Trends in Atomic Radius

• Since atoms are so small, we are unable to

measure an atom directly. Therefore, we can
use the atomic radius of elements to calculate
their relative size.
• Atomic radius – ½ the distance between the
nuclei of two like atoms in a diatomic
molecule.
• Group Trends:
– Atomic size generally increases as you move down a
group.
– Atomic size generally decreases as you move from
left to right across a period.
• Why?
– As you move across a period to the right, the nucleus
is becoming more positive. Therefore it can hold
electrons more tightly.
Atomic Radius
Trends in Ionization Energy

• When an atom gains or loses an

electron, it becomes an ion.
• The energy required to overcome the
attraction of the nuclear charge and
remove an electron from a gaseous
atom is called the ionization energy.
• Group Trends –
– Ionization energy generally decreases as
you move down a group of the periodic
table. (Bigger atom = less ionization
energy)
– Ionization energy generally increases as
you move from left to right across the
periodic table.
 More on Ionization Energy
• Can more than one electron be removed?
• Yes—these are the 2nd ionization energies,
3rd ionization energies, etc. (IE2, IE3, etc.)
• Usually it takes more energy to take away
the 2nd and 3rd electrons as the remaining
+ charge in the nucleus “holds” the
remaining electrons tightly.
• Some atoms will lose electrons easily until
they have the same electron
configurations as Noble Gases.
Ionization Energy
 Electron Affinity
• Electron Affinity – how much an atom
wants to gain electrons.
• Most atoms release energy when they
gain an electron which is often written
as a negative energy.
• Electron affinities are largest at the top
right of the periodic table, but there is
some mixing in the trends.
• Halogens gain an electron most easily
because then they will have full shells
(Noble Gas electron configuration).
ENERGY CHANGE FROM A NEUTRAL
ATOM GETTING AN ELECTRON
 Ionic Radius
• When an atom forms an ion, the size of
the atom is changed.
• Positive ions (cations) are always
smaller than the neutral atoms from
which they form. (loss of electrons)
• Negative ions (anions) are always
larger than the neutral atoms from
which they form. (Gain of electrons)
• Metals tend to form cations and
nonmetals tend to form anions.
 Cationic radii decrease across a period to
Group 14.
 Anionic radii decrease across a period from
Group 15-18. Down a group, ionic radii
Ionic Radius
Trends in Electronegativity
• Electronegativity – the tendency for the
atoms of the element to attract
electrons when they are chemically
combined with atoms of another
element (form bonds).
 Representative elements have low
electronegativities. (lowest = cesium)
 Non-metallic elements have high
electronegativities. (highest = fluorine)
• Periodic Trends:
 Electronegativity generally decreases as
you move down a group.
 Electronegativity generally increases as you
move left to right on the periodic table
(excluding the noble gases)
Electronegativity
 Valence Electrons & Oxidation
Numbers
• Valence electrons are the electrons in
the outside shell that are available for
chemical reactions & bonding.
• Normally, only the outside/outermost s
& p orbital are considered valence
electrons.
• This means that the Transition metals are
skipped & the pattern goes 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
valence electrons for the “main group”
families.
• Oxidation numbers: When atoms form
ions, they tend to gain or lose a set
amount of electrons based on their
 Questions
• Of the following elements, which has the greatest
atomic radii? Ca, Cl, or Br
– Calcium
• List the following elements in order of increasing
electronegativity (from least to most). Ca, Mg, Rb
– Rubidium, Calcium, Magnesium
• Of the following elements, which has the greatest
electron affinity? Si, Se, S
– Sulfur
• List the following elements in order of decreasing
ionization energy (from most to least) Al, Ar, P
– Ar, P, Al
• Of the following elements or ions, which has the
greatest radii? Cl, Cl-1, Br, Br-1
– Br-1
What was the first wrapped candy sold in
America?

Tootsie Rolls!