES A-Level chemistry notes 2023-2024 school year prepared by Nkemzi E.N