CHM 211

INTRODUCTION TO INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

MODULE 2: PERIODICITY AND THE PERIODIC TABLE

Periodic Table
The periodic table is a regular, periodic arrangement of the chemical elements in order of
increasing atomic number Z. The vertical columns of similar elements are called GROUPS and the
horizontal rows of elements are called periods. The modern periodic law states that the properties of
elements are a periodic function of their atomic number.

Structure of a Modern Periodic Table

The modern periodic law states that the properties of elements are a periodic function of their
atomic number. The vertical columns of similar elements are called GROUPS and the horizontal rows
of elements are called periods. The main groups bear numbers 1-2, and 13-18. Groups 3-11 are the
transition metals. The first period has only two elements: hydrogen H, Z = 1, and helium He, Z = 2. The
elements belonging to the same group show similar physical properties, and a gradual change in their
chemical properties.

The periodic table comprises of the s-block(2 groups), p-block(6 groups), d-block(10 groups)
and f-block elements(14 groups).
Periodicity
It is the similarity in electronic configurations that produces similar physical and chemical
properties in different elements. This can be defined as regular periodic variations of properties of
elements with atomic number(and position in the periodic table)

[www.chemicool.com/…/periodicity.html].
Atomic radii
Atomic radius (pl. radii) is defined as half the distance between two adjacent nuclei in a substance
or compound
Ionization energies
Ionization occurs when an electron is removed from an atom or ion. The energy required for
ionization to occur is the ionization energy. The first ionization energy of an element is the energy
required to remove a mole of electrons from a mole of atoms in a gaseous state.

M(g)→ M +(g)+e 1mole →1mole+1mole eg

Na(g)→ Na+(g)+e IE =500kJmol−1
The second ionization energy is the energy required to remove the second electron from a mole
of positive ions.

M +(g)→ M 2+(g)+e 1mole →1mole+1mole eg

Mg+(g)→ Mg2+(g)+e IE =1500kJmol−1

Electron Affinity
The electron affinity is the energy change when one mole of electrons is added to one mole of
gaseous atoms. It is also the amount of energy absorbed when an electron is added to an isolated
gaseous atom to form an ion with a -1 charge. It measures the attraction an atom has for an extra
electron.

He(g)+e− → He−(g) EA=0kJmol−1

Cl(g)+e− →Cl−(g)+349kJ EA=349kJmol−1

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 Electronegativity
This is the ability of an atom to attract electrons in a molecule. It determines the bonding
characteristics of the atom. Electronegativity increases across a period from Group 1 to Group VII
while on descending a group, electronegativity decreases. This is because the outer shells are less
attracted to the nucleus.
Nonmetals which can easily attract electrons have high electronegativity while metals which tend
to lose electrons have low electronegativity.Elements with high electronegativities (nonmetals) often
gain electrons to form anions. Elements with low electronegativities (metals) often lose electrons to
form cations.
The most electronegative element is F!
Patterns of Other Properties
• Melting point: Moving across a period from left to right , the melting point rises through the metals
and metaloids and then drops abruptly to low values for the nonmetals
• Density: Across the period there is a general increase in density until a maximum is reached at Group
VI for period 2 and 3 or at the end of the transition metals for the later periods. This is related to
increasing atomic mass and decreasing atomic radii.
• Oxidation states: in forming compounds, the elements in Groups 1,II and III form positive ions with
charges +1, +2, and +3, respectively. In contrast, the elements in Group V, VI and VII gain electrons
forming negative ions with charges of -1, -2 and -3 respectively.