3.
1 PERIODIC TRENDS
Periodic Trends are specific patterns
that are present in the periodic table
that illustrate different aspects of a
certain element.
Rows are called periods.
Columns are called groups.
Elements in a group (column) have the
same number of outer electrons, so
they have similar chemical properties.
Atomic Radius – one-half distance
between the nuclei of two atoms.
 As you move from right to
left, the atomic radius
increase.
 GROUP: As you move
down a group, atomic radius
increases.
 PERIOD: As you move
across a period, atomic
radius decreases.
Electronegativity – understood as a
chemical property describing an
atom’s ability to attract and bind with
electrons.
 According to
Electronegativity trends, the
most Electronegative element
is Fluorine, with 3.98
Pauling units.
 GROUP: As you move from
top to bottom down a
group, electronegativity
decreases.
 PERIOD: As you move from
left to right across a period
of elements, the
electronegativity increases.
Ionization Energy – energy required
to remove an electron from a
neutral atom in its gaseous phase.
[Exceptions: Important exceptions of
the above rules include group 2A to
3A and group 5A to 6A.]
 GROUP: As you move from
top to bottom down a
group, ionization energy
decreases.
 PERIOD: As you move from
left to right cross a period
of elemetns, the ionization
energy increases.
Electron Affinity – ability of an atom
to accept an electron. The more
negative the electron affinity value,
the higher an atom’s affinity for
electrons.
 3.1 PERIODIC TRENDS

 GROUP: As you move from

top to bottom down a group,
electron affinity decreases.
 PERIOD: As you move from
left to right across a period of
elements, the electron affinity
increases.

Metallic Properties

- The metallic character of an

element can be defined as
how readily an atom can lose
an electron.
- This describes how closely an
element’s match of those of a
metal.
-

 GROUP: Metallic
charateristics increase down a
group.
 PERIOD: Metallic
characteristics decrease from
left to right across a period.